15 Best Free PDF Editors & PDF Form Fillers of 2022

Editing a PDF to fill a form or to make other changes is not as straightforward as a Word document (DOC or DOCX). You need to use specialized software to make changes to a PDF file.

You can use a PDF to Word converter to convert your PDF file to Word document format for easy editing, and then use a Word to PDF converter to turn it back to PDF. While this solution works, it is not the most effective.

A better solution is to use a free PDF editor. PDF editors allow you to modify text and images in the PDF files without having to convert them. With so many free PDF editors in the market, it is a challenge to choose the right one for you. 

In this article, you will learn about 15 of the best PDF editors and PDF form fillers of 2022. 

Let’s get started.

1. Smallpdf

Cloud-based PDF Editor and Form Filler 

Smallpdf is one of the best PDF editors in the market. The online application is good for file conversion and allows users to fill PDF forms. It is compatible with different web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Safari. 

The PDF editing tool allows users to add text to their PDF files. You can upload the PDF file you want to edit from your computer or simply drag and drop the file in the appropriate box in the online application. 

Smallpdf lets you upload PDF files from cloud storage and file-sharing services such as Google Drive and Dropbox. The easy-to-use PDF editor has a simple user interface that makes it easy for anyone including new users to edit PDF documents. You do not have to install any software or register to use its services.

With the PDF editor, you can modify your PDF document by adding drawings and shapes to it. The PDF form filler is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux devices. You can use the online PDF editor to edit your PDF files with your mobile devices. 

The PDF editing software keeps your data secure by using advanced Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption for file transfers. You can use its PDF to Word converter to turn your PDF file into an editable Word document while still keeping the original formatting intact.

Pricing

Smallpdf has four pricing plans: free, pro, team, and business. The free plan gives you access to 21 Smallpdf tools including its PDF editor and form filler. However, the PDF editor offered by the free plan can only do basic PDF editing.

If you want access to more PDF editing features, you have to subscribe to its premium plans (pro, team, and business). The pro plan is suitable for a single individual, the team plan is suitable for teams of up to 50, while the business plan is suitable for organizations. 

2. PDFSimpli

Best PDF Editor for Scanned and Digital Documents 

PDFSimpli is one of the best PDF editors in the market. You can edit any PDF document with the online application, including filling PDF forms with it. There is no download requirement for you to use the tool. 

With its Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, users can edit existing text easily. OCR helps users to scan scanned documents and turn them into an editable format. You can use the online application to sign contracts and create your forms.

Using the online application is easy. All you have to do is to drag and drop the PDF file you want to edit in the application or click the “Upload PDF to Edit” to upload the PDF file directly from your device. 

The PDF editor and form-filler helps users edit, convert, merge, watermark, rotate, sign, and combine PDF files. With its PDF converter, you can convert PDF to Word, PDF to JPG, PDF to PNG, PDF to TIFF, PDF to PowerPoint, and PDF to Excel. You can also convert Word, JPG, PNG, TIFF, PowerPoint, and Excel file formats to PDF. 

Pricing

PDF Simpli offers free editing features for users. However, if you want to enjoy pro editing features, you have to subscribe to its premium plans. It charges $299.40 a year for its annual plan for eight users and charges $37.20 once in six months for its six-month plan for a single user. 

The online application charges $6.95 for a single user. It offers a simple plan for single users with limited document needs and charges them $1.95 every 28 days. Plans may vary based on your location.

3. Soda PDF

Best PDF Editor and Form Filler for Working Online and Offline

Soda PDF is one of the best PDF editing software and form fillers you can use to edit your PDF files. The online application allows you to edit text, images, and other elements in your PDF file without converting it to an editable Word document first. 

With the PDF editor, users can edit their PDF files both online and offline. It has a desktop application you can download to enjoy offline PDF editing tools.

Using the PDF editor and form fillers is easy. Simply drag and drop files from your computer to the online application or click on the “Choose File” button to upload PDF files directly from your computer. You can also upload PDF files for editing directly from cloud storage and file-sharing services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Dropbox alternatives. 

When you use PDF editing software, you can be assured that your files are secure. After an hour, Soda PDF deletes your uploaded files permanently from its servers to keep your information private.

