Introduction
PDFs have become synonymous with professionalism and document security, but they’re not always easy to edit. While Adobe Acrobat is the industry standard for editing PDFs, it comes with a steep price tag. Thankfully, there are plenty of free tools that can help you edit PDFs like a pro. In this article, we’ll introduce you to the 5 best free tools for editing PDFs and provide you with a step-by-step guide to editing PDFs for free!
5 Best Free Tools for Editing PDFs like a Pro
Here are five of the best free tools for editing PDFs, each with unique features and benefits:
1. PDFescape
PDFescape is an online PDF editor that works on any operating system. You can edit text, images, and links, as well as annotate and highlight your PDF. One of the biggest benefits of PDFescape is its ability to instantly save your edits to the cloud, ensuring you never lose your work.
2. Sejda PDF Editor
Sejda PDF Editor is a desktop editor that offers both a free and paid version. You can edit text and images, fill out forms, and even protect your PDF with a password. One of the most unique features of Sejda PDF Editor is its ability to edit scanned documents and even convert them into editable text.
3. Foxit PDF Editor
Foxit PDF Editor is a popular desktop editor that offers a free trial of its premium software. With the free version, you can edit text, images, and links, as well as annotate your PDF. One unique feature of Foxit PDF Editor is its connected PDF technology, which allows you to collaborate on documents in real-time.
4. LibreOffice Draw
LibreOffice Draw is a free open-source graphics editor that can also edit PDFs. While it may not have all the features of other PDF editors, it can still manage text, images, and annotations, as well as provide advanced image editing capabilities.
5. Inkscape
Inkscape is a free vector graphics editor that can also edit PDFs. It’s especially useful for editing PDFs that contain vector graphics, as it’s adept at manipulating and moving vector graphics around a page. Inkscape also has advanced features like layers and blending modes, making it a favorite among graphic designers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Editing PDFs without Spending a Dime
Now that you know the best tools for editing PDFs for free let’s walk through the steps to edit your PDF:
Step 1: Download and open your chosen PDF editor.
Choose one of the above tools that best fits your editing needs and open the relevant software. Please ensure your PDF is also readily available.
Step 2: Upload the PDF you want to edit.
Drag and drop your PDF into the editor or navigate through the file menu to find and open your file directly.
Step 3: Edit the PDF.
Edit the text, images, or any annotations on your PDF with the available tools in the editor.
Step 4: Save and export your edited PDF.
Once you’re done editing, save your changes and export your new PDF using the tools provided.
How to Edit PDFs for Free with Ease
This section will provide you with tips and tricks to improve your PDF editing skills and make the process easier.
1. Use online PDF editors.
Online PDF editors such as PDFescape and Sejda PDF Editor require no downloads and work across different platforms making them remarkably accessible
2. Learn keyboard shortcuts:
Mastering keyboard shortcuts can improve the overall efficiency and speed of your editing process. For example, understanding shortcuts for copying, pasting, and undoing actions such as ‘Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V and Ctrl+Z’ can make your life infinitely easier.
3. Break up the process:
Edit your PDF in stages or break it up into sections, tackling one section at a time can ensure you don’t get lost in your documentation or make mistakes.
Top 5 Free PDF Editors to Use Right Now
Discover the top 5 PDF editors on the market that offer unique features and benefits:
1. PDF-XChange Editor
PDF-XChange Editor is a free download that comes with an array of impressive features and boasts one of the most comprehensive free-to-use experiences on the market. These include form-filling, highlighting, annotating, and mixing PDFs—among many others.
2. Nitro PDF Reader
Nitro PDF Reader is another popular free PDF editor with robust editing tools and a wide range of features, including the ability to edit text, images, and pages and create PDFs from scratch. Nitro PDF Reader also offers a free trial of its Nitro Pro software, which provides additional editing and collaboration features.
3. PDFsam Basic
PDFsam Basic is an open-source PDF editor, PDF merging tool, and PDF splitting software all rolled into one. It’s free to download, and it allows you to merge, split, rotate, and otherwise manipulate PDF files as needed. It even offers advanced editing features for more experienced users, making it a great option for businesses or freelance professionals.
4. GIMP
GIMP is a free graphics editor that can also edit PDFs allowing you to make advanced illustrations for your PDFs. GIMP offers tools for crop pictures, flipping and flopping images, sharpening, and more.
5. PDFill PDF Editor
PDFill PDF Editor offers a robust suite of editing tools with enhanced capabilities to add annotations, forms, digital signatures, or even entirely new content to your PDF. This software also offers a wizard that can walk you through the PDF creation process if you are new to editing PDFs.
Why Pay for PDF Editing When You Can Do It for Free? Here’s How
Free editing tools are more than enough for everyday users who require basic PDF editing features, but a lot of users believe that only premium software can provide professional tools. What often happens, however, is that free editors are just as effective as their paid alternatives. Premium editors can be expensive, and more importantly, are not essential for the day to day user.
Conclusion
We’ve provided you with five of the best free tools for editing your PDF files like a pro, a step-by-step guide to editing PDFs, tips and tricks for editing efficiently, the top 5 apps for editing PDFs, and provided an explanation for why you don’t need to spend money to edit your PDF.