What's the difference between an open password and a permissions password?

They serve different purposes. An open password (also called a user password) is required just to view the PDF at all—without it, the document won't open. A permissions password (also called an owner password) allows the document to be viewed but restricts specific actions like printing, copying text, or editing. You can use both together: require a password to open, then have a separate password that controls whether someone can print or copy from the document.

How secure is PDF password protection?

When using AES-256 encryption with a strong password (12+ characters mixing letters, numbers, and symbols), PDF protection provides robust security suitable for most confidential documents. However, no protection is absolute—given enough time and computing power, any encryption can theoretically be broken. For highly sensitive material, consider whether PDF protection alone meets your security requirements. The encryption itself is industry-standard; the main vulnerability is weak passwords.

Can I remove the protection later if I know the password?

Yes. Use our Unlock PDF tool with your original password to remove protection and create an unrestricted copy. This is useful when you need to edit a document you previously protected or when sharing with someone who needs full access. Keep your passwords secure, as they're required for removal.

Will protected PDFs work on all devices and PDF readers?

Yes. We use standard PDF encryption that's compatible with Adobe Acrobat, Apple Preview, Chrome's built-in PDF viewer, and virtually all other PDF software. Recipients will be prompted for the password regardless of which application they use to open the file.

Protect PDF

How To Protect PDF Online for Free

Upload Your PDF

Drag and drop your document or browse to select it. The tool loads your PDF and prepares it for encryption.

Configure Protection

Set an open password and/or permissions password. Choose which actions to allow or restrict: printing, copying, editing, form filling.

Download Protected PDF

Click protect and download your encrypted document. It's now secured and ready to share safely.

Secure your PDF documents with password protection and encryption before sharing sensitive information. Add an open password that recipients must enter to view the document, set a permissions password to control what they can do with it (printing, copying, editing), or both. Whether you're protecting confidential contracts, financial statements, medical records, or any sensitive documents, our protection tool uses AES encryption to secure your files. The entire encryption process runs locally in your browser using WebAssembly—your sensitive documents and passwords never leave your device, making this the most private way to protect PDFs.

Everything You Need in a Protect PDF

Open password: require

Open password: require a password just to view the PDF

Permissions password: control

Permissions password: control printing, copying, and editing rights

AES-128 or AES-256

AES-128 or AES-256 encryption for industry-standard security

Granular permission control:

Granular permission control: enable/disable each capability separately

Compatible with all

Compatible with all major PDF readers and operating systems

Passwords applied locally—encryption

Passwords applied locally—encryption happens entirely in your browser

Frequently Asked Questions

Document Work Made Easy

Process your PDFs with our collection of free, privacy-first tools. No uploads to servers, no registration required. Everything runs directly in your browser.