7 Best Tools to Share PDFs Online in 2024

Tools to share PDFs online are either platforms or apps for efficient and secure document distribution over the web. They provide excellent collaboration options allowing users to view, edit, and comment on the same file at once.

As nowadays more and more people work remotely getting involved in digital workflows and paperless environments, these PDF file sharing services can become their handy assistants. They can boost your productivity, facilitate communication, and ensure that the shared files are available on different devices and operating systems.

Top 7 Tools to Share PDFs Online

  1. Adobe Acrobat - Versatile option
  2. DocDroid - Browser preview option
  3. SmallPDF - Can edit, annotate, share
  4. Google Drive - Stores and shares files for collaboration
  5. Microsoft OneDrive - Ideal option for Windows users
  6. Dropbox - Excellent offline functionality
  7. WeTransfer - For processing large files

Check whether the selected PDF sharing platform offers encryption, password protection, and user permissions to ensure your document remains private and secure. Intuitive UI, seamless integration with all common cloud storage platforms, the collaboration tools are other important aspects to consider.

1. Adobe Acrobat – Our Choice

Versatile solution
  • Free version
  • Advanced editing functionality
  • Shares PDF in a secure way
  • Top-level collaboration options
  • A great variety of file formats
  • Mobile app
  • No

Verdict: Adobe Acrobat is the number one solution for companies that need to edit, sign, and share PDFs from virtually any place to promote collaboration. Also functioning as a highly capable PDF converter, Adobe Acrobat can easily turn any file type into a PDF and vice versa.

Sharing PDFs with collaborators is an intuitive task. Generate a link and send it to anyone you want to share the file with. It will become accessible for all reviewers that will have this link from any device. Just select files for sharing and click Send.

There is also a handy @ mention option to specify a person who needs to leave feedback. This is an excellent workflow-moving feature.

The most recent comments appear in one place, in real-time without the need to perform some manual operations. This free PDF editor comes with a free version for checking the tool’s main functions. Three packages are available: Pro for $19.99/mo, Standard for $12.99/mo, and Acrobat for business for $23.99/mo.

adobe acrobat tool to share pdfs online

2. DocDroid

Browser preview option
  • Generates links for sharing docs automatically
  • Allows uploading PDFs right on Facebook and Twitter
  • Extremely easy to use
  • Offers browser preview option
  • Sluggish when loading files
  • File-sharing methods lack flexibility
  • Restrictions concerning the size of files

Verdict: DocDroid is an intuitive tool to share a PDF online. Import a PDF for sharing, and the program will generate the link for it automatically. You can include this link in a message to your colleagues or embed your doc into a website as iFrame.

PDF, DOCX, DOC, ODT, RTF, XLS, XLSX, etc. are among the formats supported by DocDroid and its handy browser preview option is also very appealing.

It is great that all docs uploaded to a platform are not visible to other users, so you can be sure that they are in absolute safety. Besides, you can further strengthen the safety of your PDFs by setting up a password. Moreover, DocDroid deletes all files that haven’t been opened within 60 days. A Free plan and an advanced Pro plan for $19/mo are available.

docdroid tool to share pdfs online

3. SmallPDF

Can edit, annotate, share
  • Intuitive
  • Free
  • Compatible with many platforms
  • SSL encryption to safeguard docs
  • Bad choice for private and sensitive docs
  • Restricted file size
  • Only works when the internet connection is steady

Verdict: Smallpdf is one of the best tools to share PDFs online. Its functionality allows adding text, shapes, pic, and annotations. Besides, this intuitive free PDF to Word converter performs well across many platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.

You won’t have trouble using this tool, as it is absolutely intuitive. Choose PDF you want to share, provide the recipient’s email, and comment on what should be done. The addressee will get a letter for exporting the file and the instructions from you. What’s more, it is possible to distribute the generated link via WhatsApp, Viber, or Gmail.

All the transfers are protected with SSL encryption, so you can be sure that they are safe. Note, that all files in Smallpdf system vanish after 14 days, so check whether the recipient succeeded to download the file within this period. The tool has a Free plan, whereas its advanced Pro package can be purchased for $9/mo.

smallpdf tool to share pdfs online

4. Google Drive

Stores and shares files for collaboration
  • Can restrict access to the link for specific users
  • Direct sharing or creating links for sending manually
  • Mobile application
  • 15GB of free storage space
  • Works across different devices
  • Mediocre viewing capabilities
  • Allows uploading a limited number of docs per day
  • File import and export are a bit sluggish
google drive tool to share pdfs online logo
Google Drive

Verdict: Google Drive is probably the most well-known free cloud storage and file sharing service. Although its main function is to store docs online providing access to them from anywhere, it is also a handy file-sharing solution. A considerable advantage of Google Drive is that it supports sharing PDFs across both mobile and desktop devices.