Soda PDF lets users change the order of pages, edit specific pages, remove pages, and even add new ones. You can format the background, margins, page size, and page layout. The online application allows you to use your desired font style on the document, use font attributes such as bold, italic, and underline. You can also adjust the font size.

Pricing

Soda PDF offers free PDF editing software and form filler which offers basic editing tools. If you want to enjoy more advanced editing tools, you have to subscribe to its premium plans.

The 1-week plan costs $4.99, the unlimited pass costs $2.99 per month, and the 1-month pass costs $9.99.

4. PDF Candy

Comprehensive PDF Editor with Offline Application

PDF Candy is one of the best software tools for filling PDF forms and editing PDFs. The online application allows users to edit PDF files online without having to convert them into an editable Word document first. You do not have to install any software or register to use the service.

Using the PDF editing software is easy. Simply drag and drop the PDF file you want to edit into the online application or click on the “+Add file” button to add the PDF file from your device. Alternatively, you can upload the PDF from cloud storage and file-sharing services such as Google Drive and Dropbox.

Once you successfully upload the PDF file, the online application will immediately open the PDF file for the preview. You will get a host of editing tools that will appear on the left side of the screen. Use those tools to edit your PDF file to suit your preference. You can use the editing tools to add text to fill your PDF forms.

The full-featured online PDF editor offers users tools such as “Select” tools for easy selection of objects, “Text” to add text to PDF, “Underline.” “Highlight,” and “Strikeout” for marking text, drawing tools such as “Pencil,” “Line,” “Arrow,” and  “Rectangle.” 

There is also the “Whiteout” tool for concealing contents with a white overlay, and the “Add Image” tool for adding images from a device, by URL, and other options.

PDF Candy keeps your information safe, it does not sell to third parties. After two hours after exporting the PDF file, the PDF editor deletes your stored data.

The PDF editor or form filler also serves as a PDF converter. It converts PDF files from and to Word, JPG, PNG, Excel, and PowerPoint formats. 

Pricing

PDF Candy offers a free online PDF editor. However, the free plan offers only basic editing functions with hourly limits and file size limitations. 

If you want access to more PDF editing features, no hourly limits, and increased file size per task (up to 500 MB), you have to subscribe to one of its three premium plans. They are the web monthly plan, the web yearly plan, and the desktop + web lifetime plan.

5. Sejda

Best PDF Editor and Form Filler with Slick Interface

Sejda is a user-friendly PDF editor and PDF form filler that offers users a wide range of PDF editing tools. You do not need to open an account to use its PDF editor. With its simple and sleek user interface, it is easy for users of all levels including beginners to use the software. 

The online application offers users a secure way to edit their PDF files that contain vital financial information. After two hours from when you upload the PDF file for editing, it wipes all your documents from its servers automatically. 

Sejda’s single menu bar makes it easy for users to easily find the PDF editing options they need. Some of the options include tools for adding images, text, links, form fields, shapes, and signatures to the PDF file. You can use the PDF form filler to fill out PDF forms.

Click on the “Apply Changes” button to save your edits and download the edited PDF. You can save your edited PDF file on your Google Drive or Dropbox account, or save it locally to your device. 

The PDF editor and form-filler have a desktop application that users can use to edit PDF files offline. However, the desktop version is only available on its premium plan.

Pricing

Sejda offers a free PDF editor and form-filler tool for users. However, the free service only works for documents up to 200 pages or 50 MB. You can only carry out three tasks per hour with the free plan,

If you want the removal of the limitations of the free plan, you have to subscribe to its premium plans. They include the web week pass plan, the web monthly plan, and the desktop + web annual plan.

6. FormSwift

Best Free PDF Form Filler and Editor for Forms

FormSwift is a great tool for editing and filling PDF forms. The free PDF editor is compatible with any web browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. 

The online application has an extensive library of legal and business forms which you can edit online to suit your needs. You can also download its rich templates of business and legal forms (1099s, lease agreements, personal, business, tax, real estate, and business meeting minutes) as a PDF file or Word document.

