PDFescape (Features, Pros, Cons, Price, Use Guide, Free Alternatives)

Managing PDF files can be a daunting task, but with the right tools, it doesn't have to be. PDFescape is a popular and versatile PDF editor that can help you with all your PDF needs. In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive guide to know all about PDFescape and how to use PDFescape effectively.

Part 1: What is PDFescape?

PDFescape is a powerful PDF editor that allows you to edit, annotate, fill out forms, and secure PDF documents easily. It comes in two versions: online and desktop. The online version is free to use, while the desktop version offers more features and is available for purchase.

PDFescape can be downloaded for free and supports Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.

Key features of PDFescape include editing PDFs, form filling, annotations, security, and sharing and collaboration.

With PDFescape, you can easily edit text and images, highlight important sections, fill out forms, add passwords, and share documents with others.

The Pros and Cons of PDFEscape

Pros:

1. Easy to fill PDF: PDFEscape is a great tool for filling out PDF forms quickly and easily.

2. Easy access: The online version of PDFEscape is easy to access from any device with internet access, making it a convenient option for users on the go.

3. Free version: PDFEscape offers a free version with many useful features, making it an affordable option for those on a budget.

4. Many tools: PDFEscape offers a wide range of tools to edit, organize, merge, and compress PDF files, making it a versatile tool for all your PDF needs.

5. Collaboration: PDFEscape offers collaboration features that allow users to share documents and collaborate on projects in real-time, making it a great tool for team projects.

Cons:

1. Unfriendly PDF editing: While PDFEscape is great for filling out forms, it is not very user-friendly when it comes to more advanced PDF editing.

2. Limited free features: While the free version of PDFEscape is useful, it has limited features compared to the premium version.

3. Requires internet: The online version of PDFEscape requires internet access, which can be a disadvantage for users in areas with limited connectivity.

4. Free version has ads: The free version of PDFEscape has ads, which can be distracting for some users.

5. Premium version available on a subscription rather than outright payment: Some users may prefer to pay for a premium version of PDFEscape outright rather than through a subscription.

Part 2: PDFEscape - Online Versions VS Desktop Versions 

PDFescape offers two versions: online and desktop. While both versions offer similar features, there are some key differences to consider.

Which Version to Choose?

When deciding between the online and desktop versions of PDFescape, it's important to consider your specific needs and preferences. Here are some factors to consider:

Convenience: If you frequently work with PDFs on the go or need to collaborate with others remotely, the online version may be more convenient.

Security: If you work with sensitive documents that require a high level of security, the desktop version may be a better choice as it doesn't require internet access.

Advanced features: If you need advanced PDF editing features like OCR, batch processing, or advanced form creation, the desktop version may be the better option.

Price: If you're on a tight budget and don't require the advanced features, the online version may be the better option as it offers a free version.

Common usage scenarios for the PDFescape tools:

PDFescape Online PDF Editor:

• Quickly edit and annotate PDF files without needing to install software.

• Fill out forms and sign documents electronically.

• Merge multiple PDF files into one.

• Convert PDFs to other formats such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Compress large PDF files to reduce file size.

PDFescape Editor for Windows:

• Access advanced editing features not available in the online version.

• Work with large PDF files more efficiently.

• Create advanced PDF forms with custom fields, calculations, and more.

• OCR support for scanned PDFs.

• Batch process large numbers of PDFs simultaneously.

Recommendation:

Overall, both the online and desktop versions of PDFescape have their advantages, and the choice between them depends on your specific needs. If you're looking for a simple and free PDF editor that you can access from anywhere, the online version may be the better option. However, if you require advanced PDF editing features or frequently work with large or sensitive documents, the desktop version is recommended as it offers more features and greater security.

Part 3: How to Make a Fillable PDF on PDFescape (2023 Updated)

PDFescape is a powerful tool that allows you to create fillable PDF forms quickly and easily. The online version of PDFescape is a great option for those who want to create fillable PDF forms for free and without needing to download any software.

Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to create a fillable PDF form using PDFescape:

1. Go to https://www.pdfescape.com/online-pdf-editor/ and click the "Upload PDF to PDFescape" button to upload the PDF file that you want to make fillable.

