Best Free PDF Redaction Software of 2026

Apryse (formerly PDFTron) makes documents work harder for you. We give organizations the power to handle the full document lifecycle — from secure server-side processing to smooth web-based collaboration — without relying on third-party services. With Apryse, you can: Integrate advanced document capabilities like viewing, editing, annotation, and e-signature directly into your applications. Deploy on your own infrastructure for maximum control, privacy, and compliance. Scale effortlessly with technology built for high-volume, enterprise-grade workflows. Deliver modern web experiences that are fast, accessible, and reliable across browsers and devices. Trusted worldwide, Apryse helps enterprises, developers, and small businesses simplify workflows, cut costs, and deliver better digital document experiences.

Easily convert, edit, merge, and compress your PDF files with just a few simple clicks. You can quickly download your document without any hassle, as our PDF converter generates files in mere seconds! To ensure the safety of your digital information, we implement HTTPS encryption while you create PDF files on our site. You can redact PDFs, alter text, insert new elements, and engage in various other tasks, all from a single platform. Our user-friendly interface is designed for seamless navigation, allowing you to utilize our PDF creator with minimal effort. Compatible with every major operating system, our online PDF maker functions flawlessly on Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, and Android. For those who wish to maintain privacy, you have the option to secure your file by locking or restricting access, preventing others from opening, editing, or printing it. This comprehensive tool simplifies your document management and enhances your productivity.

PDFCreator automates document output in Windows-based business environments, covering the whole creation pipeline from conversion to delivery. It converts print output from any application into PDF, JPG, PNG, or TIF via a virtual printer, so existing workflows don’t need to change. Businesses use PDFCreator to streamline repetitive document tasks: output is captured, formatted, named, secured, and routed according to configurable profiles. Typical use cases include automated report generation, batch processing of large document sets, and compliant document delivery in regulated industries. Key capabilities include encryption, password protection, digital signatures, watermarking, MSI-based deployment, Group Policy support, and centralized profile management. It works with Word, Excel, browsers, ERP platforms, and essentially any Windows application that can print. PDFCreator is available as a free edition for individual, non‑commercial use, alongside three paid editions tailored to business, terminal server, and broader enterprise deployments.

WPS Office Software, a leading office productivity suite, is available for PCs and mobile devices from Palo Alto's WPS Office Software. WPS Office is a highly-functional, but much more affordable, solution that is fully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word. WPS Office is available for Windows, Linux-based PCs, as well as Android or iOS. WPS Office Software is a subsidiary to Kingsoft Corporation, China’s largest Internet services and software company.

PDF24 provides a range of user-friendly online tools for managing PDF files, developed by geek software GmbH, a German firm that has been operating since 2006. This platform offers complimentary solutions for various PDF-related challenges, both through downloadable software and web applications, including the popular PDF24 Creator and a suite of online tools. Despite being a compact team, the PDF24 staff is deeply committed to enhancing PDF solutions that benefit countless users globally. Their dedication has led to the successful launch of the PDF24 Creator and Online Tools, which have garnered millions of users worldwide. In addition to these tools, PDF24 also features PDF24 Fax, an online faxing service designed for those who wish to send and receive faxes without needing a physical fax machine. This commitment to innovation continues to make PDF24 a go-to resource for all things PDF.

Transform, generate, modify, perform OCR, contrast, and endorse PDFs seamlessly. Adjust the interface's language and visual style between light and dark themes to enhance your PDF experience. Personalize your conversions by choosing specific pages, paragraphs, or even individual lines for accurate transformation. Utilize a specialized PDF to Excel conversion feature to accurately extract intricate table data into Microsoft Excel, complete with a Smart Layout Detector to preserve original table formatting. Revise text and pages within PDFs, while also providing options to annotate and redact sensitive information. Sign your PDF documents effortlessly and fill out, modify, or create PDF forms as needed. Divide documents into uniform sections for easier handling. Convert scanned PDFs in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, and German. Streamline the batch conversion process by queuing numerous PDF files or entire directories for efficiency. Create PDFs in bulk from a variety of formats and consolidate multiple PDFs into a single document. Secure your PDFs by adding passwords and setting file permissions, whether starting from blank pages or existing files. Able2Extract Professional serves as your all-in-one solution for managing PDF files effectively. With its extensive features, it ensures you have all the tools necessary to handle any PDF task with precision and ease.

