10 Best Free Open-Source PDF Editors in 2023

PDFs are an integral part of our personal and professional life. Not only do we use them for the documentation process, but they are also equally important in sorting out things related to storing important information in one place.

Given the prevalence of usage of PDFs, it isn’t surprising that are often on the lookout for PDF editors to fix issues in documents without needing to redo the entire document. Thinking that there aren’t any PDF editors online will be a lie.

There are quite a few different ones available online that you can check out for yourself. However, when it comes to finding good open-source PDF editors in 2023, finding good ones can be a challenge among the sea of options available.

This article will explore the best and most free open-source PDF editors that you can consider using in 2023.

What are the best Open-Source PDF Editors?

Finding open-source PDF editors isn’t rocket science anymore. You’d be surprised to find that most (if not all) PDF editors are now open-sourced. That said, if you are looking for good-quality PDF editors that are free to use and equally resourceful, we have got your back.

Following are some of the best picks we’d recommend checking out:

1. Qoppa PDF Studio

Not just for PDF editing, the Qoppa PDF Studio is perfect for mark-ups and annotations, if that’s something you are looking for. The software also enables users to transform different files into PDF format for easy visibility.

The free version of this PDF editor comes with limited features, which are more than enough for basic users. You can use the software to fill out your forms, mark annotations, highlight parts, etc. In case you do want to access some of the more exclusive features, you’d have to rely on the premium version, which is paid.

Users can edit their PDF documents, split and merge PDF documents and even automate PDF tasks using this software, which is pretty cool when you come to think of it. Overall, the UI of the platform is pretty enticing and minimal too.

2. Adobe Acrobat

When talking about anything PDF, you can’t make a list without including Adobe Acrobat in it. Not only is it universally known and loved, but it is also equally popular in terms of functionalities and usage. It is primarily a cloud-based tool that enables users to edit, view and even annotate PDFs.

If you don’t want to eat away at your device’s internal storage, Adobe comes with its Adobe Document Cloud, which enables you to store your documents in one place for easy access anywhere that you are.

Besides being an open-sourced PDF file manager, the app also allows you to securely create and distribute PDF files, which is another feature that you can consider scrolling through. One unique feature of this software is that it can detect multiple fields to then edit them according to your needs.

3. Sejda PDF Editor

If you are one of those people that doesn’t like downloading hundreds of apps and software due to safety or storage limitations, we’d recommend checking out Sejda PDF Editor. It is one of the best web-based PDF editors that you can consider looking into.

What’s great about using this PDF editor is its convenience and accessibility. Since it is web-based, you can go ahead and access it from pretty much anywhere and from any device of your choice. So, whether you are on your PC or Mac, accessing this editor shouldn’t be a constraint.

Coming to the actual features, this PDF editor is quite diverse and hands down one of the best PDF editors out there. Not only can you do simple edits, but the PDF editor also enables you to insert signatures and also annotate wherever you deem it suitable. The separate web integration feature in this editor is another reason why it is such a popular PDF editor.

4. pdfFiller

When talking about underrated PDF editors, pdfFiller is another open-source editor that we think is worth mentioning. It is not 100% open-source but the features are convenient and emulate the ones you’d find in an open-source editor as well. This is a cloud-based PDF editor that enables you to edit, convert and compress your documents without any drawbacks or limitations.

The editing capabilities are beyond anyone’s imagination though. Besides using it for standard editing, users can also use this software to include or remove text from the individual PDF files they are working on. Besides that, the software also enables users to add checkmarks and watermarks, which is another additional benefit.

The document conversion process is quite prompt on this platform, which is another reason why we’d 100% recommend you give this a go. If required, users can change the entire PDF file into an editable format, which is another reason why the editor has gained the level of popularity that it has.

5. Icecream Apps PDF Editor

If you are one of those people that has a hard time merging and organizing the pages in a PDF document, this app has got your back. The primary function of this open-source PDF editor is to help you organize and arrange all your pages in the PDF. 

Besides that, you can also create and edit PDFs on this particular platform, which is another reason why we’d recommend you give this a go. When it comes to the features, you get access to all the basic editing tools that you’d need to sort out your PDF.

One unique feature in this PDF editor that isn’t available elsewhere is password protection. If you are working on confidential files and documents, there is a feature on this software that enables you to password-protect the particular PDF, which is quite a highlight.

6. Inkscape

Another simple, functional yet minimal open-source PDF editor software we’d recommend checking out is Inkscape. This one has been around for quite some time now, meaning that the features and functionalities are beyond your comprehension.

Not only is this open-source, but the software is also 100% free to use as well, which is another reason why you need this in your life. Ideal for basic PDF editing and annotation, the software consists of all the basic PDF features you’d need.

What stands out in this particular PDF editor is the UI. It is simple, minimal, and perfect for users who aren’t tech-savvy and don’t want to overcomplicate things in their life.

7. Soda PDF

As weird as the name of the software is, Soda PDF is another popular PDF editor that’s 100% free and open-source. The software provides access to desktop and online PDF editing tools, making your life a lot easier than you’d expect or assume.

Once downloaded, you can use the software to create, edit, extract, and include text into the PDF with a few simple steps. It also comes with formatting and converting options, enabling you to convert your PDF file in no time.

Furthermore, users can also merge and compact their PDF files, which is another benefit that you can leverage using this particular software.

8. PDFSam Basic

Another free PDF editing tool worth exploring is PDFSam Basic. It enables users to virtually combine files and even rearrange the pages in a PDF document. Using this software, you can seamlessly organize and optimize your documents, which is another benefit worth highlighting.

Not only are the editing features great, but the software also enables the users to compress, crop, and split the pages in the PDF document. You can also change the font size; rotate the images, repair texts and so much more.

One unique feature of this app is that it allows users to change PDFs into grayscale, ensuring that your PDF document stays private on your PC or device.

9. LibreOffice

Another multifunctional and highly collaborative PDF editor that’s worth exploring is LibreOffice. From reading to editing, the software sorts you out with all the basic features you’d need when it comes to editing a PDF document.

Since it is open-source code software, customizations and flexibility of use are quite profound in this app. So, anytime you want something more, there’s an option for you to change the source code.

It is an easily accessible file and format, which means that editing, is accessible from anywhere and without any hassle at all. 

10. PDFSimpli

Last on the list is PDFSimpli, which is a popular PDF editor and converter. Besides the fact that the software is easy to use, the tool is very user-friendly as well, which means that you won’t have a hard time navigating through this app.

Besides the app version, there is an online editor version of this app too, which is a bonus. From being able to add text and highlights to edit parts of the PDF that don’t work for you, there’s a lot that you can do with this.

With a few simple steps and you can convert just about any file from any format to a PDF format, which comes in handy when you are dealing with a lot of documentation.