2. Once the PDF file is uploaded, click the "Form Field" button on the toolbar on the left-hand side of the screen.

3. Select the type of form field that you want to add to your PDF form from the drop-down menu. You can choose from options like text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, and more.

4. Click on the area of the PDF where you want to add the form field (Text, Check box, Radio button, dropdown or listbox). A pop-up window will appear where you can customize the properties of the form field, such as its size, font, and color.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each form field that you want to add to your PDF form.

6. Once you have added all of the form fields that you need, save your file by clicking the "Save & Download" button at the top of the screen.

7. Your fillable PDF form is now complete and ready to use!

Tip: PDFescape had an update in 2023, so be sure to check out the updated tutorials below to stay up to date with the latest features and functionality.

Part 4: Best Alternatives to PDFescape

1. WPS Office

WPS Office is a free office software that offers a wide range of tools, including WPS Writer (Word), Speardsheet (Excel), Presentation (PPT), PDF, and more. It is compatible with Windows, MAC, Linux, iOS, Android, and web platforms.

Features:

• PDF Editor

• Sign PDF

• OCR

• Scan PDF

• Templates

• Multi-platform

• Cloud support

• Collaboration

Pros:

• Free: WPS Office is a completely free office suite.

• Easy to use: WPS Office has a user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to navigate and use the tools.

• High Compatibility: WPS Office is highly compatible with Microsoft Office, Adobe PDF, and other office software.

• Multi-Tool: WPS Office includes multiple tools, including word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDF editing.

• Collaboration: WPS Office supports real-time collaboration and allows multiple users to work on the same document at the same time.

Cons:

• Limited advanced features: WPS Office lacks some advanced features found in other office suites.

• Some features require an internet connection: Some features, such as accessing the template store, require an internet connection.

Download & Use WPS Office

1. Go to the WPS Office website (https://www.wps.com) and click on the "Download" button.

2. Choose the version of WPS Office that is compatible with your operating system (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android).

3. Follow the instructions to download and install WPS Office on your computer or mobile device.

4. Once installed, open WPS Office and click on the "PDF" icon to open the PDF editing tool.

5. From there, you can easily edit your PDF document by adding, deleting, or modifying text, images, and other elements.

6. You can also use WPS Office to convert your PDF to other formats such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.

7. To save your edited PDF file, simply click on the "Save" button and choose the desired format and location.

Overall, WPS Office is a great free alternative to PDFescape for editing and converting PDF files. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive set of features make it a powerful tool for anyone who needs to work with PDF documents regularly.

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2. Adobe Acrobat

Brief intro: Adobe Acrobat is a powerful PDF editor and creator developed by Adobe Systems. It is designed for creating, editing, and managing PDF documents.

Features:

• Edit PDFs: Edit text, images, and links in PDF files.

• Create PDFs: Create PDFs from Microsoft Office and other file types.

• Fill and sign forms: Fill out PDF forms, sign forms electronically, and send them to others.

• OCR: Convert scanned documents into searchable PDFs.

• Review and collaborate: Collaborate on PDFs with annotations and comments.

• Security: Password protect PDFs and restrict permissions for document access.

Devices Support: 

Adobe Acrobat is available for Windows, MAC, Linux, iOS, Android, and Web.

Pros:

• Advanced editing features for PDFs

• High compatibility with other Adobe products

• Strong security options for PDFs

• OCR feature for scanned documents

• Large user community and resources available for help and support.

Cons:

• High cost for full-featured version

• Steep learning curve for advanced features

• Limited features in the mobile version compared to desktop version

• Large file sizes when editing PDFs.

3. LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a free and open-source office productivity software suite that includes several applications, such as Writer (word processing), Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw (vector graphics and flowcharts), Base (databases), and Math (formula editing). It is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and other platforms.

Features:

• Writer: A powerful word processor that includes tools for formatting text, creating tables, inserting images and charts, and more.

• Calc: A spreadsheet application that supports a wide range of functions, charts, and data analysis tools.

• Impress: A presentation program that allows you to create professional-looking slideshows with various effects, animations, and multimedia elements.

• Draw: A vector graphics editor that lets you create diagrams, flowcharts, and other graphical elements.

• Base: A database management system that enables you to create and manipulate databases, tables, forms, and reports.

