PDF24 Tools review

PDF24 Tools is run by geek software GmbH and covers almost every PDF job in the browser for free. The online editor lets you write on pages, insert images, shapes and signatures, add comments, black out content, rearrange pages and fill in forms in one place. Separate tools handle OCR, comparing PDFs, redaction, compression, merging, splitting, watermarks, page numbers and conversion to and from images and Office formats. PDF24 says all tools can be used free of charge and without restrictions, paid for by advertising, with no registration, no subscription and no time limits. Files travel over SSL to servers in Germany and are deleted after one hour. There is a Chrome extension, and the PDF24 Creator app gives Windows users the same tools offline. The trade-off is text editing: the editor page itself suggests converting a PDF to Word when you need to change the existing text.

Who it is for

people who never want to pay or sign up

Price

Free, no paid plan; supported by advertising.

You can use all PDF24 tools free of charge and without any restrictions.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Editor writes on pages, inserts images, shapes and signatures, adds comments and blacks out content
• Rearrange pages and fill in forms in the same editor
• Separate tools for OCR, compare, redact, compress, merge, split and conversion
• Files deleted from PDF24's servers in Germany after one hour
• Chrome extension and PDF24 Creator for offline use on Windows

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: All tools free with no registration and no time restrictions
• Strength: No premium tier or subscription upsell
• Strength: SSL-secured transfers and servers in Germany
• Weakness: PDF24's own editor page suggests converting to Word to edit existing text
• Weakness: Pages carry advertising
• Weakness: Desktop PDF24 Creator is for Windows only

Key facts

• Price: Free, ad-supported
• File retention: Deleted after one hour
• Server location: Germany

Where it ranks

PDF24 Tools is No. 3 in our Best Online PDF Editors verdict.