Top 10 PDF Redaction Software Online & Offline

Melissa Lee updated on Apr 17, 2024 to PDF Editor Tutorials

When it comes to PDF redaction software, looking for the best one is what you are doing now. Here you will see the best 10 PDF editors that help users redact sensitive information easily. If you want to get a suitable one, keep reading this post.

We often need to redact some sensitive information in a PDF file but doing this task without any PDF redaction software is impossible. PDF redaction software enables you to modify PDF files without redoing everything from scratch.

In addition to that, some of those programs also offer users the functions of editing PDF with other methods. You can modify the PDF contents, add blank PDF pages, or even remove the watermark from PDF using those versatile tools.

Here we are introducing you to the top 10 PDF redaction software from which you can choose any one of them according to your requirements.

1. EaseUS PDF Editor

Compatibility: Windows

When you need to do some tasks related to PDF, EaseUS PDF Editor is the best software that provides you with various features you want. Its OCR feature makes it straightforward to edit the PDF content. And you can easily add or delete the text in the PDF files with simple clicks. When you need to redact the words in PDF to black them out, this software is also available.

Besides that, you can compress PDF to reduce its size, protect PDF with a password, and even remove restrictions from PDF. The interface of this software is easy to understand and so easy to use. You can find the tool you need quickly and edit your PDF documents without losing the quality. Let's have a look at its other features.

Features:

If you want to get an intuitive PDF redaction software to edit the files effortlessly, don't hesitate to click on this button and download it now.

How to Redact a PDF

This post is for users who want to learn the method of redacting the PDF step-by-step. If you want to learn to do that, click this post to check it.

2. Objective REDACT

Compatibility: Windows, Mac

Objective Redact is a great redaction software, especially when it comes to being user-friendly. This software would let you redact your document in various file formats such as Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. It edits those documents easily and quickly.

Before you begin redacting, you can scan images or files using this software's OCR function. Moreover, this software allows you to watch the whole process of redaction in real-time. This redaction software is compatible with both Windows and Mac.

Pros:

  • Highly user-friendly software
  • PDF redaction with OCR technology
  • Redact PDF, Word, Excel, and Outlook documents
  • Watch the redaction process in real-time

Cons:

  • Password removal is not possible
  • OCR scanned test does not work

3. Nitro Pro

Compatibility: Windows only

Nitro Pro 10 is an all-in-one redaction software. It is highly acclaimed for delivering quality work and having an easy-to-use interface.

Besides concealing confidential information, you can also set the redaction code in this software. Yes, this software allows you to customize redaction codes using redaction mark properties. The "Searching for Redaction" feature can be used in searching for texts or keywords, and you can navigate to specific potions in no time. 

Pros:

  • Hide specific text or graphics with colorful triangles
  • Set the redaction code and customize it with redaction mark properties
  • Remove any metadata with the metadata tool
  • Add a digital signature to the PDF file

Cons:

  • The desktop version of this software is not compatible with Mac
  • OCR scanning sometimes changes the text fonts

4. Foxit PhantomPDF

Compatibility: Windows only

Foxit Phantom PDF is a fantastic redaction software capable of multiple business advanced security and editing functions. It offers two features. You can conceal sensitive or confidential information with the mark for redaction, i.e., rectangular figures. Also, this feature would allow you to redact highlighted text or images.

With this PDF redaction software, you can include unique identifiers into PDF documents stored in the cloud to support connected PDFs. Moreover, you can scan PDF files with the OCR function before beginning to redact.

Pros:

  • Conceal sensitive information with rectangles
  • Redact highlighted texts or graphics
  • Support connected PDF and merge multiple PDF files into one document
  • Scan text or graphics with OCR

Cons:

  • Sometimes fail in editing image-heavy PDF files

5. Adobe Acrobat Pro

Compatibility: Mac OS X and Windows

Do you want a PDF redaction tool that enables you to create, sign, share, and redact PDF files? Adobe Acrobat Pro is what you need. With this software, you can conceal sensitive information in a PDF file by blacking it out. 

This software also offers a "Search for Redaction" option to search for single or multiple words/phrases/patterns. Moreover, this tool enables you to access all files synced from any device. It also has some other features like removing metadata, modifying redaction code, and so on.