The procedure itself imposes no difficulties – open your Google Drive, choose a document, and hit Share; provide contact details of the recipients, set up permissions for them (like the ability to edit, comment, and view), and choose Send.

It is great that 15GB of storage is available for free, but if you want more, purchase one of the following subscriptions: 100GB for $1.99/month or $19.99 per year, 200GB costs $2.99/month or $29.99 per year, 2TB of storage for $9.99/month or $99.99 per year.

google drive tool to share pdfs online

5. Microsoft OneDrive

Excellent option for Windows users
  • Multiple collaborative tools
  • Supports digital signatures
  • Excellent integration with other apps
  • File backup and synchronization are absolutely automated
  • Mobile application
  • Very restricted free storage
  • The high price of paid subscriptions
  • Limit on special characters
microsoft onedrive tool to share pdfs online logo
Microsoft OneDrive

Verdict: With OneDrive, you can share a PDF online, as well as other file types effortlessly. Once your docs are uploaded to the platform, you can access them anytime and anywhere. Usually, remote workers use different equipment and workspaces, and OneDrive is your versatile solution for viewing, editing, and sharing files from wherever you do the job right now.

This is also an excellent tool for communicating with colleagues. Besides, by distributing files in real-time, you ensure the efficiency of every team member. Now you do not have to share large attachments with several people – send them a link to the required document and be sure that the file will reach the recipient in any case.

OneDrive provides 5GB of storage for free, which is more than many OneDrive alternatives can offer. If it is not enough, purchase larger packages of 100 GB ($19.99/year), 1 TB ($69.99/year), or 6 TB ($99.99/year).

microsoft onedrive tool to share pdfs online

6. Dropbox

Top-level offline functionality
  • Automatic backups
  • It is available for business and personal
  • Notifications if backups fail
  • Easy restore process
  • Offline functionality
  • Weak functionality
  • Expensive subscription
  • Weak protection
dropbox tool to share pdfs online logo
Dropbox

Verdict: Dropbox is your comprehensive file storage and sharing solution, which is also great for managing tasks and docs. Using it, you can smartly personalize your suggestions. These options save you time when looking for specific files.

To share your files, you won’t need to send them as email attachments. Use the link of the file instead and keep up to date with your team members.

Your document will remain private thanks to 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). Remote device cleaning and two-factor authentication (2FA) are other considerable advantages. By purchasing the version with advanced functionality, you can validate specific devices, measure traffic, and perform analytics, the options that most Dropbox alternatives lack.

Dropbox is available for free, which is enough as long as the size of the stored files does not exceed 2GB. If you need more, select one of its plans: Plus ($9.99/mo), Family ($16.99/mo), Professional ($16.58/mo), Standard ($15/user/mo), and Advanced ($24/user/mo).

dropbox tool to share pdfs online

7. WeTransfer

For processing large files
  • Straightforward operation
  • No registration is needed
  • Users of a free version can transfer 2GB and Pro users – up to 20 GB
  • Allows sharing files via email or file links
  • Notifies you when a file is downloaded
  • The free version generates a public file download link
  • Free users cannot benefit from encryption
  • Password protection option only for paid accounts
wetransfer tool to share pdfs online logo
WeTransfer

Verdict: WeTransfer is widely regarded as one of the best tools to share PDFs online. Use this platform for sending high-resolution pics, PDFs, and other large files even without registration. Besides, it is possible to set up one file folder for direct sharing.

If your files weigh less than 2GB, this photo sharing site will charge you no penny for their transfer.

Straightforward operation is what users like about Wetransfer. First, head to the website and hit "Add your files" or "Select a folder" to select the file for sharing, enter "Email to" and "Your Email", and click "Transfer" if you only need to email to share it or click "..." near to "Transfer" button to change to "Get Transfer Link"

With the Plus version, you can share files up to 20GB. Other options that should be mentioned are channel customization, password protection, and 100 GB of storage. It also ensures the safety of your docs during the transfer. If you need the options described above, get the Plus version for only $12 per month.

wetransfer tool to share pdfs online
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