7 Best Free and Open Source PDF Software in 2023 (Ranked)

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file format used for presenting and sharing documents in a way that preserves their original formatting and layout, regardless of the software, hardware, or operating system used to view them. PDFs are widely used in businesses, schools, and personal lives, as they provide a reliable and secure way to share and store important documents. To view and edit PDFs, users need specialized software known as PDF software. Open-source PDF software is software whose source code is available for anyone to inspect, modify, and use, usually for free. In this article, we will discuss the top 7 free and open-source PDF software in 2023, their features, and why they are important.

Looking for the best free and open-source PDF software in 2023? Look no further! In this article, we will reveal the 7 best free open-source PDF software options available in the next year. You can delete pdf pages while editing pdf files and then extract pdf pages.

7 Best Free and Opensource PDF editor Software in 2023

There are plenty of reasons why you might need to work with PDF files. Maybe you need to fill out and sign a PDF form or just want to view a PDF document without opening it in Microsoft Word. In any case, you’ll need a PDF viewer or editor. They convert multiple pdf files and edit documents.

Depending on your needs, there are plenty of great PDF software options to choose from. In this article, we’ll take a look at seven of the best free and open-source PDF software solutions

1. PDFsam Basic

PDFsam Basic is a free and open-source PDF editor with some basic features. With this program, you can split, merge, rotate, and reorder PDF pages. You can also add watermarks, headers, and footers to delete pages, as well as encrypt and decrypt PDF documents.

PDFsam Basic is a free and open-source PDF software that allows users to merge, split, extract, rotate, and mix PDF files. Some of the key features, pros, and cons of PDFsam Basic are:

Features

1. Merge PDF files: Combine multiple PDF files into a single document.
2. Split. PDF file directly files: Divide a single PDF file into multiple files.
3. Rotate multiple pages: Rotate individual pages or entire PDF files.
4. Extract pages: Extract specific pages from a PDF file.
5. Mix PDF files: Merge pages from multiple PDF files into a single document.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Free and open-source: PDFsam Basic is completely free to download and use, with no hidden fees or restrictions. It is also open-source, meaning that the source code is freely available and can be modified by developers.
• User-friendly interface: PDFsam Basic has a simple and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate.
• Cross-platform compatibility: PDFsam Basic can be used on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
• Security features: PDFsam Basic allows users to set password protection and permissions on their PDF files.
• Batch processing: PDFsam Basic allows users to process multiple PDF files at once, saving time and effort.

Cons:

• Limited functionality: While PDFsam Basic offers a range of basic PDF editing tools, it does not have advanced features like OCR, redaction, or form filling.
• No cloud integration: PDFsam Basic is a desktop application and does not integrate with cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive.
• Ads in the installer: The installer for PDFsam Basic includes ads for other software products, which some users may find annoying.

Overall, PDFsam Basic is a great choice for users who need to perform basic PDF editing tasks like merging, splitting, and rotating files, without the need for advanced features or cloud integration. Its free and open-source nature, user-friendly interface, and cross-platform compatibility make it a popular choice among users.

2. LibreOffice Draw

LibreOffice Draw is a free and open-source vector graphics editor. It can be used to open, view, and edit PDF files. With LibreOffice Draw, you can also export PDFs to other formats, such as PNG, JPEG, and SVG.

LibreOffice Draw is a free and open-source PDF software that allows users to create and edit vector graphics, diagrams, and flowcharts.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. It’s free and open-source, making it accessible to everyone.
2. It has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate.
3. It supports a wide range of file formats, including PDF, SVG, and EPS.
4. It has powerful tools for creating and editing graphics, such as the ability to add text, shapes, and images.
5. It’s compatible with other LibreOffice software, such as Writer and Calc.

Cons:

1. It may not have all the features and functionality of some paid software.
2. It may have compatibility issues with some non-LibreOffice software.
3. It may have a steeper learning curve for users who are new to graphic design or vector graphics.

3. Inkscape

Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor with capabilities similar to LibreOffice Draw. In addition to PDF support, Inkscape can also be used to create and edit SVG files.

Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics software that allows users to create and edit various types of graphics, including logos, illustrations, diagrams, and more. Some of its features and pros and cons include:

Features:

Supports a wide range of vector graphic formats, including SVG, PDF, EPS, and more

Offers various drawing tools, including pencil, pen, calligraphy, and more

Provides advanced text tools, including flow text and text-on-path

Supports layers, grouping, and object transformations

Offers a range of export options, including PNG, PDF format, and SVG

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Inkscape is free and open-source, making it accessible to anyone without any cost.
• It has a user-friendly interface, making it easy to use for both beginners and professionals.
• It is highly customizable, allowing users to create their own extensions, filters, and scripts.
• It supports a range of platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Cons:

• Inkscape can be slow and unstable when working with large files.
• It may not be as powerful as some commercial vector graphics software, especially in terms of complex features.
• Some advanced features, such as CMYK support, may be missing or limited.

Overall, Inkscape is a great choice for those looking for free and open-source vector graphics software with a range of basic features and a user-friendly interface. However, if you need advanced or complex features, you may want to consider more powerful commercial software.

4. Ghostscript

Ghostscript is a free and open-source interpreter for the PostScript language and PDF files. It can be used to view,, and print PDF documents. Ghostscript is also used by some other PDF software, such as Evince and Okular.

Ghostscript is a free and open-source PDF software that allows users to view, edit, and convert PDF files. Here are its features and pros and cons:

Features:

Ghostscript can handle a variety of other file formats too, including PDF, PostScript, and EPS.

