In this post, Ill show you the best free PDF annotation tools that let you highlight, add notes, draw, and work with others on PDF files-without paying a cent.
Whether youre a student, teacher, designer, or office worker, these apps pack helpful features for fast editing and clear reviewing. Read on to see which free pick fits your routine and powers up your productivity.
Key Points & Best Free Pdf Annotation Tools List
| Tool Name | Key Points |
|---|---|
| ruttl | Visual feedback tool for websites and PDFs; ideal for design collaboration. |
| PDF-XChange Editor | Feature-rich PDF editor with OCR, annotations, and form filling capabilities. |
| Foxit Reader | Lightweight PDF viewer with annotation and cloud integration support. |
| Annotate | Simple tool for marking up PDFs or images; often used in classrooms. |
| Okular | Open-source document viewer for Linux; supports annotation and many formats. |
| Sejda | Web-based PDF editor for merging, splitting, editing, and signing documents. |
| Xodo | Free, cross-platform PDF reader and annotator with real-time collaboration. |
| Pastel | Feedback tool for websites; lets teams leave comments on live web pages. |
| Lumin PDF Editor | Cloud-based PDF editor with e-signing and collaboration features. |
9 Best Free Pdf Annotation Tools
1.ruttl
ruttl is a web-first tool that lets teams give visual feedback directly on websites and PDF files. Users can mark up PDF pages right in a browser, so they never have to download extra programs.
Designed for designers, developers, and project squads, ruttl pushes comments, highlights, and version notes in real time, keeping discussions neat.
Its free plan covers core features, making it a solid pick for groups that need to review PDFs together without breaking the budget.
With drag-and-drop ease and quick-sharing links, ruttl shines among free PDF tools by putting clear, design-driven workflow front and center.
| Feature |
|---|
| Visual feedback on PDFs and websites |
| Real-time collaboration |
| Commenting and annotation tools |
| Version history tracking |
| Easy link sharing for reviews |
| No software installation required |
2.PDF-XChange Editor
PDF-XChange Editor is often praised as one of the best free PDF annotation tools out there. Even in the no-cost version, you get a full toolbox: highlight text, add sticky comments, draw shapes, or type right on the page with the typewriter tool.
The layout feels powerful without being cluttered, so both occasional users and busy professionals can find their way around. A real gem is the built-in OCR; it turns scanned pages into editable, searchable text with just a click.
The program is also light on system resources and opens large files in a snap, so you dont have to wait. For anyone who needs serious annotation power without a subscription, PDF-XChange Editor remains a reliable choice.
| Feature |
|---|
| Highlight, underline, strikeout |
| Sticky notes and text boxes |
| Built-in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) |
| Form filling and signing |
| Lightweight and fast performance |
| Supports plugins and advanced editing |
3.Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is a well-loved free PDF tool that stands out because it loads quickly and doesnt slow down your computer. With the program you can highlight, underline, strike through, add text boxes, drop stamps, or sketch freehand.
Team members can circle, flag, and chat about pages at the same time, so remote review feels almost in-person. Its ribbon-style menu is clear and even lets you rearrange buttons, letting rookies and power users find tools fast.
You can link the program to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, so files open and save directly to the cloud with no detours. All these traits make Foxit Reader a go-to app for anyone who needs solid PDF markup without spending a dollar.
| Feature |
|---|
| Text markup tools (highlight, underline, etc.) |
| Commenting and notes |
| Form filling |
| Cloud integration (Drive, Dropbox) |
| Lightweight and fast |
| Ribbon-style, customizable UI |
4.Annotate
Annotate is a simple, free web tool that lets teachers and workers mark up PDFs in a hurry. Users can highlight text, add sticky comments, draw arrows, and drop notes right on the page. Because it runs in a browser, no installation is needed and files open on almost any phone, tablet, or laptop.
The clean, uncluttered interface keeps the focus on those core tasks, making learning curves almost vanish. That is why Annotate fits neatly in classrooms, remote sessions, or fast document checks. For anyone who wants easy, dependable PDF markup, it remains a handy, low-stress go-to.
| Feature |
|---|
| Simple text and shape annotation |
| Drawing tools for freehand markup |
| No installation needed (web-based) |
| Easy-to-use for educators and students |
| Works on PDFs and images |
| Focus on real-time feedback |
5.Okular
Okular is a handy, free PDF mark-up program made by the KDE team, and you can run it on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Beyond PDF, it opens EPUB, DjVu, and other formats without trouble. In its toolbox you get highlights, underlines, sticky notes, quick sketches, and rubber-stamp seals.
