Protect PDF with Password - Secure Your Documents
Protect PDFs in your browser—add a secure password without Adobe
or Drag & drop files here
Supported formats: .pdf, application/pdf
Password Protect PDF Online Free - Encrypt PDF with 256-bit AES
Add password protection to your PDF files with military-grade 256-bit AES encryption. Set user passwords to restrict who can open the file and owner passwords to control printing, copying, and editing permissions. Our browser-based tool encrypts files locally on your device—your passwords and documents never leave your computer.
256-bit AES Encryption • User & Owner Passwords • 100% Browser-Based
How to Password Protect a PDF
Secure your PDF documents in 4 simple steps
Upload your PDF file by dragging and dropping or clicking to browse
Supports multiple PDF files up to 100MB each. Process up to 20 files in one batch.
Set a user password (required to open) and optionally an owner password
User password restricts opening the file. Owner password restricts what users can do with it.
Configure permissions: printing, copying, editing, form filling
Disable printing, prevent copy/paste, block editing, or restrict form filling individually.
Click 'Protect PDF' and download your encrypted document
Encryption happens entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. We never see your password.
Why Choose PDFyogi PDF Protection Tool?
The most secure way to password protect PDFs online
Military-Grade 256-bit AES Encryption
We use the same encryption standard trusted by governments and financial institutions. 256-bit AES is virtually unbreakable with current technology—it would take billions of years to crack.
100% Browser-Based Privacy
Your PDF files and passwords never leave your device. All encryption happens locally in your browser using WebAssembly. We literally cannot access your documents or passwords.
Dual Password Protection
Set a user password to restrict who can open the file and a separate owner password to control permissions. Different passwords for different levels of access.
Granular Permission Controls
Control exactly what users can do: allow or block printing (full quality or low resolution), content copying, document editing, form filling, annotations, and page assembly.
Batch Protection
Protect multiple PDFs with the same password and permissions in one operation. Perfect for securing entire folders of sensitive documents efficiently.
Completely Free Forever
No file size limits, no daily usage restrictions, no registration required. Protect unlimited PDFs with the strongest encryption available—no premium tier needed.
PDF Password Protection Use Cases
Common scenarios where PDF encryption protects your interests
Confidential Business Documents
Protect contracts, financial reports, strategic plans, and internal memos from unauthorized access. Ensure only intended recipients can open the files.
Example: Secure a merger agreement before sending to legal counsel
Client Deliverables
Send protected proposals, quotes, and reports to clients. Prevent forwarding to competitors while allowing the client to view and print.
Example: Protect a pricing proposal from being shared with competitors
Medical and Legal Records
Protect sensitive personal information in medical reports, legal documents, and case files. Meet compliance requirements for document security.
Example: Encrypt patient records before sharing with specialists
Intellectual Property Protection
Prevent copying and editing of creative work, research papers, and proprietary documentation. Block text selection to discourage plagiarism.
Example: Protect a research manuscript from unauthorized copying
Educational Materials
Distribute course materials, exams, and answer keys securely. Allow viewing but prevent copying or printing to maintain academic integrity.
Example: Share exam papers with printing disabled
Personal Document Security
Protect personal documents like tax returns, ID copies, and financial statements stored in cloud services or shared drives.
Example: Encrypt tax documents before uploading to cloud storage
Password Protect PDF on Any Platform
Step-by-step guides for every device and operating system
Password Protect PDF on Windows
Works in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge on Windows 10/11. No Adobe Acrobat subscription required.
- Open PDFyogi in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge
- Upload your PDF file
- Enter your password and set permissions
- Download your encrypted PDF
Password Protect PDF on Mac
Best experience in Safari or Chrome on macOS. More options than Preview's built-in encryption.
- Open PDFyogi in Safari or Chrome
- Select your PDF from Finder
- Configure password and permission settings
- Export protected PDF to your preferred location
Password Protect PDF on Linux
Works on all Linux distributions with Firefox or Chrome. No command-line tools needed.
- Open PDFyogi in Firefox or Chrome
- Upload PDF from your file manager
- Set passwords and permissions
- Download the encrypted file
Password Protect PDF on iPhone & iPad
Full functionality in Safari on iOS 14+. Protect PDFs from Files app, iCloud, or email attachments.
- Open PDFyogi in Safari on your iPhone/iPad
- Tap to select PDF from Files app
- Enter password and configure permissions
- Save protected PDF to Files app or share
Password Protect PDF on Android
Works in Chrome on Android devices. Access PDFs from Downloads, Drive, or file manager.
- Open PDFyogi in Chrome on Android
- Select your PDF file
- Set your password and permissions
- Download or share the protected PDF
PDFyogi vs Other PDF Protection Tools
See how we compare to popular PDF encryption solutions
| Feature | PDFyogi | Adobe Acrobat | Smallpdf | iLovePDF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $14.99/mo | Free* | Free* |
| Privacy (No Upload) | ✓ Full | ✓ Desktop app | ✗ Server upload | ✗ Server upload |
| Encryption Strength | 256-bit AES | 256-bit AES | 128-bit | 128-bit |
| User Password | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Owner Password | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Permission Controls | ✓ Full control | ✓ Full control | ○ Limited | ○ Limited |
| Batch Protection | ✓ Up to 20 files | ✓ Unlimited | ○ 2 files/day | ○ Limited |
| Works Offline | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Registration Required | No | Yes | No | No |
PDFyogi offers the strongest encryption (256-bit AES) with complete privacy—your files never leave your device. Unlike server-based tools, we support both user and owner passwords with full permission controls, all for free.
Advanced PDF Protection Tips
Expert techniques for securing your PDF documents
Use Different User and Owner Passwords
Always set different passwords for user and owner access. If they're the same, anyone who can open the file also has full permissions. Different passwords provide layered security.
Choose Strong Passwords
Use at least 12 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Avoid dictionary words and personal information. A password manager can generate and store strong passwords.
Consider Your Permission Needs
Think about what recipients actually need to do. Allow printing if they need hard copies. Enable form filling for contracts requiring signatures. Block copying only if necessary.
Keep Accessibility Enabled
Leave 'Allow Accessibility' enabled unless you have specific security reasons to disable it. Screen readers need this permission to help visually impaired users access your content.
Use 256-bit AES Encryption
Always choose 256-bit AES for maximum security. 128-bit is still secure but 256-bit provides a larger safety margin. Only use 40-bit for compatibility with very old PDF readers.
Store Original Files Separately
Keep an unprotected backup of your original files in a secure location. If you forget the password, there's no way to recover a strongly encrypted PDF.
Technical Specifications
Detailed technical information about our PDF protection tool
Frequently Asked Questions About PDF Password Protection
Use PDFyogi's free online PDF protection tool. Upload your PDF, enter a password, configure permissions (printing, copying, editing), and download your encrypted file. No registration, no payment, no limits—and your file never leaves your device.
Troubleshooting PDF Password Protection
Common issues and how to fix them