Top 10 Best Free PDF Editors With Reviews And Download Guide

All looking for a best free PDF editor. A PDF editor is used to view and edit a PDF document. There are numerous PDF editors available on the internet. Everyone has their features and benefits. It is difficult for novice users to select the best among these PDF editors.

This article will guide you on the top ten best free PDF editors' download procedures and reviews.

Part 1: 5 Best Free PDF Editors for Windows

Windows users need a free PDF editor to view, edit, and create different documents. The best PDF editor should load the document faster. It should have all the advanced editing features and include extra functionalities, e.g., converting, compressing, and protecting the documents. Here is a list of the top five best PDF editors for Windows.

1. WPS Office - Free Highly Recommended

WPS Office is an industry leading with free PDF editing software nowadays. It is a complete office suite containing a Writer, Presentation, Spreadsheet, and PDF editing tool. WPS PDF has many features that make it stand out as the best PDF editor of all the PDF solutions available. The interface of the PDF editor is similar to Microsoft Word, making it easy to use for everyone. You can add text, header, footer, and images to the document. You can also fill and sign your document using the WPS PDF editor. All the text formatting options of Microsoft Word are available in the WPS PDF editor, e.g., bold, italicize, underline, align text, and many more.

Supported Devices

Microsoft Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS

Price

Freely available

Pros

• Supports file formats of Adobe Acrobat Reader

• Includes PDF converter to convert into different formats easily

• Includes features of PDF Combine and PDF Split

• User-friendly interface

• Protect your document using a password

• Batch PDF printing option

• It consists of a screen recorder, also

• Scan the QR code to get your document on your mobile phone

• Snip and Pin function

Free Download Steps

Step 1: Visit the Official Website of WPS PDF.

Step 2: Click on the Free Download button and run the installer to install WPS Office.

Review by Keilah Renée

This is one of the best design apps I have ever used. Simple, easy, and free. You can quickly fill in checkmark boxes, sign a signature, and line it up. I finished filling out my document in 3 mins and could save and print it as a PDF which could be downloaded to my PC, Windows system, and phone with no ads. I suggest this app to everyone.

2. Foxit PDF Editor - Widely Used

Product Description

Foxit PDF Editor is a widely used PDF editing software. It is available for individual as well as team use. You can create and edit PDF documents free and easily collaborate with your colleagues. It is also available for mobile devices to easily access your documents from anywhere.

Supported Devices

Available for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.

Price

Available as a one-month free trial.

Pros

• Easily modify the content of your PDF

• Export PDF content into Word, Excel, PowePoint, and other formats

• Scan, OCR, and edit scanned documents

• Foxit eSign to sign your PDF documents

• Create a new PDF with PDF editor Cloud

• Include AI to work more productively - integration with ChatGPT to rewrite a text or create a document summary.

Cons

• Not a user-friendly interface

• It costs too much to edit a simple document

Free Download Steps

Step 1: Visit the official website of Foxit and click the Download Free Trial button.

Step 2: Select your desired software package from the next page and click the Free Trial Download button.

Step 3: Enter the required information in the pop-up window.

Step 4: Your download will start automatically after entering details and clicking on Free trial.

3. PdfFiller - Quick-to-Use

Product Description

PdfFiller is the best free pdf editor online. It provides an easy-to-use interface for users to edit their documents. You can easily create a form and share them with others to fill it. You can also add your company logo to the PDF document.

Supported Devices

It is accessible on the web from any internet-connected device.

Price

It is free to use for a limited-time trial period.

Pros

• No need for installation

• Easily accessible on any device from anywhere

• Supports popular file formats including PDF, Word, Excel, etc.

• You can share the edited documents online easily

Cons

• Only available online and requires an internet connection to work

• Free usage is only for a limited trial period. You have to pay after the trial period ends.

Free Download Steps

You can access it using any web browser. There is no need for installation.

4. Adobe Acrobat DC - Original and Oldest

Product Description

Adobe Acrobat is a famous and oldest PDF software millions use to edit and view PDF documents. It is a professional and feature-rich PDF editor. You can create, edit, convert, protect, and compress your PDF files using Adobe Acrobat DC.

