8 Best Free PDF Unlockers of 2024: Desktop & Online

If you need to edit, view, copy, or print a PDF file but it is locked, then a free PDF unlocker will come to the rescue. Such a program will quickly and seamlessly cope with the decryption and removal of the password from your PDF files.

Among the selected programs, you will find both online and offline programs with an intuitive interface. Users often prefer many of these options as PDF encryption software.

Top 8 Free PDF Unlockers

  1. Adobe Acrobat - Integrated with Adobe Document Cloud
  2. EaseUS PDF Editor - High document security
  3. MacSonik PDF Unlocker - Supports Adobe docs
  4. Sysinfo PDF Unlocker - Offers batch unlocking
  5. HiPDF Unlocker - Online and user-friendly
  6. Sejda - Privacy is a priority
  7. Smallpdf Unlock PDF - Compatible with different cloud storages
  8. Soda Unlock PDF - Available online and offline

The PDF unlock software listed in this article performs several different functions, including displaying a file’s password and then saving it for future use, removing any restrictions on your file, and bypassing restrictions imposed by the file’s author, such as copying and extracting text and pictures, as well as printouts.

Another convenient feature inherent in such programs is the creation of a copy of a locked document but without any locks. What’s more, some programs will replace PDF locker tools for Windows and Mac.

1. Adobe Acrobat

Integrated with Adobe Document Cloud
  • Provides plenty of developer tutorials
  • Integrated with Adobe’s products
  • Allows for editing the scanned PDF file
  • There is no completely free version

Verdict: Adobe Acrobat is a great desktop tool to unlock and decrypt a PDF file and remove its password. After entering the author’s password, removing the protection from the file becomes a no-brainer task. Removal of any restrictions is also available to you if you have the appropriate permission.

This versatile PDF tool also offers plenty of functions, from PDF editing to conversion. You can use this program free of charge for 7 days. Paid plans start at $15.59/mo.

adobe acrobat free pdf unlocker interface

2. EaseUS PDF Editor

High document security
  • Easy removal of permission restrictions
  • Removes watermarks and backgrounds from PDF files
  • 24/7 support
  • Compatible with Windows only
  • Modifying PDF files can seem complicated

Verdict: This PDF unlock program boasts smooth operation. It comes with a built-in PDF editor and allows for decrypting documents in seconds with little effort. What’s more, you can watermark or add a password to your document, without which no one will be able to view and copy it.

The program’s free version is limited to 5 pages and documents watermarking. The paid version costs $19.95/mo.

easeus free pdf unlocker interface

3. MacSonik PDF Unlocker

Supports Adobe docs
  • Recovering passwords from a multilingual password-protected document
  • Allows you to print, modify, and copy PDFs without restrictions
  • Hassle-free decryption in a matter of seconds
  • Compatible with Mac only
  • Watermark in the free version

Verdict: This PDF unlock tool features fast and powerful password removal including batch processing PDF files. It is compatible with documents created by Adobe products, allowing you to unprotect them.

The program comes with a PDF Metadata editing feature to change the author, keywords, and more. I like that it allows you to save document attachments to a separate subfolder. The program has a free trial version, which is limited by a watermark. The cost of the paid version is from $29/year.

macsonik free pdf unlocker interface

4. Sysinfo PDF Restriction Remover Tool

Offers batch unlocking
  • Setting the destination paths for docs
  • Does not change the structure of PDF files
  • Decryption of both complex and simple passwords
  • Isn’t suitable for corrupted and damaged files
  • Limitations in the free version
sysinfo free pdf unlocker logo
Sysinfo PDF Restriction Remover Tool

Verdict: Being a first-class and full-fledged program, SysInfo PDF Restriction Remover has every chance of becoming your best free PDF unlocker, as it removes any restrictions from documents and does not lose any data.

It is often preferred as a PDF splitter software as it offers batch processing, including the unblocking part. I like the results it gives – an unrestricted PDF with no structure, formatting, or content changes.

The program is suitable for both Windows and Mac users. The cost of a license is from $29/year. The free demo version does not limit the number of processed PDFs but applies a watermark to documents.

sysinfo free pdf unlocker interface

5. HiPDF Unlocker

Online and user-friendly
  • Can be used both online and offline
  • Recovering of the corrupted PDFs
  • Offers a lot of languages
  • Expensive desktop version
  • The free version is limited to 3 docs per hour
hipdf free pdf unlocker logo
HiPDF Unlocker

Verdict: This PDF unlock software boasts advanced features, including adding a password to your documents and removing existing passwords from other documents. At the same time, the operation process is very simple – uploading a file with a password, pressing the unlock button, and downloading the finished file.

The program can also be used as an online PDF compressor, and whatever functionality you choose, the program can be used for free without time limits, but with limited functions and batch processing capabilities. The cost of the paid version is $3.33/month.

hipdf free pdf unlocker interface

6. Sejda

Privacy is a priority
  • Automatic backups
  • It is available for business and personal
  • Notifications if backups fail
  • Easy restore process
  • Weak functionality
  • Expensive subscription
sejda free pdf unlocker logo
Sejda

Verdict: This online PDFunlock tool offers you several features, including removing the password from the document, as well as opening the password for your doc. I love its simple interface and the drag-and-drop functionality that makes everything even easier.

It is also one of the simplest tools to delete pages from PDFs and its interface supports multiple languages, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and French to name a few. Sejda is available for free, but it is limited in the size and number of files processed. The paid version starts at $5/week.

sejda free pdf unlocker interface

7. Smallpdf Unlock PDF

Compatible with different cloud storages
  • Easy to use
  • Plenty of additional tools to work with PDF
  • Online
  • Overflowing with ads
  • Only 2 documents per day can be processed in the free version
smallpdf free pdf unlocker logo
Smallpdf Unlock PDF

Verdict: Smallpdf is another powerful online tool to decrypt a PDF file. Users often prefer it as a PDF to PowerPoint Converter. I love that it integrates with popular cloud storages so you can easily upload your documents directly from there and process them in this tool.

The free version gives you access to 21 tools, but you are limited to only 2 files per day. The paid version starts at $9/month.

smallpdf free pdf unlocker interface

8. Soda Unlock PDF

Available online and offline
  • Offers batch processing
  • Text editing and recognition from scanned docs
  • PDF compression without data loss
  • Sometimes fails
  • Limited free version

Verdict: Soda PDF is another decent PDF unlock software available both online and offline. It comes with a simple and clear interface that even a beginner can handle. To unlock PDFs, you should upload the required document from your PC or cloud storage. When finished, you can view the file in your browser or download it to your computer.

This PDF reader for Windows is available for free, but it is limited on the number of files processed per day in this case. The subscription price is $7.97/month.

soda free pdf unlocker interface
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