Protect PDF
Add a privacy seal and prepare your PDF for password-protected delivery. Full AES encryption is part of our Pro tier.
Drag & drop or click to select
.PDF · processed in your browser
PrivateQuick answer
Is this true password encryption?
The free in-browser mode marks the document as restricted, which is enough for many workflows. True AES password encryption requires server-side processing and is part of our Pro tier — request access from the tool page.
About this tool
Protect a PDF
For sending contracts, payslips, and ID scans to someone you don't want to accidentally CC the world.
Protect PDF stamps your file as restricted and prepares it for password-protected delivery. The free in-browser mode marks the document for your secured workflow. AES password encryption is available through our backend tier on request.
When you'd reach for this
- Sharing a payslip or tax form by email.
- Sending NDA or HR documents to a candidate.
- Forwarding bank statements to an accountant.
- Storing sensitive PDFs in shared cloud folders.
How it works
- 1
Upload the PDF
Drop the file you want to protect.
- 2
Set a password
Type the password you want recipients to use.
- 3
Download the protected file
Share the file plus the password — separately, ideally.
Why people use it
Local-first
The free mode runs in your browser. The PDF itself never leaves your device.
Clear privacy marker
Recipients see the document is restricted, not a casual share.
Upgrade path
Need full AES encryption? Request our backend tier — same tool, same flow.
Real situations it fits
Payslips and tax forms
Wrap sensitive HR PDFs before emailing them.
Client deliverables
Send drafts that shouldn't be forwarded around.
Internal handoffs
Mark confidential PDFs in shared drives.
Best practices
- Use a password of 12+ characters mixing letters, numbers and symbols. Short passwords are cracked offline in minutes.
- Send the password through a different channel than the file — text the password if you emailed the PDF.
- Protect the final, merged version. If you protect each file then merge, only the first file's protection survives.
- Keep a clean, unprotected master copy somewhere safe. Lost-password recovery isn't a thing with strong PDF encryption.
Common mistakes to avoid
- !Using the recipient's name or '1234' as the password.
- !Putting the password in the same email as the file (defeats the entire point).
- !Assuming protection prevents printing or copying — that needs owner-level permission controls, not just an open password.