cd /news/developer-tools/i-built-a-pdf-redactor-that-never-up… · home topics developer-tools article
[ARTICLE · art-9670] src=dev.to ↗ pub= topic=developer-tools verified=true sentiment=↑ positive

I built a PDF redactor that never uploads your files

The article describes the creation of RedactPDF, a free, browser-based PDF redaction tool built with Next.js, pdf.js, and Tailwind CSS that processes all data client-side using Web Workers, ensuring no files are uploaded to any server. The developer built it after finding that existing "free" online PDF tools required uploading sensitive tax documents containing Social Security numbers and bank details to unknown servers. The tool is currently free to use at redactpdf.org, with plans to open-source the codebase once stable.

read1 min views16 publishedMay 22, 2026

I had to redact sensitive info from PDF tax documents last month. Every "free" tool online wanted me to upload my files to their server first. No way I'm up tax docs with SSN and bank details to some random server. So I built RedactPDF: https://redactpdf.org Next.js + pdf.js + Tailwind CSS. Everything runs client-side using Web Workers so it doesn't freeze on large PDFs. Privacy. Most online PDF tools are black boxes. You don't know where your files go. RedactPDF runs entirely in your browser. Open your DevTools → Network tab and try it. Zero requests when you redact. If you handle client PDFs - lawyers, CAs, freelancers, HR - this might save you. It's free to use at redactpdf.org I'm planning to open source it once the codebase is stable and cleaned up. Right now focusing on shipping features users actually need. If you want to self-host or contribute, drop a comment or DM me. I'll add you to the early access list. What features would make this useful for your workflow? Drop a comment 👇 P.S. Tried posting on Reddit/HN first but new accounts get blocked 😅 Hope Dev.to community likes privacy-first tools.

── more in #developer-tools 4 stories · sorted by recency
── more on @redactpdf 3 stories trending now
sponsored brought to you by zahid.host 4,200+ EU-deployed projects
reading about agents? ship yours in a single git push.

Run your AI side-project on zahid.host

EU-based hosting, git-push deploys, automatic HTTPS, no cold starts. Free tier with a custom domain — perfect for shipping the agent you just read about.

$git push zahid main
Live at https://your-agent.zahid.host
Get free account → Pricing
from €0/mo · no card required
LIVE [news/i-built-a-pdf-redact…] indexed:0 read:1min 2026-05-22 ·