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By Jenefey Aaron

Updated on 2025-11-07

100 % Helpful

PDF Buddy: Complete Review, Features, and Best Alternatives

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By Jenefey Aaron

2025-11-07 / Knowledge

PDF Buddy is a popular online PDF editor that lets you add, remove, or modify text and images right from your browser. Many people choose it for quick edits without downloading any software.

However, web-based tools often face limitations in security, file size, and advanced editing features. That’s why users searching for a more powerful and stable experience are turning to alternatives like Tenorshare PDNob, which offers smarter tools and better control over your documents.

Part 1: PDF Buddy Features and Capabilities

PDF Buddy is made for quick and simple PDF edits right in your browser. From editing text to filling out forms, PDF Buddy keeps everything easy, accessible, and beginner-friendly.

pdf buddy

PDF Buddy Features

  • Easy Editing: Edit text, add images, fill forms, highlight, or whiteout unwanted content. All tasks are performed online with a simple interface.
  • Works on Any Device: PDF Buddy runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chromebook. A web browser is all you need.
  • Safe and Secure: The platform uses SSL and AES-256 bit encryption to protect your files during upload and editing.
  • Saves Time: No more printing and scanning to update a PDF. You can sign, edit, and download documents instantly.
  • Free Basic Usage: Users can edit up to three PDF files per month for free, with paid upgrades for unlimited access.
  • Environment Friendly: Editing digitally helps reduce paper waste and encourages a green workflow.

Additional PDF Management Tools

Along with basic editing, PDF Buddy also offers:

  • Merge PDF: Combine several documents into one file
  • Split PDF: Extract selected pages or divide files
  • Compress PDF: Reduce file size for better sharing
  • Rotate PDF: Correct page orientation
  • Add Borders: Prepare files with clear page boundaries

Part 2: PDF Buddy Safety and Security

Is PDF Buddy safe to use?

PDF Buddy is generally considered a safe online PDF editor. It uses industry-standard encryption to protect uploaded files and keeps user data secure during transfers. This makes it suitable for basic PDF edits, especially when you need a quick solution without installing software.

Data Privacy and Encryption

PDF Buddy applies the following security measures:

  • SSL encryption for all file transfers
  • AES-256 bit encryption for stored files
  • Secure servers hosted in the United States through Amazon Web Services
  • Automatic deletion of files that are not linked to a registered account
  • Limited access to uploaded content, only by platform administrators

PDF Buddy claims that it does not sell personal data to third-party companies. Basic personal details like email addresses are stored only to manage user accounts and prevent duplicate sign-ups.

What Users Should Know Before Uploading Files

Like many free online PDF tools, there are certain risks:

  • File uploads are stored temporarily on a remote server
  • Sensitive or confidential documents are not recommended for upload
  • Accounts and stored pdf may remain accessible until manually deleted
  • Hyperlinks and fillable form fields may stop working after editing

Trust and Reviews

Based on online feedback from multiple review sources, PDF Buddy has an estimated score of 3.8/5 stars. Users praise its simplicity and accessibility but mention limitations in editing accuracy and advanced features.

PDF Buddy is credible for everyday PDF tasks, yet professionals handling confidential paperwork often look for stronger offline alternatives.

pdf buddy review
is pdf buddy safe

Part 3: PDF Buddy User Experience and Performance

Using PDF Buddy online is straightforward, especially for people who want to make quick changes without installing software. Everything runs in the browser, so your speed depends a lot on your internet connection and device performance.

Performance and Speed

Uploading normal-sized documents is usually fast, and editing simple elements like text, borders, or signatures happens smoothly. But when you upload large pdf or files loaded with images, the platform may take longer to respond. Heavy documents can cause delays while loading or saving edits, which affects productivity.

User Interface and Ease of Use

The dashboard is clean and designed for beginners. Anyone can jump in without tutorials. Drag-and-drop upload, easy tool placement, and a simple workflow make editing quick. You can access your files anytime after a PDF Buddy login, which helps when working across multiple devices.

Navigation is clear, and users can learn the features in minutes, making the editing journey stress-free.

Main Limitations

While convenient, PDF Buddy online comes with some restrictions:

  • Free users can only edit up to three pdf per month
  • File size is limited to 20MB maximum
  • No offline access the tool requires constant internet connectivity
  • Hyperlinks and form fields may lose interactivity after editing
  • Lacks advanced functions like OCR, batch editing, and format conversion

Part 4: PDF Buddy Pricing and Free Options

Free vs Premium Plan Comparison

swiper icon Please swipe to view
Plan
Price
PDF Limits
Storage
Who It’s For
Free
$0/month
Edit up to 3 pdf per month
1 GB
Light users who need occasional edits
Pro
$7.99/month
Unlimited pdf
25 GB
Regular users or professionals needing frequent edits

You can also earn extra edits on the free plan by sharing PDF Buddy on social media.

