The Best Free PDF Tools

There are a lot of options for creating, viewing, signing, editing, and converting documents into and back from PDF files.  Many of them might already be installed on your machine.  Let’s review the available options for low and no-cost PDF tools.

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Sejda

Sejda has an online PDF editor.  You upload your files.  You can then add text to the file, or type on it using their “Text” tool.  This tool can also be used to edit any existing text in the file.  You can add images, and you can also fill in the forms of the file if it is a document which you need to fill out with information or signatures.  The tool is surprisingly easy to use and is a good, free online alternative to Acrobat.

Microsoft Print to PDF

If you have a computer with Windows 10, you will be surprised to learn that there is a built in feature to turn documents on your computer into PDF’s.  You simple have to go to “Print” the document, then when the box comes up, you select to change the printer.  There should be an option for “Microsoft Print to PDF.”

Docusign

Docusign is the leader on online electronic signatures and agreements.  They have both desktop and mobile apps for both iOS and Android.  Their phone app makes it easy and simple for you to sign a document for free – all you have to do is download the app and then import your PDF document for signing.  Because it is free (for at least five signs), this is actually a better route to go than to try and use Docusign on your computer, which requires a paid subscription for signing. 

If you just need to add your signature to a document, we recommend downloading the iOS or Android app of Docusign, and then emailing yourself whatever file it is you need to sign.  You would then download the file to your phone, upload back it into Docusign, sign it, and then save the new signed version on your phone.  You can then either email it back to yourself, or you can “Sign & Send” it straight from Docusign to an email address of your choosing.

Adobe

Adobe has a free online tool to convert any Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint file, or image into a PDF.  All you have to do is select your file via your desktop computer.  You can then either download the PDF file or share it.  If you need to edit an existing PDF file, Adobe offers a free 7 day trial of their Acrobat Pro DC software.  It is fully featured, so you can do anything you need to the PDF file, such as change it, sign it, whatever you need.  After the trial, it does turn into a paying subscription, so be sure to cancel it if you are done changing your PDF file.

Macintosh Computer

Like with Windows 10, Apple has a built-in support for creating a PDF file.  You simple open the document you want to save as a PDF, then go to print the file (under the File > Print menu), and then select to save as PDF (there should be a checkbox).  Here are more detailed instructions if you need them.

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In Review

There are lots of free and easy options for converting your files into PDF’s.  When it comes to editing PDF’s, the number of options starts to decrease.  But the online Sejda tool is very helpful, though we might be wary of putting sensitive documents containing very personal information in it, such as bank accounts or social security numbers.  Finally, the Docusign mobile apps are an excellent, free, and secure way to sign your documents, even sensitive ones, backed up by a large, reputable, publicly traded corporation.