What to look for in a free PDF editor

Plenty of "free" PDF editors are trials in disguise — watermarks, page limits, or a paywall on the feature you actually need. Here is what a truly free editor should do.

The must-haves

• Edit text and add images, annotations and signatures.
• Merge, split, rotate and reorder pages.
• Convert to and from common formats.
• No watermarks, no page caps, no account.

Privacy is a feature

An editor that works in your browser without uploading files is safer than one that processes documents on someone else's server.

Watch for the catch

Check whether "free" means limited exports or a signup wall before you invest time.