• Math: A tool for creating and editing mathematical formulas and equations.

• Compatibility: LibreOffice can open, edit, and save files in a wide range of formats, including Microsoft Office formats like DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.

• Customization: LibreOffice allows you to customize its interface, keyboard shortcuts, and toolbars to suit your preferences.

• Multi-platform: LibreOffice is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

• Extensibility: LibreOffice supports a wide range of extensions that can add new features, functionalities, and templates to the suite.

Devices Support: 

Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and other platforms.

Pros:

• Free to use

• Open-source with an active community

• Regular updates and improvements

• Supports a wide range of file formats

• Customizable interface and features

• Available on multiple platforms

Cons:

• Interface can be overwhelming for some users

• Limited support compared to paid alternatives

• Some features may be lacking compared to Microsoft Office

Part 5: You May Need to Know of Fillable PDF

What is a Fillable PDF?

Fillable PDFs are digital forms that allow users to input information directly into the document. They are often used in business, government, and educational settings for a variety of purposes, such as job applications, registration forms, surveys, and feedback forms.

The benefits of using fillable PDFs include:

• Improved efficiency: Fillable PDFs eliminate the need for manual data entry, saving time and reducing errors.

• Increased accuracy: Users can enter information directly into the document, reducing the likelihood of errors.

• Enhanced professionalism: Fillable PDFs provide a polished, professional appearance compared to handwritten forms.

• Easy access and sharing: Fillable PDFs can be easily shared electronically and accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

• Environmentally friendly: By using digital forms instead of paper forms, fillable PDFs reduce paper waste and help promote a more sustainable future.

What does a Fillable PDF include?

A fillable PDF includes form fields that allow users to input information directly into the PDF document. These form fields can include text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, dropdown menus, and more. The fillable PDF may also include formatting such as headers, footers, and logos to give it a professional appearance. Once the form has been filled out, the user can save and submit the document digitally, eliminating the need for printing and mailing.

The common usage of Fillable PDF

Fillable PDFs are commonly used in a variety of situations where information needs to be collected and processed electronically. Here are some common examples:

1. Job Applications: Employers can create fillable PDFs to collect all the necessary information about a job candidate in one place, such as contact details, work experience, education, and references.

2. Feedback Forms: Businesses can create fillable PDFs to collect feedback from customers or employees about a product or service, event, or training program. This allows for easy collection and analysis of feedback, and makes it easier to identify trends and areas for improvement.

3. Surveys: Researchers or organizations can create fillable PDFs to conduct surveys and collect data from respondents. This can include a range of questions, such as multiple choice, open-ended, or Likert scale questions.

4. Registration Forms: Organizations or event planners can create fillable PDFs to collect registration information for events or programs, such as conferences, workshops, or classes.

5. Legal Forms: Lawyers or legal professionals can create fillable PDFs for legal documents such as contracts, agreements, and affidavits. This makes it easier to collect and process important legal information and signatures.

Overall, fillable PDFs are useful for any situation where information needs to be collected and processed digitally. They can save time, reduce paper usage, and make it easier to store and manage information.

FAQs

Q1: How safe is PDFescape?

PDFescape is generally considered safe to use. It uses SSL encryption to ensure that all data is transmitted securely between the user's device and the PDFescape servers. However, it is always advisable to avoid uploading sensitive or confidential information to any online service unless it is absolutely necessary.

Q2: What is better than PDFescape?

Some alternatives to PDFescape include Adobe Acrobat, WPS Office, and LibreOffice. These software programs offer similar features to PDFescape, such as the ability to create and edit PDF files, as well as fillable forms. However, each of these options may have different pros and cons depending on the user's needs and preferences.

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed the importance and usage of fillable PDFs in various fields, such as job applications, surveys, and feedback forms. We also talked about PDFEscape and its features, including its ease of use and collaboration tools. However, we also noted its limitations, such as unfriendly PDF editing and limited free features.

As an alternative, we recommended WPS Office, a free software that supports multiple devices and provides a suite of tools for document creation and collaboration. We emphasized its compatibility with Microsoft and Adobe PDF, as well as its market share being second only to MS. Overall, WPS Office is a great option for those looking to create and edit fillable PDFs.

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