UnsealPDF compared with other ways to remove a PDF password
All of these need the password. None of them recovers a forgotten one. For one file on a computer you control, a free built-in method is often enough, and we say so. UnsealPDF is for the cases where you would rather not do it by hand: several files, a phone or tablet, or when you want proof the result matches the original.
| Method | Cost | Files at once | Where the file goes | Checks the result against the original |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome or Edge (open, Print, Save as PDF) | Free | One at a time | Stays on your device | No. It re-prints the document, so bookmarks, form fields and text structure can change. |
| Mac Preview (Export, untick Encrypt) | Free, Mac only | One at a time | Stays on your device | No |
| Adobe Acrobat (remove security) | Paid Acrobat plan | One at a time, or batch with Acrobat Pro tools | Stays on your device | No |
| qpdf (free open-source command line) | Free | Scriptable | Stays on your device | No. You run it and check it yourself. |
| UnsealPDF | $1.99 for 1 PDF, $4.99 for up to 5, $7.99 for up to 10. The check is free. | Up to 10 per job | Uploaded over an encrypted connection, encrypted while stored, erased about an hour after the result is ready | Yes. The unlocked copy is compared with your original and offered only if it matches. You pay only after that. |
When a free method is the better choice
One file, a computer you trust, and a document you do not mind re-printing: use Chrome, Edge or Preview. If the file must never leave your device, do not upload it to any website, ours included.
When UnsealPDF fits
- You have several locked files, or you are on a phone or tablet.
- You want the original structure kept, and a check that it was.
- You want to pay only if the unlocked copy is verified.
What none of them do
None of these guess, crack or recover a lost password, and neither do we. See the guide for forgotten passwords and the limits and supported locks.
Comparison reflects how these tools generally work as of 2026-10-15. Product features change; check each vendor's current documentation. No prices are listed for third-party products because they change.