PDFescape
A long-running free online PDF editor and form filler, with a paid Windows desktop app.
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About PDFescape
PDFescape is one of the original browser-based PDF editors and is still popular for quick form filling and annotation. Online, you can open a PDF from your computer or a link, fill in forms, add text, images, shapes, whiteout and notes, insert and delete pages, and create simple fillable forms, all in the browser without installing anything. The free online version has limits on file size and page count. PDFescape Desktop is a separate paid Windows app with more editing, conversion, OCR and security features. The online editor's interface is dated compared with newer tools and it cannot truly edit existing text, only add over the top, but it works in almost any browser and has no learning curve. The website also promotes the paid desktop app, so expect some upgrade prompts. For filling out a form you received or adding a note to a PDF without creating an account, it remains a handy option.
Best for: People who need to fill in or annotate the odd PDF form in a browser.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free online form filling and annotation
- Works in nearly any browser without installing
- Simple to use
Why people leave
- Cannot truly edit existing text online
- Dated interface and size limits on the free version
- Desktop app is a separate paid Windows product
Top PDFescape alternatives
See all 5- 1
Sejda66.5A more modern online editor that can change existing text.
- 2
Smallpdf62.6Polished online tools for editing, converting and signing.
- 3
Adobe Acrobat Reader59.6Free and reliable for filling stubborn forms offline.
- 4
PDFgear57.2Free desktop editor with real text editing and no account.
- 5
iLovePDF55.3Free online tools for merging, compressing and converting.
Why people left PDFescape
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PDFescape: common questions
Is PDFescape free?
PDFescape has a free plan and paid plans.
Is PDFescape open source?
No, PDFescape is not open source.
What platforms does PDFescape run on?
PDFescape is available for Web and Windows.
What are the best alternatives to PDFescape?
The highest-ranked PDFescape alternatives right now are Sejda, Smallpdf and Adobe Acrobat Reader. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.