PDFescape review covering the free online PDF editor and form filler, Premium and Ultimate pricing, features, pros, cons, and alternatives.
PDFescape is a browser-based PDF editor established in Montreal, Canada, by developers Roger Politis and Bruno Vanryb under the company CTdeveloping, LLC. It has offered a genuinely free online tier for basic editing and form filling since its early years, later being acquired in 2021 by Avanquest, the software division of the publicly traded French group Claranova.
Unlike many competitors that limit their free tier to a short trial, PDFescape's free online editor remains permanently free with usage limits, while Premium and Ultimate subscriptions unlock higher limits and a full desktop application.
The free online editor lets users edit PDF text and images, fill and design PDF forms, and annotate documents entirely within a web browser without installing any software.
The paid desktop app, available with Premium and Ultimate plans, adds advanced tools including PDF creation from over 300 file types, merging, compression, encryption, redaction, and e-signatures, along with unlimited file history on Ultimate.
PDFescape's free tier allows files up to 10 MB and 100 pages, stores up to 10 files, and retains 7 days of file history, with no watermark added to prints or downloads.
Premium is priced at around $3 per month and raises limits to 40 MB files, 100 stored files, and 30 days of history, while Ultimate at around $6 per month adds unlimited history and the full desktop application with advanced editing tools.
Yes, the online editor has a genuinely free tier for basic editing and form filling, though with file size and storage limits.
PDFescape is owned by Avanquest, the software division of the publicly traded French group Claranova, which acquired it in March 2021.
Premium removes ads and raises free-tier limits; Ultimate adds unlimited file history and a full desktop app with advanced tools.
No, the free tier runs entirely in your web browser; a desktop app is available with Premium and Ultimate.
Files up to 10MB and 100 pages, a maximum of 10 stored files, and 7 days of file history.
Yes, e-signature tools are available, primarily in the paid desktop app.
Premium starts at around $3 per month; Ultimate is around $6 per month.
PDFescape has operated for many years and is now backed by the publicly traded Claranova group, though users should review its privacy policy before uploading sensitive documents.