New: Lightweight PDF annotator
Annotate PDF Online FreeHighlight, comment & add notes in seconds
Quickly highlight PDF text, draw markup and drop sticky notes without installing anything. This online PDF annotator runs fully in your browser, so you can add remarks without uploading your file to a server.
Perfect when you just want to highlight a PDF online or add notes to a PDF — no full editor load, no signup and no watermark on the exported file.
- Upload your PDF (stays on-device).
- Highlight text or draw, then add notes.
- Export and download the annotated PDF.
All annotations are applied locally in your browser for maximum privacy.
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Free online PDF annotator — no signup, no watermark
This tool focuses on fast, lightweight PDF annotation. Instead of loading a full PDF editor, you get just what you need to highlight PDF online, underline important points and leave comments for yourself or others.
- 1Annotate PDF online free in your browser — no signup or account needed
- 2Quick highlights, underlines and freehand markup for any page
- 3Add sticky notes and comments without changing the original text
- 4Lightweight PDF annotator — loads faster than a full editor
- 5Client-side only: your PDF stays on your device for privacy
- 6Download an annotated PDF with your highlights and notes preserved
When to use an annotator instead of a full editor
A full editor is great when you need to change the actual text or layout of a PDF. A PDF annotator is faster when you just want to mark things up. Use this page when:
- You want to highlight passages while reading.
- You need to leave comments on a contract without editing it.
- You’re reviewing designs or reports and want to point at areas.
- You prefer quick markup with no account and no watermark.
If you want to edit the text itself, try the Edit PDF text online tool instead.
How to annotate a PDF online (3 simple steps)
1) Upload your PDF to the annotator
Click to select a PDF from your device or drag and drop it into the upload area. The file is opened directly in your browser — it is not sent to our servers.
2) Highlight text and add notes or drawings
Choose the highlighter tool to mark important text, or use freehand drawing to circle and underline. Add sticky notes to leave comments, questions or explanations on any part of the page.
3) Export the annotated PDF with your remarks
When you are done, export the file and download a new PDF containing your highlights and annotations. You get a clean file with no watermark and no trace of accounts or signups.
Popular ways to highlight and annotate PDFs
People use this PDF highlighter and annotator in many different workflows. Here are a few examples:
Study & revision
Highlight key definitions, formulas and examples in lecture slides or ebooks. Add short notes so you can quickly revise later.
Review contracts & reports
Mark confusing sections, flag questions and leave comments for colleagues without editing the original wording.
Team feedback on designs
Drop comments on mockups, wireframes or PDFs exported from Figma and share a single annotated file with your team.
Client approvals
Collect feedback from clients directly on invoices, proposals or presentations by asking them to highlight and comment.
Teachers & tutors
Annotate student work with highlights and notes, then export annotated PDFs to return feedback quickly.
Personal reading & research
Use highlights and notes to track important quotes, ideas and references across long PDF documents.
Security & privacy for PDF annotations
Many online PDF annotation tools require you to upload documents to their servers. This lightweight annotator works differently:
- Client-side rendering — your PDF is opened and annotated directly in your browser.
- No signup or account — we don’t ask for an email or login to let you highlight PDFs online.
- No watermark — exported files contain only your annotations, not our branding.
- You can clear your browser cache and local storage to remove any traces of recently opened documents.
FAQs
Is this PDF annotator free and without signup?
Yes. You can annotate PDF online free with no signup, no account and no trial. Just upload, highlight, add notes and download your annotated file.
Can I just highlight text in a PDF online?
Yes. Use the highlighter tool to mark important passages in your PDF. You can also draw, underline and combine highlights with sticky notes.
Will my PDF be uploaded to your server?
No. The annotator runs in your browser and processes your PDF locally. Your document is not stored on our servers by default.
What is the difference between annotating and editing a PDF?
Annotating adds layers on top of the PDF such as highlights, shapes and comments. Editing changes the underlying text or layout. Use this page for quick markup and the Edit PDF Text tool if you need to change the actual words.
Does this tool add a watermark to my annotated PDF?
No. Exported PDFs keep your annotations but do not include any watermark or branding from us.
Does the PDF annotator work on mobile?
Yes. You can open this page in a modern mobile browser on iOS or Android, pinch-zoom into areas you want to highlight and tap to add notes.
More free PDF tools
After you annotate your PDF online, you can use these tools to continue working with the same file: