PDF24 Tools
100% free document utility suite and PDF editor by geek software GmbH.
100% Free for both personal and commercial use under geek software GmbH.
What is PDF24 Tools and the PDF24 Creator?
PDF24 is a comprehensive, completely free collection of document utilities developed by Berlin-based geek software GmbH. Available as both a browser-based web suite (PDF24 Tools at tools.pdf24.org) and a native Windows desktop application (PDF24 Creator), it provides over 30 specialized document utilities. Key capabilities include electronic PDF signing, visual redaction for confidential information, metadata sanitization, customizable compression, page reorganization, format conversion, and multi-language OCR—all without subscriptions or paywalls.
How to Sign and Remove Signatures with Tools PDF24 & P24 PDF Editor
How to Sign a PDF Using PDF24 Sign PDF Tool (Tools PDF24)
Navigate to tools.pdf24.org (toolpdf24) and select "Sign PDF". Upload your PDF document. Click "Add Signature" and choose your preferred method: 1) Draw your signature with mouse/touchpad, 2) Upload a scanned signature image (PNG/JPG with transparent background), 3) Capture your written signature via your webcam/camera, or 4) Type your name and select a stylized font. Drag the signature to your desired position, resize as needed, and click "Save PDF" to download your signed document.
How to Remove a Visual Signature Using PDF24 Redact (P24 PDF Editor)
To erase an existing drawn, typed, or stamped signature from a PDF, open the "Redact PDF" tool in PDF24 (pdf24 redact). Upload your signed file and navigate to the page with the signature. Click the "Add shape" icon and select a rectangle. Draw the rectangle over the signature mark. Set the shape fill color to White (to seamlessly blend with white page background) or Black (for formal redaction). Click "Save PDF". PDF24 redact permanently burns the shape into the page raster image, making the signature completely unrecoverable and ensuring the document is safe.
How to Remove Signer Metadata & History
If you want to sanitize author information, revision history, or signing timestamps, open the "Remove PDF metadata" tool in PDF24. Upload the document, click "Remove metadata", and download the sanitized file. This strips internal XMP metadata and document info dictionaries.
How to Flatten or Print to PDF24 to Clear Interactive Fields
If a PDF contains interactive signature form fields or annotations that you want to flatten into static non-editable pages, open the document in PDF24 Creator desktop or use the web Print-to-PDF / Flatten feature. Re-rendering the pages as a fresh PDF strips active digital form fields while retaining the visual layout.
- When removing a signature on a pure white document, set the Redact shape fill to #FFFFFF (white) with no border so the redaction is invisible to the reader.
- Always keep an original copy of your unsigned document in case you need to re-sign or modify the source terms later.
- Note that modifying or redacting a digitally certified PDF (with cryptographic X.509 certificates) will invalidate the certificate validation checksum in Adobe Acrobat, warning viewers that the document was altered after signing.
Key Features of PDF24 Tools & Creator
PDF24 delivers an all-in-one ecosystem for document editing, e-signing, redaction, security, and conversion.
Sign PDF (Electronic Signatures)
Create and place visual electronic signatures using mouse drawing, transparent PNG uploads, live camera capture, or customizable handwritten-style typography fonts.
Redact PDF (Signature & Content Removal)
Permanently remove visual signatures, confidential names, bank account details, and private data. Redactions are rasterized into the page structure to prevent text selection or layer extraction.
Remove PDF Metadata
Strips document title, author names, creation/modification dates, software credits, and embedded signing timestamps to guarantee full document anonymity.
Granular PDF Compression
Adjust DPI resolution (e.g. 72, 144, 300 DPI) and JPEG quality percentages (1% to 100%) to achieve exact target file size reductions without compromising legibility.
Merge & Split PDF Pages
Drag-and-drop page organizer to combine multiple files, extract custom page ranges (e.g., 1-4, 7, 9-12), rotate orientations, and delete unwanted pages.
Multi-Language OCR Engine
Converts scanned paper documents and image-only PDFs into selectable, searchable, and copyable text supporting dozens of international languages.
PDF24 Creator (Offline Desktop Suite)
Free Windows desktop software offering 100% offline document processing, batch conversion, and a virtual PDF printer driver for maximum data sovereignty.
PDF24 Settings & Configuration Guide
How to configure PDF24 signing, redaction, and optimization tools for optimal results and security:
Sign PDF Configuration
Choose between "Draw" (touch/pen/mouse), "Upload Image" (scanned signature), "Camera" (photo of paper signature), or "Type" (text with calligraphy styles).
Allows free-form dragging, proportional scaling, and page-specific placement across single or multiple pages.
Redaction & Signature Removal Settings
Controls the color of the redaction block placed over the signature or text.
PDF24 converts redacted pages into flattened raster images upon saving to ensure underlying text and vectors cannot be recovered through PDF inspection tools.
Compression & Optimization Parameters
Downsamples embedded images to target dots-per-inch (e.g., 72 DPI for web/email, 150 DPI for office printing, 300 DPI for archival).
Controls lossy compression quality level for embedded photos and scanned pages.
Top PDF24 Alternatives for Signing & Editing PDFs
Depending on whether you need advanced legally certified PKI signatures, cloud team collaboration, or AI analysis, consider these alternatives:
Polished PDF suite featuring legally binding eSign workflows, digital signature tracking with audit trails, and built-in AI document summarization.