Pros:

  • Conceal sensitive information with colorful figures
  • Create a PDF file from scratch
  • Modify the redaction code, font color, or custom area
  • Remove watermark from PDF

Cons:

  • A bit expensive
  • Work slowly when dealing with image-heavy PDF files

6. PDFzorro

Compatibility: Web Browser

PDFzorro.com is a free online website-based PDF redaction tool that enables you to redact PDF documents in an easy and fast way. Moreover, this software allows you to add a digital signature to the PDF file. Besides the signature, you can also fill forms, annotate, highlight, or white-out texts.

Your PDF files are secure with it. Once you are done editing the file, you can delete it from the cloud. After deletion, the PDF file cannot be retrieved, keeping your information secure.

Pros:

  • Free online website-based PDF redaction software
  • Conceal or remove specific information from the PDF file
  • Annotate the PDFs with lines and other elements
  • Convert files from or to PDF

Cons:

  • Adding a digital signature is not possible
  • The deleted PDF file cannot be retrieved

7. Pdffiller

Compatibility: Windows and Mac

PDFfiller.com is another impressive online redaction tool for PDF documents. Having this tool, you can edit, organize, share, annotate, or transform texts or images of a PDF file.

Moreover, it lets you add your digital signature for copyright or other purposes. Besides the signature, you can set a password to the document to avoid any unwanted access. This software is not limited to PDF file formats, and converting from or to PDF is available.

Pros:

  • Edit, organize, share, or annotate PDF
  • Add your digital signature
  • Convert to or from PDF file format
  • Set password to the document

Cons:

  • Lack of choice of fonts
  • Some features are too advanced to use

8. Expert PDF Editor

Compatibility: Mac only

Expert PDF Editor is an open-source redaction software with a user-friendly interface. Yes, its interface displays in a graphical manner enabling users to understand it easily. Having this software, you can edit features of a PDF file by adding watermarks, images, signs, or forms to the file.

Furthermore, this program lets you re-size, crop, or rotate pages of PDF documents. Besides altering page sizes, you can also set a password to the document to ensure security. Also, it has an integrated OCR system to redact scanned texts or images in a PDF file.

Pros:

  • Graphical interface for a user-friendly experience
  • Re-size, crop, or rotate PDF file pages
  • Set a password to ensure security

Cons:

  • Interface colors look outdated
  • Some tools are difficult to understand at first sight

9. PDFBuddy

Compatibility: Windows

PDF Buddy is acclaimed to be one of the most potent PDF redaction tools and editing software. With this redaction software, you can hide any private or confidential information from the file.

If you want to share any PDF file, this software will allow you to create shareable links that let the recipient fill the forms quickly. Editing PDF text, images, graphics, or pages with this software is also a matter of no hassle.

Pros:

  • Hide any private or confidential information
  • Edit PDF text, images, graphics, or pages
  • Combine many files into PDF and even split one PDF file into many

Cons:

  • Some of the shortcuts do not work
  • To use all features of the license, you need to log in as a user

10. PDF Studio Pro

Compatibility: Windows, Mac, and Linux

PDF Studio Pro is a redaction software with an easy-to-use interface, all the features you can need for a PDF file. First up, it can redact any text, image, graphic, shape, or table in a PDF file. The redaction specifically includes editing, organizing, transforming, or altering a PDF document.

Moreover, you can set a password to a PDF file if you wish to prevent unwanted reading. You can crop, rotate, or re-size text, images, or pages in a file with this software.

Pros:

  • An easy-to-use interface
  • Redact any text, image, graphic, shape, or table in a PDF file
  • Add bookmarks, signs, or shapes
  • Annotate PDFs

Cons:

  • Inconsistent boot-time
  • Different color schemes

The Bottom Line

Editing a PDF file is a need of all time. To fulfill this need, all the best PDF redaction software is presented to you. Specifically, EaseUS PDF Editor contains the potential to allow a user to edit PDFs without much technical knowledge. From PDF editing to PDF securing, various PDF tools are available in this software. So, download it and make your life easier.