🔐 Password Protect & Encrypt
10 ToolsAdd password protection and AES-256 encryption to your PDF files. Set separate open passwords and owner passwords for maximum control.
User Password
open-passwordPrevents anyone from opening the PDF without the correct password. Required to view the document.
Owner Password
permissions-passwordControls editing, printing and copying. The PDF can be opened but actions are restricted without this.
AES-256 Encryption
AES-256-CBCMilitary-grade encryption. Would take billions of years to brute force with current hardware. Same as banking.
Add Password to PDF
Protect PDF with open password
Encrypt PDF
Full AES-256 encryption with CBC mode
Set Owner Password
Restrict editing, printing & copying
Dual Password PDF
Set both user & owner passwords
RC4-128 Encryption
Legacy encryption for older PDF readers
RC4-40 Encryption
Basic encryption for PDF 1.1-1.3
Read-Only PDF
Prevent all editing, read-only mode
Disable Printing
Block printing while allowing viewing
Disable Copy & Paste
Prevent text selection and copying
Change Password
Update existing PDF password
🔓 Unlock & Remove Restrictions
6 ToolsRemove password protection and restrictions from PDFs you own and have the password for. Unlock printing, copying and editing permissions.
Remove Password
Remove open password (need current password)
Unlock PDF
Remove all restrictions from PDF
Remove Owner Password
Remove permissions restrictions
Enable Printing
Restore print permission on restricted PDF
Enable Copy & Paste
Restore text selection on locked PDF
Enable Editing
Remove edit lock from PDF document
⬛ Redact & Sanitize
9 ToolsPermanently remove sensitive information from PDFs before sharing. True redaction destroys the underlying content — it cannot be recovered even by viewing the source file.
Redact PDF
Permanently black out sensitive regions
Redact by Keyword
Auto-find & redact matching text
Redact Names (AI)
Auto-detect and redact personal names
Redact Email Addresses
Auto-find & redact all email addresses
Redact Phone Numbers
Auto-redact all phone numbers
Redact Credit Card Numbers
Auto-find & redact card numbers
White-Out Regions
Cover areas with white rectangles
Sanitize PDF
Remove scripts, JS & embedded malware
Redact Images
Permanently remove images from PDF
✍️ Digital Signatures & Certification
8 ToolsAdd legally recognised electronic signatures, certify documents and verify signature authenticity. Supports drawn, typed and image-based signatures.
Add Signature
Draw, type or upload signature image
Digital Sign PDF
Apply digital signature with certificate
Certify PDF
Certify document as author — locks edits
Verify Signature
Check if digital signature is valid
Remove Signature
Remove existing digital signatures
Multi-Signature Fields
Add multiple signature boxes to PDF
Certified True Copy
Add CTC stamp with authority details
Signature + Date Stamp
Signature with auto timestamp
⚙️ Permissions & Access Control
8 ToolsControl exactly what users can do with your PDF — allow or deny printing, copying, editing, form filling, commenting and annotation.
Set PDF Permissions
Full control over all PDF permissions
Disable Printing
Block all printing (low & high quality)
Disable Copy & Extract
Block text & image extraction
Disable Editing
Prevent all document modifications
Disable Annotations
Block adding comments & stamps
Allow Form Fill Only
Only allow form filling, nothing else
Full Read-Only Lock
Maximum restriction — view only
Check PDF Permissions
View current permission settings of PDF
💧 Security Watermarks
6 ToolsAdd security watermarks to deter unauthorised distribution — confidential stamps, user tracking, diagonal text overlays and invisible watermarks.
CONFIDENTIAL Watermark
Pre-built confidential stamp overlay
DRAFT Watermark
Mark documents as drafts clearly
DO NOT COPY Watermark
Strong visual copy deterrent
Custom Text Watermark
Any text, opacity & angle control
Invisible Watermark
Hidden tracking watermark — not visible
User Tracking Watermark
Embed recipient name/email in each copy
🗃️ Metadata & Privacy Cleaner
8 ToolsRemove hidden metadata that leaks private information — author name, company, revision history, creation date, embedded fonts and tracked changes.
