Add Comments to a PDF For Free

Drop document here to upload
Select from device
Up to 100 MB for PDF and up to 25 MB for DOC, DOCX, RTF, PPT, PPTX, JPEG, PNG, JFIF, XLS, XLSX or TXT
Based on 12500+ reviews
Last updated on Sep 19, 2025

Add comments to a PDF with pdfFiller

To add comments to a PDF using pdfFiller, upload your document, click on the “Comment” tool, and choose your preferred comment type—such as sticky notes, highlights, or text boxes—then place it on your PDF. Finally, save or share the annotated document directly.

What is adding comments to a PDF?

Adding comments to a PDF is the process of inserting notes, annotations, or highlights into a portable document format, allowing users to provide feedback, suggestions, or clarifications. This functionality enhances communication and collaboration, particularly in professional environments where document revisions are common. By using various commenting tools, individuals can convey thoughts directly on the PDF, facilitating a clearer review process.

Why adding comments is crucial for effective document collaboration?

Effective document collaboration hinges on clear communication. Adding comments allows team members to express their views, raise questions, or point out issues directly on the PDF. This leads to a more streamlined review and revision process, minimizing the need for back-and-forth emails. By using comments, collaborators can address specific sections of a document, making it easier to implement changes and finalize content.

Commenting features available in pdfFiller

pdfFiller offers a variety of features for adding comments, including:

  1. 1.
    Sticky notes for general feedback.
  2. 2.
    Highlighting tools for emphasizing information.
  3. 3.
    Text boxes for inline comments.
  4. 4.
    Shape tools for visual annotations.
  5. 5.
    Drawing tools for custom illustrations or marks.

These features empower users to create a more interactive and informative document review experience.

Supported formats for PDF commenting

While pdfFiller primarily focuses on PDF documents, it supports several other formats that can be converted into PDFs for annotations. These include DOCX, PPTX, XLSX, RTF, and image files like JPG and PNG. This versatility allows users to import and annotate documents from various sources before saving them as PDF files.

How does commenting work in different browsers?

pdfFiller is a cloud-based platform that operates smoothly across all major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Users can seamlessly access the commenting features regardless of the browser they choose. However, for optimal performance, it is recommended to keep browsers up to date. Consistent cross-browser functionality ensures that team members can collaborate effectively, regardless of their preferred web environment.

Managing comments through pdfFiller's capabilities

With pdfFiller, users can easily manage comments through an intuitive interface. Comments can be moved, resized, or deleted as needed. Users can also view all comments in a dedicated panel, making it easier to track feedback and suggestions. This manageable setup is particularly beneficial for large teams or projects requiring multiple rounds of revisions.

Step-by-step guide to adding comments using pdfFiller

Follow these simple steps to add comments to a PDF using pdfFiller:

  1. 1.
    Upload your PDF document to pdfFiller.
  2. 2.
    Select the "Comment" feature from the menu.
  3. 3.
    Choose your commenting tool (sticky note, highlight, etc.).
  4. 4.
    Click on the area of the document where you want to add your comment or annotation.
  5. 5.
    Type your comment or adjust the options as necessary.
  6. 6.
    Save or share the document with your comments included.

Advantages of using pdfFiller to add comments

Using pdfFiller for adding comments boasts several advantages:

  1. 1.
    Accessibility from any device with internet connectivity.
  2. 2.
    Collaborative features that streamline team communication.
  3. 3.
    Comprehensive management of comments and annotations.
  4. 4.
    Integration with cloud storage solutions for easy saving and sharing.
  5. 5.
    User-friendly interface designed for quick navigation.

Real-world applications and sectors benefiting from commenting

Various industries benefit from using pdfFiller’s commenting features. For example:

  1. 1.
    Education: Teachers can provide feedback on assignments directly on student submissions.
  2. 2.
    Legal: Lawyers can annotate contracts and agreements, highlighting important clauses.
  3. 3.
    Marketing: Teams can collaborate on creative briefs, providing input on designs or concepts directly within the document.
  4. 4.
    Manufacturing: Technical documents can be annotated to highlight areas needing revision or further clarification.

Comparing pdfFiller’s commenting features to other platforms

When comparing pdfFiller's commenting capabilities with other platforms, several key differences emerge. Platforms such as Adobe Acrobat and Nitro PDF also provide commenting tools; however:

  1. 1.
    pdfFiller eliminates the need for software downloads, providing a browser-based solution.
  2. 2.
    pdfFiller supports a wider range of document uploads directly.
  3. 3.
    Collaborative sharing features in pdfFiller allow for real-time feedback from multiple users.

