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PDFtk

PDFtk is an open-source command-line tool for working with PDF documents. It enables users to merge, split, rotate, encrypt and decrypt PDF files. PDFtk is lightweight, fast and cross-platform.

What is PDFtk?

PDFtk (PDF Toolkit) is a versatile open-source command-line tool for manipulating Portable Document Format (PDF) documents. It provides a wide range of PDF capabilities that allow users to merge, split, rotate, encrypt and decrypt PDF files, fill out PDF forms, extract images, text and metadata, apply seals and more.

Some key features of PDFtk include:

  • Merging multiple PDFs into a single PDF
  • Splitting single or multi-page PDFs into individual pages or custom page ranges
  • Rotating PDF pages by increments of 90 degrees
  • Encrypting and decrypting PDF files by setting owner and user passwords
  • Filling out interactive PDF forms with FDF data or XFDF data
  • Applying text and image stamps/watermarks to PDF pages
  • Extracting images, text, metadata from PDF documents

As a command-line application, PDFtk offers a lightweight, fast and scriptable PDF solution that runs on Windows, Linux, macOS and more. It can be easily automated to process PDFs in bulk. The tool is free and open-source under a GPL license.

The Best PDFtk Alternatives

Top Apps like PDFtk

Master PDF Editor, PDFsam, PDF Merge tool, PDF-Shuffler, PdfMod, PDFTK Builder, VivPDF Editor, PDF Resizer, QPDF, PDF Stapler, BeCyPDFMetaEdit, PDFEncrypt, PDF4QT, UnityPDF, Free PDF Metadata Editor, Softaken PDF Watermark, OnMerge Images+Barcodes, PDF Merge (Beta), PDF Separator, Ultra PDF Merger, PDFManagerUltimate, SysTools PDF Watermark, Online PDF Watermark Generator are some alternatives to PDFtk.

Master PDF Editor

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PDFsam

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PDF-Shuffler

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PdfMod

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PDFTK Builder

PDFTK Builder is a powerful yet user-friendly PDF manipulation program for Windows. It provides an intuitive graphical interface to carry out various PDF tasks like merge PDFs, split PDFs, add or update metadata, add watermarks, encrypt PDFs, decrypt PDFs, rotate pages, and convert to and from PDF without needing Adobe...

VivPDF Editor

VivPDF Editor is a powerful yet easy-to-use PDF editing application for Windows. It provides a complete set of tools for efficient PDF viewing, creation, conversion, editing, annotation, security, and optimization.With VivPDF Editor, you can easily view PDFs and browse content through a tabbed interface. It supports rapid page navigation...

PDF Resizer

PDF Resizer is a free web-based application that provides users with a simple way to resize existing PDF documents. It gives you control over the final dimensions, orientation, and scale of your PDFs.With PDF Resizer, you can quickly change the page size of your PDFs to common formats like...

QPDF

QPDF is an open-source software suite consisting of both a command-line tool and a C++ library for manipulating and inspecting Portable Document Format (PDF) files. It was created to address common needs in PDF workflow that are not met by Adobe Acrobat and other proprietary PDF tools.Some key features...

PDF Stapler

PDF Stapler is a free and open-source PDF editing software for Windows, Mac and Linux. It provides a straightforward interface that allows users to carry out common PDF manipulation tasks like merging multiple PDF files into one, splitting a large PDF into smaller files, rotating pages, and rearranging page order...

BeCyPDFMetaEdit

BeCyPDFMetaEdit is a lightweight Windows application designed specifically for batch editing metadata of PDF documents. It provides an easy way to add, edit or remove document info entries like title, author, subject and keywords for multiple PDF files at once.With its clean and intuitive interface, you can quickly select...

PDFEncrypt

PDFEncrypt is a desktop software used to password protect PDF documents. It utilizes advanced 256-bit AES encryption to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive files. Key features include:256-bit AES encryption for maximum securitySupport for 128-bit AES encryption as wellBatch processing to password protect multiple PDFsWizard-guided interface for easy operationEncrypt PDF...

PDF4QT

PDF4QT is an open-source C++ library that provides PDF support for applications built with the Qt framework. It allows developers to read, create, and manipulate PDF files from Qt applications without needing external PDF libraries.Some key features of PDF4QT include:Reading existing PDF filesCreating new PDF documentsAdding...

UnityPDF

UnityPDF is an open-source, cross-platform PDF viewer and toolkit for working with PDF documents. It is built using C# and the Unity game engine, allowing it to run on Windows, Mac, Linux, web browsers, and mobile devices.Some key features of UnityPDF include:PDF viewing with support for text, images...

Free PDF Metadata Editor

Free PDF Metadata Editor is a free, open-source application for viewing and editing metadata stored in PDF files. It provides an intuitive graphical interface that allows users to easily add, modify or remove document info fields like title, author, subject and keywords in individual or multiple PDFs.Key features include...

Softaken PDF Watermark

Softaken PDF Watermark is a PDF editing software for Windows that enables users to add customizable watermarks, headers, footers, page numbers, backgrounds, and more to their PDF files. It provides an intuitive and easy-to-use interface for applying watermarks to PDFs in just a few clicks.With Softaken PDF Watermark, you...

OnMerge Images+Barcodes

OnMerge Images+Barcodes is a powerful yet easy-to-use barcode and image manipulation software designed to help businesses and individuals edit, enhance, reformat, and convert image and barcode files with efficiency and precision.Key features include:Supports over 90 1D and 2D barcode formats including Code 39, Code 128, Data Matrix, QR Code, PDF...

PDF Merge (Beta)

PDF Merge (Beta) is a free online service that allows users to combine multiple PDF files into a single document. It has an intuitive drag-and-drop interface where you can upload your PDF files or drag them directly into the browser window.Once your files are uploaded, PDF Merge (Beta) will...

PDF Separator

PDF Separator is a Windows-based application designed specifically for splitting and extracting pages from PDF documents. With an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, it allows users to easily divide large PDF files into smaller individual documents or extract specific pages they need.Key features of PDF Separator include:Splitting a PDF by...

Ultra PDF Merger

Ultra PDF Merger is a PDF utility for Windows that provides users with an easy way to combine multiple PDF files into a single document. It has an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that allows you to quickly add files to merge. Once the PDFs are added, you can rearrange the order...

PDFManagerUltimate

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SysTools PDF Watermark

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Online PDF Watermark Generator

The Online PDF Watermark Generator is a free web-based application that makes it easy for anyone to add customizable watermarks to PDF documents. With this tool, you can upload a PDF file from your computer or import it from a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox.Once your...