Annotate PDF - Free Desktop App
Highlight text, leave comments, draw, add shapes, stamp and sign — right on the page. Mark up contracts, papers and reports without uploading them to a website. Works offline; your files never leave your device.
How it works
- 1 Download FileHop Free · 181 MB · Mac & Windows
- 2 Open the folder with your files It opens like Finder or File Explorer.
- 3 Right-click your file Pick the tool you need — it runs instantly, on your device.
All processing happens locally on your computer. Your PDFs never leave your device.
Just 181 MB
Why Desktop Annotation Beats Online PDF Tools
| Feature | Online Tools | FileHop Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Upload Required | ❌ Required | 🎯 Never |
| File Size Limit | ❌ 50MB max | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Speed | ⏳ Slow (upload/download) | ⚡ Instant |
| Batch Processing | ❌ 1 file | ✅ 1000s |
| Privacy | ⚠️ Risky (cloud upload) | 🔒 100% Local |
| No Watermark | ⚠️ Sometimes added | ✅ Never |
| Offline | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Cost | Free | Free ✅ |
Why Choose FileHop Desktop?
Privacy First
Files never leave your computer. No cloud upload, no data collection, 100% local.
Lightning Fast
Process files 10x faster than online tools. No upload wait, no download wait.
No Limits
Convert unlimited files of any size. Batch process thousands in one click.
Batch Processing
Convert, compress, or edit hundreds of files at once — a whole folder in one go.
Works Offline
No internet required. Perfect for flights, secure environments.
Free to Use
No trial limits, no watermarks, no credit card required.
When You Need This
Real scenarios where marking up a PDF on your own device matters.
Mark up contracts privately
Comment and highlight clauses on a confidential contract without sending it to a cloud tool.
Learn more →Highlight research papers
Highlight findings and add margin notes across a stack of PDFs while reviewing the literature.
Learn more →Annotate, then redact
Mark what needs to go, then permanently remove it with the Redact tool before sharing.
Learn more →Frequently Asked Questions
Is annotating PDFs really free?
Yes, completely free with no limits. Annotate as many PDFs as you want, of any size. No watermarks, no signup, no credit card required.
Do my PDFs get uploaded to a server?
Never. All annotation happens locally on your computer. Your documents never leave your device — ideal for contracts, medical records, and anything confidential.
What kinds of annotations can I add?
Highlight and underline text, add sticky-note comments, draw freehand, insert shapes and arrows, drop text boxes, and stamp or sign the page.
Can I sign a PDF?
Yes. Add a typed or drawn signature and place it anywhere on the page, then save a flattened copy you can email.
What if I need to permanently remove sensitive text?
Use the Redact PDF tool — it removes the underlying text and pixels for good, unlike a highlight that only covers them visually.
Will my annotations work in other PDF readers?
Yes. Annotations are saved as standard PDF markup, so they open correctly in Preview, Acrobat, and any modern PDF viewer.
Does it work offline?
Yes, FileHop works 100% offline after installation. No internet connection is required to annotate PDFs.
What platforms are supported?
Mac (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Windows (10, 11). Download the version for your operating system.