How to Edit PDFs Quickly and for Free: 4 Easy Methods

PDF remains one of the most universal file formats in the digital world – whether for contracts, forms, or reports. While editing Word or Google Docs files feels natural, what happens when you’re stuck with a PDF that needs urgent changes? Fortunately, there are multiple free and fast solutions that don’t require professional software or expensive licenses.

Below we’ll walk through four simple ways to edit PDFs quickly, depending on what tools you have available.

Method 1: Edit PDFs with Microsoft Word or LibreOffice

If your computer already has Microsoft Word, you may not need anything else. Simply open Word, go to File → Open and select your PDF. The program automatically converts the PDF into an editable Word document. You can then make corrections, add text, fill out forms, and when finished, use Save As → PDF to export it back.

Word works well for straightforward text edits, but complex layouts may shift unexpectedly, and rearranging or removing pages isn’t convenient. Still, it’s a lifesaver when you need to fix wording or add details in agreements. For those without Microsoft’s paid suite, LibreOffice offers a free alternative across Windows, Linux, and even Android. Its workflow is the same: open, edit, and export back to PDF, with similar pros and cons.

Method 2: PDF24

PDF24 is a powerful online editor that provides more than 30 tools. It lets you separate or combine pages, rearrange sheets, add signatures, download images, compress files, or convert PDFs into other formats. However, you cannot directly overwrite text inside the original document – instead, you add new elements on top. PDF24 is completely free to use via any browser, with an offline Windows version also available for those who prefer desktop software.

Method 3: ILovePDF

ILovePDF offers a broad range of tools similar to PDF24, including splitting, merging, compressing, extracting images, and converting between Word, PowerPoint, Excel, JPG, and more. You can also annotate, highlight, and sign files. The free version doesn’t allow true text editing inside the PDF, but the premium tier unlocks full editing: delete or rewrite text, rearrange blocks, and manipulate formatting. Pricing starts at roughly 250 rubles per month. Even in demo mode, you can try premium tools, but saving results requires a subscription.

Method 4: Smallpdf

Smallpdf stands out by letting you edit text directly in a PDF for free, without registration. Upload your file, switch to the Edit Text mode, and you can immediately change the content. The web-based tools work best on desktop browsers, though mobile editing may feel cramped. Beyond text editing, Smallpdf includes features like merging, splitting, converting, compressing, and signing documents. Free users can handle most everyday tasks easily. A paid upgrade ($12/month) adds extras like AI text recognition, watermark removal, and advanced offline apps. Free users can still process up to 30 files when logged into the website.

Whether you prefer using office software already installed on your computer or an online service, there’s no shortage of ways to modify PDFs quickly and without paying extra. For quick form filling or small edits, Word or LibreOffice do the job. For rearranging, merging, or compressing, PDF24 and ILovePDF are solid choices. And if you need direct, in-text editing, Smallpdf is unmatched in its free version. With these four approaches, editing PDFs no longer needs to be a headache.