When we mention PDF files, what comes to most users’ mind is Adobe — the creator of the PDF format. Adobe Acrobat provides powerful tools for users to view, create, edit and convert PDF simply. But what if some users need to make a fillable PDF form without Adobe Acrobat? That’s the point of publishing this article. We post 5 compelling and easy-to-understand tutorials for users who run into PDF problems.
Cisdem PDFMaster
Free Download macOS 11 or later 
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
Before displaying the solution for making a fillable PDF form, we’d like to introduce fillable PDF form and show its advantages for you.
Simply put, a fillable PDF form is a PDF document contains specifically fields that can be filled in words without any PDF editor. That means you can fill out the PDF form in general PDF viewers.
Fillable forms save time and enhance work productivity for both form creators and form fillers. When you receive a questionnaire, an application form or a contract that can be filled directly, you can directly fill in your information with ease. When the content on it needs to be modified or supplemented, it can be modified directly on the form without using professional editors.
Other than the benefits mentioned above, fillable PDF forms ensure the completeness of information. Fillable forms place text boxes where information needs to be filled in, and also prevent form fillers from missing information.
Some users think that Adobe Acrobat Pro takes up a lot of storage space on computer and costs a lot. So in this part, we would like to recommend other robust programs that will never let you down. Follow our tutorials to make a fillable PDF form on your Mac or Windows without Adobe Acrobat.
Cisdem PDFMaster is a supper easy-to-operate desktop program that works on both Mac and Windows. It allows users to not only customize forms, but also replace text, convert PDF, add watermarks, compress files, and protect users’ information and privacy.
Unlike Adobe Acrobat, which has a complicated learning curve, Cisdem’s straightforward, sleek and stylish interface definitely appeals to many users. Here is a quick guide on how to make a fillable PDF form without Adobe Acrobat.
Free Download macOS 11 or later Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
A digital signature field: digital signature is commonly used in business documents such as contrast and invoice. Cisdem allows users to create digital signature fields by easily dragging and dropping.
A checkbox field: checkbox also called “tick box”, which can be used as the response to a question. For example, in questionnaires, respondents can choose yes or no to indicate their position.
A radio field: a radio field allows users to select a single value from multiple options.
A list box field: a list box field shows a list of values or selections that enable users to make a choice.
A combo box field: a combo box, also known as a drop-down list, displays several values or selections. With the help of Cisdem PDFMaster, creating these fields in your form is as easy as pie.
A OK button: a OK button enables users to jump to a specific page or open a web link.
Nitro PDF Pro is one of the easiest ways to turn your PDF form into fillable form for Mac users and Windows users. With the rich PDF functions in Nitro, users can convert PDF to multiple formats, share PDF with colleges, rotate page in PDF, secure and customize PDF files.
| Products | Cisdem PDFMaster | Nitro PDF Pro | Adobe Acrobat Pro DC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $69.99 (lifetime) | $179.99 (lifetime) | $178.88 (yearly) |
| PDF Forms | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Convert PDF | Yes | Cannot convert PDF to EPUB format | Yes |
| OCR | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Decrypt PDF | Yes | No | Yes |
| Pros |
Cost-effective Powerful PDF tools to edit, convert, compress, decrypt, encrypt Multiple form types Intuitive, sleek and easy-to-use interface |
Cloud service Convenient in collaboration Fast processing speed |
Cloud service Versatile PDF tools Support multiple languages |
| Cons | None |
Expensive subscription fee Tool icons in the toolbar are too small |
Expensive subscription fee Complicated learning curve |
After introducing offline software, there are surely many users who would like to know what free ways are available to make a fillable form without Adobe Acrobat. So, moving on, here are a few online sites below.
Jotform — The name tells you that this is a professional form builder. Unlike most editors, Jotform can recognize and scratch the fillable area automatically instead of adding text fields manually. This online free form creator eliminates the need to download any software and allows you to make fillable form in just a few clicks.
PDFescape not only can make fillable PDF form online for free, but also works with Windows 11, 10, 8 and 7. In the web-based version, all tools are divided into 3 parts in the toolbar, including “Insert”, “Annotate” and “Page”. As you can see, it covers most editing and annotating tools, but it cannot convert PDF to other formats.
Users cannot upload PDF files over 10 MB or 100 pages. What’s more, there are some ads that affect the cleanliness of the entire interface.
DocHub is an online annotator and editor that allows users to build forms, create signatures, draw, insert images and add comments for free. This platform also provides users with the opportunity to create templates for distributing in bulk or filling by themselves.
After reading this tutorial, you have both online free ways and paid versions to make a fillable PDF form. Cisdem PDFMater and Nitro PDF Pro are compatible on Windows and Mac. In terms of price, simplicity and capacity, Cisdem always provides the best service for you.
Bianca is a senior tech editor and strategist at Cisdem with Over 10 years of experience on PDF related solutions which covers all document editing, annotating, converting and managing etc.
