Redact PDF, free, no upload

Redact a PDF free: draw boxes over names, numbers or signatures and they are removed from the file, not just covered.

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You have used your 3 free conversions.

Pick how to keep going. Whatever you choose, your files stay on your device.

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The Filo app

No credits, no daily limit, no Filo mark. Scan with your camera, and many tools work offline.

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4.8 rating · 100K+ downloads

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Drop PDF files anywhere on this pagebrowse, or paste with ⌘V · one file

No sign-up · Small Filo mark on free files

Your file stays on your device
Works in any current browser
No sign-up, no email
4.8 rating · 100K+ downloads

Redact PDF: how it works

You need to share a bank statement, a contract or an ID, but not the account number, the address or the signature on it. A black rectangle drawn in most editors only sits on top, and the text underneath can still be copied out.

Step 1: Open the PDF
Select the document that holds the details you want to hide.
Step 2: Draw over what to hide
Drag a box over each name, number, photo or signature, on any page.
Step 3: Download
Save a new PDF where the boxed areas are solid black and the hidden content is gone from the file.

Filo vs iLovePDF and Smallpdf

Full comparisons →

Free plans of Filo, iLovePDF and Smallpdf compared
	Filo	iLovePDF	Smallpdf
Where your file goes	Stays in your browser, not uploaded	Processed on its servers, deleted within two hours	Uploaded to its servers, deleted after one hour
Free use without an account	Yes, 3 free conversions in total	Yes, with limited processing	Yes, usage limits may apply
Phone app	Free for life, with no daily limit	Free download with limited daily tasks · Premium for more	Free within a daily task limit · Pro for more
Paid plan	Optional on the web · the app is free for life	Premium from US$4 a month, billed yearly, or US$7 monthly	Pro subscription with a 7-day free trial

Based on each service's public free plan, checked November 2026.

Sources

iLovePDF security: Files processed on the platform are automatically and permanently deleted within two hours of being processed.
iLovePDF pricing: Free plan: limited document processing and limited batch processing. Premium: US$4 a month billed annually (US$47 a year) or US$7 billed monthly.
iLovePDF terms: Free Account as an unregistered user; Premium only as a registered user.
iLovePDF on the App Store: Free with in-app purchases (Premium monthly and yearly); the developer states free users get limited daily tasks in the app.
Smallpdf Compress PDF: Files are deleted automatically after one hour; try it for free with no sign-up; usage limits may apply; iOS and Android apps.
Smallpdf on the App Store: Free with in-app purchases; free within a daily task limit; Smallpdf Pro subscription with a free 7-day trial.

Redact PDF, answered

All FAQs →

Is the hidden text really removed, or only covered?

Removed. Every page you redact is rebuilt as an image with the black boxes painted in, so the text, numbers and pictures under them are no longer in the file and can't be copied, searched or recovered.

What happens to the pages I don't redact?

They are copied unchanged, so their text stays selectable and searchable. Only pages with a box become images, which means their text can no longer be selected.

Is my PDF uploaded?

No. Redaction happens in your browser, so the document stays on your device and no account is needed.

Do I need the app to use this tool?

This tool works entirely in your browser. Your file is not uploaded, and no account is needed. On the web you get 3 free conversions; the Filo app is free for life, with no daily limit.

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