Free Adobe Acrobat alternative
Redact a PDF for free without Acrobat Pro
Adobe's Redact tool is part of Acrobat Pro. The free Acrobat Reader and Adobe's free online editor let you draw shapes and annotate, but a black shape on top of text is not a redaction, because the text underneath stays in the file. RedactSnap removes the text for free, in your browser.
Drop a PDF here, or click to choose
PDF, PNG or JPG
Opens in your browser. The file is never uploaded.
RedactSnap vs Free Acrobat Reader and Adobe's free online tools
| Feature | RedactSnap | Free Acrobat Reader and Adobe's free online tools |
|---|---|---|
| True redaction (content removed) | Yes, pages are flattened | No, Redact needs Acrobat Pro |
| Black shapes over text | Burned in on export | Annotations; text stays underneath |
| Where files are processed | In your browser, never uploaded | Reader on desktop; online tools in Adobe's cloud |
| Account required | No | Adobe ID for online tools |
| Automatic PII detection | Names, SSNs, emails, phones, cards | Not in the free tools |
| Cost | Free (3 exports a day), Pro for unlimited | Free to view; Pro trial or subscription to redact |
Based on Adobe's published Acrobat pages, October 2026. Adobe offers a 7-day Acrobat Pro trial that includes Redact. Check adobe.com for current plans.
Why a black box in Reader isn't enough
A rectangle or highlighter in Reader is an annotation, a separate object drawn on top of the page. The text underneath is still in the file, so anyone can select and copy it, or delete the annotation. Several court filings have leaked information this way.
When the Acrobat Pro trial makes sense
If you have a one-off batch to do this week and want searchable output, the 7-day Pro trial gives you Adobe's full Redact tool. Remember to cancel before it renews. For occasional redaction without an account or a subscription, RedactSnap is quicker to start.
Frequently asked questions
Can I redact in Acrobat Reader for free?
No. Reader can draw shapes and comments, but the Redact tool that removes content is part of Acrobat Pro.
Is a free RedactSnap redaction permanent?
Yes. Free and Pro use the same export. Every page is flattened to an image, so the covered text, hidden layers and document info metadata are not in the downloaded file.
Is my file uploaded anywhere?
No. RedactSnap reads the PDF with your browser's File API and processes it in memory on your device. There is no upload endpoint and no server-side copy of your document. You can confirm this by opening your browser's network tab while you redact.