11 Best PDF Password Protector Tools (2024) [FREE]

Leave a Comment PDF Solutions, Software Reviews April 18, 2024

1. Introduction

1.1 Importance of PDF Password Protector tool

PDF files are commonly used in everyday tasks due to their versatility in the storage and distribution of information. With the growing cyber threats and insecurities on data privacy, it becomes crucial to have PDF password protector tools, particularly when these files contain sensitive information. Password protection not only helps in securing the data but also restricts unauthorized access, thus ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.

1.2 Recover PDF Files

You also need a good tool to recover PDF files when they are damaged. DataNumen PDF Repair is an excellent choice:

1.3 Objectives of this comparison

This document aims to assist in the selection of the ideal PDF password protector tool, based on specific needs and preferences. With an array of tools available on the internet, it can be quite a task to pick one that meets your needs. Hence, the purpose of this comparison is to provide an overview of some of the most popular and efficient PDF Password Protector tools available in the market today. Each software’s pros and cons will be discussed to give the reader a clear understanding and insight into their functionality and reliability, ultimately helping them make an informed selection.

2. Adobe Acrobat Password Protect A PDF

Adobe Acrobat is among the big players in the PDF tool market which offers a feature to password-protect PDF files. This online tool, in particular, allows you to add a password to your PDF files easily. This ensures a higher level of security, enabling you to safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access.

2.1 Pros

Reliability: Being a product from Adobe, it carries the brand’s reliability and trust.
Easy to Use: The process of adding password protection is user-friendly and intuitive.
Additional Security: Besides password protection, it also offers encryption for extra security.
Compatibility: As it’s an online tool, it’s compatible with all operating systems.

2.2 Cons

Online-only: This tool does not offer the ability to password protect PDFs offline.
Subscription-based: After a free trial, this tool is available with Adobe’s paid subscription only.
Internet Speed Dependency: The time taken to upload, process, and download the protected PDF depends on your internet speed.

3. iLovePDF Protect PDF File

iLovePDF Protect PDF File is a part of the suite of tools offered by iLovePDF, a comprehensive platform for managing PDF files. It allows users to safeguard PDF files by setting a password. iLovePDF’s secure SSL connection guarantees that your documents are kept safe and confidential during the password protection process.

3.1 Pros

User-Friendly Interface: The tool features a simple, clean, and intuitive interface that is easy to navigate.
SSL Security: The platform uses secure SSL connections to assure the safety of your documents.
Multilingual Support: It offers support in other languages, a feature that not all PDF tools provide.
Multiple Tools: In addition to password protection, iLovePDF provides a plethora of other PDF tools.

3.2 Cons

Ad-Supported: The free version includes ads, which can be distracting for some users.
Limited Free Version: Some features are not available in the free version and require a premium subscription.
Online-only: This tool does not allow you to password protect PDFs offline.

4. PDFEncrypt

PDFEncrypt is a specialized PDF protection tool offering high-strength encryption to keep your PDF documents safe. It allows users to set a password for their PDF files to restrict unauthorized viewing or usage. In addition to offering password protection, it also grants control over user permissions, preventing people from printing, copying, or editing your PDF file.

4.1 Pros

High-Strength Encryption: PDFEncrypt offers 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryption, ensuring the utmost safety for your documents.
User Permissions: This tool provides enhanced control over what users can do with your PDF, including whether they can print, edit, or copy the content.
Batch Operation: It supports batch operation, allowing multiple PDF files to be protected at once, thus saving time.

4.2 Cons

Old-Fashioned Interface: The user interface looks outdated compared to other modern PDF password protection tools.
No Free Version: There is no free or trial version available; the tool must be purchased for usage.
Complex for Beginners: Some users might find the extensive settings and functionalities a little overwhelming and complex.

5. Smallpdf Password Protect PDF

Smallpdf Password Protect PDF is a service provided by Smallpdf, an extensive online platform for managing PDF files. This tool allows you to protect your PDF files by setting strong passwords. It has a user-friendly interface and uses secure connections to ensure the safety and confidentiality of your data.

5.1 Pros

User-Friendly Interface: The tool is easy to use thanks to its clean, minimalist, and intuitive interface.
Secure Connection: It uses a secure SSL connection that ensures the safety of your PDF files during the process.
Quality Conservation: The tool maintains the same quality of the original PDF file after adding the password.
Cloud Support: It provides drag and drop functionality for files stored in Google Drive and Dropbox.

