Free PDF Annotation Tool

Annotate PDFs online for free. Add comments, highlights, drawings, and shapes to your documents with our easy-to-use tool.

Simple PDF annotation tool. Need more features? Try GoVisually Pro

Drop your PDF here

or click to select a file

Select PDF

Unlock the full power of PDF with GoVisually

Upgrade to GoVisually Premium and supercharge your workflow with advanced collaboration, security, and productivity features designed for creative teams and professionals.

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Professional Markup Tools

Highlight text, draw arrows, add shapes, or sketch freehand. All the annotation tools you need for precise PDF feedback.

Real-Time Collaboration

Multiple team members can annotate the same PDF simultaneously. See changes live and communicate instantly.

One-Click Approvals

Streamline your approval process with custom workflows and automated notifications that keep projects moving.

Smart Version Control

Track every change with automatic version history. Compare revisions side-by-side and never lose feedback.

Easy Sharing & Access

Share PDFs with anyone using a simple link. No accounts required for reviewers—they can annotate immediately.

Enterprise Security

Keep your confidential documents secure with enterprise-grade encryption and compliance standards.

Learn & Master PDF Annotation

Everything you need to know about annotating PDFs online, from basic tools to advanced collaboration features.

1
Upload: Drag your PDF into the sandbox or click Select File. It loads entirely in-browser, so nothing leaves your device until you hit Share.
2
Choose a tool: Highlight for text emphasis, Arrow for pointing, Freehand for sketches, and Sticky Note for contextual feedback.
3
Layer comments: Mention teammates (@Sarah) to pull them into the exact spot in the document.
4
Compare versions: When you drop v2, GoVisually stacks it, lets you toggle layers, and shows colour-coded diffs.
5
Approve in one click: Hit Approve. The file locks and an audit trail is captured automatically.

Power tip: Press M to cycle tools without touching the mouse—favoured by pro designers.

Creative Agencies

Mark up brochures, ad comps, and OOH boards, then ship press-ready art 70% faster.

Marketing Teams

Review brand guidelines and campaign PDFs with legal, product, and execs in one link.

Product & UX

Annotate spec sheets and compliance docs; all feedback tied to Jira ticket IDs.

Education

Teachers highlight coursework, students reply inline—no extra logins required.

A true PDF annotator does more than let you scribble.

Precision tools: Vector-clean highlights, millimetre rulers.
Collaboration layer: Real-time presence, mentions, threaded replies.
Version awareness: Automatic stacking and rollback.
Security & compliance: SOC 2, granular permissions, data region control.

GoVisually checks every box, which is why 40,000+ teams chose it over single-use utilities like Smallpdf or PDF24.