In today’s digital world, PDF files have become an essential part of our professional and personal lives. Whether you’re a student, a business professional, or simply someone who regularly deals with digital documents, chances are you’ve encountered the need to edit a PDF at some point. However, finding the right tools to modify PDFs while staying within a budget can often be a daunting task.
In this article, we present a curated list of the top ways to edit a PDF online for free. We aim to equip you with the knowledge and insights necessary to make an informed decision about which editing tool best suits your specific requirements. By providing a detailed overview of each option, along with its pros and cons, we hope to empower you to efficiently edit PDFs without breaking the bank. So, without further ado, let’s explore the world of free PDF editing tools!

Option 1: FormatPDF.com
Overview:
FormatPDF.com stands out as a reliable online platform that offers premium features along with a suite of over 30 other essential tools. With its comprehensive range of features, FormatPDF.com allows you to seamlessly alter the existing text of your PDFs and perform various editing tasks without hassle.
While FormatPDF.com does require a subscription to unlock its full potential, it offers a 7-day free trial to give users an opportunity to explore its features without any financial commitment. This trial period enables you to thoroughly evaluate the platform’s capabilities and assess whether it aligns with your specific PDF editing needs.
Pros:
- Offers a comprehensive PDF editing tool with a wide range of features.
- User-friendly interface ensures a seamless editing experience.
- Provides additional tools for various document management needs.
- Ensures the security and privacy of uploaded files.
- Offers a 7-day free trial to test the platform’s capabilities.
Cons:
- Requires a subscription beyond the free trial period.
Option 2: PDF-XChange Editor
Overview:
PDF-XChange Editor is a powerful software that allows you to edit PDF files with a comprehensive set of tools and features. While it requires downloading and installation, this robust application provides a free version that grants access to a range of editing capabilities.
In addition to its editing prowess, PDF-XChange Editor boasts a wide array of useful features. You can manipulate the document structure by rearranging pages, extracting content, and merging multiple PDFs into a single file. The software also supports optical character recognition (OCR), enabling you to convert scanned documents into editable text.
It’s worth mentioning that PDF-XChange Editor is available for Windows operating systems, ensuring compatibility for a large user base.
Pros:
- Comprehensive set of editing tools for text, images, and pages.
- User-friendly interface that facilitates easy navigation and editing.
- Annotation features for highlighting, commenting, and creating fillable forms.
- Ability to rearrange pages, extract content, and merge PDFs.
- OCR functionality to convert scanned documents into editable text.
Cons:
- Requires downloading and installation.
- Free version may have limitations compared to the paid version.
- Availability limited to specific operating systems (e.g., Windows).
Option 3: Sejda PDF Editor
Overview:
Sejda PDF Editor is a feature-rich desktop application that offers a free version for editing PDF files. This downloadable tool provides a wide range of editing capabilities to meet your document modification needs.
With this application, you can edit text, images, and links within your PDFs seamlessly. It offers options to add, remove, or reorder pages, as well as merge multiple PDF documents into a single file, providing flexibility in document management.
In addition to basic editing functions, Sejda PDF Editor offers advanced features such as form filling and signing. You can fill out interactive forms and add electronic signatures, making it convenient for handling various types of PDF documents.
Sejda PDF Editor supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, catering to a wide range of users.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface for intuitive navigation and editing.
- Comprehensive editing tools for text, images, links, and more.
- Options to add, remove, or reorder pages.
- Ability to merge multiple PDF documents into a single file.
- Form filling and signing capabilities for interactive forms.
- Availability for multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Cons:
- Requires downloading and installation.
- Free version may have limitations compared to the paid version.
- Advanced features may be restricted to premium versions.
Option 4: PDFsam Basic
Overview:
PDFsam Basic is an open-source software that offers a free PDF editor, providing users with a downloadable solution for editing PDF files. This versatile tool offers a range of features to facilitate efficient document modification.
One of the key advantages of PDFsam Basic is its open-source nature, allowing users to access the software’s source code and customize it to suit their specific needs. The open-source community surrounding PDFsam Basic also provides a platform for support and further development.
While PDFsam Basic offers a range of useful editing features, it’s important to note that more advanced editing options may be limited compared to specialized PDF editors. Additionally, while text editing is available, the options may be more basic in nature, catering to simpler modifications rather than intricate document transformations.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface for easy navigation and editing.
- Capabilities to merge, split, extract, and rotate PDF files.
- Ability to reorder pages within a document.
- Basic text editing functionality.
- Open-source software with a dedicated community for support.
- Compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Cons:
- Requires downloading and installation.
- Advanced editing features may be limited.
- Text editing options may be basic next to other specialized editors.
Option 5: Master PDF Editor
Overview:
Master PDF Editor presents a user-friendly interface that allows for efficient navigation and editing. With this software, you can modify text, images, and pages within your PDF documents effortlessly. It offers advanced features such as OCR for converting scanned documents into editable text, as well as form creation and filling capabilities.
In addition to its editing prowess, Master PDF Editor enables you to annotate your PDFs with comments, highlights, and stamps. You can add or remove watermarks, encrypt and protect your files with passwords, and even digitally sign documents for enhanced security and authenticity.
The software’s compatibility with multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, ensures accessibility for a broad range of users. Master PDF Editor exhibits impressive performance, allowing for seamless processing and editing of PDF documents, even for complex files.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface for intuitive navigation and editing.
- Comprehensive editing tools for text, images, and pages.
- Advanced features including OCR and form creation.
- Annotation options for comments, highlights, and stamps.
- Watermarking, password protection, and digital signature capabilities.
- Availability for multiple operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Cons:
- Requires downloading and installation.
- Free version may have limitations compared to the paid version.
- Some advanced features may be restricted to premium versions.
Conclusion
To sum up, in this article, we have explored a selection of top ways to edit PDFs online for free, focusing on tools that offer accessible and feature-rich solutions.
From the sophisticated online platform FormatPDF.com, with its extensive editing tools and additional functionalities, to the downloadable solutions like PDF-XChange Editor, Sejda PDF Editor, PDFsam Basic, and Master PDF Editor, each tool offers its unique advantages for PDF modification.
Give these tools a try, and see which ones you like best to edit your PDFs!