10 Best Canva PDF Editor Alternative Free Online 2024
Updated on 12/12/2024 / Knowledge
A great Canva PDF editor alternative can provide all the essential tools you need for editing PDFs without the cost. The best free PDF editors deliver premium features, such as form-filling, data security, and eSignatures, without any hidden fees.
In this guide, we’ll explore 10 top free PDF editing apps, comparing their performance and features to help you find the perfect Canva PDF editor alternative free download.
Top Picks for Canva PDF Editor Alternatives
Best Overall: PDNob PDF Editor
PDNob PDF Editor offers an intuitive and powerful platform for editing and managing PDFs with a wide range of features.
Best for Professional Use: Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat is a trusted industry standard, offering advanced editing tools, e-signature support, and PDF creation capabilities.
Best for Business Use: Nitro PDF
Nitro PDF stands out for its excellent document collaboration features and user-friendly interface, making it ideal for businesses.
Best for User Experience: Sajda PDF Editor
Sajda PDF Editor offers a smooth, easy-to-navigate interface with essential editing features, perfect for everyday users.
10 Canva PDF Editor Alternative Free Download
1. Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor
- Rating: 4.7/5
- Platform: Windows/Mac
- Price: Free Trail 14 Days(with premium features available)
- Website: PDNob PDF Editor Free Download
PDNob PDF Editor Software is a versatile PDF tool for Windows and Mac. It lets you edit, convert, and annotate PDFs easily. With AI-powered features, it speeds up PDF reading and summarization.
It supports over 30 formats, including Word, Excel, and PPT.
The software also offers OCR for accurate text recognition. You can merge files, add watermarks, and sign documents. It’s perfect for both personal and business use, with batch processing for multiple files.
Features:
- PDF editor, reader, conversion, merging, eSign, OCR
- Smarter AI: 300X faster for PDF reading, summarization, and insight extraction
- 30+ formats supported for PDF conversion to Word, Excel, PPT, Image, PDF/A, Text, EPUB, and more
- 100+ editing tools: text, image, watermark, link, background, and more
- 200+ annotation tools: stickers, highlights, underlines, shapes, stamps, and more
- 99% OCR accuracy for scanned PDFs to editable and searchable content
- Batch processing for up to 1,000+ files
How to Use PDNob PDF Editor
- Open PDNob PDF Editor, then load your PDF by clicking “Open PDF” or dragging the file into the workspace.
- Click the “Edit” button on the top toolbar, then select the text you want to modify. A text box will appear, allowing you to change the text, font, style, size, and color.
- To add new text, click “Add Text” under the “Edit” section and place it where needed.
- To insert images, click the “Add Image” button and choose the image file to add.
2. UPDF
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Platform: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
- Price: Free for limited use; $29.99/year for premium
- Website:UPDF Official Website
UPDF is an excellent Canva PDF editor alternative online for anyone needing an all-in-one PDF solution. This cross-platform tool simplifies editing, reading, and organizing PDFs with its intuitive design.
Its AI-powered features, like PDF summarization and chat, make managing documents smarter and faster. Whether you're working on personal, business, or educational projects, UPDF provides a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solution.
Pros:
- Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android)
- AI-powered tools for summarization and translation
- Intuitive and localized interface in 11 languages
- Affordable pricing with a free version for limited use
Cons:
- Free version has limited functionality
- Requires a subscription for full access to premium features
3. Adobe Acrobat
- Rating: 4.6/5
- Platform: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web
- Price: Starting from $22.19/month
- Website:Adobe Acrobat Official Website
Adobe Acrobat is a premium choice canva pdf editor alternative for windows 10 users looking for professional-grade features. Created by the company that invented the PDF format, it combines robust editing, high-end printing customization, and seamless cross-platform compatibility.
Whether you're in corporate, legal, or graphic design fields, Adobe Acrobat’s comprehensive toolkit is tailored to meet complex document management needs.
Pros:
- Powerful editing and customization features.
- Superior integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
- Flexible cross-platform usage with a consistent interface.
- High-security standards for collaboration and document sharing.
Cons:
- Expensive compared to similar apps.
- Interface may feel non-standard for casual users.
- Advanced AI tools still require refinement.
- Lacks simple tools like a whiteout feature.
- Limited capabilities for splitting scanned two-page spreads.
4. Sejda
- Rating: 4.3/5
- Platform: Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
- Price: Free (with limitations); Paid plans start at $7.50/week or $63/year
- Website:Sejda PDF Editor /li>
Sejda is a versatile PDF editing software, positioning itself as a top choice for those searching for apps like canva pdf editor. It offers an intuitive interface for both online and desktop use, making it a practical Adobe Acrobat alternative for budget-conscious users. With editing, merging, splitting, and conversion tools, Sejda caters to businesses and casual users seeking affordable, secure, and efficient PDF solutions.
Pros:
- Intuitive browser-based interface with no installations required.
- Secure handling of files, ensuring privacy.
- Offers volume licensing for teams and businesses.
- Accessible across multiple platforms, including Linux.
Cons:
- Free version has strict limitations (three tasks per day, file size max of 50MB).
- Text editing is basic and struggles with unique fonts.
- Advanced features require paid subscriptions.
- Only allows one document to be edited at a time in the free version.