Using the PDF editing software is easy. You can upload your PDF file by clicking the “Select Files to Edit” button to upload a PDF document from your device or drag and drop your PDF file into the appropriate box on the web page. There is a 10MB maximum size limitation on the PDF file you can upload for editing using the free PDF editor. 

FormSwift has a wide range of editing tools that lets users add text and images to the PDF file, highlight, and erase or redact existing text. You can also use its e-signature tool to sign PDF documents. 

One drawback of using FormSwift is its font limitations. You only have four fonts to choose from. However, you can resize the fonts and add colors and styles to them. The PDF editor also supports adding new text fields to your PDF files and adjusting texts. 

Pricing

FormSwift offers a free PDF editor and form filler for users.

7. PDFescape

Best PDF Editor and Form Filler for Windows

PDFescape is one of the best PDF editors and form-fillers for Windows. There are two different PDF editors offered by PDFescape, they are PDFescape Online PDF Editor and PDFescape Editor for Windows.

The online PDF editor is compatible with many web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge. Opera, and Safari. 

Using the online PDF editing software is easy and free. You have to choose a PDF file you want to open and edit in PDFescape. Users have four different options for uploading PDF files. They can create a new PDF document, upload PDF directly from their device, load PDF from the internet, and load PDF previously opened. 

With PDFescape Online PDF Editor, the PDF file you upload must be less than 10 MB and not more than 100 pages. It also has very limited font options (only five fonts available). 

PDFescape is also available as a desktop application. The PDF annotation tool works on most web browsers and is compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10. 

You can use the PDF editor to create form fields, fill out forms, insert text and hyperlinks, add sticky notes, crop and rotate images, and redact or strikeout text. With the PDF editor, you can add or remove pages, add a watermark, and lock and encrypt PDF documents. 

Pricing

PDFescape offers a free online PDF editor which they can use to edit their PDF documents and fill PDF forms. The free plan allows you to share PDF documents.

If you want access to no limitations and more PDF editing features, you have to upgrade to its premium or ultimate plan. 

8. Lumin PDF

Best Cloud-based PDF Editor and Form Filler 

Lumin PDF is one of the best PDF editors available in the market. The online application lets users view, edit, and share PDF files in the cloud. Users get access to smart PDF editing and markup tools which they can use to easily annotate their PDF files.

With the PDF editor, you can add text, comments, images, draw lines, shapes, and signatures to your PDF document from your browser. You can also use the software to fill your PDF forms. There is no need to print out PDF forms to fill, you can use its markup tools to fill your form and add a signature.

Lumin PDF has a real-time synchronization feature which is good for team collaboration. It lets you know and sees the changes your team members or employees are making to your PDF document in real-time.

The PDF editor supports cloud integration with cloud storage and file-sharing services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and Lumin. 

As you work on the PDF, the online application autosaves your progress. It prevents you from losing your edits when you fail to save them manually. 

The PDF editor makes it easy to access and edit your PDF files from any device (phone, laptop, or tablet). Lumin PDF has a mobile app that you can use to view and annotate your PDF document.  

Pricing

Lumin PDF has two different categories of plans: the individual and the organization. The individual category has two plans: the free plan and the professional plan. 

The free plan gives access to limited features and a limited file upload size (5MB), while the professional plan has unlimited editing features and unlimited uploads.

Lumin PDF organization pricing category consists of three plans: free, business, and enterprise. The free plan offers basic editing features and limited uploads (20 per day), while the business plan has unlimited editing features and unlimited uploads. 

If you want to enjoy all the features contained in the business plan plus concierge onboarding, API integration, and enterprise-grade security, the enterprise plan is the best fit.

9. ILovePDF

Comprehensive PDF Editor and Form Filler for Individuals and Businesses

ILovePDF is a comprehensive PDF software that allows users to edit PDF files. The online application provides PDF editing tools for adding text, comments, shapes, and highlights to your PDF file. 

Using the PDF editor is easy. All you have to do is to drag and drop the PDF file you want to edit in the online application or click on the “Select PDF file” to upload the PDF document directly from your computer. You can also upload the PDF file from cloud storage services such as Google Drive and Dropbox. 