Remove All Metadata
Strip every hidden property from PDF
View PDF Metadata
See all hidden data inside your PDF
Edit PDF Metadata
Change author, title, subject, keywords
Remove Author Info
Strip creator name & company details
Remove Creation Date
Delete timestamps from PDF properties
Remove Tracked Changes
Strip revision history from PDF
Remove Hyperlinks
Strip all clickable links from PDF
Privacy Risk Report
AI scan for privacy risks in your PDF
No tools found
Try a different keyword or select All Tools
🔐 PDF Security Tools — Platform Comparison
| Security Feature | PDF Online Editor | Adobe Acrobat | ilovepdf | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-256 Encryption | ✅ Free | ⚠️ $20+/mo | ⚠️ $8/mo | ⚠️ $12/mo |
| Files Stay Local | ✅ 100% Local | ❌ Adobe Cloud | ❌ Server Upload | ❌ Server Upload |
| Redact by Keyword | ✅ Free | ⚠️ Paid only | ❌ None | ❌ None |
| AI Auto-Redaction | ✅ Free | ❌ None | ❌ None | ❌ None |
| Invisible Watermark | ✅ Free | ⚠️ Paid | ❌ None | ❌ None |
| Metadata Stripper | ✅ Free | ⚠️ Paid | ⚠️ Basic | ⚠️ Basic |
| Permission Control | ✅ Full Control | ⚠️ $20+/mo | ⚠️ Basic | ⚠️ Basic |
| No Account Required | ✅ Never | ❌ Always | ❌ Most tools | ❌ After 2 uses |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is my PDF password processed on a server?
No — never. All password protection, encryption and security processing happens 100% inside your browser. Your PDF and its password are never sent anywhere. This is fundamentally different from competitors like Adobe, ilovepdf and Smallpdf who upload files to their servers.
What encryption standard does the password protection use?
The Encrypt PDF tool uses AES-256-CBC — the same standard used by banks, governments and military. RC4-128 (legacy) is also available for compatibility with older PDF readers. AES-256 would take billions of years to brute-force with current technology.
Is PDF redaction truly permanent or just a visual overlay?
Our Redact PDF performs true redaction — the underlying content is permanently destroyed using the PDF spec's redaction standard. The black box is not just a visual layer on top. The original text, coordinates and content are removed from the file structure and cannot be recovered.
Can I remove the password from a PDF I received?
Yes, but only if you have the correct password. The Remove Password tool requires you to enter the current password to remove it. We do not provide any PDF cracking or brute-force functionality — this tool is only for documents you legitimately own.
What metadata does a typical PDF contain?
Most PDFs contain hidden metadata including: author name and company (from Microsoft Office or Adobe), creation date and last modified date, software used to create it, revision history, embedded comments, tracked changes, and sometimes GPS location. Use the View PDF Metadata tool to see exactly what your PDF contains before sharing.
What is the difference between redacting and deleting text?
Deleting text in a PDF editor often just moves text to an invisible layer — the underlying data may still be present in the file. True redaction permanently destroys the content from the file's binary structure. This matters for legal and compliance use. Always use the dedicated Redact tool, not just covering with a shape.
Can I restrict printing but still allow viewing?
Yes. The Set PDF Permissions tool lets you independently control: printing (low/high quality), copying text, editing content, filling forms, adding comments, and extracting pages. You can allow viewing while blocking all other operations.
Are these tools GDPR and HIPAA friendly?
Yes. Because all processing is local (zero server upload), there is no data transfer to third parties — which is the primary GDPR concern. For HIPAA compliance with medical documents, local processing with zero server upload means no PHI (Protected Health Information) leaves your device. Always consult your compliance officer for specific requirements.