Intro
PDF editing software is not always easy to find or to use especially for people who have never used it before. Online PDF editors are always a good option because they are designed to be user-friendly especially for new users. Free PDF editor gives users the option to make changes to their important PDF files, while also giving everyday PDF users a more cost-effective option than shelling out for expensive and advanced PDF software. There is a multitude of PDF text editors available online and these are some of the best options for all types of users.
Main Features of PDF Editor Tools
When new users are looking for a new PDF editor there are some things that they should consider before signing up for a free trial period or paying for a weekly, monthly, or yearly subscription.
Ease of Use
PDF editing software can be complex and off-putting to many new users. That’s why any free online PDF editor needs to be the opposite: intuitive, familiar, and welcoming. Many PDF editors are designed specifically to be that, as they copy the format and layout of many already-familiar, commonly used word-processing programs like Word and other widely-used desktop publishing software.
PDF Creation
Before the emergence of free PDF editing software, PDF creation was limited to those who knew how to navigate advanced PDF creation software. Now, however, creating a new PDF is as easy as clicking an icon on the toolbar of an online PDF editor. Not only do all PDF editors give users the option to view their PDF files, but they also give their subscribers the ability to create new files based on their needs.
Sharing Features
As PDFs have become the easiest way to share important documents, any worthwhile PDF editor must allow users to invite others to view, comment and collaborate on the same file. Many easy-to-use online PDF editors offer users the ability to sync with cloud-based platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox so they can invite other users to view and edit the same file.
Safety and Protection
PDF documents are often used to send sensitive and private information that should not be viewed by everyone. That’s why many PDF editors for PC offer users security features like password protection, watermarks to prevent unauthorized copying, and other important security protocols to prevent unauthorized users from viewing or copying this information.
Five Best PDF Editors
Sejda
Sejda is a multi-platform, versatile PDF editor that is both available for use online and can be downloaded for offline use. Users can install Sejda onto their devices no matter if they use Windows, OS, or Linux. The program not only allows users to view PDFs, but also gives them the ability to edit, format, and create their own PDF files. The program is also useful to convert other file types into PDF format and vice-versa. The program is available for free but comes with some limits. Users who sign up for a monthly or weekly program can unlock premium features like file compression and security features.
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat is the premier PDF editing software and while it is not free, it is available for a short trial period where users can explore the program’s features and decide whether to upgrade or not. Adobe Acrobat is an advanced PDF software that allows users to create new PDF files that are highly customizable. For example, Adobe allows users to create fillable PDF forms that users can send out for business, legal or financial purposes. Adobe also allows for a full suite of editing, merging, splitting, and compression tools, while also giving users a full complement of design and layout options.
SmallPDF
SmallPDF is an easy-to-use online PDF editor that is feature-rich and has a very simple, user-friendly layout. The program boasts several advanced PDF editing and viewing features, but the program keeps adding new features regularly like watermarking, scanning options, and OCR technology. SmallPDF is also available for download for offline use while being compatible with a large swath of different operating systems like Mac OS and Windows. The program is also free to use but with limited features. It offers different subscription plans based on usage (individual, business, large organizations) and has a customer support service for subscribers experiencing problems or difficulties.
PDFElement
PDFElement was one of the earliest non-Adobe PDF editors to emerge and it is still going strong. The program was designed to be everything that Adobe is not, meaning it was designed to be a user-friendly alternative to the densely complicated Acrobat program. Users of PDFElement, which is available for both online and offline use, can edit, view, merge, split and reorder the pages of their PDF files, as well as have the option to create new PDF files. The program is also available in a free trial version, after which users can sign up for a monthly subscription at a very low price point.
Lumin PDF
Lumin PDF is one of the newer PDF editors to emerge and it features a very user-friendly interface, a large database of editable PDF templates, and the ability to sync with cloud-storage programs like Google Drive and Dropbox. Lumin also gives users the ability to share, view, edit and collaborate with other users on the same PDF file in real-time. The program comes in both an online version, while also being available for download with easy compatibility across several devices (laptops, smartphones). Users can sign up for a free trial version, or subscribe to a weekly, monthly, or yearly plan to unlock premium features like compression, OCR, and security features.
Consider The Best Tool That Suits Your Needs
When choosing the best PDF editor for you, be sure to remember what you need it for. There are many options out there that have several different features, interfaces, compatibility, and prices but make sure that you always consider what you need a PDF text editor to do for you. The “best” PDF editor is not necessarily the one that costs the most, but the program that suits your purposes, whatever they may be.