These distinctions make pdfFiller a compelling choice for individuals and teams focused on accessibility and ease of collaboration.

Conclusion

Adding comments to a PDF is a valuable tool for enhancing collaboration and communication within teams. pdfFiller's versatile comment features simplify the process, allowing users to provide feedback effectively. Whether in education, legal work, or creative industries, pdfFiller supports seamless document interaction that drives efficient workflows. With options available for various browsers and devices, pdfFiller empowers users to manage their documents from anywhere, transforming how feedback is shared and implemented.

Try these PDF tools

Edit PDF
Quickly edit and annotate PDFs online.
Sign
eSign documents from anywhere.
Request signatures
Send a document for eSignature.
Share
Instantly send PDFs for review and editing.
Merge
Combine multiple PDFs into one.
Rearrange
Rearrange pages in a PDF document.
Compress
Compress PDFs to reduce their size.
Convert
Convert PDFs into Word, Excel, JPG, or PPT files and vice versa.
Create from scratch
Start with a blank page.
Edit DOC
Edit Word documents.

Online PDF annotation: Highlight, redact, draw, and comment

Annotate and edit

Go beyond editing and add context to your changes. After fixing a typo or updating a section, drop a comment or highlight the area to pinpoint and explain edits.
Screen

Guide every signature

Use annotation tools to highlight important sections, redact sensitive details, or add comments to clarify contract clauses before you send the document for signing.
Screen

Team feedback, simplified

Stop juggling feedback across endless email chains. Share your document and let everyone add their highlights, comments, and suggestions directly on the PDF.
Screen

All your notes in one place

Never lose track of important feedback. All annotations are saved with your documents in your secure cloud storage, keeping your projects organized and accessible.
Screen

How to annotate a PDF?

Illustration

1. Upload

Upload your document to pdfFiller and open it in the editor.
Illustration

2. Annotate

Use annotation tools at the top to highlight, redact, draw, add markings, and leave comments.
Illustration

3. Save and export

Apply your changes and choose how to export your document: download, send to cloud storage, save in your account, share, and more.
Upload your document

Who uses this tool?

Learn how professionals use pdfFiller to review documents and exchange feedback.
Business Owners
Sales
Real Estate
Construction
Healthcare
Insurance
Legal
Business Owners

Business Owners

Review business plans or financial reports and add notes directly on the document for your team. Highlight key performance indicators and comment on specific sections to provide clear feedback without altering the original file.
  • Financial reports
  • Business plans
  • Marketing mockups
  • Strategic roadmaps
Sales

Sales

Collaborate on proposals and contracts before they are sent to clients. Highlight key terms for internal review or add notes to a presentation to prepare your team for a big meeting.
  • Sales proposals
  • Draft contracts
  • Presentation slides
  • Competitor analysis reports
Real Estate

Real Estate

Simplify communication with clients and partners. Highlight critical clauses in purchase agreements or point out concerns on inspection reports to ensure everyone is on the same page.
  • Inspection reports
  • Purchase agreements
  • Floor plans
  • Property disclosure forms
Construction

Construction

Streamline project reviews by allowing architects, contractors, and clients to mark up plans. Draw arrows to indicate changes on blueprints, comment on change orders, or flag issues on safety reports to keep projects on track.
  • Blueprints and architectural plans
  • Project bids
  • Change orders
  • Safety reports
Healthcare

Healthcare

Collaborate with colleagues to enhance patient care or medical research. Highlight key findings in lab reports or add notes to a medical research paper without compromising the original document’s integrity.
  • Patient charts
  • Lab results
  • Peer review documents
  • Medical research papers
Insurance

Insurance

Expedite claims and underwriting by quickly annotating case documents. A claims adjuster can circle damage on a photo, and an underwriter can highlight missing information on an application, ensuring an efficient review process.
  • Claim forms with photos
  • Witness statements
  • Policy applications
  • Investigation reports

Why trust pdfFiller to annotate your documents?

GDPR
AICPA SOC 2
PCI
HIPAA
CCPA

All-in-one solution

Handle all your document tasks in one place. Create and edit PDFs, collect data and signatures, collaborate, and manage files securely in the cloud.

Cloud-native accessibility

pdfFiller is entirely cloud-based and cross-platform, allowing you to access your documents anytime and anywhere, without installing any software or storing files on multiple devices.

Your documents—secured

pdfFiller prioritizes data protection and regulatory compliance through security measures like data encryption and signer authentication.

