Comparison
add password protection to a PDF, or remove an existing password from one you own.
Protect PDF and Unlock PDF sit at opposite ends of the same workflow. Protect adds a password and permission flags. Unlock removes them.
Protect PDF is for outbound documents — contracts, HR files, patient records. You set an open password (needed to view) or an owner password (needed to print, edit, copy).
Unlock PDF is for PDFs you already control but whose password is getting in your way. You still need the owner password to remove restrictions — this tool doesn't crack unknown passwords.
| Feature | Protect PDF | Unlock PDF |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Adds password + permissions | Strips password + permissions |
| Requires existing password? | No — you set a new one | Yes — owner password required |
| Typical use | Sending sensitive PDFs externally | Editing or printing a PDF you own |
| Encryption strength | AES-128 / AES-256 | N/A |
Use Protect PDF right before sending a sensitive file. Use Unlock PDF the moment a password is friction you no longer need. They chain naturally: unlock → edit → re-protect.
No. You need the owner password to remove restrictions. There is no password cracking anywhere in the tool.