Extremely popular online PDF toolkit with rapid batch processing, electronic signatures, and mobile scanning apps.
The global standard for PDF creation, cryptographic X.509 digital certificate signatures, certified document locking, and formal sanitization tools.
A completely free desktop and mobile PDF editor with built-in AI chatbot, form filling, electronic signature stamping, and conversion tools without watermarks.
Direct inline PDF text and form editor that allows editing existing text, adding signatures, whiteout erasing, and creating fillable forms with a free daily limit.
PDF24 vs. Other PDF Tools: Feature & Signature Comparison
How PDF24 compares against Adobe Acrobat Pro, Smallpdf, and iLovePDF across signature capabilities, privacy, and pricing:
| Feature / Metric | PDF24 Tools | Adobe Acrobat Pro | Smallpdf | iLovePDF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & Usage Limits | 100% Free (Unlimited) | Paid Subscription ($19.99/mo) | Freemium (2 tasks/day free) | Freemium (Daily task limits) |
| Electronic Signing (SES) | Yes (Draw, Upload, Type, Camera) | Yes (Full Acrobat Sign) | Yes (eSign with audit trail) | Yes (Sign tool) |
| Visual Signature Removal / Redact | Yes (Permanent Redact tool) | Yes (Redaction & Sanitize) | Basic drawing overlay | Basic edit overlay |
| Cryptographic PKI Signatures | Basic digital certificate via Desktop | Full X.509 / QES compliance | Digital certificate in Pro | Digital certificate in Pro |
| Offline Desktop Application | Yes (100% Free PDF24 Creator) | Yes (Acrobat Desktop) | Yes (Pro subscription) | Yes (Desktop app) |
| Account Registration | Not required | Required | Not required for basic | Not required for basic |
| Privacy & Server Retention | Auto-deleted after 1 hour (GDPR) | Adobe Cloud storage | Auto-deleted after 1 hour | Auto-deleted after 2 hours |
In-Depth Guide: Signing PDFs, Removing Signatures & Document Security
Electronic Signatures (SES) vs. Cryptographic Digital Signatures (PKI)
It is vital to understand the difference between an electronic signature and a cryptographic digital signature. An Electronic Signature (Simple Electronic Signature or SES) is a visual representation of your consent—such as a handwritten signature drawn with a mouse, a scanned signature image, or a stylized typed name pasted onto the PDF. A Digital Signature (PKI), by contrast, embeds an encrypted cryptographic certificate (X.509 standard) that binds the signer's verified identity to the exact binary hash of the document. If any character, image, or byte of a digitally signed document is altered after signing, the digital signature automatically invalidates and flags the document as tampered.
How to Remove Signatures from a PDF Safely
To remove a signature from a PDF document, identify whether it is a visual signature or a certified digital signature: 1) For Visual Signatures (drawn marks, image stamps): Use PDF24's "Redact PDF" tool. Draw a white rectangle over the signature to permanently erase it from the visual and structural layers of the document. 2) For Interactive Signature Fields: If the document is an uncompleted form template, use PDF24 Creator or Sejda to clear the form field. 3) For Cryptographically Signed PDFs: You cannot cleanly "remove" a digital signature without the original unsigned source file or without breaking the signature validation chain.
Why Proper PDF Redaction is Crucial (Redaction vs. Whiteout)
A common and dangerous security mistake is placing a white rectangle annotation or drawing over confidential text in basic PDF viewers. In standard annotations, the original sensitive text or vector signature still exists in the underlying PDF stream and can be easily copied or revealed by selecting the text or inspecting the PDF DOM. True redaction (as performed by PDF24 Redact) rasterizes and permanently deletes the underlying pixels and text strings, ensuring the removed signature or data can never be recovered.
How to Flatten a PDF to Lock Content and Strip Interactive Fields
Flattening a PDF combines all interactive form fields, electronic signatures, annotations, and layer elements into a single static background layer. This prevents future readers from altering form values or tampering with signatures. In PDF24 Creator, you can flatten a document by opening it and choosing "Print to PDF24" or saving it with flattened annotations.
Frequently Asked Questions: PDF24 Tools
Direct answers regarding safety, usage, limits, and technical details.
Yes, PDF24 is safe. PDF24 operates under strict GDPR regulations. Files uploaded to the web tools at tools.pdf24.org are processed on dedicated German servers over 256-bit TLS connections and are automatically deleted after 60 minutes. For complete offline privacy, geek software GmbH also provides the free PDF24 Creator desktop app for Windows, which processes files 100% locally on your computer with zero internet uploads.
Technical Specifications
Editorial Assessment
- Completely free with zero artificial limitations, file caps, or credit card requirements
- Strict GDPR-compliant privacy standards with automatic server deletion after 1 hour
- Includes both permanent visual redaction (for removing signatures) and electronic signing
- Full-featured offline desktop edition available for sensitive legal and corporate environments
- No registration, login, or software activation required
- Web interface is utilitarian and focused on functionality rather than animations
- Web-based signature removal rasterizes the redacted page to prevent recovery
- Cannot remove cryptographic PKI certificate signatures without invalidating document checksums