5.2 Cons

Limited Free Access: The free version is limited, and access to all features requires a premium account.
Slow Processing: With a slow internet connection, the processing time can be longer as the service is online.
Ad-Supported: The free version displays advertisements, which might be distracting.

6. UPDF

UPDF is a dedicated PDF management tool with a feature to password protect PDF files. Developed with a focus on Data Privacy and security, UPDF ensures that your PDF files are well protected from unauthorized access. With its simplified interface and process, it aims to make PDF protection a quick and easy task for its users.

6.1 Pros

Easy to Navigate: As a tool dedicated to PDF management, UPDF has a clean and simple user interface that is very easy to navigate.
Dedicated PDF Tool: UPDF specializes in managing PDFs, offering a broad range of tools, including extracting, merging, splitting, and more apart from password protection.
High Level Security: The tool provides high level security with strong password encryption to protect your important PDF files.

6.2 Cons

Pay to Use: UPDF does not offer a free version. To use the service, users need to purchase the software.
No Multi-Language Support: The software lacks multi-language support, which limits its global user base.
Offline Only: UPDF as a desktop software requires download and installation and does not offer an online service.

7. PDF2Go Protect PDF

PDF2Go Protect PDF is yet another online tool designed for users who wish to securely protect their PDF files with a password. This online platform provides an array of tools to manage PDF files, with password protection being one of them. With its high encryption standard, it ensures that your confidential files remain confidential.

7.1 Pros

Data Privacy: Ensures strong data protection as it does not store the document on servers for longer than necessary.
User-friendly interface: Operational simplicity and ease of use are marks of its well-designed interface.
Comprehensive Features: Besides password protection, PDF2Go provides extensive features like converting, editing and compressing PDFs.
Availability: The feature rich tool is available for free.

7.2 Cons

Slow Processing Time: Depending on your internet connection speed, it can take longer to upload, process and re-download the files.
Ad-Supported: Its free service comes with ads, which may be distracting for some users.
No Offline Mode: The tool can’t be used without an internet connection.

8. Soda Protect PDF

Soda Protect PDF is a service offered by Soda PDF, a comprehensive platform for handling PDF files. With this tool, users can secure their PDF documents by adding a password. With its robust security standards and simple process, Soda Protect PDF ensures both security and convenience.

8.1 Pros

Easy to Use: Features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes password protection an easy task.
High-Level Security: The tool promises a high standard of security by using advanced encryption standards.
Comprehensive PDF Tool: Soda PDF not only offers password protection but also other multiple PDF management tools.
Cloud Compatibility: It allows direct import and export of files from various cloud storage services.

8.2 Cons

Limited Free Version: Many features, including some aspects of password protection, are restricted to the paid version.
Ad-Supported: The presence of ads in the free version can be disruptive.
Requires Registration: Users need to register for an account even to use the free version.

9. PDF Converter Protect PDF

PDF Converter Protect PDF is a tool found on the PDF Converter website, a platform offering diverse solutions for PDF management. This tool purely focuses on password protecting your PDF files. It is designed to be direct and straightforward, allowing users to guard their PDF files with high-level security encryption.

9.1 Pros

Simple Interface: Its minimalist design and simple interface make password protecting a PDF easy.
High-Level Encryption: It uses advanced encryption technology, providing high-level security for your PDFs.
Fast Processing: Due to its simplicity, the processing time for password protecting documents is relatively fast.

9.2 Cons

Online only: There is no option to use the tool offline, making it impossible to work without an internet connection.
Only Password Protection: This tool only offers password protection, unlike other platforms that provide a suite of PDF management tools.
Limited Free Version: While there is a free version, many features are available only in the paid version.

10. Sejda PDF Desktop

Sejda PDF Desktop is a comprehensive PDF management tool that offers a feature to password-protect PDF files. This desktop application is designed to handle various PDF-related tasks, making it an ideal choice for those who want an all-in-one solution for PDF editing, conversion, and protection.

10.1 Pros

Desktop Application: As a desktop application, it allows offline usage, making it suitable for users with limited or no internet access.
Feature-rich: Sejda offers a broad suite of PDF management features, including editing, conversion, and protection, in one application.
User-Friendly Interface: The clean and intuitive interface makes it easy for users to access and utilize all features.

