Top PDF password removers
When you open a PDF but can’t print, edit, or copy from it, that means it’s locked behind a permissions password (different from an open password, which would stop you from viewing the file at all). Maybe you set the password yourself months ago and can’t remember it now, or maybe the PDF was sent by someone who didn’t realize permissions were locked. If you created the document or have permission to access it, a free PDF password remover can help you remove the security feature and open up full editing.
In this article, I’ve shared five of the best free tools you can use to unlock a PDF without password headaches. I cover both browser-based platforms and desktop software, as well as tools that go beyond password unlocking, so you can pick whichever fits how you work. Note that you should only use these tools on files you own or have explicit permission to unlock. They’re not built, and shouldn’t be used, for bypassing protection on files that aren’t yours.
Here’s a comparison of the five best free tools available in 2026 to remove a password from a PDF online.
| Tool | Best for | Online/desktop | Free limits | Security note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Smallpdf |
Users with multiple devices |
Online, desktop, and mobile apps, along with extensions for Google and Dropbox |
Daily download limits across all features |
TLS encryption in transit; files auto-deleted after 1 hour; ISO/IEC 27001 certified and GDPR compliant |
 Online2PDF |
Unlocking and editing in a single upload |
Online only |
150 MB max per file; 200 MB total; up to 30 files |
Files deleted immediately; no certifications like GDPR or ISO. |
 Soda PDF |
Streamlined workflows within Google Drive or Dropbox |
Online and Windows |
Two files/day, 3 MB max file size |
256-bit SSL encryption; files not shared with third parties; auto-deleted after 24 hours |
 iLovePDF |
Fast one-click unlocks |
Online, desktop, and mobile |
Limited daily file processing and size |
End-to-end encryption over HTTPS; ISO 27001 certified and GDPR compliant; files deleted within two hours |
 PDF2Go |
Unlocking from any device without installing an app |
Online, plus desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux |
Access to most core features; ad-supported |
Files encrypted in transit; auto-deleted from servers after 24 hours |
1. Smallpdf
Why it made the list: Online access, a Windows desktop app, and mobile apps for iOS and Android
Smallpdf’s Unlock PDF tool is easy to use:
- Drag and drop your PDF file into the tool
- Type the password if you have one
- Download a clean, unrestricted copy
Files transfer with TLS encryption and are auto-deleted after an hour. Smallpdf also holds ISO/IEC 27001 certification and GDPR compliance, which is reassuring if your document contains anything sensitive.
Smallpdf can’t help you if you’ve forgotten your password. It only removes protection you already have the credentials for; it can’t recover passwords you’ve lost. The free tier also caps how many files you can process per day.
Another win for Smallpdf is its integration with Dropbox and Google Drive. Smallpdf works directly with these tools, so you can unlock a file stored there without downloading it first.
2. Online2PDF
Why it made the list: An all-in-one PDF converter that unlocks and decrypts PDF files online, alongside other editing tasks, and immediately deletes files
Online2PDF’s Unlock tool will remove authentication protection that prevents printing, copying, or editing. No password is required for this, but like Smallpdf, if the PDF is read-protected with a password for opening, then you have to enter it before unlocking.
Online2PDF removes the password and offers other features, including page selection, rotation, and compression. Everything is handled in one upload, which makes the process streamlined and efficient. (Other tools require you to remove the password, then make your edits in a separate upload.)
The main trade-off with Online2PDF is security and privacy. Unlike tools like Smallpdf and iLovePDF, Online2PDF doesn’t have ISO certification and isn’t GDPR compliant. However, it offers the fastest deletion of PDF files, deleting them immediately. Other tools take between one and 24 hours.
The user experience is basic, and it feels outdated compared to other solutions. But it’s free, and unlike Smallpdf, there are no paid packages; likely because of this, a lot of ads appear on the site.
Nevertheless, Online2PDF works for fast unlocking and editing on files that don’t need an extra layer of security.
3. Soda PDF
Why it made the list: Streamlined workflows within Google Drive or Dropbox
Soda PDF’s online unlocker asks you to upload your protected PDF, enter the password (if you need a password to open it). It then removes editing restrictions.
