Password-Protect Your PDF Online,
Free & Secure
Protect your PDF with AES password encryption in seconds. Set access restrictions for opening, printing, copying, and editing without installing software.
Select a PDF file
tap anywhere here to choose from your device
Up to 100 MB free — 200 MB with a free account, 1 GB with Pro · Accepted: .pdf
By uploading a file, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.
How to protect a PDF in 3 simple steps
No software to install. Protect PDFs from any device or browser.
Upload your PDF
Click ‘Choose Files’ or drag and drop your PDF, including contracts, reports, and personal documents. Your file is uploaded over an encrypted connection for secure processing.
Set password & permissions
Create a strong password with live strength feedback, choose the encryption level, and set permissions for printing, copying, or editing your PDF.
Download the protected PDF
Click “Protect PDF” to apply your password and selected security settings. Download the protected PDF once processing is complete and share the secured file with your intended recipients.
Everything you need to protect a PDF with more control
Secure your PDFs with industry-standard encryption and granular permission controls, with fast processing and free online access.
Choose AES Encryption
Apply the AES encryption level for your PDF with 256-bit and 128-bit options. Set your preferred key length before applying protection.
Set an Open Password
Set a password for opening your PDF. Require the correct password before users can access the protected document.
Set Granular Permissions
Set individual permissions for printing, copying, editing, form filling, annotations, and page assembly. Allow or restrict each action when protecting your PDF.
Check Password Strength
Get real-time feedback on your password strength while typing. Check the password before applying it to your protected PDF.
Keep Original PDF quality
Add encryption without altering the PDF pages. Retain the document's original text, images, fonts, formatting, and visual appearance.
View Protected PDFs in Major Readers
Keep protected PDFs accessible through Adobe Acrobat, Preview, Chrome, Edge, and other compatible PDF readers. The secured file stays in the standard PDF format.
Choose the right plan
Protect PDFs without an account, get higher limits with a free account. Or unlock unlimited and higher use with Pro.
What PDF Awesome Users Say Worldwide
Discover user experiences and feedback about PDF Awesome on Trustpilot.
Excellent product I was surprised when I saw that I can make changes,edit on my PDF files easily within seconds and free highly recommend
Narek Antabyan
AM · September 8, 2026
This tool is really awesome as its name. Thank you I'm excited.
Drawde
AM · June 6, 2025
The best tool
Argishti Aleksanyan
AM · June 6, 2025
Common Questions About PDF Protection
Find answers to frequently asked questions about protecting PDFs with passwords online.
Is protecting a PDF really free?
Yes. Protecting a PDF is completely free with no watermarks and no account required. No-account users get 5 tasks per day with files up to 100 MB per task. Free accounts allow 10 tasks per day with files up to 200 MB per task. Pro users can process unlimited tasks with files up to 1 GB per task and priority processing. If your PDF exceeds the applicable limit, you can compress it. Then edit the protected copy if needed.
How to protect a PDF with a password?
Upload your PDF. And set a password required to open the document. Choose your preferred encryption level and set permissions for printing, copying, editing, forms, annotations, or page assembly. Click “Protect PDF” to apply the security settings and download your protected file.
How strong is the encryption?
Your PDF is secured with AES encryption built into the PDF standard. PDF Awesome provides two encryption options, 256-bit and 128-bit, when protecting your document. You can select the encryption level according to the security requirements of your PDF.
Can I restrict actions on my protected PDF?
Yes. Beyond the open password, you can allow or restrict printing, copying text, editing content, filling forms, adding annotations, and page assembly. Each permission is available as a separate setting, so you can configure the actions allowed on the protected PDF.
Does protection change how my PDF looks?
No. Password protection secures the PDF without changing its existing content or layout. Your text, images, fonts, and formatting stay intact. The protected file maintains the same page layout and visual appearance after encryption. To work with its text separately, you can use extract text.
What if I forget the password?
The password cannot be recovered after you protect the PDF. Strong encryption means there is no backdoor for retrieving a forgotten password. To access the document again, use unlock with the correct password when available. Store your password in a password manager before applying protection.
Can I protect multiple PDF files at once?
Yes. You can add multiple PDF files to a single protection task, subject to your plan's file limit. No-account users can protect up to 2 files per task, free account users up to 5, and Pro users up to 50.
Can I protect a PDF on my phone or tablet?
Yes. PDF Awesome works in mobile browsers. So you can protect your PDF without installing an app. Upload your file, choose the password and permissions, then download the protected PDF.
Will a protected PDF work in other PDF readers?
Yes. The protected file remains a standard PDF. And it can be opened using major readers such as Adobe Acrobat, Preview, Chrome, and Edge. The correct open password is required when password-based access is enabled.
Does protecting a PDF change my original file?
No. The protection process creates a new secured version without modifying the original PDF on your device. The new copy includes the password and permission settings you selected.
Related tools
More ways to work with your PDF files.
Protect your PDF — free, no account needed
Encrypt your document and set permissions right away at no cost. Need larger files? Pro raises the limit to 1 GB per task.