PDF Editify offers a range of tools to fill out, edit, sign, and create PDF forms. It is designed for accessibility and ease of use. Key Features Fill out PDF forms online Edit existing PDF documents Add digital signatures in PDFs OCR can convert scanned PDFs into searchable documents Redact sensitive information Create fillable PDF forms Use Cases Filling out job applications and official forms Editing business documents on the go Signing contracts and agreements digitally Protecting sensitive data when sharing documents Create custom forms for surveys and data collection

Xodo allows you to edit, annotate and sign PDFs on your desktop, mobile, or web. Xodo makes it easy to work with PDFs. No more printing or faxing! You can sign contracts, expense reports and cover letters on your smartphone or tablet with just your finger or stylus. It's that easy! Sign any document with just your finger, instead of searching for a pen or printing ink. You can save your signature and sign any future documents with just one tap or click of the mouse. Save the file and share it with anyone who needs it. It takes only seconds to do what used to take many emails back and forth. Xodo takes stress out of filling out forms. You can complete forms from your smartphone or tablet anywhere you are by simply tapping on the screen to fill in fields and selecting checkboxes. You can save time and energy. Fill out forms on your smartphone or tablet and save them to share with anyone who needs them.

AmindPDF's user interface is very user-friendly and makes the operation of PDF easy. It can recognize PDF text as paragraphs or whole blocks of text, allowing users to edit text directly and smoothly, like in MS Word. for PDF protection, it allows adding passwords, setting document permissions, placing signatures, adding watermarks to PDF. It also supports batch operations to process files, such as merge/split tool, compression tool, creation tool, Bates numbering tool, and conversion tool, so users can process multiple PDF files at once. AmindPDF is available for a number of platforms: Windows, iOS, and Android. Users are able to use the same PDF tool on a computer or mobile phone. So AmindPDF let you process or edit PDFs anytime, anywhere. Edit PDF Text: AmindPDF allows the user to change the font, font size, font color, and font style, and reset the alignment of pdf text. Edit Images: The user can select the images in pdf, then manipulate the images: replace an image, rotate the image, crop the image, or remove the image. AmindPDF can combine more than one PDF or image file into one PDF. The file name of being combined files will be used to build the outline of the combined pdf.

REDACT is an easy-to-use, secure platform designed for automatic anonymization of personal and sensitive data in documents. Supporting 25 formats like PDF, Word, Excel, PPT, JPG, scans and XML, it ensures fast and precise redaction. Accessible online anytime, no installation needed, and backed by user support.

PDFescape offers a complimentary online platform for editing PDFs and filling out forms. This user-friendly tool allows individuals to read, modify, and design PDF documents without needing any specialized software, making it a great alternative for those who want to manage their PDF files easily. Accessible through any modern web browser with an active internet connection, PDFescape provides a variety of features including the ability to add text, shapes, and whiteout areas within PDF documents. Users can also crop, deskew, rearrange, delete, or insert pages as needed. The platform enables the creation of links to other PDF pages or external websites and allows for modification of PDF metadata. Security features include the option to encrypt documents with a password. Additionally, users can insert images and sign documents digitally using a scanned signature. Filling out forms is made easy with support for existing fields or by utilizing the text tool. It supports essential types of fields such as text boxes, checkboxes, radio buttons, lists, and dropdown menus, along with basic calculation and formatting capabilities for PDF fields. Furthermore, users can easily navigate between fields using the tab key, ensuring a streamlined experience.