Annotate PDFs with a trusted, all-in-one solution

Try pdfFiller for all your document management needs.
Upload document

pdfFiller scores top ratings on review platforms

Users Most Likely To Recommend - Summer 2025
Grid Leader in Small-Business - Summer 2025
High Performer - Summer 2025
Regional Leader - Summer 2025
I really like the fact that I can download PDF files, fill them in and save them on my computer. Once they are saved I can then print them or go in and change them.
Sallie M
Awesome!! if i could erase letters without distorting the background that would be awesome. i would give 5 stars for that. Otherwise if i could 4.75 I WOULD!!!
Alberto R
Some of the text sizes seemed to change when editing, and the positioning of the text didn't always seem to be consistent with existing and added text
Ben
Tree saver My son has to do virtual school with everything going on at the moment. This is great for filling out worksheets instead of printing and killing trees
elle
Best one around I often have to sign documents or convert docs from one form to another. PDFfiller is reliable & trustworthy not to mention simple to use. I keep it on my bookmark bar! I have used various online PDF services for my business and find PDFfiller the most intuitive & easy to use. There are none really. It takes about 5 minutes to understand how it works.
Alison T.
Best Kept Secret Ease of use Free!! Simple, fast and straight to the point I have no complaints about the tool. It is literally a must have in my business
Lakshmia F.
I have used PDFfiller and it is a great time saver. By making any form to a can be filled. form online.. Its great to find a form that I need , but its not fillable, this fixs that... Their customer service is great, helped me the fist call..
STEPHEN S
Excellent App - Does All I Need It To Do Brilliant web based pdf application that does all that I want to do at a fraction of it's adobe equivalent.
Mr Phillip Addison
First-class customer service! I wanted to try out the free trial version but ended signing up for an annual subscription. I contacted the customer service about this error, and they gave me the refund immediately.
Mendels4
Show more Show less

Watch our PDF editor in action

Check out this video tutorial to learn how to edit and annotate PDFs using pdfFiller’s drag-and-drop editor.

FAQs

If you can't find what you're looking for, please contact us anytime!
To efficiently add comments to a PDF, simply open the document in pdfFiller, navigate to the 'Comment' tool, and choose the appropriate annotation type such as sticky notes or highlights. This process allows for real-time collaboration and ensures that all team members, including remote professionals and legal teams, can share feedback seamlessly. Furthermore, consider utilizing the document automation features to keep track of comments and versions, thereby enhancing your workflow.
pdfFiller offers a range of tools for adding comments to PDFs, including text boxes, sticky notes, shapes, and highlighters. These tools help users, particularly SMEs needing secure document management, to express their ideas clearly and visually. By using these intuitive commenting features, you can improve communication and ensure all feedback is documented for future reference. Remember, leveraging such tools can enhance transparency and streamline document review processes.
Yes, adding comments to PDF documents on pdfFiller is secure, thanks to robust security protocols. All your annotations are encrypted, ensuring the protection of sensitive data, which is crucial for legal teams managing confidential materials. To enhance security further, consider setting permission controls for who can view or comment on your documents, providing an additional layer of protection for your information.
Absolutely! pdfFiller allows real-time collaboration when adding comments to PDFs, which is essential for remote professionals working together on a document. Team members can view and respond to comments instantly, ensuring that feedback is addressed promptly. To maximize collaboration effectiveness, utilize the shared links feature to invite colleagues without having to send multiple emails, thus keeping everything centralized.
When adding comments to a PDF, it's best to be concise and specific. Use clear headers or bullet points to categorize feedback, making it easier for recipients to digest. pdfFiller’s tools enable you to highlight important areas or draw attention to specific sections efficiently. For further clarity, include action items in your comments to guide the recipients on necessary next steps, preventing any confusion in communication.
The ability to add comments to a PDF integrates seamlessly with pdfFiller’s eSigning and document management functionalities. Users can annotate a document, send it for signature, and manage revisions all in one platform, reducing the need to switch tools. This integration not only saves time but also ensures a comprehensive approach to document handling, especially beneficial for SMEs needing an efficient document workflow.
Using pdfFiller to add comments to PDFs offers long-term benefits such as improved document accessibility and efficient collaboration. By centralizing comments and streamlining the review process, teams can significantly reduce turnaround times for approvals and edits. Additionally, having a clear record of feedback and changes aids in maintaining compliance and accountability, particularly for legal teams that require stringent documentation. Ultimately, this ensures a more organized and efficient approach to managing your documents.

Annotate PDFs with a trusted, all-in-one solution

Try pdfFiller for all your document management needs.
Upload document