You can also read, tweak, or even delete notes someone else left. Though the installer is small, the features keep students, researchers, and office workers happy.
Its menus and toolbars are easy to rearrange, and KDE apps talk to it smoothly. If you want a cross-platform annotator that wont cost a dime, put Okular at the top of your list.
| Feature |
|---|
| Highlighting and underlining |
| Pop-up notes and inline comments |
| Freehand drawing and stamping |
| Supports multiple file formats (PDF, EPUB, DjVu) |
| Open-source and cross-platform |
| Customizable and lightweight |
6.Sejda
Sejda is a handy online PDF tool that lets you mark up files directly in your browser, so you dont have to install anything. When you need to work fast with a team, you can highlight text, drop comments, doodle shapes, paste images, and even sign papers in minutes.
Because the layout is so clean and simple, beginners and seasoned pros alike find it easy to jump in. Beyond notes, Sejda handles merging, splitting, shrinking, and converting PDFs, so one site covers nearly every task.
The free plan still opens huge daily quotas, which is just right if you only edit files on occasion. In short, Sejda gives you a quick and powerful way to annotate and organize PDFs from any web device.
| Feature |
|---|
| Highlight, underline, add text |
| Drawing tools and shapes |
| E-signature support |
| Web-based and no sign-up required |
| PDF splitting, merging, converting |
| Daily usage limits (free version) |
7.Xodo
Xodo is widely praised as a top free PDF annotator, offering a full package of tools on the web plus Android, iOS, and Windows apps. With it, you can highlight, underline, strike through words, drop sticky notes, draw freehand, or pop in text boxes as needed.
What really sets Xodo apart is its live collaboration; several people can mark up the same file at once, making group projects easy.
The program also links straight to Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, so opening, saving, and sharing cloud files feels effortless.
Thanks to its tidy layout, quick load times, and sturdy features, Xodo suits students, workers, and teams who need dependable PDF notes.
| Feature |
|---|
| Real-time collaboration |
| Highlight, underline, strikethrough |
| Sticky notes and freehand drawing |
| Cross-platform (Web, iOS, Android, Windows) |
| Cloud integration (Google Drive, Dropbox) |
| Fast, modern user interface |
8.Pastel
Pastel started as an easy-on-the-eyes tool for leaving quick notes on web pages and design mock-ups, but it now lets you scribble on PDF pages too. Users click right on images or text, so teams of designers, art directors, and clients can see exactly what needs to change.
Because it runs in any browser, you never have to download an app-simply send a link and everyone jumps into the same checklist.
It doesnt pack every document tool under the sun, yet Pastel shines at gathering picture-driven feedback and keeping chat tied to each screen. For groups that crave lightning-fast visual review, the free service keeps things simple, friendly, and surprisingly powerful.
| Feature |
|---|
| Visual comments on PDFs and websites |
| Link sharing for feedback |
| No account required for reviewers |
| Organized comments by element |
| Ideal for design and marketing teams |
| Web-based and user-friendly |
9.Lumin PDF Editor
Lumin PDF Editor is an online tool that lets you mark up documents right in your web browser without installing anything. You can spotlight text, drop sticky comments, draw shapes, or scribble freehand directly on any PDF.
Because it hooks up smoothly with Google Drive and Dropbox, opening and saving files takes only a click. Team members see changes as they happen, so group reviews feel almost like standing around the same table.
The free plan packs all the basics, making it handy for students, teachers, and anyone who reads a lot of reports. With a clear layout and files that sync across devices, Lumin remains a go-to app when PDFs need fast, friendly notes.
| Feature |
|---|
| Highlighting and annotation tools |
| Real-time collaboration |
| Cloud storage integration |
| E-signature functionality |
| Works in browser; no installation |
| Syncs with Google Drive and Dropbox |
Conclusion
To wrap things up, the top free PDF annotation tools pack plenty of features that match almost any task-from simple notes to live teamwork.
If youre after a light program, try Foxit Reader or Sejda; for shared editing, turn to Xodo, Lumin, or ruttl, and you should find just what you need. All of them boost your workflow and tidy up comments without asking for a single dollar.
