Redact PDF - Free Desktop App
Permanently remove sensitive information from a PDF before you share it. Auto-detect emails, phone numbers, and custom terms, or draw boxes by hand - the underlying text is deleted, not just hidden. Works offline, nothing leaves your device.
How it works
- 1 Download FileHop Free · 181 MB · Mac & Windows
- 2 Open the folder with your files It opens like Finder or File Explorer.
- 3 Right-click your file Pick the tool you need — it runs instantly, on your device.
All redaction happens locally on your computer. Your files never leave your device.
Just 181 MB
Why Desktop PDF Redaction Beats Online Tools
| Feature | Online Tools | FileHop Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Upload Required | ❌ Required | 🎯 Never |
| File Size Limit | ❌ 50MB max | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Speed | ⏳ Slow (upload/download) | ⚡ Instant |
| Batch Processing | ❌ 1 file | ✅ 1000s |
| Privacy | ⚠️ Risky (cloud upload) | 🔒 100% Local |
| No Watermark | ⚠️ Sometimes added | ✅ Never |
| Offline | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Cost | Free | Free ✅ |
Why Choose FileHop Desktop?
Privacy First
Files never leave your computer. No cloud upload, no data collection, 100% local.
Lightning Fast
Process files 10x faster than online tools. No upload wait, no download wait.
No Limits
Convert unlimited files of any size. Batch process thousands in one click.
Batch Processing
Convert, compress, or edit hundreds of files at once — a whole folder in one go.
Works Offline
No internet required. Perfect for flights, secure environments.
Free to Use
No trial limits, no watermarks, no credit card required.
When You Need This
Real scenarios where permanently redacting a PDF solves a specific problem.
Redaction that holds up
Why a black box isn't redaction, and how to remove privileged content for real before filing or disclosure.
Learn more →Don't forget the metadata
Hidden author names and edit history can leak as much as the visible text. Strip metadata before you send.
Learn more →Lock it down after redacting
Add a password and permissions with Protect PDF so the cleaned document stays controlled.
Learn more →Frequently Asked Questions
Is redacting PDFs really free?
Yes, completely free with no limits. Redact unlimited PDF files of any size, as many times as you want. No watermarks, no signup, no credit card required.
Is the redacted text actually removed, or just hidden?
Actually removed. Unlike drawing a black rectangle in a regular PDF editor, FileHop deletes the underlying text and content under each redaction, so it cannot be copied, searched, or recovered by selecting or reopening the file.
Do my PDFs get uploaded to a server?
Never. All redaction happens locally on your computer. Your files never leave your device - exactly what you want when handling sensitive or privileged material.
Can it find sensitive information automatically?
Yes. FileHop can auto-detect common patterns like email addresses and phone numbers, and you can add custom words or terms to redact every match across the document at once.
Can I redact by hand too?
Yes. Draw redaction boxes over any text, image, or region on a page and FileHop removes the content beneath them when you export.
Why not just use a black highlighter or box in another app?
Because in most PDF editors a black box only covers the text visually - the original words are still in the file and can be copied or revealed. True redaction deletes the content underneath, which is what FileHop does.
Does it work offline?
Yes, FileHop works 100% offline after installation. No internet connection is required to redact PDFs.
What platforms are supported?
Mac (Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows (10, 11). Download the version for your operating system.