It allows users to edit PDF files by adding or removing pages, merging or splitting files, and changing text and images.

Ghostscript can convert PDF files into various formats, including PNG, JPEG, TIFF, and BMP.

It supports various operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Ghostscript is a completely free and open-source pdf editor, meaning users can use it without any cost.
• It has a small file size and uses minimal system resources.
• Ghostscript has a command-line interface, making it easy to automate tasks and integrate them with other software.
• It has extensive documentation and a large user community that can help users with any issues they encounter.

Cons:

• Ghostscript’s user interface can be complex and difficult to navigate for some users.
• Some users may find it challenging to install and configure.
• Ghostscript may not be as feature-rich as other paid PDF software on the market.
• It may not be the best option for users who need to work with large, complex PDF files.

5. MuPDF

MuPDF is a free and open-source PDF viewer and toolkit. With MuPDF, you can view, annotate, and sign PDF documents. MuPDF can also be used to convert PDFs to other formats, such as EPUB, HTML, and CBZ.

MuPDF is a free and open-source PDF software that allows users to view, edit, and manipulate PDF files. Here are its features and pros and cons:

Features:

MuPDF is a lightweight and fast PDF software that can open and render large PDF files very quickly.

It supports various file formats, including PDF, XPS, CBZ, and EPUB.

MuPDF allows users to edit PDF files by adding or removing pages, changing text and images, and highlighting or annotating content.

It supports various operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and mobile platforms.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• MuPDF is free and one of the best open-source pdf editors, making it accessible to everyone.
• It has a small file size and uses minimal system resources.
• MuPDF has a simple and intuitive user interface, making it easy to use even for beginners.
• It supports various languages and allows users to customize the interface.

Cons:

• MuPDF’s editing capabilities are limited compared to other PDF software on the market.
• It may not be suitable for users who require advanced features like form filling, OCR, and digital signatures.
• MuPDF does not support batch processing, which may be inconvenient for users who need to work with large numbers of files.
• It may not be the best option for users who need to work with complex or multimedia-rich PDF files.

6. PDFelement

PDFelement is a software program for viewing, editing, and manipulating PDF documents and files. It allows users to create, convert, annotate, and secure PDF documents using a range of tools and features. PDFelement can be used on various operating systems, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. It offers a user-friendly interface and supports multiple languages. PDFelement also includes advanced features such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition), form creation, digital signatures, and password protection. It is available as both a free and paid version, with the paid version offering additional features and functionalities.

PDFelement is a free and open-source PDF software that allows users to view, edit, and convert PDF files. Here are its features and pros and cons:

Features:

PDFelement offers various editing tools, including text editing, image editing, and page editing.

It has OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology, which allows users to convert scanned documents into editable and searchable text.

PDFelement can create fillable forms, add signatures, and protect files with password encryption.

It supports various file formats, including PDF, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

It has a user-friendly interface and supports multiple languages.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• PDFelement is free and open source, making it accessible to everyone.
• It has a wide range of editing and conversion tools, making it versatile PDF software.
• PDFelement offers advanced security features, such as password protection and digital signatures, to protect sensitive information.
• It has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, even for beginners.

Cons:

• Some advanced features, such as OCR and form filling, are only available in the paid version of PDFelement.
• PDFelement may not be suitable for users who need to work with large, complex PDF files.
• It may not be as fast or efficient as some other PDF software on the market.
• Some users may find the pricing structure confusing, as it offers different features at different price points.

7. Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a software used for viewing Portable Document Format (PDF) files. It is developed by Adobe Systems and has been included as a default application in all versions of Microsoft Windows since Windows 98. The software is available for free from the Adobe website, and it is also bundled with Adobe Creative Cloud.

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (formerly Adobe Reader) is the free, trusted standard for viewing, printing, and annotating PDFs. And now, it’s connected to Adobe Document Cloud — so it’s easier than ever to work with PDFs on computers and mobile devices.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a popular PDF reader software that allows users to view, annotate, and print PDF files. Some of its key features include:

Features:

• View and read PDF files
• Annotate PDF files with comments, highlights, and sticky notes
• Fill out and sign PDF forms
• Share and collaborate on PDF files
• Convert PDF files to other formats (paid feature)

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Widely used and supported
• Easy-to-use interface
• Regularly updated with new features and security patches
• Integration with Adobe Document Cloud for storage and sharing
• Advanced features available for a fee

Cons:

• The free version has limited features compared to the paid version
• Can be resource-intensive and slow on older computers
• Proprietary software that requires a license to access all features

Conclusions

The 7 best free and open-source PDF software will be Adobe Acrobat Reader, Inkscape, etc. These programs will allow users to create and edit PDF files, making them a valuable tool for business and home use. All of these programs are reliable and easy to use, and they offer features that make creating and editing PDFs a breeze. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced user, there’s a PDF software option that’s perfect for you. Thanks for reading!

FAQs – Open source PDF Software

What opensource tool to edit PDFs?

Adobe has been recognized as an open-source PDF editor. This doesn’t come cheap. You can use Sejdra SmallPDF, Google Docs, or any other free. Sejda pdf editor is famous for online pdf editing, deleting pages, pdf architecture, and much more.

Is there a truly free PDF editor?

PDFscape enables users to easily create forms using PDFs and other tools. PDF documents are easily accessible and edited. The tool allows the creation of PDF forms. You can also download PDF documents on a computer or on the Web.