PatchworkPDF
What PatchworkPDF is
PatchworkPDF is a free, open-source PDF editor for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It can merge and reorder documents, rotate pages, compress files, edit PDF text, and add annotations. Markup tools include sticky notes, highlights, shapes, and revision clouds. The site says native PDF annotations remain interactive in Acrobat, Foxit, and other modern readers. Compression offers Screen, Balanced, and Print presets, along with custom DPI and JPEG quality settings. Users can import PNG or JPEG images, position and resize them, then bake them into the PDF when applying changes. The editor includes copy and paste and undo, and its revision markup is described as suited to engineering drawing review. OCR is available, but automatic recognition on scanned pages requires Tesseract to be installed. Saving uses the operating system’s Save As dialog, with suggested filenames and a browser fallback. No account is required; the project makes its source available to read, audit, fork, or improve. The site credits Gareth Finch and shows 2026.
Who it suits
It suits people who need PDF editing and markup across Windows, macOS, or Linux. Its revision tools may fit engineering drawing review, while OCR users need Tesseract installed for scanned pages.
What it does well
- Free and open source, with no account required.
- Edits text and supports page-level PDF changes.
- Native annotations remain interactive in modern readers.
- Offers multiple compression presets and custom settings.
What to know first
- OCR on scanned pages requires Tesseract installation.
- No subscription or licence key is listed as a purchase option.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | No subscription · no licence key · no upsell | Free |
As patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
PatchworkPDF covers PDF editing, markup, compression, and OCR across three desktop platforms. Install Tesseract if automatic recognition on scanned pages is needed.
Facts from PatchworkPDF's own pages
- Annotations
- Sticky notes, highlights, and shapes are saved as native PDF annotations that the site says remain interactive in Acrobat, Foxit, and other modern readers. · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Annotation tools
- Yes · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 20 Sept 2026
- Audience
- The maker describes revision and markup tools as suited to engineering drawing review workflows. · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Compression
- Compression offers Screen, Balanced, and Print presets, plus custom DPI and JPEG quality settings. · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Export
- The app saves through a native operating-system Save As dialog with suggested filenames and a fallback for browsers. · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 20 Sept 2026
- Images
- Users can import PNG or JPEG images, resize and position them on a page, and bake them into the PDF on apply. · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The site names Tesseract OCR as an optional dependency and says native annotations are interactive in Acrobat and Foxit; it does not list other integrations. · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The site credits Gareth Finch and shows 2026; it does not state a headquarters or founding date. · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Notable dependency
- OCR requires Tesseract to be installed for automatic recognition on scanned pages. · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 11 Oct 2026
- OCR
- Image-only pages are recognised automatically when Tesseract is installed, and the capability list also describes on-demand OCR. · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The maker's site lists Windows, macOS, and Linux; its SourceForge files page shows Windows, a macOS Intel disk image, and a Linux Flatpak. · sourceforge.net, 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy and access
- The maker states that no account is required and describes the software as open source, with source available to read, audit, fork, or improve. · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- PatchworkPDF is a free, open-source PDF editor for merging, reordering, annotating, rotating, compressing, and editing PDF text. · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Revision workflows
- The editor includes revision clouds, copy and paste, and undo, and the maker says it is built with engineering drawings in mind. · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Windows,macOS,Linux · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 20 Sept 2026
- Text editing
- Users can move, retype, or delete existing page text and add text overlays with font, size, and colour controls. · patchworkpdf.sourceforge.io, 11 Oct 2026
Where PatchworkPDF stands on Freedom251
- PDF editors#42 of 102