PDF format is one of the most common file formats used to share information and details across platforms. It is easier to share PDF files as the format is not affected even when shared to various devices across different platforms. In addition to this, PDF files are simple and easy to print according to the page format of the file. However, unlike formats like Word, text, excel, it is not that easy to edit a PDF file. You would need to edit PDF files in your daily life, such as to fill out a form or sign a document in the PDF format, whether you are a student, employee, professional, or business owner. For these purposes, you are required to edit your PDF file, which can be done with the help of PDF editing tools with key features for the best result.
There are many editing tools that help you to edit your PDF files both online and offline without converting to other formats and affecting the file’s format. Some tools offer basic editing options while some provide advanced features for professional use. In this post, we explain the best PDF editing tools to edit PDF files online and offline in 2026 in just a few clicks, along with a tutorial, step-by-step guide, and clear instructions.
Why Use a PDF Editing Tool?
PDF viewer doesn’t allow you to edit your PDF files when you need to either fill a form or sign your document, and converting the file format to edit your files influences and affects the format and layout of the file. You can edit your PDF file using a PDF editing tool that preserves the layout of the file without changing it. You can edit the text, add images, insert your signature or sign electronically, and highlight important information with the help of PDF editing tools.
You can also merge or split PDFs, extract images from a PDF, and convert images to PDF easily. It improves productivity and saves your time by helping you update a business document, complete an application form, annotate study materials, edit your resume, and professional documents.
Best Online PDF Editing Tools
There are several online PDF editing tools that let you edit your PDF documents easily without installing any app or software from the browser itself. Some of the most commonly used online editing tools that offer various features to help you edit text, insert images, or add a signature to your document are listed below.
Sejda PDF Editor
Sejda PDF Editor is my personal favorite and one of the best online PDF editors. The interface is simple and easy to use, helping users to edit text, add links, insert images, fill forms, sign documents, and export the file as per the requirement. This tool is free to use and can be accessed from all types of devices.
Adobe Acrobat Online
Adobe Acrobat Online is one of the leading PDF viewers and editors that offers multiple features such as adding or editing text, highlighting important points, filling forms, signing documents, and exporting without losing the format of the file. This tool provides basic features for free, while some fees may be charged, and is suitable for both personal and professional uses.
Smallpdf
Smallpdf is another online PDF tool that is simple and easy to use. You can use this tool for editing, compressing, merging, splitting, and converting PDF files. This tool works online from a browser on both mobile and laptop.
iLovePDF
iLovePDF is a commonly used online tool for editing PDFs, adding page numbers, organizing pages, converting files, and compressing large documents. You can use this tool to convert PDFs into various other formats and vice versa from your mobile browser itself.
PDFescape
PDFescape also allows users to edit text, insert images, fill forms, and annotate PDF documents from the browser itself without the need to download an app or software on your device. All you need to be connected to active internet connection.
Best Offline PDF Editing Software
Online editors require an active internet connection to access and edit your files and may not always be suitable due to connectivity issues. Offline PDF editors are the best alternative and the most effective tools suitable for users who work with documents without an internet connection. Some of the most commonly used offline PDF editors are:
Adobe Acrobat Pro
Adobe Acrobat Pro is similar to its online tool, but it doesn’t need an internet connection to work with your document. It is the most advanced offline PDF tool that allows you to view documents, edit documents with advanced features, protect your document with a password, sign documents with an electronic signature, and also OCR. It offers its features on both mobile devices and laptops or desktops as per the suitability.
Foxit PDF Editor
Foxit PDF Editor is a premium editing software for business and individuals. It also provides users with features such as professional editing tools, collaboration features, document security, and form creation.
Google Drive
Google Drive also allows you to view your PDF documents even without an internet connection. However, you are not able to edit your files using this tool.
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is a software that is preinstalled on your system and allows you to view your PDF documents with it. You do not need an internet connection as it works offline to view your files. However, it doesn’t allow you to edit your PDF files.
How to Edit a PDF File
Editing a PDF has now become an integral part of our everyday life as we have to fill and sign various PDF forms. You can edit your PDF file with the help of an online PDF editor by following a few simple steps as mentioned below:
Step 1: Open an offline or online PDF editing tool mentioned above as per your requirement.
Step 2: Tap on Select File or Upload File to open the PDF file.
Step 3: Make changes to your file by adding text, images, pages, or annotations as needed.
Step 4: Insert a signature by uploading the signature or adding an electronic signature using your cursor or on-screen signature.
Step 5: Save the file and export the edited file in the desired format.
Step 6: Download and share or print the edited document.
How to Choose the Right PDF Editor
There are various PDF editors offering you different features to edit your PDF file. Some editing tools are available online and don’t require an app or software, while some are available offline through an app or software. All these editing tools offer free as well as paid plans as per your usage and requirements. If you edit PDF files occasionally, the online tool with a free plan would be the best option for you. However, if you work with PDFs frequently, an offline editing tool would be suitable.
The requirement of free or paid plans depends on the number of documents to be edited and the size of the file. Many tools also provide advanced editing features such as OCR, document security, and advanced editing if needed for your purpose. If you want to use it for personal purposes and just 1 or 2 documents a day, the free plan would work perfectly for you; however, if you want to edit files in bulk or large files, you would have to purchase a premium plan.
Benefits of Using PDF Editing Tools
PDF editing tools help improve productivity by allowing users to update documents quickly without recreating them. They make it easy to edit contracts, invoices, reports, resumes, and forms while preserving the original formatting.
Many tools also support collaboration, cloud storage integration, digital signatures, and secure document sharing, making them useful for both personal and professional work.
The best PDF editor depends on your specific needs. If you only need basic editing occasionally, an online editor may be sufficient. For advanced editing, OCR, document security, and frequent use, offline software offers more powerful features. You should also consider factors such as ease of use, supported features, pricing, file size limits, and compatibility with your operating system before selecting a PDF editor.
Conclusion
PDF editing tools help users to make changes to their document as required. You can edit your document by adding text for form filling without printing it as a hard copy or converting it into a different format. The PDF editor tools are available both online and offline; you do not need to download an additional app or software to make the basic changes to your document. If you want advanced editing for large file sizes, you can get it done with offline PDF editor tools. It depends on your usage and requirements whether you prefer an online or offline editing tool. The right PDF tools, as per your requirements, help you to manage your file effectively and improve your efficiency by saving you time.