FileGizmo

Checked against each vendor’s own pages on

The best free PDF editor in 2026

No free editor wins every job. PDFgear is the most complete free editor we checked if you can install an app. Sejda is the best free way to change existing text on the web, within three tasks an hour. FileGizmo is the choice when the PDF must not be uploaded.

Choose PDFgear if

  • You can install an app on Windows, macOS, iOS or Android
  • You want to change existing text for free, with no task limit
  • Free OCR and an AI assistant in the same app are useful to you

Choose Sejda if

  • You cannot install software, and a few edits an hour is enough
  • The changed words must replace the originals inside the file

Choose PDF24 if

  • You are on Windows and want free offline tools through PDF24 Creator
  • You only add content and do not need to change existing text

Choose FileGizmo if

  • The PDF must not leave your device
  • You are on a phone or a computer where you cannot install anything
  • The same file also needs signing, OCR, redaction or compression

Side by side

QuestionFileGizmoPDFgearSejdaPDF24Smallpdf
Edit existing PDF text Yes. Edit text paints over the old words, which stay in the file unless those pages export as images sourceApps only, not the online editor sourceYes, free within the limits sourceNot offered; it suggests converting to Word first sourcePro only source
Free use Every tool is free with no task counter or watermark; paid plans only raise batch and pipeline allowances sourceFree with no file size or count limit; it has announced that some advanced features will become paid sourceWeb: 3 tasks an hour, up to 50 pages and 50 MB. Desktop: 3 tasks a day, up to 200 pages and 50 MB sourceFree without restriction, paid for by advertising sourceDaily limits; the help centre gives 2 conversions a day. Direct text editing, strong compression and batch are paid source
Where your file goes Stays in your browser; never uploaded to FileGizmo sourceApps work on your device. Online, the editor stays in the browser but the compressor uploads to US servers sourceWeb uploads over an encrypted connection; Desktop works on your computer sourceOnline tools upload to servers in the EU; PDF24 Creator keeps files on the PC sourceUploaded to Smallpdf source
OCR Free, on your device, up to 100 pages sourceFree in the apps sourceFree up to 10 pages a task; 100 pages on paid plans sourceFree sourceFree within the daily limit source
AI features Free on every plan with your own OpenAI key: summarize, ask, translate, extract tables. The document goes to OpenAI after you confirm sourceFree chatbot built on OpenAI’s API sourceNot publishedNot publishedChat with PDF, free with usage limits and higher limits on Pro source
Apps None needed; works in current browsers on desktop and phone sourceWindows, macOS, iOS and Android sourceWindows, macOS and Linux sourcePDF24 Creator for Windows only sourceWindows desktop app with Pro source
Ads None sourceNone sourceNot publishedYes sourceNot published
Account to start Not needed sourceNot needed sourceNot needed sourceNot publishedNot needed for basic tools source

“Not published” means the vendor’s own pages did not say.

How each editor changes existing text

“Edit a PDF” covers two different jobs: adding something new, and changing words already on the page. Every editor here can add text, images and signatures. They differ on the second job.

PDFgear changes existing text in its apps but not in its online editor. Sejda does it on the web for free, within three tasks an hour. Smallpdf keeps it for Pro. PDF24 does not offer it and suggests converting the PDF to Word first.

FileGizmo’s Edit text matches the original size, font and weight, and Find and replace applies a change on every page. It paints over the old words rather than rewriting them, so they stay in the file and can be copied out. The editor says so when you make the change and offers to export those pages as images, which removes the old words but makes the pages unsearchable. When text has to be removed rather than replaced, use Redact PDF.

Scanned pages need OCR first

A scanned page is a picture, so no editor can select its words until OCR adds a text layer. FileGizmo runs OCR on your device, free, up to 100 pages at a time. Sejda’s free OCR stops at 10 pages a task, PDF24’s free OCR runs on its servers, and PDFgear’s is free in its apps. Smallpdf includes OCR within its daily free limit.

How “free” is paid for

Each free editor funds itself differently, and that decides what you put up with. PDF24 is free without restriction and paid for by advertising. PDFgear shows no ads, and says some advanced features will become paid. Sejda limits free tasks per hour and sells a $5 week pass. Smallpdf limits free use per day and sells Pro. FileGizmo has no ads or task counter, and its paid plans raise allowances for repeated work without unlocking any tool.

Frequently asked questions

Can I edit a PDF on my phone for free?

Yes. PDFgear has free iOS and Android apps, Sejda's web editor works in a mobile browser within its hourly limit, and FileGizmo's editor runs in the phone's browser with touch controls and no upload.

Why does FileGizmo leave the old words in the file?

Rewriting text inside a PDF needs the original embedded font and layout data, and guessing can break spacing or swap characters. FileGizmo paints the new words over the old ones instead, tells you the old words remain, and offers to export the corrected pages as images so they are removed.

Is PDFgear going to stay free?

PDFgear's own pages say it is free with no file size or count limit, and also that some advanced features are planned to become paid. It publishes no price list yet, so check its site before relying on a specific feature.

Sources

Every competitor fact above links the vendor page it came from, checked on 13 September 2026. Offers change; when a vendor page disagrees with this one, the vendor page is right.