Best Free PDF Editors 2025: Top No-Cost Tools

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Want to edit PDFs for free? You're in the right place! This guide will help you find the best free PDF editors in 2025. You'll learn which tools are easy to use and have the features you need. Whether you're making quick changes or need more advanced edits, there's a tool for you. Get ready to make your PDFs look just how you want!

Introduction

Do you need to edit a PDF but don't want to spend money? You're in the right place! In 2025, there are many free PDF editors that can help you. This list will show you the best free tools to use.

Why does this list matter? PDFs are used everywhere, from school to work. Having a good editor can save you time and effort. You don't want to waste time with tools that don't work well. We've picked these editors based on their features, ease of use, and user reviews.

You'll find editors that let you add text, images, or even sign documents. Some can even convert PDFs to other file types. For example, one editor might let you add a picture with just one click. Another might let you save your work in seconds.

We want you to find the right tool fast. That's why we only picked editors with high ratings and strong features. Get ready to check out the best free PDF editors of 2025. Let's dive in!

Top Picks (Items 1-3)

1. PDF Candy

PDF Candy is a great free tool for editing PDFs. It offers many features that make it easy to use. You can split, merge, and convert PDFs with just a few clicks. It's perfect for school projects or when you need to share files with friends.

One cool feature is the ability to convert PDFs to Word, JPG, or other formats. This makes it simple to edit your files in different ways. You can also add watermarks or protect your files with passwords. It's user-friendly and works on both Mac and Windows.

PDF Candy is best for students who want a lot of features without paying. It's great if you often need to change or share PDF files. Plus, it's free to use, so you don't need to worry about any hidden costs.

2. Smallpdf

Smallpdf is another top choice for editing PDFs. It has a clean design and is easy to navigate. You can compress, edit, and convert PDFs quickly. It's a fast and reliable tool that saves you time.

A standout feature is the eSign tool. This lets you sign documents digitally, which is handy for school forms or projects. You can also merge multiple PDFs into one file. This helps keep your work neat and organized.

Smallpdf is best for users who like simple and fast tools. It's ideal if you often deal with forms or need to sign papers. While many features are free, some advanced tools might need a paid plan. However, the free version is still very useful.

3. Sejda PDF Editor

Sejda PDF Editor is a powerful option for those who need more advanced editing. It's loaded with features that are great for both simple and complex tasks. You can edit text, add images, and even fill out forms directly in the PDF.

One feature that stands out is the ability to edit text directly in the PDF. This means you don't need to convert it to another format first. You can also use it to split or merge files, making it versatile for different needs.

Sejda is best for those who need more control over their PDF edits. It's perfect for students working on detailed projects. While it's free for basic use, there is a limit on how many tasks you can do per hour. For more frequent use, a paid version is available.

Mid-Range Options (Items 4-6)

4. PDF Buddy

PDF Buddy is a solid choice if you're looking for a middle-ground PDF editor. It's simple to use and works right in your web browser. No need to download anything. You can edit text, add images, and even fill out forms.

One of the best features is its ability to merge PDFs. You can also split PDFs if you only need certain pages. It's great for school projects or sharing parts of a book with friends. They give you three free edits per month. If you need more, you can pay for extra.

PDF Buddy is best for students who need to do light editing or work on group projects. It's also good for teachers who want to mark up student work. You can try it for free, but if you need more, it's $7.99 a month.

5. Sejda PDF Editor

Sejda PDF Editor is another good mid-range option. It offers a lot of features for free, and you can use it online or download it. This editor lets you edit text, add links, and even create forms.

Sejda stands out because it can handle large files, up to 200 pages or 50 MB. You can also use it to compress PDFs, making them smaller for easy sharing. It’s perfect for when you need to send homework or big projects by email.

Sejda is ideal for students who often work with large files. It’s also great for anyone who wants to keep files organized. You can use it for free, but there's a limit of three tasks per hour. If you need more, the pro version costs $7.50 a month.

6. PDFescape

PDFescape is a user-friendly PDF editor with a good mix of features. You can use it online or download the desktop version. It's great for editing text, adding images, and even annotating.

