Are you looking for a secure way to edit sensitive information out of your business or personal documents? A dedicated PDF tool is the best way to go.
Browse our team's guide to redaction software to find the one that best suits your needs.
Megon Venter
B2B SaaS Content Writer
Megon is a B2B SaaS Content Writer with 7 years of experience in content strategy and execution. Her expertise lies in the creation of document management tutorials and product comparisons.
Comparative Table of Redaction Software
Find the best redaction software for your needs by using our comprehensive table below:
Software
|
Key Redaction Features
|
Platform
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
PDF Reader Pro
|
Advanced redaction, secure removal of sensitive content
|
Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
|
- Easy-to-use interface
- Once-off subscription option which allows access to advanced features beyond single use for redaction
- Professional redaction result
|
- Cost involved, but once-off subscription is available
|
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
|
Full redaction (text, images, hidden data), OCR support
|
Windows, macOS
|
- Bulk redaction is possible
- Professional and secure redaction result
|
- Expensive subscription simply for redaction
- Complicated tool interface
|
PDF-XChange Editor
|
Redact text, images, annotations, OCR support
|
Windows
|
- Very simple to use
- Free redaction tool
|
- Limited redaction capability in free version
- Unattractive interface
|
Nitro PDF Pro
|
Secure redaction of text, images, hidden information
|
Windows, macOS
|
- Affordable subscription tiers
- High-quality redaction in white and black
|
- Not worth the cost for solely using redaction tool
|
Foxit PDF Editor
|
Full redaction (text, images, metadata)
|
Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile
|
- Affordable subscription tiers
- Professional redaction result that is secure
|
- Complex interface for new users
- Expensive if users are only using redaction tool
|
Sejda PDF Editor
|
Redact text, images, annotations (basic)
|
Web-based, Windows, macOS
|
- Simple to use interface
- Web-based, so no download needed
|
- Limited redaction in free version
|
Smallpdf
|
Basic redaction features
|
Web-based
|
- Simple, browser-based, no installation needed
|
- Limited features in free version
|
ComPDF Kit Web Demo
|
Redact text, images, metadata securely
|
Web-based
|
- An example of how to use the tool is given
- Can search and redact
- Web tools are free and need no subscription
|
- Bulk redaction is more tricky
|
iLovePDF
|
Basic redaction, text replacement, annotations
|
Web-based
|
- Simple to use interface
- Free redaction tool
|
- No advanced redaction capabilities
- Unattractive interface
|
PDF Studio
|
Redact text, images, metadata securely
|
Windows, macOS, Linux
|
- One-time payment, allowing access to more features (if only downloading for redaction)
|
- Dated user interface
- Cost not necessarily worth associated features
|
1. PDF Reader Pro
PDF Reader Pro offers advanced redaction tools that allow users to redact text, images, and metadata securely.
It ensures that sensitive information is fully removed from the document, and it supports both individual and bulk redactions.

Key Features:
- Advanced redaction tools to securely remove sensitive content.
- Easy to use with a user-friendly interface.
- Cross-platform availability (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android).
Pricing
Standard |
Advanced |
Permanent |
$79.99 / user per annum |
$99.99 / user per annum |
$119.99 (once off) |
How to Use the Redaction Feature:
Step 1: Open Your PDF
Click “Open File” or drag into Home

Step 2: Click “Redact”
Select the text you want to hide and save.

Download a 7-day free trial of the latest version of PDF Reader Pro for Windows, Mac, iOS or Android here:
Get Started with PDF Reader Pro Today!
2. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a professional-grade PDF tool that provides powerful redaction capabilities, allowing users to permanently remove text, images, and hidden data such as metadata.

Key Features:
- Powerful redaction tools.
- Option to permanently remove sensitive data.
Pricing
Individual |
Business |
$28 / user per month |
$27.25 / user per month |
3. PDF-XChange Editor
PDF-XChange Editor offers essential redaction features, such as the ability to redact text, images, and annotations from a document.

Key Features:
- Redact text, images, and annotations.
- Easy to use interface.
Pricing
1 Year Maintenance |
3 Year Maintenance |
$62 |
$81 |
4. Nitro PDF Pro
The software ensures that the redacted content is completely removed, making it unrecoverable.

Key Features:
- Securely redact sensitive content.
- Easy to apply redactions and remove hidden information.
Pricing
Free Trial |
Standard |
Pro |
$0 (until expiry) |
$20 / user per month |
$300 (once-off) |
5. Foxit PDF Editor
Foxit PDF Editor supports advanced redaction tools like pattern-based search to find and redact sensitive terms across the document.

Key Features:
- Full redaction capabilities for text, images, and hidden metadata.
- Supports secure file sharing and collaboration.
Pricing
PDF Editor |
PDF Editor+ |
$13 / user per month |
$16 / user per month |
6. Sejda PDF Editor
Sejda PDF Editor provides a simple yet effective redaction tool, allowing users to redact text, images, and annotations.

Key Features:
- Easy redaction tool for text and images.
- Supports text replacement and annotation.
Pricing
Web Week Pass |
Web Monthly |
Desktop + Web |
$8.50 monthly |
$10.50 monthly |
$74 per year |
7. Smallpdf
Smallpdf offers a straightforward tool for basic redactions, including text and image removal. It’s a web-based solution.

Key Features:
- User-friendly PDF redaction tools.
- Web-based platform that is easy to access from any browser.
Pricing
Free |
Pro |
$0 |
$13 / user per month |
While ComPDF Kit has a desktop application designed for development use, it also includes online tools for redaction that are free to use.

Key Features:
- Redact text, images, and metadata securely.
- No need to download a desktop tool.
Pricing
Online Tools |
Advanced Plan |
Free |
$799 / annum |
9. iLovePDF
iLovePDF is easy to use and web-based, but it doesn’t offer advanced features for professional redaction. It’s ideal for users who need quick, basic redactions.

Key Features:
- Basic redaction features.
- Ability to redact text, add annotations, and edit PDFs.
Pricing
Basic |
Premium |
Free |
$7 / user per month |
10. PDF Studio
PDF Studio allows users to securely redact text, images, and metadata from a PDF file. It provides a simple yet effective redaction tool to ensure that sensitive information is removed.

Key Features:
- Redact text, images, and metadata securely.
- Create, annotate, and edit PDFs with ease.
Pricing
Lifetime (1 User) |
Lifetime (2-24 Users) |
$149 once-off |
$129 once-off |
Check in to our blog every week for new blogs about the latest PDF software and editing tools for your personal and business documents.