Streamlining privacy through automated secure redaction for document sharing is the cornerstone of Rectify's approach. By utilizing privacy-centric artificial intelligence, Rectify efficiently eliminates sensitive information during the data sharing process. This innovation significantly reduces the need for human intervention in identifying and expunging consumer identities, trade secrets, intellectual property, and other confidential data from datasets destined for third-party distribution. Our team has safeguarded tens of millions of pages, and the number continues to rise. With our advanced "privacy-enabled AI" for deidentification, organizations can move away from tedious manual redaction processes. The risks associated with disclosing sensitive information without a reliable redaction tool can be severe, making it imperative to choose an effective redaction service. Rectify offers a comprehensive solution tailored to your redaction requirements, ensuring your business's security and privacy are maintained at all times. By opting for Rectify's secure redaction, you can automate privacy protection and foster confidence in your data handling practices.

iDox.ai Suite is an AI-powered document protection platform built for organizations that need to redact, anonymize, compare, and manage sensitive information across large volumes of files. The software automatically detects personal, health, financial, business, and regulated data so teams can remove or obscure confidential content before documents are shared. iDox.ai Suite supports PDFs, scanned files, spreadsheets, and other document formats commonly used in compliance-heavy environments. It can identify and redact PII, PHI, financial details, signatures, logos, confidential business information, and other sensitive content. The platform is designed for legal teams, government agencies, healthcare organizations, life sciences companies, and enterprises that manage privacy-sensitive files. Its data anonymization capabilities help organizations prepare documents for analysis, collaboration, disclosure, regulatory submission, or AI system use without exposing protected information. Document comparison features help teams review changes and verify content differences more efficiently. Compliance reporting tools generate audit-ready documentation that supports internal governance, FOIA processes, legal review, and regulatory obligations. iDox.ai Suite helps organizations improve document security, speed up review cycles, and maintain stronger control over sensitive data.

Our patented software will be the only tool that you ever need to protect sensitive documents. No need for complicated manuals or training, our intuitive redaction wizard will guide you through the redaction process. With us, you can redact documents with confidence. Our redactions do not mask redactions, which can be removed. You can easily redact documents in the cloud, without downloading or installing plugins. Import documents from services you use daily. Our AI technology makes it easy to redact documents. Our software finds confidential information and suggests that it be redacted with just a couple of clicks. We make it easy to manage your redactions, from task management, to setting up a hierarchy review process. Our cloud-based platform allows you to redact documents with colleagues simultaneously and collaborate on large redactions projects.

Experience the ultimate online PDF editor that you won't want to miss. Effortlessly complete forms, append signatures, erase unwanted content, and highlight text—all without any hassle. Whether you’re on a PC, Mac, or Chromebook, you can easily edit PDFs. There’s no need to install any software; simply use your current web browser. PDF Buddy prioritizes your security with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and AES-256 bit encryption, ensuring your files remain safe at all times. Say goodbye to the frustration of using printers and scanners for filling out PDF forms; your time is valuable and should be spent on more important tasks. Enjoy the convenience of editing up to three PDFs for free each month, or opt for our premium plans for unlimited editing capabilities. This service offers a more budget-friendly solution compared to Adobe Acrobat. If you’re still resorting to printing your PDF documents, it’s time to reconsider your approach. Go green and embrace the efficiency of PDF Buddy. In addition to the free monthly edits, you can also share our link on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ to access your three complimentary edits. For those who need to edit more files, we offer a pay-as-you-go credit system for additional documents, or you can choose to enjoy unlimited access altogether. You'll wonder how you ever managed without it!

Effortlessly redact PDFs with our completely free and user-friendly tool. Stay updated on how Legalverse can optimize your business's productivity and resource management. In a matter of minutes, you can redact, verify, and download your securely edited PDF. Forget the hassle of using Adobe Acrobat to delete text or the tedious process of printing and scanning legal documents to remove sensitive information—opt for our online solution instead. Begin by uploading your PDF file, and once it appears, use our web-based editor to easily highlight the text sections you wish to eliminate. Your document remains accessible for the entirety of your redaction session. After you’ve removed the desired text and data, take a moment to review your changes, ensuring the utmost confidence and security in the removal of sensitive information. Finally, download your PDF, which will have all chosen text and hidden metadata thoroughly blacked out, ensuring that your document is safe and secure for any future use. With Legalverse, protecting your sensitive information has never been easier or more efficient.

