5 Best Free PDF Tools in 2025
Working with PDFs is a daily task for millions of people, from students to business professionals. While Adobe Acrobat remains the industry standard, there are excellent free alternatives that handle most common PDF tasks. Here's our guide to the best free PDF tools in 2025.
What to Look for in a PDF Tool
Before diving into our recommendations, here's what makes a great PDF tool:
- Ease of use: Simple interface that doesn't require technical knowledge
- Privacy: Your documents should stay private and secure
- No installation: Browser-based tools work anywhere without downloads
- Core features: Combining, splitting, and rearranging pages
- Speed: Quick processing without long wait times
Top 5 Free PDF Tools
1. PDFGo
Best for: Privacy-conscious users who want browser-based processing
PDFGo stands out for its privacy-first approach. All PDF processing happens directly in your browser - your files never leave your device. This makes it ideal for sensitive documents.
Key features:
- Combine multiple PDFs
- Split PDFs and extract pages
- Rearrange, rotate, and delete pages
- 100% browser-based processing
- No file uploads to servers
Pricing: Free tier with 2 operations per day. Pro plan for unlimited access.
2. PDF24
Best for: Users who need a wide variety of tools
PDF24 offers an extensive toolkit with dozens of PDF functions, from basic editing to OCR and compression.
Key features:
- Comprehensive tool selection
- Desktop app available
- PDF creation from other formats
Considerations: Files are uploaded to servers for processing.
3. Smallpdf
Best for: Users who need PDF conversion features
Smallpdf excels at converting PDFs to and from other formats like Word, Excel, and images.
Key features:
- Format conversion
- Clean, modern interface
- Mobile apps available
Considerations: Limited free operations, requires subscription for full access.
4. iLovePDF
Best for: Batch processing multiple files
iLovePDF handles bulk operations well, letting you process multiple files at once.
Key features:
- Batch processing
- Many tool options
- Desktop and mobile apps
Considerations: Files processed on servers, some features require premium.
5. PDF Candy
Best for: Simple, straightforward operations
PDF Candy offers a clean interface for basic PDF tasks without overwhelming options.
Key features:
- Simple interface
- No account required
- Multiple language support
Considerations: Ad-supported, limited daily operations.
Privacy Comparison
| Tool | Processing Location | Files Stored | |------|-------------------|--------------| | PDFGo | Your browser | Never uploaded | | PDF24 | Their servers | Temporarily | | Smallpdf | Their servers | Temporarily | | iLovePDF | Their servers | Temporarily | | PDF Candy | Their servers | Temporarily |
Which Tool Should You Choose?
Choose PDFGo if: Privacy is your priority and you need core PDF operations (combine, split, rearrange).
Choose PDF24 if: You need advanced features and don't mind server-side processing.
Choose Smallpdf if: You frequently convert between PDF and other formats.
Choose iLovePDF if: You regularly process large batches of files.
Choose PDF Candy if: You want simplicity and don't need advanced features.
Conclusion
The best PDF tool depends on your specific needs. For most users doing occasional PDF combining, splitting, or rearranging, a privacy-focused tool like PDFGo offers the best balance of features and security.
Ready to try a privacy-first approach to PDF editing? Get started with PDFGo - it's free and your files never leave your device.