After uploading the PDF file, the PDF editor will take you to a page where you can make edits to your PDF document. You can also use the PDF editing software to fill your PDF forms and add your signature to them. 

ILovePDF is more than just a PDF editor and form filler. It also provides users with PDF tools for splitting, merging, compressing, and converting PDF files. It serves as a Word to PDF converter. 

The online application offers a wide range of PDF conversion services including serving as a powerful PDF to PowerPoint converter. You can also convert PDF files to other formats such as Word. JPG, and Excel.

Pricing

ILovePDF offers users a free plan for its PDF editor. However, the free plan is limited. You need to subscribe to its premium plan (premium or business) to enjoy more advanced PDF editing features and tools,

10. Foxit

Best PDF Editor and Form Filler with Advanced Tools

Foxit is one of the best PDF editors and form fillers in the market. The software allows users to edit their PDF files with its powerful yet easy PDF editing tools. It works on the web, mobile, and desktop devices, and is supported on Windows and Mac operating systems.

The PDF editor is suitable for knowledgeable workers, large organizations, and specific markets. With its advanced PDF editing tools, you can edit your PDF document like a professional. You can reflow text, modify the text size, font, or line spacing, change document layout, and even add multimedia.

Foxit offers sharing and collaboration features that connect teams working on the same PDF file. The software integrates with content management systems and cloud storage services. 

With Foxit PDF Editor, you can export and share your PDF content in other popular file formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, RTF, HTML, and image formats. You have the option of choosing whether to export the whole document or just a selected area. 

The PDF editing software makes it easy for users to organize and manipulate PDF pages. You can use the software to add watermarks, stamps, headers, footers, and more.

Pricing

Foxit offers two PDF editing plans: Foxit PDF Editor 11 and Foxit PDF Editor Pro 11. The Foxit PDF Editor 11 offers a 14-day free trial.

11. PDFSam Basic

Simple Open-Source PDF Editor and Form Filler for Merging PDF Files

PDFSam Basic is a simple PDF editor for users with simple PDF editing needs. The open-source software is easy to use. Unlike other free PDF editing software, there are no ads attached to using this service. 

The lightweight desktop editing application offers basic PDF editing tools for users. If you want to split a PDF into several files, merge several PDFs or pages as one, or simply change the orientation of pages. PDFSam Basic is an excellent choice. It is not an ideal tool for changing the actual content of PDFs. 

PDFSam Basic does not put its watermark on your PDF file when you edit it with the application. It keeps your PDF document safe and does not sell it to unknown third parties. 

The PDF merging application allows you to specify which page ranges you want to merge. You can either merge it completely or partially. 

PDFSam Basic allows you to choose what to do with the bookmarks of the merged PDF files. You can either discard them, create new ones, or merge them. The PDF editing software lets users add a table of contents with clickable entries at the beginning of their PDF file to make navigation easier. 

Pricing

PDFSam Basic is a free PDF editor.

12. PDF2Go

Best PDF Editor and Form Filler with Web Browsers Extensions

PDF2Go is one of the best PDF editing software and form fillers available to users. You do not have to install any software or possess any skills to edit your PDF. The online PDF editor allows users to directly edit their PDF documents.

With the online application, you can add text and images to the PDF document. You can also decide to add circles, boxes, arrows, and other shapes of choice to your PDF document. The PDF editor allows you to add highlights or watermarks to the PDF file. 

Using the online application is easy. You can either click on the “Choose File” button to upload the PDF file you want to edit, or drag and drop the PDF file into the application. You can also enter the URL of the PDF document or upload it through cloud storage services such as Dropbox and Google Drive.

There is also the optional setting that allows you to optimize previews for scanned documents. If your PDF file is a scanned document, it is best to enable this option for better viewing in the PDF editor. The online PDF editor has web browser extensions for both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

PDF2Go has a wide range of editing tools that allows you to write and draw on your PDF document. You also have the option of zooming in and out on a page, undoing and redoing edits, resetting the whole page, changing the color, font, and stroke size, and others.

