PDF forms can save you time, reduce data entry errors and simplify your work by allowing you to create fillable PDF forms. Adobe Acrobat Pro is the industry standard, but it’s expensive. Fortunately, there are a few awesome options that let you make free or relatively inexpensive PDF forms that can be filled.
If you want to make PDF forms—without spending any money on expensive software—see these options here.
1. Jotform
- Best For: Quick, online fillable forms
- Features: Jotform lets you create forms you build yourself, or convert an existing PDF into a fillable form.
- How It Works: Upload your document and Jotform will auto detect fillable fields, then generate an online form for download or sharing. In addition to that
- library of templates, it also has a rich library for templates for different sorts of form types.
- Pros: Lots of templates, no download needed
- Cons: No customization for advanced users.
2. UPDF
- Best For: Basic free features by desktop solution
- Features: With this downloadable software, you can create the fillable PDFs on the PC and you can simply add the fields where the users can enter the data.
- Pricing: There is a free version without a watermark, for $40 per year or $70 one time payment to remove the watermark.
- How It Works: Download UPDF to your computer and you can begin to fillable fields to existing PDFs or make new forms.
- Pros: Can work offline plus no recurring fees with lifetime licence.
- Cons: Watermark on PDFs (Free version)
3. GoFormz
- Best For: No installation needed and customizable forms
- Features: The Benefits of GoFormz includes an easy to use web based tool that converts PDFs to fillable forms whereby you have a 14 day free trial.
- Pricing: After the free trial it becomes a subscription
- How It Works: Upload your PDF, and then create fillable fields in GoFormz’s editor, customize layouts or use one of the templates.
- Pros: No installation required, highly customizable
- Cons: Paid subscription after trial is required
4. pdfFiller
- Best For: Solid, feature-rich PDF editing, the redundancy of which is wonderful to see.
- Features: For example pdfFiller gives you a lot of tools like adding fields, modifying text and editing PDFs. This one is also the least expensive variety here.
- Pricing: a free trial, €8 per month
- How It Works: You can upload and edit PDF forms with pdfFiller, which you can then share via email, or download in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Pros: Supports multiple output formats, budget friendly.
- Cons: There is a limited trial period before payment is required.
Which Tool Is Right for You?
Jotform and the free version of UPDF are great for those who don’t need more than basic, no cost solutions and want to see what fillable PDFs are all about. If you want advanced features or don’t mind paying for them, Goformz and pdfFiller both provide lots of customisation, and form management capabilities.
Now you can create fillable PDFs with these tools, and it doesn’t have to be as expensive as you’d think. Just try one and see which one suits you the best!