Supported Devices

Are available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.

The price

PDF edit feature is not free to use. You must purchase a paid license to use this feature.

Pros

• View, store, edit, and share PDF

• Fill the forms and sign them digitally to share with others using a link

• Stores your documents in Cloud for easy access

• Add text boxes, sticky notes, comments, and highlights to the document

Cons

• Heavy software - take some time to load your document

• The PDF edit feature is not free

Free Download Steps

• Visit the official website of Adobe Acrobat and simply click on the Download button.

5. Nitro PDF -  Effective PDF Editor

Product Description

Nitro PDF is a lightweight and practical free PDF editor. It is available for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS users. It includes features of PDF creation, editing, converting, and compressing the PDF file. You can sign your document digitally and secure it with a password.

Supported Devices

It is compatible with all Windows and Mac devices.

Price

Free to use for one month.

Pros

• Free trial includes all features

• Easily edit and share PDF with anyone

• Convert PDF to Word, Excel, and other formats

• Supports creating documents from 300 different file formats

Cons

• Free to use for one month only - needs a paid subscription thereafter.

• The app responds slowly to large-size documents.

Free Download Steps

• Visit the official website of Nitro PDF and click on the Get Started Free button.

• Click the Try Nitro Pro Free button.

• Enter the required information in the pop-up window and proceed to download the installer. Run the installer to download and install Nitro PDF.

Part 2: 5 Best Free PDF Editors for Mac

If you are a Mac user, we have also prepared a list of Mac's five best free PDF editors.

1. WPS Office - Feature-rich PDF Editor

Product Description

WPS Office - the industry-leading and feature-rich software is also available for Mac. It is a complete office suite with Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF software. You can use the free PDF editor and enjoy world-class Writer - the best alternative to Microsoft Word. WPS PDF editor is the best alternative to Adobe Acrobat. It has all the features and functions of PDF editing and viewing.

Supported Devices

It is available for all Apple devices, including PC, Mac Book, iMac,  iPad, and iPhones.

Price

WPS Office for Mac is free to use.

Pros

• Free all-in-one office suite - includes a Writer, Presentation, Spreadsheet, and PDF editor

• Easy file management across devices using WPS Cloud

• Compatible with all MacOS versions

• Supports widgets - easily edit recent documents

• Support Sidecar - use your iPad as a secondary display for your Mac with Sidecar

• Split Screen view - Manage your work area quickly on Mac without moving or adjusting windows manually.

Free Download Steps

Step 1: Visit the official website of WPS Office for Mac.

Step 2: Click the Free Download button and run the installer file to download and install the full WPS Office suite.

2.  Apple Preview - Best free for Mac Users

Product Description

The Apple Preview is a built-in software in MacOS. It is a photo-viewing software; however, you can use Apple Preview to view and edit PDF files free. You can add text and images to the PDF using Apple Preview. You can also insert notes and comments and make free-hand drawings. It also includes inserting digital signs using the trackpad, camera, or iPhone.

Supported Devices

It is available as a default app for Mac devices.

Price

It is a default software included in all Mac devices.

Pros

• No need to download - pre-installed on all Apple devices

• Support PDF form filling

• PDFs can be protected with password and encryption

• Includes all PDF markup tools

Cons

• Only available for Mac users

• Limited sharing due to compatibility issues

Free Download Steps

There is no need to download Apple Preview as it is pre-installed on all Mac devices.

3. PDF Expert - A Leading Software in PDF processing

Product Description

PDF Expert is a premium PDF editing software. You can view, create, and edit PDF files free on Mac using PDF Expert. It has the options of PDF conversion, compressing, combining, and splitting. You can also annotate PDFs using PDF Expert.

Supported Devices

Mac. iOS

Price

It is not free to use. It costs $79.99 for paid subscription.

Pros

• Simple text and image editing functions

• Feature of PDF protection and encryption

• Fast speed page organization

Cons

• Not free to use

• Limited features as compared with other leading PDF editors

Free Download Steps

• Visit the official website of PDF expert and hit the Free Download button.

