Working with PDFs doesn’t have to be a headache. Whether you’re merging pages, rotating them, or just trying to annotate a document, there’s a tool for that. But with so many out there, it’s tough to know who to trust. Reddit, known for its honest user reviews and tech-savvy communities, has spoken.
TL;DR
If you’re looking for the best open-source PDF tools, Reddit loves these five: PDF Arranger, PDFsam, Okular, Master PDF Editor (free version), and PDF-XChange Editor (free, not fully open-source). These tools are reliable, work on multiple platforms, and get frequent updates. They’re easy to use—even for beginners. Grab one and start editing like a pro!
1. PDF Arranger – Small But Mighty
PDF Arranger is a lightweight tool with a clean interface. It’s great for rearranging, merging, and splitting PDFs. Reddit’s Linux and open-source communities often bring it up when users ask for something simple that just works.
- Open-source 🌱
- Drag and drop interface
- Merge multiple PDFs in seconds
- Rotate, crop, and delete pages easily
- Runs on Windows and Linux
PDF Arranger doesn’t try to do too much. That’s the charm. It focuses on making PDF page management quick and painless. Plus, it’s lightweight and doesn’t slow your system down.
2. PDFsam Basic – Slice and Dice with Style
PDF Split and Merge (or PDFsam) often comes up in threads where people need advanced file combining or slicing techniques.
- 100% open-source 🧠
- Split by pages, bookmarks, or by size
- Merge and reorder PDFs
- Cross-platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
- Professional-looking interface
PDFsam is popular in professional and educational settings. Many Redditors recommend it for batch operations or when dealing with large files. It’s user-friendly and well maintained too.
There’s also a PDFsam Enhanced version with more features, but the Basic version is open-source and free forever.
3. Okular – The Power Reader
Developed by KDE, Okular is a document viewer with a serious fanbase on Linux and even Windows. Reddit users love how feature-rich it is while still being open-source.
- Supports notes, highlights, and underlines ✏️
- Great for reading and annotating
- Handles PDFs, EPUBs, CHMs and more
- Fast and responsive interface
- Trusted by KDE and Linux users for years
If you take lots of notes or want to highlight sections in study material or legal docs, Okular is your best friend. It blends the smoothness of a reader with the versatility of a basic editor.
4. Master PDF Editor (Free Version) – For Everyday Editing
This one isn’t fully open-source (only parts of it are), but Reddit users still swear by the free edition for light editing tasks.
- Edit text and images in a PDF
- Fill and create interactive forms
- Add stamps, notes, and annotations
- Works on Linux, Windows, and macOS
- No need to upload documents to the cloud 🔒
Be sure to download it from the official site to avoid the commercial version pop-ups.
Even though it’s not 100% open-source, the free tool is powerful, and many Redditors treat it as their daily driver. It’s especially helpful for anyone needing editable forms or deeper PDF customization.
5. PDF-XChange Editor (Free Version) – Honorable Mention
Okay, it’s not open-source, but it still makes the list.
Many Reddit users include PDF-XChange Editor in discussions for one reason: it’s incredibly good—even in its free version. It’s not FOSS (Free and Open-Source Software), but users mention it so often that it deserves its spot.
- Edit, annotate, and OCR scanned documents
- Fast, with tons of features available free
- Clear UI with ribbon-style menu
- Windows only
- Trusted by businesses and schools
If you’re okay with using non-FOSS software that still respects your privacy, this one is worth testing out. Many Redditors say it offers unmatched value without needing payment unless using pro tools.
So… What Should You Use?
If you want a tool to just shuffle pages or merge two files, go with PDF Arranger.
Handling large PDFs or batch edits? PDFsam Basic rocks for that.
Need to mark up your reading material like a boss? Try Okular.
If you edit text or forms directly inside a PDF, Master PDF Editor Free works wonders.
And if you’re okay with closed-source tools, PDF-XChange Editor Free offers the most bells and whistles.
Reddit’s Hot Takes
Reddit is full of unfiltered feedback and real-world use cases. That makes it the best place to find tools that are actually helpful—not just marketing fluff.
Some fun quotes from Redditors:
“PDFsam saves me hours at work every week. Total beast.” – u/WorkGoblin
“Okular is the secret weapon for anyone in school!” – u/NoteNinja
“I didn’t even know PDF Arranger existed till someone here mentioned it. Never going back!” – u/LinuxFox
Conclusion
Open-source PDF tools are everywhere, but not all of them pass the Reddit test. These five tools have been battle-tested by thousands of users who value freedom, community, and long-term use.
Whether you’re editing a resume or slicing a 400-page report into manageable bites, there’s a perfect tool on this list for you. Go try one out today—you just might never look back.
Happy PDF-ing!
