What Makes a Great Free PDF Tool?
When evaluating PDF tools, consider these factors:
- Privacy: Does it upload your files to servers?
- Features: Does it handle your specific needs?
- Ease of use: How quickly can you complete tasks?
- File limits: Are there restrictions on size or quantity?
- Output quality: Are results professional-grade?
Essential PDF Tools Everyone Needs
1. Merge PDF
Combine multiple PDFs into one document. Essential for consolidating reports, combining scanned pages, or creating portfolios. Try our Merge PDF tool.
2. Compress PDF
Reduce file size for email attachments and uploads. Look for tools offering multiple compression levels. Try our Compress PDF tool.
3. Split PDF
Extract specific pages or divide large documents into manageable parts. Try our Split PDF tool.
4. PDF to Word/Excel
Convert PDFs to editable Office formats. Quality varies significantly between tools. Try our PDF to Word tool.
5. OCR
Make scanned documents searchable and editable. Try our OCR PDF tool.
Advanced Tools Worth Having
- Watermark PDF: Protect documents with text or image watermarks
- Protect PDF: Add password protection and permissions
- Sign PDF: Add signatures to documents
- Edit PDF: Add text, images, and shapes
- Rotate PDF: Fix page orientation
- Add Page Numbers: Professional document formatting
Browser-Based vs. Desktop Tools
Browser-Based (Like FilesGang)
Pros:
- No installation required
- Works on any device
- Always up-to-date
- Privacy-focused options process locally
Cons:
- May require internet connection
- Very large files can be slow
Desktop Applications
Pros:
- Faster for large files
- Work offline
- More advanced features
Cons:
- Installation required
- Platform-specific
- Manual updates
Our Recommendation
For most users, a comprehensive online toolkit like FilesGang provides everything needed for day-to-day PDF tasks. The browser-based approach means you can work from any device, and local processing ensures your documents stay private.