Do I need Adobe Acrobat to make a fillable PDF?

No — PDF Form Builder produces real fillable PDFs with working form fields entirely in the browser, no Acrobat or other paid software needed.

Will the form work when opened in any PDF reader?

Yes, it uses standard PDF form fields (AcroForms), which are supported by Adobe Reader, Preview, most browsers' built-in PDF viewers, and mobile PDF apps.

How many fields can a free form have?

Up to 5 fields on the free plan, any type except signature. Paid plans remove the field limit and unlock the signature field.

Can people sign the form digitally?

Yes, via the signature field type — available on paid plans.

Is my form data stored on your servers?

No — the form design isn't stored unless you sign in and explicitly save it to your account. Filled-in responses from whoever completes the PDF stay on their own device unless your workflow emails or uploads them elsewhere.

How to build a fillable PDF form for free

Updated September 2026

A 'fillable PDF' means someone can type directly into it in any PDF reader — no printing, signing by hand and scanning back. Making one normally means Adobe Acrobat or similar paid software. Here's how to build one entirely in the browser for free.

What a fillable PDF actually is

It's a normal PDF with form fields embedded in it — real interactive fields (AcroForm fields), not just an image of a form. Anyone opening it in Adobe Reader, Preview on Mac, or most phone PDF apps can click into a field and type, tick a box, or pick from a dropdown, then save or email it back filled in.

Designing the form

PDF Form Builder works like a simple design canvas: start from a blank page or a template, then click or drag fields onto it. Seven field types cover most forms — single-line text, paragraph text, checkbox, multiple choice (radio), dropdown, date, and signature.

Position and size each field by dragging it, add labels and placeholder text, and set page size (A4 or Letter) to match how it'll actually be printed or filled digitally.

A few things that make a form easier to fill

Small choices in the layout make a real difference to completion rates:

Group related fields together (all contact details, then all the actual questions) rather than scattering them
Use a dropdown or radio group instead of a free-text field wherever the answer is one of a fixed set — it's faster to fill and easier to read back
Leave enough vertical space around a paragraph field — a cramped text box discourages a full answer
Put the signature field last, where a signer naturally expects it

Exporting the fillable PDF

"Download Fillable PDF" generates the actual PDF with working AcroForm fields baked in — open it in any standard PDF reader and every field is clickable and editable, not just visually present. Nothing about your form design is stored anywhere unless you choose to save it to your account.

Free plan limits

The free plan covers forms up to 5 fields, using any of the field types except signature, which is reserved for paid plans (useful for anything that needs a legally-oriented sign-off — consent forms, waivers, agreements). A paid plan removes the field cap and unlocks the signature field.