Most PDF protection tools require payment or add watermarks. Rune's Protect PDF is completely free with no limitations.
What You Get Free
- Password protection for any PDF
- Strong encryption
- No watermarks on output
- No file size limits (for personal use)
- No account required
- Unlimited usage
Why Free Matters
Occasional Use
If you only protect documents occasionally, paying for software is unnecessary.
Budget Constraints
Students, small businesses, and individuals benefit from free tools.
Quick Access
No signup means instant protection when you need it.
Comparison
| Feature | Rune (Free) | Paid Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| Password protection | ✅ | ✅ |
| Strong encryption | ✅ | ✅ |
| Watermarks | None | Often on free tier |
| Account required | No | Usually |
| Cost | $0 | $10-30/month |
How to Use
- Open Rune's Protect PDF.
- Upload your PDF.
- Enter a password.
- Download protected file.
That's it. No signup, no payment, no catches.
Quality of Protection
Free doesn't mean weak. Rune uses the same encryption algorithms as paid tools:
- AES encryption
- Industry-standard security
- Resistant to brute force attacks (with strong passwords)
Privacy Included
- All processing happens in your browser
- No documents uploaded to servers
- Complete confidentiality
When to Use Paid Tools
Consider paid PDF security software when you need:
- Enterprise management
- Access control and permissions
- Audit logging
- Digital rights management
For basic password protection, Rune is sufficient.
Conclusion
PDF protection doesn't need to cost money. Rune's Protect PDF provides free, professional-grade encryption.