6 Efficient Ways to Edit a PDF Without Adobe Acrobat and for Free

The unique benefit of a PDF file is that it can be opened on any device without changing its format or content. In other words, viewing PDF files on various operating systems and various computers will not have the problem of typesetting and format errors. But what if a user needs to edit a PDF because of the wrong text on it?

When people talk about editing a PDF, the first software that comes to mind should be Adobe Acrobat. But not everyone has it. In that way, how to edit a PDF without using Adobe Acrobat software? This article will show you 6 efficient ways to edit a PDF without Adobe and for free.

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• Intuitive and simple-to-use PDF editing tools for Mac and Windows users.
• Edit the existing text in your PDF without limitation.
• The best PDF editor other than Adobe Acrobat.
• Add text, sticky notes, highlights, images, file attachment and watermarks with ease.
• 100% secure PDF editing.

Free Download macOS 11 or later Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
 Earlier than macOS 11, click here

Why Do Users Want to Edit a PDF Without Using Adobe Acrobat?

Adobe Acrobat is a famous PDF tool with powerful features in editing and creating PDF files, which was developed by Adobe company. Although there are some benefits of editing PDF files with Adobe Acrobat, there are still some drawbacks that make some users not want to use this software. Let’s see why users want to edit a PDF without using Adobe Acrobat.

Expensive Subscription Fees

Most users don’t want to use Adobe because of its expensive subscription fees. Among these products developed by Adobe, Adobe Acrobat Pro DC charges users $15 a month or about $180 a year, which is a lot fee especially for individuals. For users who only need to work with a small number of documents, there are other free editors available on the market.

Relatively Complicated for New Users

The rich feature set may be more favorable for professionals, but it is not friendly to new users. New users would like to edit a PDF with an easy and efficient editor rather than complicated software. According to some users’ feedback, they occasionally get lost in complex programs. What’s more, the navigation can be cumbersome at times.

For the above reasons, most users want to edit a PDF without Adobe. We have prepared 6 efficient ways to edit a PDF without Adobe Acrobat and for free. Let’s read on!

The Best Way to Edit a PDF Other Than Using Adobe Acrobat

If you are looking for the best way to edit a PDF other than using Adobe Acrobat, you can try Cisdem PDFMaster - a convincingly powerful PDF editor with versatile editing tools. It brings accurate PDF viewing, editing and annotating for you. If you need to work professionally with PDF documents, then you can hardly find a better PDF editor than Cisdem PDFMaster.

Why Cisdem PDFMaster is the Best Way to Edit a PDF?

Practical PDF Features:

1. PDF Text Editing 
   Cisdem PDFMaster allows editing the original PDF text and images. Simply select the text you wish to edit, delete, resize or move anywhere on your file. Changing the font size, text color, making text bold or italic also works.

2. Electronic Signature 
   Cisdem offers clear and secure electronic signatures, which is easier for users to manage and sign documents anywhere, anytime and on any device. You can create your e-signature by drawing, typing or uploading, and you can change the color and size of the signature at will.

3. Powerful OCR 
   Making searchable PDFs from scanned documents or images is one of Cisdem’s compelling features. After applying OCR, Cisdem enables you to edit scanned PDF as easily as a word document. In addition, it supports multilingual recognition.

4. Page Manipulation 
   A popular function of Cisdem PDFMaster is its ability to manipulate pages of files. Using the software, you can split the pages of a PDF document, rotate pages, delete pages, insert blank pages or merge files into one.  

5. Annotations 
   If you would like to underline, strikeout, highlight, freehand, add shapes, watermark and notes on a text, Cisdem can perform these functions directly with PDFMaster. You can smoothly edit your PDF document on the intuitive interface and use it as your electronic notebook.

6. Semantic Text Compare 
   Compare changes in semantic categories, such as headers, paragraphs, numbers, and generate a document with a summary of differences for easy review. Whether it is for students who need to write papers or office workers who need to edit text, this is definitely a great tool to improve work efficiency.

7. Redaction 
   With Cisdem’s secure tool, redact sensitive images or text in just a few clicks. It offers options to remove(not just covering or obscuring) content within a region of PDF. Use Cisdem PDFMaster with confidence, it will definitely provide you with the highest guarantee of service.  

How to Edit a PDF with Cisdem PDFMaster Efficiently?

