What's the difference between Personal and Studio?

Personal ($39) is for one person — unlimited use on one active device at a time. Activate on a new device and the old one signs out. Studio ($199) is for teams and commercial client work — unlimited team members, early access to new tools, and a commercial license.

Do I need an account?

No. Use any tool free up to 5 times per day on compute-heavier tools, and unlimited on lightweight ones. No card, no account, no signup required.

Where are my files processed?

Right on your device. Files never upload to any server. Everything runs in your browser — you can verify in DevTools → Network.

What happens if I use my Personal license on a second device?

The new device activates and the old device signs out. Your license key stays the same — you just move it between devices as needed. No limit on how often you switch.

Does this work on my phone?

Yes. Every tool works on iPhone, Android, tablet, and desktop.

What if I want a refund?

30-day money-back guarantee on both tiers. No questions asked. Email sales@cipherforces.com.

Will you add more tools?

Yes. New tools ship regularly. Your license includes every tool we ever release — Studio members get early access.

Pdf

Redact PDF

Black out sensitive text in a PDF.

By Daniel BeglaryanUpdated August 2026

PrivateWorks OfflineNo Account

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Deep dive

About Redact PDF.

Permanently Black Out Sensitive Text in Any PDF

Real redaction means the underlying text is gone — not just covered. CipherForces PDF Redactor draws opaque black boxes AND removes the text from the PDF stream underneath. No SmallPDF-style "redaction" that can be undone with copy-paste. True permanent removal.

Common Use Cases

Legal disclosures: Hide SSN, bank accounts, client names before sending a contract.
HIPAA / PHI: Strip patient names and medical record numbers from PDFs you share.
FOIA responses: Redact classified info while releasing the rest.
Resume privacy: Hide your current employer's name from a sample contract shared publicly.

Key Features

True text removal: The redacted text is deleted from the PDF, not just covered.
Click-and-drag: Draw redaction boxes anywhere on the page.
Find-and-redact: Type a term (e.g., "SSN") and auto-redact every match.
Metadata scrubbing: Strip author, comments, and edit history alongside the redaction.

Privacy: Entirely browser-based — the sensitive content you're trying to hide never uploads to a server.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions.

How do I black out text in a PDF for free?

Open the Redact PDF tool, load your file, and select the text or areas you want hidden. The tool paints a solid black box over each selection and lets you save a new PDF. There is no signup and no cost to use it.

Does the Redact PDF tool upload my file to a server?

No. The tool runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript, so your PDF is processed on your own device and never sent to a server. Nothing is stored or transmitted, which keeps confidential documents private even on a shared or work computer.

Is the redacted text actually removed or just hidden visually?

The tool draws a black box over the selected area so the content is no longer visible in the rendered page. Always review your exported PDF carefully before sharing, since redaction tools vary in how they handle the underlying text layer.

Can I redact a PDF without installing software or signing up?

Yes. The Redact PDF tool works directly in your web browser with no installation, account, or payment required. Just open the page, load your PDF, mark the sensitive parts, and download the redacted copy on any modern desktop or mobile browser.

Three steps