When it comes to redacting a PDF, free online tools are often the first stop. They are quick, accessible, and do not require downloading heavy software. But the catch is that most free tools only cover up text visually - the hidden content, metadata, or scanned text may still be there, waiting to be uncovered.
That is why it is worth comparing what is out there. Below are some of the most popular free online PDF redaction tools in 2025, what they do well, and why RedactMyPDF is the safest bet if you care about true privacy and compliance.
1. Smallpdf Redact PDF
Pros: Easy to use, works on any device, no install needed. Files auto-delete after processing.
Cons: Daily free use limits, no OCR support, metadata handling is unclear, mostly manual selection.
Smallpdf's redaction tool is part of their larger PDF suite and focuses on simplicity. You can draw rectangles over text or select specific words to redact. The interface is clean and works well on mobile devices. However, the free version limits you to just 2 files per day, and there's no automatic detection of sensitive information. You have to manually find and mark everything yourself.
The tool converts redacted areas to images, which provides some security, but it doesn't handle scanned PDFs well and offers no clear indication of whether metadata is being removed. For casual use where you know exactly what needs to be hidden, it works fine.
2. PDF24 Redact PDF
Pros: 100% free, simple interface, converts redacted pages into images to block text recovery.
Cons: Loss of text clarity, no AI detection, metadata may remain, manual only.
PDF24 takes a different approach by converting entire pages to images after redaction, which makes text recovery nearly impossible. This is actually quite secure from a content perspective. The tool is completely free with no daily limits, making it attractive for regular use.
However, this image conversion means your PDF becomes much larger and less searchable. Text quality can degrade, especially at lower resolutions. There's no smart detection of sensitive information, so you're entirely dependent on manually finding everything. The tool also doesn't clearly address metadata removal, which could leave traces of the original document.
3. iLovePDF Redact
Pros: Lets you select text or search by keywords, supports common PII like phone numbers or emails.
Cons: Free tier limits, keyword search is not foolproof, weaker with complex formats or scans.
iLovePDF offers the most sophisticated free redaction tool among traditional PDF editors. You can manually select text or use their search function to find patterns like phone numbers, email addresses, or specific keywords. This semi-automated approach saves time compared to purely manual tools.
The search feature works reasonably well for common patterns, but it's not AI-powered, so it misses context-dependent sensitive information. For example, it might find "John Smith" if you search for it, but won't automatically recognize it as a person's name without the search. The free version allows 3 tasks per hour, and file size is limited to 25MB. Their premium tier is required for larger documents or batch processing.
4. AvePDF Redact
Pros: Web-based, offers a variety of PDF tools, secure connection.
Cons: Free tier has usage caps, redaction is manual, OCR not always reliable, metadata removal unclear.
AvePDF provides a straightforward redaction tool as part of their PDF toolkit. The interface is clean and allows you to draw redaction boxes over sensitive content. They claim to permanently remove the underlying text, though the process isn't as transparent as some users might prefer.
The free tier is limited to 3 files per hour and 15 pages per file. Their OCR capability exists but can be inconsistent with scanned documents or complex layouts. Like most basic tools, there's no automatic detection of sensitive information, and their documentation doesn't clearly explain their metadata handling process. The tool works best for simple, text-based PDFs where you can easily identify what needs to be redacted.
5. RedactMyPDF - The Best Free Option in 2025
Most free tools stop at covering up text, but RedactMyPDF is built specifically for privacy and compliance. It combines AI automation with security features that other free tools miss.
Here is what sets it apart:
AI-powered detection: Automatically identifies sensitive info like names, addresses, phone numbers, financial data, and more.
OCR included: Works with scanned or image-based PDFs, not just digital text.
Metadata scrubbing: Permanently removes hidden file data that could leak details about the author, software, or edits.
Permanent redaction: Underlying content is actually deleted, not just hidden under a black box.
Secure by design: Files are encrypted during processing, stored in the EU, and deleted promptly to meet GDPR standards.
User control: You can review every suggested redaction before finalising, so nothing gets missed.
Free tier: First 2 pages are free with watermark - enough to test the process before upgrading.
Why RedactMyPDF Wins
If you only need to hide one or two words in a casual document, Smallpdf or PDF24 can do the job. But if your documents are sensitive - legal, financial, medical, or anything tied to compliance - those free tools leave gaps.
RedactMyPDF closes those gaps with:
• True security (not cosmetic redactions)
• Automatic detection (faster, fewer errors)
• Compliance features (metadata removal, audit logs, GDPR)
In other words, it is the only free-to-start tool in 2025 that is designed to protect you from the risks most people do not even realise exist.
Final Thoughts
Free PDF redaction tools have come a long way, but most still treat redaction as a cosmetic fix. If you want a document that is truly safe to share, RedactMyPDF is the clear choice in 2025.
Ready to try the most secure free PDF redaction tool? RedactMyPDF provides AI-powered detection with true content removal. Start free today.
When free tools aren't actually free from risk, choose the one built for real security.