GUIDE

Best Free Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat

Updated 3 October 2026 · 4 programs compared

Adobe Acrobat is the most complete PDF program, but its editing, converting and OCR tools need a subscription. Most people only need a few of them \u2013 reading, signing, merging, compressing or making small changes \u2013 and these free programs do exactly that.

Quick answer

PDF24 Creator – free editing, merging, compressing and converting on Windows.
Adobe Acrobat Reader – free reading, signing and forms.
SumatraPDF – the fastest free reader.

Comparison at a glance

Software	Price	Runs on	Best for
PDF24 Creator	Free	Windows (online tools for others)	Editing, merging and converting PDFs on Windows
Adobe Acrobat Reader	Free	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS	Reading, signing and filling in forms
LibreOffice	Free · open source	Windows, macOS, Linux	Changing the text of simple PDFs
SumatraPDF	Free · open source	Windows	The fastest, lightest reader

PDF24 Creator Free · Windows (online tools for others) Best for: editing, merging and converting pdfs on windows Adobe Acrobat Reader Free · Windows, macOS, Android, iOS Best for: reading, signing and filling in forms LibreOffice Free · open source · Windows, macOS, Linux Best for: changing the text of simple pdfs SumatraPDF Free · open source · Windows Best for: the fastest, lightest reader

#1 · EDITING, MERGING AND CONVERTING PDFS ON WINDOWS

PDF24 Creator

Free Windows (online tools for others)

The best free all-round PDF tool for Windows: merge, split, compress, convert to and from Word and Excel, add text, sign, protect with a password and OCR – free even for business use, with files processed on your own computer.

Good

Most Acrobat tasks for free
Free for business use
Files stay on your PC

Keep in mind

Desktop app for Windows only
OCR less accurate than Adobe's

Visit Developer Details on 4Downloads

#2 · READING, SIGNING AND FILLING IN FORMS

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Free Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

Adobe's own free reader. If you mainly read PDFs, fill in forms, sign documents and add comments, you do not need the paid Acrobat at all.

Good

The most compatible PDF reader
Forms, signatures and comments
Also on Mac and phones

Keep in mind

No editing or converting in the free version

Visit Developer Details on 4Downloads

#3 · CHANGING THE TEXT OF SIMPLE PDFS

LibreOffice

Free · open source Windows, macOS, Linux

LibreOffice Draw can open a PDF and let you change its existing text and images, then export it again as PDF. Works best with simple documents.

Good

Edit existing text for free
Runs on Windows, Mac and Linux

Keep in mind

Complex layouts can shift
Not a dedicated PDF tool

Visit Developer Details on 4Downloads

#4 · THE FASTEST, LIGHTEST READER

SumatraPDF

Free · open source Windows

A tiny, open-source reader that opens PDFs instantly, even on old computers, and also reads EPUB and MOBI e-books and comic books.

Good

Extremely fast
Reads e-books too
Portable version

Keep in mind

Viewer only
Windows only

Visit Developer Details on 4Downloads

Frequently asked questions

Is Adobe Acrobat free?

Adobe Acrobat Reader is free for reading, printing, filling in forms, signing and commenting. Adobe Acrobat (Standard or Pro) is the paid version that edits, converts and protects PDFs.

How can I edit a PDF for free?

PDF24 Creator on Windows lets you add text, merge, split, compress and convert PDFs for free. LibreOffice Draw can also change the existing text in simple PDFs.

How can I merge or compress PDF files for free?

PDF24 Creator can merge, split and compress PDFs for free, without uploading your files.

What is the fastest free PDF reader?

SumatraPDF. It is tiny, opens PDFs instantly and also reads e-books.