PDF Redactly vs PDF24
PDF24 offers a genuinely free online redaction tool with no watermarks or registration — credit where it's due. Two differences matter for sensitive documents: the online version processes your file on PDF24's servers, and redaction is manual.
PDF Redactly is also free to start, but it never uploads your file and it auto-detects what to redact. Here's the honest comparison.
Why people switch
PDF24's online redactor uploads your file. PDF Redactly's free tier keeps the file in your browser — nothing is sent to a server.
PDF24 has you draw redaction boxes by hand. PDF Redactly finds names, SSNs, and 30+ categories automatically, then lets you click any word or add custom phrases.
Where PDF24 wins: it's free, ad-supported, and bundles a large set of PDF utilities, including an offline desktop app. If you want a free Swiss-army-knife for PDFs, it's a fine pick. For automatic, never-uploaded redaction, PDF Redactly is the focused tool.
FAQ
Yes, the free tier redacts unlimited PDFs. Unlike PDF24's online tool, your file is never uploaded, and detection is automatic.
The online PDF24 redactor processes your file on its servers. PDF Redactly never uploads the file — redaction happens in your browser.