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Free Image Format ConversionPDF stands for Portable Document Format, a file format that contains formatted text and images for individuals and business owners to present their work and marketing plans on Windows and Mac computers.
Since PDF was standardized as ISO 32000 in 2008, no royalties are required to implement it. As a result, PDF is now used worldwide for tax forms, contact sheets, spreadsheets, and instructional manuals, among other things.
Why do you need PDF services?
As per numerous PDF users, it is widely used due to its high security, privacy, and usability features.
However, unlike Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, PDFs can be more complex for beginners. When using or editing a PDF, you might encounter the following drawbacks:
- Editing a PDF isn't free.
- Editing a PDF is more complicated than other file types.
- Because the text in a PDF is considered an image, it's difficult to edit.
The drawbacks mentioned above are also the reasons why many people tend to search for free online PDF solutions. How so? Read on, and you'll find a reliable online PDF service that will work best for you.
Top 5 Free PDF Services in 2020
Here, we've gathered five of the best free online PDF tools that let you edit, convert, crop, and even compress PDF files for free on your Windows or Mac computer:
Choose one to start managing your PDFs for free.
#1. PDF Candy - Your Best Free Online PDF Service
This image cannot be displayed due to copyright or privacy reasons.
PDF Candy, produced by pdfcandy.com, is the most recommended free online PDF service for 2020. It offers portable, flexible, and counted PDF editing services for both Windows and Mac users.
- Operating System: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android.
- Licensing: Free online.
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With just a web browser, you can freely access the following features to edit, crop, convert, compress, and even encrypt your PDF files online:
- Support for editing PDFs: merge, edit, split, compress PDFs, and edit PDF metadata.
Support for managing PDFs: unlock/protect PDFs, rotate/crop/resize PDF pages, rearrange or adjust page sizes, etc.
Support for converting files to PDF: Word/Excel/PPT/HTML to PDF, JPG/PNG/TIFF to PDF, and more.
Support for converting PDFs to other file formats: PDF to Word/Excel/PPT, PDF to JPG/PNG/TIFF, and so on.
As a free online PDF tool, PDF Candy also caters to desktop users. It even has a desktop version available for Windows users, allowing them to edit, manage, and create PDFs on their computers for free.
#2. Adobe's suite of online PDF tools
Similar to PDF Candy, PDF Online is a free online service that works just like Adobe Acrobat. PDF Online lets PDF users convert, compress, edit, and export PDF files for free on web browsers on Windows and Mac computers.
- Operating Systems: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android.
- Licensing: Free, requires account login.
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PDF Online works almost identically to the desktop version of Adobe Acrobat, letting you convert, edit, and share PDF files online with colleagues and friends:
- Supports PDF conversion: Convert PDF to Word/PPT/Excel, and PDF to JPG.
- Supports file-to-PDF conversion: Convert Word/Excel/PPT to PDF, and JPG to PDF.
- Supports PDF editing: Add annotations/text, merge/rotate/remove/crop pages.
Though PDF Online is a powerful online PDF editor, as mentioned above, it offers fewer services than PDF Candy. If you need to convert your PDF to an image or other file formats, it's recommended that you give PDF Candy a try.
#3. Soda PDF Online
The Chinese description for this image is: "Soda PDF Online Version"
As its name suggests, Soda PDF Online is a powerful online PDF converter and editor. Soda PDF Online lets users manage their PDF files online through its flexible CONVERT, EDIT, PAGE, COMMENT, SECURE, FORMS, and more features.
- Operating System: Windows, Mac
- Licensing: Free, requires account login.
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Though it's a free online service, Soda PDF provides a suite of tools that will cover most of your needs to edit – and even crop – a PDF in your browser:
- Video PDF: Review PDF content in single page, full screen, or side-by-side modes.
- Convert PDF: Create, export, merge, split, and compress PDFs.
- Edit PDF: Input text, insert images, and add links.
- Annotate PDF: Highlight, underline, hide comments, add sticky notes, and more.
Neither Online PDF Candy nor Adobe Acrobat's PDF online tool lists the supported file formats under their feature navigation bars. You'll have to check and see if they support editing or converting to the specific PDF file format you need.
#4. PDF Converter
PDF Converter is a basic online PDF converter that facilitates converting files to PDF or changing PDFs into other file formats. Apart from PDF conversion, this free online PDF tool also offers merging and splitting, PDF security, and editing features to help you manage your PDFs flexibly.
- Operating System: Windows, Mac
- Licensing: Free, requires account login.
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In short, a PDF converter can turn a PDF into some basic file types, but it's not a true PDF editor. Here are some features you might like:
- SUPPORT PDF CONVERSION: Convert PDF to Word/Excel/PowerPoint, and PDF to JPG/PNG.
- SUPPORT FILE CONVERSION TO PDF: Convert Word/Excel/PowerPoint to PDF, JPT to PDF, and OpenOffice/eBooks/iWorks to PDF.
- SUPPORT PDF MANAGEMENT: Merge/split PDFs, protect PDFs, compress/rotate PDFs, and delete PDF pages.
If you're looking for an online free PDF editor, the recommended PDF Candy and Adobe Acrobat's Online PDF Editor can come in handy.
#5. I Love PDF
True to its tagline, I LOVE PDF provides a one-stop solution for users of all levels to easily perform PDF tasks such as merging, splitting, compressing, converting, rotating, unlocking, and watermarking documents – all for free and right at their fingertips. The well-organized function navigation on its website enables users to quickly locate the specific PDF editing or management feature they need.
- Operating System: Windows, Mac
- Licensing: Free, requires a registered account to log in.
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When you need a free online PDF service, I Love PDF is worth a try. It can handle most of your needs:
- Optimize PDF: Compress PDF, Fix PDF issues.
- Organize PDF: Merge/Split PDF, Delete/Extract pages.
- Convert to PDF: JPG to PDF, Word/PowerPoint/Excel to PDF, HTML to PDF.
- Convert from PDF: PDF to JPG, PDF to Word/Excel/PowerPoint.
Aside from those, you can also use this tool to edit, rotate, and even lock PDF files on your own.
Bottom line
So, what is the best free online PDF service out there? Based on the descriptions, pros, and cons of these 5 free online PDF tools, we recommend you try out PDF Candy if you need a PDF tool for handling and editing regular documents the most.
If you need to share the edited PDF file online with friends or colleagues right away, Adobe Acrobat's Online PDF is your best bet.
However, if your current PDF isn't working or won't open, you can try the ultimate PDF service tool – I LOVE PDF. Its PDF Repair feature might come in handy.