You can use Soda PDF online, or you can use the free Windows app, which lets you open and unlock the document locally. In the web version, once you’ve unlocked the PDF, you can efficiently save it in your Google Drive or Dropbox account without having to download the file, because Soda PDF integrates with those platforms.
Soda PDF is a secure solution. It works with 256-bit SSL encryption, the files aren’t shared with third parties, and files are automatically deleted from Soda PDF’s servers after 24 hours.
Like Smallpdf, Soda PDF comes with packages and payment plans. There is a free tier, but it’s limited to two files a day, with a 3 MB size limit per file, so it’s better suited to occasional use than bulk or regular unlocking.
4. iLovePDF
Why it made the list: Fast workflows to unlock a PDF when you have the password to open the document
The iLovePDF Unlock PDF tool works in three steps: open the tool, drag in your protected file, and click Unlock.
Your unlocked PDF downloads automatically. You don’t need to create an account or a password to use it.
iLovePDF has more to offer. You can use its additional tools, including compress, convert, merge, and sign.
On security, iLovePDF states it doesn’t crack or break passwords, and it protects files with end-to-end encryption over HTTPS. It is certified for ISO 27001 and compliant with GDPR. iLovePDF deletes uploaded files from its servers within two hours of processing. That’s faster than Soda PDF’s 24 hours, but longer than Online2PDF’s immediate deletion.
The free plan limits daily file processing and size, and it allows access to only the essential iLovePDF tools. Audit trails, notifications and reminders, custom branding, templates, and more are all locked behind paid tiers.
5. PDF2Go
Why it made the list: Works entirely from the browser, so you can unlock a file from your phone, a work laptop, or a shared computer
PDF2Go’s unlock tool follows the same pattern as the others: upload your protected file, enter the password, and download the unlocked version. Like the other tools on this list, PDF2Go requires you to know the existing password to open the document before it will remove anything. Files are encrypted in transit and automatically deleted from PDF2Go’s servers after 24 hours, giving you a reasonable window to retrieve your download while maintaining privacy.
Similar to Online2PDF, the interface feels basic, and ads appear across the site. But the software has a decent free package, providing access to most of the features.
Simplify your PDF workflow with Jotform
It’s rare that unlocking a PDF is all you need to do with it. Jotform PDF Editor lets you do more, especially if you regularly deal with form-based PDFs as part of an ongoing intake or approval process.
If you’re using PDFs as part of complex workflows, then Jotform Smart PDF Forms is what you need.
Dive deep with Jotform’s free PDF tools
Jotform’s PDF Tools hub doesn’t require an account or signup. Just upload your PDF and use any of the features:
- Split PDF: Breaks the PDF into individual sections
- Merge PDF: Combines multiple PDFs into a single document
- Compress PDF: Shrinks the size of a PDF so it can be emailed or embedded onto a website while keeping the quality intact
- Jotform PDF Editor: Allows for heavier PDF edits, such as layout adjustments, adding pages, and redesigning sections
- Flatten PDF: Locks the PDF’s layout in place, preventing further edits to fields or annotations, before you share it
- AI PDF Summarizer: Gives you the key points of a document in seconds so you don’t have to read the entirety to find what you need
- Chat with PDF: Lets you ask direct questions about the document and get answers pulled from its contents
Go beyond with Jotform Smart PDF Forms
For static documents, these tools will cover most of what you need. But if the PDF you’ve just unlocked is a form, such as an intake form, a contract, or an inspection or employment form, and you’re going to need people to fill it out and send it back, you need Jotform Smart PDF Forms.
Instead of manually filling in a form and emailing it back and forth, Jotform Smart PDF Forms converts your unlocked PDF into an online fillable form in a single upload. Every submission of the online form then automatically populates into the original PDF layout, so the document keeps its formatting. No coding, manual reentry, or reformatting is needed.
It’s built specifically for HR managers, admins, and freelancers who deal with the same kind of form-based PDF again and again and need a repeatable way to collect responses. You can see the full breakdown of how it works on the Jotform Smart PDF Forms features page.
Explore Jotform PDF Editor today!
This article is for individuals and professionals (students, admins, freelancers) who need to remove password protection or restrictions from a PDF they own/have legitimate access to, typically to edit, print, copy, or share it more easily.
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