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Top 7 Freemium PDF Editors for Windows 10
Many office workers seek tips for productive remote work. While you can recreate a suitable home office, some essential hardware like a printer or scanner may not be available. That’s where software solutions come in. Digital scanners and PDF editors allow you to create, edit, and scan documents conveniently.
We’ve covered iOS-friendly PDF editors, but the overall desktop experience is better. With a proper PDF editor, you can fill forms, add a signature, find keywords, remove unnecessary pages, add a password, and apply a personalized watermark. In this post, we’ll talk about the top seven PDF editors for Windows 10. The Windows OS does come with a PDF viewer, but it’s limited to rotating and basic doodling. Most PDF editors have both a free and paid version. We’ll list the apps based on features, price, sharing/export options, and more. Let’s get started.
1. PDFelement
PDFelement is a essential tool for power users. After installation, the software directly takes you to the home page. It boasts a user-friendly interface, making it easy to get started.
You can choose from options like editing, creating, batching, converting, or using PDF templates. Select “edit PDF” and import the file from your computer. The feature I appreciate is the default thumbnail preview of the PDF. It allows you to rotate or delete pages directly from the preview. You can double-tap a page to preview it and access a rich word processing editor.
Font style, size, color, comments, and passwords can be changed using the protect menu at the top. PDFelement allows for easy exporting, with options to convert to Word, PPT, text, image, or Excel. Signatures can also be added and placed accurately.
PDF templates are an interesting add-on. With built-in templates, you can choose a relevant one, make changes, and export a PDF. The free version is limited in functions and adds a watermark when exporting a file. The Pro copy is priced at $129, with a subscription option.
2. Soda PDF
Soda PDF offers a convenient web version that eliminates the need for downloading and installing software on your PC. With this web version, you can easily edit and create PDFs, making it perfect for making quick edits on the go.
The web version is packed with features, allowing you to edit PDFs, add a signature, and create a PDF from the web URL. It can also convert webpages to PDFs. Other functions include adding watermarks, password protection, headers and footers, an OCR function for extracting text from images and converting it into PDFs, and much more.
Soda PDF offers a subscription route, with the home version priced at $48 per year.
3. Adobe Acrobat Pro
Talking about PDFs and forgetting about Adobe? No chance. Adobe offers Acrobat Pro software, which is preferable if you live in an Adobe ecosystem of creative apps.
I appreciate Adobe’s inclusion of essential PDF functions on the home screen. From the recent menu, users may effortlessly add comments, signatures, share, and edit any PDF. The editing interface is user-friendly, and I encountered no delays while navigating the various options.
Furthermore, the available functions encompass the ability to add text, images, passwords, watermarks, and organize pages, among others. The PDF can also be saved to Adobe Cloud, allowing for easy file editing on any device.
The software has a free trial for 7 days, then costs $15 per month.
4. Small PDF
Small PDF is a solid PDF editor. I particularly enjoy its web version. From the homepage, you can easily edit a PDF, convert it to other formats, eSign a PDF, split a PDF, and perform other tasks. There is no need to sift through numerous options to complete your tasks efficiently.
The editing menu is simple, with basic options. You can add text, images, shapes, or draw on the PDF.
However, it can be confusing because you can’t perform multiple actions from the same menu. To make changes, you need to go home and import the PDF.
Small PDF offers a 14-day free trial, followed by a $12 monthly fee.
5. FormSwift
FormSwift is a web-based PDF editor that allows you to make changes to PDF files. You can import a file and add changes using the edit menu. If you’re on a tight budget, FormSwift is a good option.
The editing options include text, eraser, highlight, image, and adding a signature. There is a guide for each option. Unfortunately, there is no password protection available. Simply click the download button to proceed.
6. Sejda PDF
Sejda is my preferred online PDF editor. The interface imitates a standard website and offers all necessary editing options on the home screen.
The editing features include text, link, highlighter, signature, shapes, and more. The form menu is impressive, allowing quick checkmarks and interactive fields. A well-thought addition from the company.
Hit apply changes on the following screen to merge, edit, compress, delete, or split pages before sharing via email or social media. Hit download to save the file directly on Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive.
The software is free for 7 days and then costs $7.5 per month.
7. Foxit PDF
Foxit is geared towards enterprise users. The UI resembles old Microsoft Office apps and appears busy to me.
The app is fully featured. You can edit with different fonts, sizes, weblinks, create a bookmark, check spelling, search and replace, and annotate an image before adding it to the PDF.
I was impressed by the quick OCR function that extracted text from images in minutes. You can protect the PDF with a password and add a signature for authentication. I appreciate the direct integration with DocuSign.
Foxit PDF is available on Windows and Mac. The free version has a 14-day trial and costs $95 per year thereafter. Alternatively, you can choose the one-time purchase option.
Edit PDFs like a Pro
As you can see from the list above, all the Windows 10 PDF editors are capable options to easily edit PDFs at home or on the go. If you are in a hurry, go with the web-based ones. If you are invested in Adobe cloud, Acrobat Pro is a suitable option. For power users, check out the remaining PDF editors with 14 days of trial.
Next up: There are dedicated mobile apps to sign documents. Read the post below for our curated list of apps to sign documents on iOS and Android.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
My articles cover a wide range of topics, from troubleshooting out-of-sync audio on TikTok and managing Firestick devices, to understanding the impact of Capcut on video quality and resolving sound issues on Hisense Roku TVs.
I also delve into more general tech tips, like how to block numbers on landlines or use VPNs without Wi-Fi. My goal is to make technology more accessible and less intimidating for everyone, whether you’re a tech novice or a seasoned user. I strive to offer clear, concise, and helpful advice to make your digital experience smoother and more enjoyable.