Most PDF tasks do not need paid software. Whether you are filling a scholarship form, signing a contract or merging scanned pages for a visa application, free tools can do the job.
What do you need to do?
| Task | Free tools to try |
|---|---|
| Read, fill forms, sign | Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Edge, browser PDF viewers |
| Merge, split, rotate, compress | PDF24 Tools (online and Windows), other reputable online tools |
| Edit text and images | LibreOffice Draw (desktop), online editors for small changes |
| Convert PDF to Word | Microsoft Word (opens many PDFs), Google Docs, online converters |
| On your phone | Adobe Acrobat Reader app, phone file managers with PDF tools |
The tools
- Adobe Acrobat Reader: free reader that can fill forms, add comments and sign. Advanced editing needs a paid plan.
- Microsoft Edge: the browser built into Windows opens PDFs and lets you draw, highlight and fill some forms.
- PDF24 Tools: a large set of free PDF tools (merge, split, compress, convert), available online and as a Windows app.
- LibreOffice Draw: part of the free LibreOffice suite; can open PDFs for editing text and images, best for simple documents.
- Google Docs and Microsoft Word: can convert many PDFs into editable documents (formatting may shift).
Privacy: think before you upload
Online tools upload your file to someone else’s server. That is fine for a church programme, but think twice about your Ghana Card, bank statements, payslips or contracts. For those, use offline software on your own computer, such as the PDF24 Windows app or LibreOffice.
Need a smaller file?
Portals and email often reject large PDFs. See how to compress a PDF file.
Need a full office suite too? See free alternatives to Microsoft Office.
This guide was checked in October 2026. Menus and services change, so if something looks different on your phone, check with your provider.
Common questions
Can I edit the text in a PDF for free?
Small edits are possible with tools like LibreOffice Draw or some online editors. Heavy editing is easier if you can get the original Word file.
How do I sign a PDF for free?
Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Edge and many online tools let you add a signature or initials.
Are online PDF tools safe?
For everyday documents, reputable tools are fine. For ID cards, bank statements or contracts, prefer offline software on your own computer.
How do I combine several PDFs into one?
Use a merge tool such as PDF24 (online or desktop) or similar features in other PDF apps.