Pay-as-you-go credit packs are also available: 5 pdf for $5.99, 15 for $12.99, 30 for $19.99, and 50 for $29.99.

Part 5: My Experience with PDF Buddy

Here is my honest PDF Buddy review after trying the platform for everyday document tasks. PDF Buddy is very simple to start with: open the browser, upload the file, and start editing. No installations and no complicated menus. It really works well for quick fixes like filling forms, adding text, and placing signatures. The workflow is clean, and everything is easy to understand, making PDF Buddy online a good pick for casual editing.

Performance is mostly smooth for small and medium files. Larger PDF take more time to upload and save, but nothing too frustrating. Security features like SSL and encryption are also reassuring when handling important documents.

However, PDF Buddy does have limits. Only 3 free edits per month can feel restrictive, especially for students or office users dealing with pdf regularly. It also lacks advanced features like OCR, batch editing, or teamwork tools. So, it’s not ideal for heavy professional use.

Pros

  • Simple and clean interface
  • No software installation required
  • Secure online editing with encryption
  • Good speed for smaller PDF files
  • Great for form filling and signatures

Cons

  • Limited free usage only 3 edited pdf per month.
  • No offline version requires continuous internet connection.
  • Performance slows with large PDF files or images.
  • Some formatting may shift when editing complex layouts.
  • Upload and download wait times can disrupt workflow.
  • Better value options exist when paying for premium PDF editing tools.

Limitations for Advanced PDF Tasks

  • No OCR Support: It cannot recognize or convert scanned PDF text into editable text.
  • No Batch Processing: You must edit pdf one by one, which slows down workflow for large document sets.
  • Limited Editing Tools: No advanced formatting, page reordering features are basic, and multimedia editing is missing.
  • Performance Drops on Large Files: Uploading and saving big pdf takes more time and can disrupt productivity.

These limitations mean PDF Buddy is best for light edits and not ideal for professional users who need deeper control over their documents.

Part 6: Best PDF Buddy Alternative Free Download for PC

Many use PDF Buddy online for quick edits, but advanced tasks like OCR, batch processing, or secure editing require a desktop editor for better performance. One of the best options is Tenorshare PDNob . Tenorshare PDNob is designed for users who need more than basic PDF editing.

Unlike browser-based tools like PDF Buddy online, PDNob runs directly on your PC. It delivers faster performance, offline access, and complete control over your documents. It combines editing, converting, organizing, signing, and securing PDF all in one platform.

Why Tenorshare PDNob is Better

  • Offline editing for enhanced privacy
  • OCR support to edit scanned pdf and images
  • Fast merging, splitting, cropping, and page management
  • Add passwords, permissions, and security to prevent unauthorized edits.
  • Fill forms, add digital signatures, highlight content, or insert shapes and comments
  • Convert pdf to Word, Excel, PPT, or images
  • Simple, clean layout makes it easy to navigate even for first-time users.

How to Use Tenorshare PDNob

  • Visit the official site and download PDNob PDF Editor for PC. Install and open it on your computer.
  • On the main interface, click Open PDF and select the document you want to work on.
  • open pdf file via pdnob pdf editor
  • Choose Your Action: Click Edit to modify text, images, or layout.
  • edit pdf with pdnob pdf editor
  • Click Convert to change the PDF into Word, Excel, or another format.Go to Pages to merge, split, crop, rotate, or rearrange pages easily.
  • When finished, click Save to keep your changes permanently.

Final Verdict

PDF Buddy is easy to use and works well for small, quick PDF edits online. It’s good if you only need to edit a few files now and then. But it has limits no OCR, no batch editing, and it requires an internet connection.

For more advanced editing, faster performance, and offline use, Tenorshare PDNob is the better choice. You can edit text, images, merge pages, use OCR, and convert pdf easily. If you want a stronger, more complete PDF tool, switching from PDF Buddy to Tenorshare PDNob is the smart move.

The END

About PDNob

I am PDNob.
Swift editing, efficiency first.
Make every second yours: Tackle any PDF task with ease.
As Leonardo da Vinci said, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." That's why we built PDNob.

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