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Add password protection to your PDF files with AES-256 encryption
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Why Use This PDF Protector?
AES-256 Encryption
Military-grade AES-256 encryption — the same standard used by banks and governments. Your PDFs are truly secure.
Permission Controls
Control what recipients can do — allow or block printing and text copying. Fine-grained access control.
Batch & Free
Protect up to 10 PDFs at once. No signup, no watermarks, no limits. 100MB per file, completely free.
How to Password Protect a PDF Online for Free
Filator's free PDF protector adds AES-256 encryption to your PDF files — the same standard used by banks and governments. Unlike iLovePDF (limited free protections, 15MB limit), Smallpdf (daily task limits), and Adobe (paid subscription required), Filator offers 100MB per file, batch protection of 10 files, and zero restrictions.
Why Choose Filator's PDF Protector?
AES-256 Encryption
The strongest encryption available for PDFs. AES-256 is the same standard used by military and financial institutions. Some competitors only offer AES-128 or weaker RC4.
Permission Controls
Control what recipients can do with your PDF. Allow or block printing and text copying. Set restrictions beyond just a password.
Batch Protection
Protect up to 10 PDFs at once with the same password. Most free tools limit you to 1 file per session. Filator processes files in parallel.
100MB Per File
Protect PDFs up to 100MB each — far beyond iLovePDF's 15MB free limit and most competitors that restrict file sizes to 5-50MB.
How to Protect a PDF — Step by Step
- 1Upload Your PDFs
Drag and drop PDF files into the upload area, or click to browse. Up to 10 files, 100MB each.
- 2Set a Password
Enter and confirm your desired password. Optionally expand "Advanced Settings" to control printing and copying permissions.
- 3Click Protect
Hit "Protect PDFs" to encrypt your files with AES-256. A progress bar shows real-time status.
- 4Download Protected Files
Download each protected PDF individually or use "Download All" for batch downloads. Files now require the password to open.
Filator vs Competitors
| Feature | Filator | iLovePDF | Smallpdf | Adobe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-128 | AES-128 | AES-256 |
| File Size Limit | 100MB | 15MB (free) | Limited | Paid only |
| Batch Files | 10 files | 1 (free) | 1 | 1 |
| Permission Controls | Print + Copy | None (free) | None | Full (paid) |
| Price | Free | $7/mo for Pro | $9/mo for Pro | $12.99/mo |
Common Use Cases
Sharing Confidential Documents
Password-protect contracts, financial reports, or legal documents before sharing via email. Only recipients with the password can open them.
Protecting Client Deliverables
Encrypt proposals, designs, or reports before sending to clients. Add print restrictions to prevent unauthorized distribution.
Securing Personal Documents
Protect tax returns, medical records, or ID copies stored on your computer or cloud storage. AES-256 encryption keeps them safe.
Academic & Research Papers
Password-protect unpublished research, thesis drafts, or exam papers before sharing with reviewers or committee members.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add a password to a PDF?
Upload your PDF to Filator, enter your desired password (and confirm it), then click Protect. Your PDF will be encrypted with AES-256 and require the password to open. Download the protected file and share it securely.
Is this PDF protector free?
Yes, completely free with no hidden costs. Unlike Adobe (paid subscription) or iLovePDF (limited free uses), Filator lets you protect PDFs up to 100MB with AES-256 encryption, no signup, and no watermarks.
What encryption does Filator use?
Filator uses AES-256 encryption — the strongest available for PDF files. This is the same standard used by banks, governments, and military organizations. Some free competitors only offer weaker AES-128 or RC4 encryption.
Can I protect multiple PDFs at once?
Yes. Upload up to 10 PDFs, set one password, and protect them all at once. Most competitors restrict batch protection to paid plans.
Can I prevent printing or copying?
Yes. Expand the "Advanced Settings" section to toggle printing and text copying permissions. By default, printing is allowed and copying is blocked.
Will the password-protected PDF work everywhere?
Yes. The protected PDF works with all standard PDF readers — Adobe Acrobat, Preview (Mac), Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and any PDF app on mobile devices.
Are my files safe during protection?
Yes. Your files are processed on our servers and automatically deleted after download. We never store, share, or access your documents. Your password is not logged or stored on our servers.
What's the maximum file size?
Each PDF can be up to 100MB. This exceeds iLovePDF's 15MB free limit and most competitors that cap at 5-50MB. No premium subscription needed.
Ready to Protect Your PDFs?
Add AES-256 password protection to your PDF files instantly — no signup, no file size restrictions, and no watermarks. Scroll up and drop your first PDF to get started.