Best Free PDF Editor in 2026 — Edit Text, Images & Forms Online
Compare free PDF editors that let you modify text, add images, annotate, and fill forms without paying for Adobe Acrobat.
// Do you really need Adobe Acrobat?
Most PDF editing tasks — fixing typos, adding text boxes, inserting images, filling forms, adding signatures — can be done entirely in your browser for free. Adobe Acrobat Pro at $22.99/month is overkill for casual users.
// Top free PDF editors compared
1. PDFBaba — Full in-browser editor with text editing, image insertion, annotations, signatures, and form filling. No install, no signup, no watermarks. Files auto-delete in 1 hour.
2. Sejda — Good online editor with a 3-file-per-hour free limit and 200 pages max. Clean interface but restricted free tier.
3. PDFescape — Browser-based with a decent free tier. More limited editing capabilities. Pushes premium plan.
4. LibreOffice Draw — Open source desktop app. Powerful but complex interface. Not ideal for quick edits.
5. Canva PDF Editor — Design-focused. Good for creating PDFs from scratch but limited editing of existing PDFs.
// What to look for in a PDF editor
Direct text editing (not just overlay). Image insertion and manipulation. Annotation tools (highlights, shapes, comments). Form filling without printing. Electronic signatures. No watermarks on output. Privacy — files should be deleted after processing.