5 best read-only PDF converters [Windows & Mac]

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Key notes

  • Sometimes you need to edit protected PDF files, and this is where read-only PDF converter can come in handy.
  • If you're looking for the best tool for this task, we suggest using one of Adobe products.
  • Of course, there are many great non-Adobe alternatives that can do this task as well.
  • To make PDF read-only on Mac users, try using Wondershare or Aisee software.

Many users are using PDF format for document sharing, but sometimes PDF files can be protected or in read-only mode.

To edit these files you’re going to need a read-only PDF converter, and in this guide we’re going to show you the best tools for the job for both Mac and Windows.


What are the best read-only PDF converters?

Adobe Acrobat

Being the most popular and used tool for Portable Document format files, Adobe Acrobat allows users to perform advanced file management.

Thus, using this solution from Adobe, you will be able to view, create, manage, manipulate and print different files.

Using Adobe Acrobat repeatedly, you will be able to save your PDF file as read-only file with ease. You can also easily convert from PDF and to PDF format.

Adobe Acrobat has more useful features, such as extensive editing, text recognition, and much more. If you want to make PDF read only, this is the right tool for the job.

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat

Use Adobe Acrobat to view, print, annotate and manage all your PDF files!
Free trialVisit website

Icecream PDF Converter

Icecream PDF Converter is a great tool for converting different files into the PDF format. Now you can use any Word, jpg or epub and quickly convert it into PDF.

Another feature of this read only PDF converter allows you to take different files and join them into a single document. The Icecream PDF Converter contains a built-in PDF reader that supports files that are password-protected.

We also have to mention Icecream PDF converter’s OCR feature that recognizes text, allowing you to create editable Word documents.

When it comes to file conversion, Icecream PDF Converter is one of the best tools for the job, so be sure to try it out.

Icecream PDF Converter

Icecream PDF Converter

Use Icecream PDF Converter to convert any file into a PDF, with ease.
Free trialVisit website

Nitro PDF

A performant read-only PDFconverter, Nitro PDF your ideal tool for converting PDF files into Word, Excel or PowerPoint formats, and vice versa.

Nitro PDF will also retain the format of your files by maintaining the aspect of your images, fonts and formatting.

Also, when using an Outlook plugin, you are able to convert emails, attachments, and email folders into PDF, and archive important files for future usage.

Nitro PDF

Nitro PDF

Use Nitro Pro to convert any PDF file into a Microsoft Office format while retaining their original properties.
Free trialVisit website

Wondershare PDFelement

PDFelement pdf password remover software

Wondershare PDFelement is an PDF software that allows you to create PDF forms and documents. Edit, create forms, annotate, convert and protect your files with ease.

This software is available on multiple platforms, so it’s a great option if you want to make PDF read only on Mac or Windows.

If you need a PDF editor that works on multiple platforms, supports PDF forms and annotations, then PDFelement might be the right choice for you.

Wondershare PDFelement

Wondershare PDFelement

Wondershare PDFelement is a simple but powerful PDF editor for both Mac and Windows.
Free trialVisit website

Mac PDF Converter Ultimate

Mac PDF Converter Ultimate is another great tool that can make PDF files read only on Mac. It was designed to convert PDF files into editable text documents.

Using this software you can easily convert PDF files to ePub, text, Excel, HTML and other file formats.

You can also use Mac PDF Converter Ultimate to convert a PDF file into image-related formats such as jpg, png or gif.

The software also has advanced OCR technology, so ti works with scanned PDF files that are image-based.

Mac PDF Converter Ultimate

Mac PDF Converter Ultimate

Mac PDF Converter Ultimate lets you convert any PDF file to various file types with ease.
Free trialVisit website

If you’re looking for the best read-only PDF converter, Adobe Acrobat is the best tool you can use for this purpose.

However, other entries on our list aren’t too far behind in terms of functionality, so be sure to consider them as well.