PDF24 PDF Creator icon

PDF24 PDF Creator

PDF24 PDF Creator is a free and versatile software that allows users to create PDF files from virtually any printable document, edit existing PDFs, and perform various PDF manipulation tasks.

geek Software GmbH

License

Free

Platforms

Windows

About PDF24 PDF Creator

PDF24 PDF Creator stands out as a powerful yet user-friendly solution for managing all your PDF needs. At its core, it functions as a virtual PDF printer, allowing you to convert any document that can be printed into a high-quality PDF file. This intuitive approach simplifies PDF creation from applications like Word, Excel, web browsers, and more.

Beyond simple PDF creation, PDF24 offers a robust set of tools for editing and manipulating your documents. You can easily merge multiple PDF files into one, split large PDFs into smaller sections, and rearrange, add, or remove individual pages. The software includes a built-in viewer for previewing your documents before saving or editing.

Key capabilities include:
  • Converting various file formats (like images and Word documents) directly to PDF.
  • Performing OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on scanned documents to make text searchable and editable.
  • Adding professional touches like Bates numbering for legal or archival purposes.
  • Customizing PDF properties such as security settings with features like PDF encryption.
  • Utilizing batch conversion for processing multiple files simultaneously, saving significant time.
The software also supports features for annotating PDFs with a drawing board and freehand writing, filling PDF forms, and managing bookmarks for easy navigation. Integration with cloud services like Dropbox streamlines your workflow. PDF24 PDF Creator is not only feature-rich but also completely free for personal and commercial use, making it an accessible and valuable tool for individuals and businesses alike.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Completely free for both personal and commercial use.
  • Offers a wide range of PDF creation, editing, and conversion features.
  • Intuitive virtual printer makes PDF creation easy.
  • Includes advanced features like OCR and Bates numbering.
  • Works offline, ensuring privacy and availability.

Cons

  • User interface is functional but could be more modern.
  • OCR accuracy can vary depending on document quality.

What Makes PDF24 PDF Creator Stand Out

Completely Free

PDF24 PDF Creator is free for both personal and commercial use, offering powerful features without any cost.

Feature-Rich Offline Functionality

Many core PDF manipulation features are available without an internet connection, ensuring productivity anytime.

Virtual PDF Printer

Simplifies PDF creation from any application that can print, integrating seamlessly into existing workflows.

Features & Capabilities

28 features

Expert Review

PDF24 PDF Creator: A Comprehensive Review

PDF24 PDF Creator is a robust and remarkably free application designed to address a wide array of PDF creation and manipulation needs. It distinguishes itself through its intuitive virtual printer interface and a comprehensive suite of editing tools, making it a valuable asset for both casual users and professionals who frequently handle PDF documents. Installation is straightforward and quick, presenting the user with the primary PDF24 Creator interface. The core functionality, the virtual PDF printer, is automatically configured during installation. This allows users to 'print' documents from virtually any software application directly to the PDF24 Creator, where it can then be saved as a PDF. Beyond basic PDF creation, the software excels in its editing capabilities. The main application window, also known as the Editor, provides a visual representation of the pages within a PDF file. Users can easily drag and drop pages to reorder them, delete unwanted pages, or insert new pages from other documents. The ability to merge multiple PDF files by simply dragging them into the Editor window and then saving the combined document is exceptionally convenient. Splitting PDF files is equally simple. Users can select specific pages to extract into a new PDF or automatically split a document after a certain number of pages. This is particularly useful for managing large reports or extracting individual chapters from a book. PDF24 also incorporates advanced features that are often found only in premium PDF software. The OCR functionality is a significant advantage, enabling users to convert scanned documents or images with text into searchable and selectable text within a PDF. While the accuracy of OCR can vary depending on the quality of the source material, its inclusion in a free tool is commendable. Another powerful feature is Bates numbering, essential for legal, medical, and business documentation that requires sequential page identification. The software allows for customizable numbering formats and prefixes. The built-in viewer is functional and provides a clear preview of documents. While it may not boast the advanced annotation tools of some premium viewers, it is perfectly adequate for reviewing documents before saving or further editing. The customization options within PDF24 are extensive. Users can define default saving locations, set compression levels for images, configure fonts, and even set security parameters like password protection and permissions (preventing printing, copying, or modifying). The integration with Dropbox is a welcome addition for users who rely on cloud storage. Batch conversion is another highlight. This feature allows users to convert multiple files of different formats to PDF simultaneously, saving significant time compared to processing each file individually. Similarly, various conversion tasks, such as converting PDF to image or text, can be performed efficiently. While PDF24 PDF Creator is undoubtedly feature-rich, there are a few minor considerations. The user interface, while functional, might appear slightly dated compared to some modern applications. However, its layout is logical and easy to navigate after a short period of use. The software functions primarily offline, which is a major advantage for users concerned about privacy or working in environments without constant internet access. This also means that processing is dependent on local system resources. In summary, PDF24 PDF Creator provides a comprehensive and reliable solution for a wide range of PDF tasks. Its combination of free availability, a powerful virtual printer, and a robust set of editing and conversion tools makes it an exceptional value. It successfully covers the needs of creating, editing, converting, and securing PDF documents without the cost associated with many commercial alternatives. For anyone seeking a free and capable PDF utility for Windows, PDF24 PDF Creator is a highly recommended option.

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