Protect PDF
Add password and restrict permissions. AES-256 encrypted in your browser — files never sent to a server.
Drop files here
or click to browse — any number of files
Add password and restrict permissions. AES-256 encrypted in your browser — files never sent to a server.
Add 256-bit AES encryption to any PDF with a password of your choice. The encryption happens entirely in your browser — your password and your document are never sent to any server, not even PDFree's.
Click Choose files or drag your PDF into the drop zone. The file is loaded into browser memory only.
Type the password you want to use. The stronger the password (12+ characters, mixed case, numbers, symbols), the harder it is to brute-force. The password never leaves your device.
Click Protect PDF. The encrypted PDF is generated in your browser and downloaded immediately. Share it with confidence — only someone with the password can open it.
Before emailing a signed contract to a counterparty, add password protection. Share the password by phone or a separate channel to prevent anyone who intercepts the email from reading it.
Bank statements, tax returns, and payslips contain sensitive personal data. Encrypt them before storing in cloud folders shared with others or sending to accountants.
Patient records, performance reviews, and HR documents should be restricted to authorized readers. Password encryption adds a layer of access control.
Passport scans, ID copies, and birth certificates are prime targets for identity theft. Encrypt before storing in cloud storage or sending by email.
| Tool | Encryption standard | Daily limit | Privacy | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDFree | 256-bit AES | No limit | No upload — key stays on device | Free forever |
| iLovePDF | 128-bit or 256-bit | Daily limit | Uploaded to servers | Free / $6+/mo |
| SmallPDF | Not specified | 2 tasks/day | Uploaded to servers | Free / $9+/mo |
| Adobe Acrobat | 256-bit AES | 2/month free | Uploaded to servers | $19.99/mo |
PDFree uses 256-bit AES encryption, the same standard used by banks and government agencies. It is the highest level of PDF encryption defined in the PDF specification (PDF 2.0 / PDF 1.7).
Yes — upload the encrypted PDF, enter the current password, leave the new password field empty, and save. This produces an unprotected version of the file.
Yes. PDFree produces standard-compliant encrypted PDFs that open in Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Reader, macOS Preview, and all modern PDF viewers.
Yes. The entire encryption process runs in your browser using pdf-lib. Your password and document are never transmitted to any server — PDFree literally cannot see them.
Currently PDFree sets an owner password that restricts opening the document. Separate user/owner permissions (controlling printing, copying, editing) are on the roadmap.