PDF24 Creator 11.21.0

★ Winner of Best PDF Tool in 2017.

Overview

PDF24 Creator is a virtual printer which can convert any document to a PDF file. It is very easy to setup and use, since the only thing you have to do is open the document you want to convert and print it using the virtual printer. You can perform this process from any application that supports printing. Features of PDF24 Creator are merging and splitting of PDF files, extracting pages from PDF, copying pages from one PDF files to another, safeguard the PDF from unauthorized viewing, editing or performing other actions and it also allows you to set information such as author and title. In addition, it has a preview option too.

Installation

Installation isn’t troublesome at all, as it is straightforward and easy. It’s only a matter of minutes before it finishes and you get have the program ready to use. It is clean from malware and safe to install.

Supported operating systems are Windows XP, Vista, 7 and the corresponding server versions.

Interface

By launching PDF24 Editor you can view and convert it to PDF. There are two panes on the left, side to side, for navigating through your computer’s files. When you want to open a document you can either drag and drop it to the area on the right part of the window, or double click on it in the navigation menu. To convert it to PDF select the “Save as” option in the menu bar or click on the diskette icon in the preview area. A menu will appear which has several settings as to how you want to save your PDF file. Other saving options are available as well, such as PNG, JPEG, TIFF, PSD and others. Simply click “Continue” when you are done with the settings and the conversion process will begin.

Pros

When you want to convert a file to PDF, you have many options to configure beforehand. You can add information about it, like Author, Title, Subject and Keywords or secure the document with 128-bit AES encryption method. You can then change permissions for the PDF (print, edit, restructure, copy text/images, fill forms and add/change comments). Next you can change the resolution, embed fonts, use image compression, add watermark or signature or use digital paper.

Apart from converting to PDF you have several other saving options: PDF/X, PDF/A, PS (Postscript), EPS (Encapsulated Postscript), PNG, JPEG, BMP, PCX, TIFF and PSD. For each of these formats you have configuration settings as well.

Merging and splitting documents is applicable too, and if you want to preview the file before actually converting it you can do so by clicking on the appropriate button in the toolbar menu. It is also possible to extract the pages of a PDF file.

Cons

It doesn’t give you the ability to edit the documents before converting them.

Alternatives

doPDF (free) and PrimoPDF (free) are two similar alternatives to PDF24 Creator that can convert any type of file to PDF. Both of them are installed as virtual printers and by selecting the “Print” option in the source application with the open file you will be able to convert it to PDF. PDF24 Creator is not significantly better than those two, since they all share about the same features.

Conclusion

It’s an average software that can be used in most cases, unless you’re a professional so you need to get something more powerful. But it’s suitable for the average user and it’s free. Try it out to see if it can meet your expectations.