4. PDFpenPro - A Professional PDF Editor

Product Description

PDFpenPro is now called Nitro PDF. It is available for Mac and iOS users. You can easily edit, add signatures and images, annotate, and protect your PDFs using PDFpenPro. If you are a new Mac user, it is a convenient software.

Supported Devices

Mac, iOS

Price

Free for a limited trial period. It costs $124.95 after the trial period ends.

Pros

• Includes all essential editing functions

• Interface is similar to Apple Preview, so it is easy to use.

• Correct mistakes in the original PDF with editable text blocks

• Add page numbers, bookmarks, headers and footers, line numbers, and watermarks

Cons

• No support for all languages

• A Limited number of editing features

Free Download Steps

Step 1: Visit the official website of PDFpen and click on Try for Free.

Step 2: You will be redirected to the Nitro website. Click on the Try Free or Buy Now button to download PDFpenPro.

5. Cisdem - Easy to Use

Product Description

Cisdem PDF editor comes with all the editing options you need. You can drag and drop your PDF to the Cisdem editor for easy editing and customization. It provides an interface like a word processor for convenient editing functions.

Supported Devices

Mac, iOS

Price

Free for a limited trial period.

Pros

• All-in-one PDF program to edit, annotate, convert, unlock, and protect PDF files

• Intuitive and simple Interface

• Support multi-languages

Cons

• Not a free software

Free Download Steps

• Visit the official website of Cisdem and click on Free download.

Part 3: Why PDF Editor Software Better Than Edit PDF Online

You can also edit PDFs using different online web apps. However, it is better to use PDF Editor software to edit your PDFs due to following reasons;

Security

You upload your document to a third-party server when you edit a PDF online. Your sensitive documents are vulnerable to data breaches. With a free PDF editor, you can edit your PDFs locally on your computer, keeping your data more secure.

Features

PDF editors offer a wide range of features that may not be available when editing PDFs online.

Quality

When you edit a PDF online, the quality of your document may be compromised. With a free PDF editor, you can edit your PDFs without compromising quality, ensuring your documents look as professional as possible.

Convenience

With a PDF editor, you can edit your documents offline without an internet connection.

Part 4: How to Edit PDF Files with WPS Office?

WPS Office provides all the advanced functions to edit your PDFs. You can easily edit and customize your PDFs using WPS Office PDF. To edit your PDF;

Step 1: Open your document with WPS Office.

Step 2: Click the Edit tab in the toolbar menu.

Step 3: Make the necessary editing. You can add or remove images, text, page numbers, headers, and footers.

Step 4: Save the changes, and here you go - your document has been successfully edited.

Trustpilot4.8

WPS Office- Free All-in-One Office Suite

• Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE, No Ads.

• Edit PDF files with the powerful PDF toolkit.

• Microsoft-like interface. Easy to learn. 100% Compatibility.

• Boost your productivity with WPS's abundant free Word, Excel, PPT, and CV templates.

Free Download

5,820,008 User

Algirdas Jasaitis

FAQs

Q1: Is There a PDF Editor in Microsoft Office?

Microsoft Office does not have PDF software included in the suite. However, you can save your files in PDF format using Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. To edit these PDF files free, open the file with the software that you used to create it and then make the necessary changes ad again save the document in the PDF format.

Q2: Does Google Have a Free PDF Editor?

Google Workspace does not have a dedicated PDF editor. However, you can use Google Docs to edit your PDF file. Upload your file to Google Docs and make necessary editing and save the file as PDF again.

Summary

This article elaborated in detail on different free and best PDF editors for Windows and Mac. However, WPS Office is the best of all. It is a robust and industry-leading office suit having a word processor, a presentation maker, and Spreadsheet software included with a PDF editor.

You can easily edit, convert, create, compress, annotate, and split your PDFs using WPS Office PDF. It is free to use. It is compatible with all file formats of Microsoft Office and Adobe. You can use WPS Office on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS devices.