1. Download and install Cisdem PDFMaster software and open it.
   Free Download macOS 11 or later Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
    Earlier than macOS 11, click here
2. Choose a PDF file from your computer or recent files.
3. Choose the Edit PDF tool in the toolbar.
4. Click the text you need to edit. You can even make text bold or italic, change the text color, style, size and font.
5. Then click Save to apply the changes.

How to Edit a PDF Without Adobe Acrobat for Free?

There are also 5 efficient ways to edit a PDF without Adobe for free, including free online editors and built-in application on Mac. However, since some free online editors are defective in terms of security, you need to make sure that the file does not contain personal information and privacy before uploading it. Let’s go on, there is always a method that works for you.

#1 Preview

Everyone knows that Preview is a default software on Mac for viewing images, but its functions in PDF editing may not be well known. Actually, if you are a Mac user, it’s the easiest way for you to edit a PDF with Preview.

How to Edit a PDF Without Adobe Acrobat on Mac?

1. Open the Preview on your Mac, click the “File” on the menu, then click “open” to upload your PDF file.
2. Most of the editing tools are found under “Tools”, then select “Annotate”, another menu will be opened.
   You can also click the “Show Markup Toolbar” icon.
3. You can add underline, circles, arrows, text, signature and more.
   Just click on the corresponding icon on the menu.
4. Click the “Show Markup Toolbar” icon to complete your operation.

#2 pdfFiller

pdfFiller is a web-based PDF editor with rich and professional editing tools. According to the data on the platform, thousands of documents are uploaded to the web page for editing every day. It features a user-friendly interface that allows users to edit and share PDF documents even while on the go.

How to Edit a PDF Online Without Adobe Acrobat?

1. Open the website of pdfFiller.
2. Select a PDF document from your device or your cloud storage service(i.e. Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive).
3. Open the “Replace text” button on the tool panel.
4. Double click on place you want to replace to start editing the text.
5. You can also rearrange the page order of your PDF document, add, duplicate or delete pages.
6. Click “Done” to save your changes and download your file.
   You can also share the file with your partners via email, SMS, link and more.

#3 Soda PDF Online

Soda PDF offers versatile and practical PDF tools for users to edit, view, convert, merge, compress and secure PDF documents. It can be used as an online or offline software version without any restrictions on the system for users. The online version can also set passwords for documents to ensure user privacy, which I am quite satisfied with. Let’s experience the following online version together.

How to Edit a PDF with Soda PDF Online?

1. Choose a PDF file from your device or through a cloud storage such as Google Drive or Dropbox.
2. Click the “Edit” button above the file, now you can edit each text in the document however you wish.
3. Change the page layout, add watermark, insert images, set password are supported, just click the tool icon you need to use.
4. To save your PDF file after editing, click the download icon in the upper-left-hand corner.

#4 PDFSimpli

PDFSimpli is an expert in editing, converting, and merging PDF documents with a modern and sleek interface. Users often pick it for its advanced features, including the ability to replace the text on PDF and add e-signature. In addition, a dialog box is attached to the lower right corner of the interface to help you solve your doubts online.

How to Edit a PDF Without Adobe for Free?

1. Upload PDF documents or drag them into the interface. You can add files to the editor and choose the pages you want to keep.
2. Click the “Replace Text” button, then double click the text you want to edit.
3. Choose the tool on the tool panel to edit, rotate, rearrange your document. You can even add an online signature.

4. Click the “DOWNLOAD” button at the top right to save your PDF document.

#5 Sejda PDF

Sejda PDF is a multifunctional PDF editor that can be applied online or as a desktop software. The interface is super clean and intuitive, and the toolbar is floating and moves as you swipe the page. Other than that, what I like the most is the ability to fill out PDF forms.

How to Edit a PDF with Sejda PDF?

1. Click “Upload PDF file” and choose files from your device.
2. Click the “Text” icon. Choose anywhere on the page to replace the text.
3. Add links, add signature, add images to PDF, annotate PDF and fill out PDF forms also works.
4. Click “Apply changes” at the page bottom and the “Download” your edited PDF document.

Conclusion

The above 6 efficient PDF editors are feasible ways to edit a PDF without Adobe Acrobat and for free. If you need to handle PDF documents frequently for work, it is strongly suggested to use Cisdem PDFMaster. It comes with a variety of PDF editing tools intended to improve efficiency and productivity in the workplace.