Table of Contents
Quick answer
For most students, a free tool is genuinely enough — Google Drive's built-in PDF viewer or Smallpdf's free tier handle basic markup and form-filling. If you're annotating academic readings heavily, GoodNotes or Notability (also covered in our Best Note-Taking Apps guide) are worth it. For real editing — changing the actual text and layout of a PDF — Adobe Acrobat remains the most capable, if priciest, option.
Best free PDF editors
1. Smallpdf
A browser-based tool covering the most common tasks — merging, splitting, compressing, and basic editing — with a usable free tier and a low-cost Pro plan for heavier use.
2. PDF24
A free, no-account-required tool for basic edits, merging, and conversion, popular for one-off tasks where you don't want to sign up for anything.
3. Google Drive PDF Viewer
If you already store files in Google Drive, its built-in viewer supports basic markup and comments without needing a separate app — the lowest-friction option for occasional use.
4. Microsoft Edge (built-in PDF reader)
Edge's built-in reader supports highlighting, drawing, and basic form-filling for free, which covers a surprising amount of everyday student and professional use without installing anything extra.
Best for reading & annotation
5. GoodNotes
Strong PDF annotation with handwriting support, particularly popular for marking up academic readings and textbooks on a tablet. We cover it in more detail in our note-taking apps guide, since it doubles as a note-taking app.
6. Notability
Similar strengths to GoodNotes, with audio recording synced to your annotations — useful for reviewing a lecture reading alongside the exact notes and highlights you made while listening.
7. Xodo
A free, cross-platform PDF annotator with solid collaboration features, worth knowing if you're not on Apple hardware and want a GoodNotes-style experience.
Best for professional editing
8. Adobe Acrobat
Still the most capable tool for actually editing PDF text and layout, not just annotating it, plus the most reliable for complex form creation and legally-binding e-signatures. It's also the most expensive option here.
9. Foxit PDF Editor
A lower-cost alternative to Acrobat with most of the core editing features professionals actually use day to day, at a noticeably smaller price.
10. PDFescape
A browser-based editor with a genuinely useful free tier for form-filling and basic edits, a reasonable middle ground between the free browser tools and paid desktop software.
Full comparison table
| Tool | Best for | Approx. price | Free tier? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smallpdf | Everyday merging/editing | ~$9–12/month Pro | Yes, limited |
| Google Drive Viewer | Occasional markup | Free | Yes, fully |
| GoodNotes | Reading annotation | One-time or subscription | Limited trial |
| Adobe Acrobat | Real text/layout editing | ~$20+/month | Limited trial |
| Foxit PDF Editor | Budget professional editing | Lower than Acrobat, check site | Limited trial |
Prices change frequently — confirm current pricing on each provider's official site before subscribing.
A free tool is enough if...
- You mainly highlight, comment, or fill simple forms
- You edit PDFs only occasionally, not as a core part of your work
Pay for a real editor if...
- You need to change actual text, layout, or create complex forms
- You need reliable e-signatures for professional or legal use
Frequently asked questions