10.2 Cons

Limited Free Version: The free version is limited in terms of the number of tasks, pages, and PDF size that can be handled.
No Multi-Language Support: Sejda PDF Desktop only supports English, which might not cater to users who prefer other languages.
Size Limitation: The size of the PDF file that you can work on is limited. Heavier files require a pro version.

11. A-PDF Password Security

A-PDF Password Security is a desktop software utilized to secure your PDF files with a password. This tool aims to provide a simple and effective way of adding a password, with various features for adjusting permissions and security levels according to the user’s needs.

11.1 Pros

Desktop Application: Allows users to operate offline, making it usable even without internet access.
Customization: Users have control over various settings, like adjusting the security level and changing user permissions.
Batch Operation: Enables the password protection of multiple files simultaneously, saving time and effort.

11.2 Cons

Paid Tool: It is not a free software, and needs to be purchased for end user usage.
Dated User Interface: The interface feels outdated and lacks the modern touch compared to contemporary tools.
No Text Instructions: The lack of proper text instructions or help guide may complicate usage for some users.

12. XenArmor PDF Password Protector Pro

XenArmor PDF Password Protector Pro is an enterprise software solution providing robust password protection for PDF files. Designed for maximum security, this tool uses top-tier encryption methods to guard PDFs. It’s ideal for businesses and professionals who need a secure way to protect sensitive PDF documents.

12.1 Pros

High-Level Security: Uses advanced encryption algorithm for optimal PDF protection.
Enterprise Solution: Ideal for businesses and larger organizations with a higher requirement for data security.
Batch Mode: Supports simultaneous password protection of several PDF files, streamlining the process and saving time.

12.2 Cons

Costly: The pricing for this enterprise solution may be high for individual users or small-scale businesses.
No Free Version: Lacks a free or trial version for users to test its functionality before committing to purchase.
Limited Support: As a professional tool, general user support and guidance may be limited compared to more consumer-friendly tools.

13. Summary

13.1 Overall Comparison Table

Tool	Features	Ease of Use	Price	Customer Support
Adobe Acrobat Password Protect A PDF	Encrypts PDFs and controls permissions	Easy	Subscription required after free trial	Strong, with various online resources
iLovePDF Protect PDF File	Multiple PDF management features	Easy	Free with premium version available	Available, with FAQs and email support
PDFEncrypt	High-strength encryption, batch operation	Intermediate	One-time purchase	Limited online resources
Smallpdf Password Protect PDF	SSL security, quality conservation, cloud support	Easy	Free with premium version available	Online resources and email support
UPDF	Dedicated PDF tool, high-level security	Easy	Paid software	Limited to FAQs page
PDF2Go Protect PDF	SSL security, comprehensive features	Easy	Free	Online resources and email support
Soda Protect PDF	High-level security, cloud compatibility	Easy	Free with premium version available	FAQs, guides and email support
PDF Converter Protect PDF	High-level encryption, simple interface	Easy	Free with premium version available	Limited online resources
Sejda PDF Desktop	Offline usage, feature-rich	Easy	Limited free version with paid options	Email support and online resources
A-PDF Password Security	High-level security, batch operation	Intermediate	Paid software	Limited to FAQs page
XenArmor PDF Password Protector Pro	High-level security, batch mode	Intermediate	Premium pricing for enterprise solution	Limited to FAQs page

13.2 Recommended Tool Based on Various Needs

The recommended tool can differ based on individual requirements. For those seeking a reliable and trusted tool, Adobe Acrobat Password Protect PDF can offer high standards. If one prefers comprehensive PDF management features with security, iLovePDF and Soda Protect PDF serve as good options. On the other hand, PDFEncrypt & Sejda PDF Desktop can cater to users needing batch operations and offline usage. For users that are value-conscious and need a free tool, PDF2Go or PDF Converter Protect PDF might be preferable.

14. Conclusion

14.1 Final Thoughts and Takeaways for Choosing a PDF Password Protector Tool

Selecting the right PDF Password Protector tool ultimately relies on the specific needs of the user. Factors such as the level of security required, the need for additional functionalities, budget, the simplicity of usage, offline or online requirement, and customer support provision can influence the decision-making process. It’s also crucial to consider the level of sensitive information in the PDF files and the potential risk of unauthorized access. Therefore, users must assess the pros and cons of each tool and evaluate their own needs to select the best suitable PDF Password Protector.

Author Introduction:

Vera Chen is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, which provides a wide range of products, including a powerful tool to fix PowerPoint files.