The C# PDF Library
using IronPdf;
// Disable local disk access or cross-origin requests
Installation.EnableWebSecurity = true;
// Instantiate Renderer
var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer();
// Create a PDF from a HTML string using C#
var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World</h1>");
// Export to a file or Stream
pdf.SaveAs("output.pdf");
// Advanced Example with HTML Assets
// Load external html assets: Images, CSS and JavaScript.
// An optional BasePath 'C:\site\assets\' is set as the file location to load assets from
var myAdvancedPdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<img src='icons/iron.png'>", @"C:\site\assets\");
myAdvancedPdf.SaveAs("html-with-assets.pdf");
Install-Package IronPdf
PDFs have become an essential part of our digital lives. Whether it's contracts, resumes, eBooks, or research papers, PDF files are widely used across industries and professions. The challenge comes when you need to edit a PDF. Unlike Word documents, PDFs aren’t designed to be edited easily, and many commercial tools like Adobe Acrobat come with a hefty price tag. But what if you need robust editing features without the cost?
Luckily, there are free PDF editors for Windows that can help you modify, annotate, and manage PDF files without breaking the bank. This article explores the top free PDF editors available in 2025 and concludes with the most powerful and flexible option: IronPDF.
Why Use a Free PDF Editor?
Before diving into the tools, let’s understand what you typically expect from a PDF editor. Here are a few common use cases:
While premium software can do all these things, free editors often provide partial or limited access to these features. However, some tools have evolved to offer surprising flexibility—especially for developers or power users.
PDF-XChange Editor
PDF-XChange Editor is a long-standing favorite among Windows users. It’s known for its fast performance and a rich set of annotation tools. You can highlight text, add comments, and even perform basic text edits.
Pros:
Cons:
Foxit PDF Reader
Foxit offers a free PDF Reader that doubles as a basic editor. It supports collaborative features like comments and stamps and is lighter than many competitors.
Pros:
Cons:
LibreOffice Draw
LibreOffice Draw is part of the open-source LibreOffice suite. It lets you open and edit PDF files like images and text objects.
Pros:
Completely free and open-source
Can manipulate PDF layout and content
Cons:
Sejda PDF Editor
Sejda offers both an online and a desktop version of its editor. It’s built for ease of use and provides solid features for editing PDFs directly in your browser.
Pros:
Cons:
PDFsam Basic
PDFsam Basic (short for PDF Split and Merge) is great for rearranging, rotating, and splitting PDF pages. While it doesn’t support text editing, it’s excellent for structural changes.
Pros:
Cons:
After comparing some of the most popular free PDF editors for Windows, it’s time to introduce a standout option that takes PDF handling to a whole new level—especially for developers and power users.
When it comes to editing PDFs on Windows, most people think of desktop applications. But for developers—especially those working in C# or .NET—there’s a smarter, more flexible option: IronPDF. Rather than relying on clunky user interfaces or limited free tools, IronPDF offers a powerful and developer-friendly solution to create, edit, and manage PDFs programmatically.
IronPDF
IronPDF is a C#/.NET library that allows you to create, edit, convert, and process PDF files programmatically. While it may not have a drag-and-drop user interface like Sejda or PDF-XChange, IronPDF is unmatched when it comes to flexibility, power, and developer integration.
Key Features
IronPDF offers a free development license, allowing you to test and develop without paying upfront. This is ideal for freelancers, startups, or hobbyist developers who need robust PDF capabilities while building their applications.
You only need a commercial license when deploying to production in client-facing environments. This makes IronPDF a cost-effective solution for long-term PDF handling, unlike other tools that demand full payment just to unlock basic features.
Conclusion
There are plenty of free PDF editors for Windows that serve different needs. If you're a casual user needing quick edits or annotations, tools like PDF-XChange Editor, Foxit, or Sejda will get the job done—albeit with limitations.
But when it comes to complete PDF editing power, developer control, and professional-grade output, IronPDF stands in a league of its own.
With its wide array of features—from converting HTML to PDF and merging files to inserting digital signatures and editing content programmatically—IronPDF offers capabilities far beyond traditional editors. It’s also free for development, meaning you can experiment, prototype, and build without spending a dime. For Windows users who need more than surface-level editing—and especially for developers building tools, apps, or workflows—IronPDF is the best free PDF editor available in 2025. To know more about the IronPDF licence, check here.
Install-Package IronPdf
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The trial form was submitted
successfully.
If it is not, please contact
support@ironsoftware.com
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Get started for FREE
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Test in production without watermarks.
Works wherever you need it to.
Get 30 days of fully functional product.
Have it up and running in minutes.
Full access to our support engineering team during your product trial
No credit card or account creation required
Your trial key should be in the email.
If it is not, please contact
support@ironsoftware.com
Get started for FREE
No credit card required
Test in production without watermarks.
Works wherever you need it to.
Get 30 days of fully functional product.
Have it up and running in minutes.
Full access to our support engineering team during your product trial
Licenses from $749. Have a question? Get in touch.
Book a 30-minute, personal demo.
No contract, no card details, no commitments.
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