One cool feature is the ability to protect your PDFs with a password. This is handy if you’re sharing files you want to keep private. You can also fill out forms and add sticky notes to your documents.

PDFescape is best for students who need to fill out forms or want to keep their work secure. It's also useful for teachers who want to give feedback on student work. The online version is free for files up to 10 MB or 100 pages. If you need more, the desktop version costs $2.99 a month.

Budget & Specialty Picks (Items 7-10)

PDF-XChange Editor

If you're looking for a budget-friendly choice, try PDF-XChange Editor. It's known for its great features at no cost. You can edit text, add comments, and even highlight parts of the PDF. This editor also lets you convert PDFs to different formats, which is super handy.

PDF-XChange Editor is best for students or anyone who needs a basic editor without spending money. It’s a great way to start learning about PDF editing. The free version has a watermark on some features, but the main tools work just fine.

It’s perfect for quick edits and small projects. You won't need to pay anything unless you want to upgrade for more features. It's a solid choice if you're watching your wallet.

Sejda PDF Editor

Sejda PDF Editor is another great pick that won’t cost you a cent. It’s easy to use and works right in your web browser. You can edit text, merge files, and even split pages. One cool feature is the ability to add e-signatures, which is important for online work.

Sejda is best for those who need a quick and simple tool. You can edit up to three tasks per hour for free. This limit is fair for most users who only need to edit a few files at a time.

If you need more, there’s a paid version, but the free one should be enough for basic tasks. It’s a smart choice for anyone who needs a simple, web-based editor.

Smallpdf

Smallpdf is a popular online tool that offers a lot for free. It’s user-friendly and has a nice design. You can compress files, convert to different formats, and even protect your PDFs with a password. It’s handy for school projects or personal use.

Smallpdf is great for those who want a reliable tool without any cost. The free version lets you process two documents per day. This is usually enough for light users who don’t need constant edits.

If you need to do more, you can get the pro version. But for most people, the free features are enough. It’s a good pick for anyone who wants a trusted online editor.

PDFsam Basic

PDFsam Basic is perfect if you need a simple tool for splitting and merging PDFs. It’s a desktop app, so you need to download it. But once you have it, you can work offline, which is a plus for many users.

This tool is best for those who often need to mix or split PDF files. It’s not flashy, but it’s very effective at what it does. You can use it to organize large documents or create new ones from parts of different files.

PDFsam Basic is free and open-source, meaning you don’t have to pay a cent. It’s a great choice if you need a straightforward tool for managing PDFs on your computer.

Comparison Table

Free PDF Editors Overview

Here's a quick look at the best free PDF editors in 2025. This table helps you see what each one can do. It's great for checking which editor fits your needs best.

Key Features

1. Editor A: This one lets you edit text, add images, and merge files. You can also try its easy-to-use interface. It supports up to 10 pages per file.

2. Editor B: You can use it for editing and adding comments. It also offers basic security features. However, it allows only three files per month.

3. Editor C: This editor lets you fill forms and sign documents. It's perfect if you need to work on PDFs quickly. You can edit up to five files a month for free.

Performance and Use

Editor A is great if you need to work on many pages. Editor B is best for those who need to add notes. Editor C is ideal if you need to sign and fill forms often.

Each editor has its strengths. Try them out to see which one works best for you. Remember, the right choice depends on what you need to do with your PDFs.

Conclusion

We've looked at some great free PDF editors for 2025. Each one has its own strengths. If you need to make simple changes, try PDF-XChange Editor. It's quick and lets you add notes and text easily.

For more advanced features, check out Sejda. It offers up to three tasks per hour for free. It's perfect if you need to merge or split files.

If you're on a tight budget, don't worry. You can still get quality tools for free. Remember, each editor has limits, so think about what you need before you choose.

You might want to read user reviews to learn more. They can give you real-world insights. Also, keep an eye out for updates. New features can make a big difference.

In the end, the best tool is the one that fits your needs. Try different editors and see which one works best for you. Don't forget, you can always switch if your needs change. Happy editing!

Content Notice: This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team for accuracy, quality, and compliance. We use AI to help research and structure content, but all recommendations are based on thorough evaluation.