Acuity AutoRedact is a cutting-edge, AI-powered redaction tool that effectively eliminates sensitive information such as personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI) from various file formats, ensuring adherence to regulations like GDPR and facilitating Data Subject Access Requests. Employing sophisticated techniques like regex, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, our system automatically detects sensitive data, continuously improving and allowing for tailored entity training. With the ability to handle multiple formats, it can efficiently process PDFs, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, emails, and images without the need for conversion, while its integrated OCR technology adeptly manages scanned documents; optional modules even extend support to audio and video files. We prioritize enterprise-grade security, providing assurance that all redactions are truly permanent by removing underlying text and metadata, which is crucial for maintaining data integrity and confidentiality. This comprehensive solution not only streamlines the redaction process but also enhances the overall security posture of organizations managing sensitive information.

Redact PDF AI efficiently locates and permanently eliminates sensitive information from PDFs, scans, and images, including personal names, email addresses, phone numbers, physical addresses, IBANs, credit card details, significant dates, and organizational names. This method ensures that the redaction is final, as it rasterizes and flattens the pages, leaving no hidden text layers or metadata behind, unlike conventional black box methods employed by PDF editors. Users can input custom terms for automatic redaction or preservation, review each detection before saving the document, and even process multiple files simultaneously, with OCR technology assisting in the handling of scanned documents. Tailored for professionals such as law firms, notaries, real estate agents, accountants, human resources personnel, and educational institutions, the service operates within the EU and Switzerland on Azure, employing AES-256 encryption to secure files, which are never utilized for training AI models. The first document, comprising up to five pages, can be processed free of charge without the need for an account, while prepaid credits or monthly subscription plans are available for ongoing use, along with a REST API and MCP server designed for developers. Additionally, this service provides a reliable solution for organizations seeking to ensure compliance with data protection regulations while managing sensitive information effectively.

Automating large document requests, including subpoenas, makes it easier for your legal team to respond. This complete solution allows legal teams to respond quickly to large document requests, including FOIA and subpoenas. Your team can collect all documents from one source with web-based services. Next, organize, search, tag and review the documents to determine their relevance. Redact sensitive information and keep confidential information secret during the review process. Once your team is ready for a response, you can easily create Bates-numbered PDF documents. This allows you and your team members work together to produce timely, accurate responses. Legalverse is a modern alternative to your legal team manually organizing, reviewing, and preparing documents. This increases the accuracy of the process and reduces the time it takes. Legalverse is a cost-effective solution for medium-sized document requests. It saves legal teams more than $50,000 and innumerable hours.

We offer comprehensive solutions for the processing, analysis, and conversion of documents, delivering cutting-edge innovations in document imaging and management. Our expertise in imaging technologies has been honed since 2003, allowing us to develop effective strategies for managing electronic documents, whether locally or through online platforms. The following highlights illustrate the advanced technologies utilized by ORPALIS: Full support for PDF files enables users to view, edit, annotate, compress, and sign PDFs seamlessly. Our TWAIN and WIA scanning capabilities facilitate the management of all types of scanners and acquisition devices. We also specialize in barcode reading and writing, supporting both 1D and 2D formats, including Datamatrix, QR-Code, Micro QR-Code, and PDF417. Our hyper-compression technology leverages mixed raster techniques, offering efficient content compression through Color Detection, JBIG2, and JPEG 2000 methods. Furthermore, we provide support for over 100 document formats, allowing users to view and convert documents with ease. Our Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology allows for the extraction of text and MICR characters from scanned images, while our form and template recognition capabilities ensure accurate automatic document recognition and forms processing. Users can also annotate their documents using a variety of tools, both online and offline, enhancing collaboration and productivity in document management. Overall, our solutions are designed to meet the diverse needs of modern document workflows.

Looking to redact a PDF or image effortlessly? Our open-source PDF redaction tool is completely free and user-friendly. You can manually black out any sensitive text in an instant without needing to sign up or worry about hidden charges. For quicker results, utilize our AI-driven auto-redaction feature, which identifies and removes sensitive information automatically from your documents. We ensure your files are processed securely, with all uploads being temporarily handled and deleted post-redaction. There's no need for Adobe software. Give it a try today at no cost and discover the simplest method for redacting PDFs online. You'll be impressed by how easy it is!