5. Nitro PDF Pro
- Rating: 4.5/5
- Platform: Windows, macOS
- Price: $14.99 per license (one-time payment); Team volume pricing available
- Website:Nitro PDF Pro
Nitro PDF Pro is a powerful programs like Canva pdf editor designed for those seeking an alternative to Adobe Acrobat without a subscription model. It offers a one-time license with a comprehensive feature set, making it ideal for businesses and professionals who need advanced PDF creation, editing, and collaboration tools.
Its intuitive interface and seamless integration capabilities provide an excellent user experience, catering to both single users and teams.
Pros:
- No subscription fees; one-time purchase.
- Easy-to-use interface with robust features.
- Great for teams with volume licensing options.
- Comprehensive toolkit for creating, editing, and managing PDFs.
Cons:
- Limited support for free-tier users (restricted to VIP/Premium plans).
- Annual updates require separate purchase unless under volume licensing.
- Editing content in existing PDFs isn’t as seamless as other tools.
6. PDFgear
- Rating: 4/5
- Platform: Windows, macOS, Web, Android, iOS
- Price: Free (with potential future paid features)
- Website:PDFgear
PDFgear is a robust and user-friendly PDF editor offering tools for editing, annotating, and converting PDFs across multiple platforms. Its commitment to being a free solution has quickly made it a popular choice among users seeking alternatives to Adobe Acrobat.
With a desktop-first design that shines in performance, PDFgear is also available as a mobile app and web service, making it accessible from virtually any device.
Pros:
- Works seamlessly across desktop, mobile, and web.
- No current costs for core features.
- Offers a comprehensive suite for editing and conversion.
Cons:
- Best performance is on the desktop app.
- Slower and less responsive compared to desktop.
- Potential issues with the mobile app's privacy policies.
7. PDF24 Creator
- Rating: 4/5
- Platform: Windows
- Price: Free
- Website:PDF24 Creator
For users seeking a Canva pdf editor alternative free, PDF24 Creator is an excellent option. With a long-standing reputation in the market, it is packed with essential features for creating, editing, and managing PDF documents.
This lightweight application is ideal for users with limited system resources, offering functionality without slowing down performance. While its design might feel dated, its comprehensive toolset and zero cost make it an attractive solution for both personal and commercial use.
Pros:
- 100% free with no premium options or hidden fees.
- Covers all basic PDF editing and management needs.
- Runs smoothly on older or low-performance devices.
Cons:
- Limited to Windows operating systems, excluding macOS and mobile users.
- Tools are not integrated into a seamless workflow.
- Interface design and user experience feel dated.
- Ad placements can disrupt the user experience.
8. LibreOffice Draw
- Rating: 4/5
- Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Price: Free
- Website: LibreOffice
LibreOffice Draw, a key component of the LibreOffice suite, stands out as an exceptional Canva PDF editor alternative free download. This open-source software allows users to create, edit, and manage PDFs with ease and at no cost. Perfect for personal and commercial use, LibreOffice Draw offers versatility and a robust feature set.
While its interface may feel slightly complex, it remains a top choice for those seeking a reliable, cost-free Canva PDF editor alternative free download with extensive functionality.
Pros:
- No hidden costs for all features.
- Supports Microsoft Office formats and other file types.
- Source code is accessible for scrutiny, ideal for privacy-conscious users.
Cons:
- Extra templates must be downloaded and installed separately.
- Requires local software and storage, lacking integrated cloud options.
- Interface can feel dated and less intuitive for beginners.
9. Smallpdf
- Rating: 4.3/5
- Platform: Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
- Price: Free version available; Paid plans starting at $10/month per user
- Website:Smallpdf
Smallpdf is a versatile online tool designed for managing PDF documents with a variety of powerful features. It allows users to convert, compress, edit, and annotate PDFs, making it a valuable resource for personal and professional tasks. Smallpdf also supports file conversions from PDFs to formats like DOC, PPT, and XLS.
It provides digital signature options and enables users to securely share and store documents. The tool offers mobile apps for iOS and Android, ensuring accessibility on the go.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Cross-platform support
- Free version with essential features
- Convenient e-signature and document tracking tools
Cons:
- Free version has limited functionality
- Paid plans can be expensive
- Requires internet connectivity for full functionality
10. Foxit PDF Editor
- Rating: 3.9/5
- Platform: Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
- Price:
- PDF Editor: $110/year or $11/month
- PDF Editor+: $140/year or $14/month
- Website:Foxit PDF Editor
Foxit PDF Editor is a powerful Canva PDF editor alternative online, offering advanced tools for editing, converting, and securing PDFs. With excellent OCR capabilities and a user-friendly interface, it's ideal for both personal and business use.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use, intuitive interface
- Excellent OCR and text-editing tools
- Powerful redaction and document protection features
- Cross-platform support (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android)
Cons:
- No free version (limited trial available)
- Web-based conversion can sometimes be glitchy
- The price may be high for casual or non-business users
Conclusion:
When searching for a Canva pdf editor alternative, several tools offer great features to meet your PDF editing needs. While options like Foxit PDF Editor, Smallpdf, and LibreOffice Draw provide excellent functionality, PDNob PDF Editor Software stands out as an outstanding choice.
It combines user-friendly design with powerful editing tools, making it a top recommendation for those who need efficient PDF editing without the complexities of other software.
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