Pricing

PDF2Go offers two free plans: the unregistered free plan and the registered free plan. The unregistered free plan has limited file size and limited files per conversion while the registered free plan has a higher file size and more files per conversion.

If you want to enjoy full and unlimited access to all its tools, unlimited document size (up to 8 GB), and maximum files per conversion, you have to subscribe to its premium plan.

13. PDF Expert

Best PDF Editor and Form Filler for Mac Operating System

PDF Expert is a fast and robust PDF editor and form filler. The beautiful PDF editing software has a sleek user interface that makes it easy for users to navigate the software. It is compatible with the Mac operating system.

The PDF editor lets you read, annotate, change text and images, add or edit links, and edit PDFs. It detects the font, font size, and opacity of the original text. 

You can use the online application to fill forms and sign contracts. It also lets you sign contracts with e-signatures. The online application lets you add annotations and notes to your PDF document.

Thanks to its state of art PDF search, PDF Expert makes it easy to find things with search indexing. You can save your searches and discoveries in your search history. 

PDF Expert offers an advanced reading experience. It supports smooth scrolling and fast search. You can use the PDF editor to pick day, night, or sepia mode. You can also annotate PDF and enjoy its split view.

With the PDF editor, you can integrate, share, and collaborate with clients and team members through notes and comments in the PDF document. Users can use a password to protect PDFs that contain sensitive information. It works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices.

Pricing

PDF Expert costs $79.99 for a single license for up to three Macs.

14. DocFly

Best PDF Editor and Form Filler for Customizing PDFs

DocFly is one of the best online PDF editors available in the market. You can use the online application to review and edit PDFs, create and convert PDFs, and save and secure PDFs.

The simple PDF editor is easy to use. You can upload the PDF file you want to edit by dragging and dropping the file in the online application or by clicking the “Click to upload your file” button to upload directly from your computer. 

Alternatively, you can upload files from cloud storage and file-sharing services such as Google Drive and Dropbox. With the PDF editor, your files stay private. It uses HTTPS to ensure secure file uploads.

The PDF editing software lets users add, erase, or highlight text, and add images and e-signatures to their PDF files. You can also use the online PDF editor to merge, split, and rotate PDFs. Users can use DocFly’s form creator and filler to create and fill PDF forms. 

DocFly makes it easy for users to create and convert PDFs. You can use its PDF to JPG converter to convert your PDF files to images. It also supports the conversion of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats to PDFs.

With the PDF editing software, you can save and secure PDFs by adding, changing, or removing passwords. You can access the PDF editor from anywhere. It is compatible with many web browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera, and Microsoft Edge.

Pricing

DocFly has three pricing plans: free, pro, and enterprise. The free plan lets users export up to 3 free documents per month and does not require registration.

If you want to enjoy more features such as 10 GB file storage, priority customer service, and unlimited exports, you have to sign up for one of its premium plans (pro and enterprise).

15. Adobe Acrobat

Fast PDF Editor and Form Filler for Teams 

Adobe Acrobat is one of the best PDF editing and form-filling software in the market. It is a handy tool for individuals and businesses who want to create and edit PDFs professionally and in high quality. 

The online application gives users lots of freedom to edit existing PDF documents across devices easily and without any complications.

Using the online application is simple. The first step is to upload the PDF by either dragging and dropping the PDF file you want to edit or by clicking on the “Select a file” button to upload files directly from your device. 

After upload, Adobe Acrobat gives you lots of PDF editing options that you can use to edit your PDF or fill your PDF forms. Users can edit PDFs with comments (sticky notes), text, or freehand drawings with the PDF editor. You can also highlight, underline, or strikethrough content on the PDF editor.

Adobe Acrobat secures your file upload by uploading it directly to its secure Adobe Document Cloud. The PDF editor allows you to edit PDFs fast. You can annotate a PDF file, download the file, get a sharable link, and share it with others.

You can use the online application from any web browser such as Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and Google Chrome and your mobile phone, tablet, and PC. 

Pricing

Adobe Acrobat offers a free 7-day trial for users to test its PDF editor and form filler. The online software has two premium plans: Acrobat Pro DC which costs $14.99 per month and Acrobat PDF Pack which costs $9.99 per month.

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