Protect PDF free
Lock a PDF with a password so only people you share it with can open it.
- 100% freeNo sign-up, no watermark
- PrivateFiles never leave your device
- FastRuns instantly in your browser
- Any deviceMac, Windows, iPhone, Android
How to protect pdf online
Three steps, no learning curve.
- 1
Add your PDF.
- 2
Type a password twice.
- 3
Click Protect PDF and download the encrypted file.
Why use this Protect PDF tool
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Opens in every PDF reader
- Password never sent anywhere
- Free, no sign-up
Strong, standard encryption
Your PDF is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest standard PDF encryption. Anyone opening it needs the password — in Preview, Adobe Reader, Chrome and every other reader.
Keep the password safe
There's no way to recover a forgotten password. Share it separately from the file, for example by text message.
Get ilovepdfmac for Mac
The ilovepdfmac app keeps sensitive documents completely offline on your Mac. Plus Word, Excel and PowerPoint to PDF, a full PDF editor and real compression — all offline.
Protect PDF FAQ
Still stuck? Email shubhranshukhatua@gmail.com
How strong is the protection?+
It uses 256-bit AES encryption. A long, unique password makes it practically impossible to open without the password.
Can I remove the password later?+
Yes — use Unlock PDF with the same password.
Is my password stored?+
No. It's used in your browser to encrypt the file and then forgotten.
Is this tool really free?+
Yes. No sign-up, no watermark, no daily limits. It's free because it runs on your own device.
Are my files uploaded to a server?+
No. Your files are processed entirely inside your browser and never leave your device. You can even disconnect from the internet after the page loads.
Is it safe for confidential documents?+
Yes. Because nothing is uploaded, contracts, bank statements, IDs and medical records stay on your device. There's no server copy that could be stored, shared or leaked.
Do I need to create an account or install anything?+
No. Open the page and use the tool — no account, no email, no extension and no download.
How large can my files be?+
There's no fixed limit. Because the work happens on your device, the practical limit is your browser's memory — files of a few hundred MB usually work fine on a laptop. Very large files are faster in the Mac app.
Which browsers are supported?+
Any modern browser: Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox, Brave and Opera, on Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, iPad and Android.
Will my file have a watermark?+
No. Your result is exactly what you made — no watermark, no added pages and no branding.
Is there a desktop app?+
Yes — ilovepdfmac for Mac does all of this and much more (Word, Excel and PowerPoint to PDF, a full PDF editor, real compression) offline, for a one-time $9.99.