Can Smallpdf be trusted?

Smallpdf.com is considered safe mostly because the software has been founded and used for over ten years. It is certified by ISO 27001 and complies with the GDPR and eIDAS European laws. Smallpdf says it uses TLS encryption to protect uploaded documents.

Can people tell if you edit a PDF?

One of the best ways to tell if a PDF has been edited is to compare the two PDF documents. A PDF comparison tool like Draftable can highlight similarities and differences between two files for automatic checking. After you edit a PDF with Smallpdf or a similar app, SwifDoo PDF, upload the new file to the comparison site and start comparing.

What PDF editor is actually free?

Most online and open-source PDF editors have essential editing features like typing text and drawing lines. Some include Smallpdf, Sejda, Xodo, etc. However, very few are free to adjust the initial document content. For a single-page PDF, Inkscape is worth trying. Otherwise, employ effective premium software.

Quick Guide: Edit PDF with Smallpdf and an Alternative Editor

Introduction:

The cases of modifying finalized PDF documents can arise. For example, you need to correct the words, update the photos, or add/delete some information. You require specialized editor software like Smallpdf to edit PDFs. If you are a new user of Smallpdf, you probably have no idea what its power or limitations are. Read this SwifDoo PDF article to learn how to edit a PDF with Smallpdf successfully without hassle. Also, discover a more practical alternative editor.

The PDF Editor in Smallpdf: What to Know

Whether you want to make a PDF editable for other people or make changes to the content for yourself, the tool is the point. The difficulty you face is that the PDF format is designed to preserve everything intact. Thankfully, you can now edit a PDF with Smallpdf, an online browser-based PDF issue-solving platform.

Go deep into the Smallpdf editing features,

Add an extra layer such as text, images, line or shape drawings, and highlights over PDFs;
Rearrange, insert, remove, duplicate and rotate pages;
Edit the existing text within a PDF file;
Resize, rotate, and delete images.

Can you use the smallpdf.com to edit your PDFs online for free? Please read the next part to make it clear, and learn the step-by-step tutorial.

How to Use Smallpdf to Edit PDF

You can edit a PDF with Smallpdf without a subscription in most situations. Specifically, organizing and annotating PDF pages are free of charge and even require no registration. However, if you want to edit the file's original text, you must apply for a free trial by providing your credit card details. Or, get the Smallpdf Pro plan to start.

Dive into how to edit a PDF online for free with Smallpdf.

Step 1: Access the PDF Editor Online on Smallpdf

Choose Edit in the navigation bar of the smallpdf.com site to open the PDF editor tool online.

Step 2: Upload the PDF You Need to Edit in Smallpdf

Click CHOOSE FILES or the drop-down arrow aside to select and upload your PDF from the local device or a cloud account.

Step 3: Edit the PDF with Smallpdf Editor

Toggle on the Organize option or click Annotate to start simple editing work using the displayed tools. Tap the Edit Text option, and begin your further PDF editing with Smallpdf from the text boxes that appear.

Step 4: Download and Save the Edited PDF File

Click Finish and try the Smallpdf for 7 days by signing up and sending your payment account to download the file.

Tips: While you can edit a PDF with Smallpdf for free, the web application is not completely free. The source text editing feature is limited to pro users. However, an alternative way to use a Smallpdf editor to edit PDFs is to use the Smallpdf converter to convert PDFs to Word and edit the Word file afterward.

How to Edit a PDF with Smallpdf PDF Editor Alternative

As you have found, the Smallpdf online free PDF editor locks the popular PDF editing features behind the paywall. So, why not consider a similar desktop application? SwifDoo PDF lets you edit PDF files more efficiently with a complete set of tools that Adobe Acrobat offers and is more affordable than Smallpdf. The software works offline, is safer, and is more private than using Smallpdf to edit PDFs online for free.

Here is a brief guide on how to edit a PDF in the Smallpdf alternative.

Step 1: Download and set up the PDF editing software;

Download SwifDoo PDF Editor App for PC

Step 2: Drag and drop your PDF file into the program to open it;

Step 3: Choose Edit > Edit All so the source PDF text and images become editable;

Step 4: Choose Insert Text, Add Image, or other editing tools to edit the PDF with Smallpdf;

Step 5: Go to the Annotate menu to add comments or annotations to the PDF;

Step 6: Reorder or do more to pages under the Page tab, and finally choose SwifDoo > Save as.

Compare the Smallpdf and SwifDoo PDF Editor

If you hesitate to continue using the free online PDF editor, Smallpdf (which actually charges for text editing), to edit your PDF files, look at the comparison chart below.

Features/Editor App	SwifDoo PDF	Smallpdf
Add and Edit hyperlinks	Yes	No
Advanced image editing	Yes	No
Organize PDF	Yes	Yes
Annotate PDF	Yes	Yes, but cannot add sticky notes
Change PDF background	Yes	No
Whiteout text	Yes	No
Cropping page margins	Yes	No
Convert PDF to Word/Other formats	Yes	Yes
OCR	Yes	Yes
AI Tools	Yes	No
Free trial	Yes	Yes, but it needs credit card info
Subscription	$4.5 per month for a yearly plan	$10 per month for an annual plan (double expensive)
Compatibility	Windows	Online
Security level	Higher	Lower

Final Thoughts

Imagine you're faced with a document that needs to be changed. Fear not, our friend! If you only do free basic editing over the PDF pages, an online tool is the most convenient and cost-saving choice. In terms of cleanliness and reliability, it’s no wonder you should edit a PDF with Smallpdf. However, more complicated PDF editing tasks need more professional software, like SwifDoo PDF, which is more powerful and economical than Smallpdf. Try it now!