PDF files are the standard format when sharing documents, and it'south like shooting fish in a barrel to see why. They open on all operating systems, they can be countersign-protected, copy-and-edit-restricted, and you tin fifty-fifty prevent others from press them out.

PDF files aren't affected past viruses, so you tin pretty much always open up them with conviction. A PDF file opens almost instantly, you can easily embed videos, also every bit pictures, sound files, and other media. Take that, Microsoft Word!

Every bit with whatsoever other type of file, a PDF is only as good as your ability to share it with others. Hither are our top picks for the best free PDF hosting out in that location.

PDF Hosting for Beginners: The Run-Down

Many websites are now able to host PDFs online. The PDF file remains open inside of a widget; you tin can scroll through it correct in your browser. From Supreme Court rulings to America's favorite recipe for chocolate block, you're probable to find all kinds of PDFs afterward a quick Google search.

Other tools enable y'all to hands convert other files to the PDF format. For example, if y'all have a PowerPoint presentation, yous tin export it as a PDF to share. You might even stop upwards with better-looking slides in the procedure.

Which PDF-hosting sites are the best? Which one should yous be using? Read on to encounter some that you might already know and utilize, forth with a few new ones, as well.

1. Scribd

Nosotros'll start off with perchance the most well-known manner to host a PDF online. Scribd is now positioning itself as a monthly subscription service for eBooks and audiobooks—in fact, you can't fifty-fifty crack in without forfeiting your credit card information first.

Thankfully, you're still able to search Scribd's archives without paying. If you use the search function with a documents-simply filter enabled, you'll see many PDFs hosted hither. You can search inside these documents, share them on social media, rate them, and even download them for yourself in some cases.

Scribd Features

  • Documents tin be public or private.
  • Y'all tin can upload multiple files at one time.
  • Yous can upload revisions smoothly.
  • You tin upload cloud-based files from Google Docs, Facebook, and Gmail, too.
  • Yous tin set up reader permissions and make up one's mind if your content tin can exist copy and pasted from the site, if people can get out comments and reviews on your piece of work, and even whether or non your PDF is available to download.
  • If your document is in another format, you tin convert it to PDF.
  • You lot tin embed a PDF file (Either yours or someone else'southward) on your website.
  • Scribd makes your content readable on iPhone, iPad, Android, and other mobile devices.

2. Google Drive

Google Drive is admittedly fantastic, and one really cool feature is the power to upload documents and then re-download them equally a PDF file.

Google Drive tin can help y'all publish your PDF documents publicly, which can then be shared to a wider audience. You tin also embed the file on your website; access tin can be revoked at any time.

Google Drive Features

  • Convert multiple formats into a PDF file.
  • Publish your documents to the public.
  • Revoke access at whatsoever time.
  • Embed a PDF file on your website or blog.
  • Edit the original file and see the published file updated automatically.
  • Control who can edit the PDF file.

3. Box

Box is so underrated, probably due to its well-known rivals, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive. If you can find it in your heart to give Box a shot, yet, you might be pleasantly surprised. One of these features is the ability to embed PDF files inside of a widget, just similar these other options.

Box Features

  • Choose your own custom URL for the widget.
  • Customize the look of the widget'due south size and colour.
  • Protect the shared link with a password.
  • Set up a date for the link to expire.
  • Enable or disable download permission for your documents.

4. Beamium

Beamium offers a drag-and-driblet interface; uploading PDF files is quick and like shooting fish in a barrel. It works as a swell virtual alternative to PowerPoint. You lot upload your slides equally a single PDF file and are and so given a unique presentation lawmaking. You tin can send this URL to everyone that you would like to share your PDF presentations with.

Attendees then go to the Beamium site, enter the code, and see what y'all've uploaded in existent-time as you nowadays it. You shuffle from slide to slide from home, and your invited viewers watch right along, only similar a real PDF presentation. You can even actuate a small, digital light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation pointer, college professor-style.

Beamium Features

  • Uncomplicated and highly-seasoned service.
  • Your files stay hosted on the Beamium site for 14 days if you register for an business relationship.
  • Browser-based, cantankerous-platform, and no software to download.
  • Presentations are displayed in full-screen.

5. Publitas

If yous're looking for a stable way to monetize your publication, a Dutch visitor called Publitas aims to serve. Information technology's a site that will host your PDF publications and allow customers to purchase them through an online checkout arrangement. You can also upload PDFs that are free to read and download also.

There are different pricing tiers—a free plan, and 4 paid plans. The costless programme is extremely generous, though, so yous may never demand to upgrade.

Publitas Features

  • Extremely intuitive to employ.
  • Impact-optimized for mobile devices and tablets.
  • Yous can add links to other parts of the publication, likewise equally additional media.

6. Flipsnack

Flipsnack is a service that lets yous create an online flip book out of your PDF. You can edit the pages of your file with an incredibly diverse suite of design tools as well.

If y'all need a template, you'll be covered here. Their interface gives yous many layers to piece of work with; designing an interactive e-com catalog, for instance, is super piece of cake. You lot tin create clickable buttons, epitome pop-ups, and even conditional discounts.

Flipsnack Features

  • A Wix-like blueprint studio lets you build each layout from scratch.
  • Pages can be rearranged and redesigned later being uploaded.
  • Easy-to-customize templates.
  • Built-in paradigm editor.
  • Media integration—audio, video, hyperlinks, and even forms.

7. Slides

Slides is however some other site for creating slide presentations from uploaded PDF documents. Each page will go a slide. Y'all can then add text, more images, tables, graphs, and other media.

Each file uploaded is public, unless you pay for the Pro plan. A small luxury, but, in some cases, well-worth the premium.

Slides Features

  • No demand to download anything. Everything is done in-browser.
  • Optimized for mobile devices and tablets.
  • Slides tin be embedded on the web.
  • You tin download slides to view offline.
  • Presentations can be remote-controlled by a touch on-enabled device.

Host a PDF Online for Your Adjacent Big Presentation

Putting on the show of a lifetime doesn't have to be a pain. These services make sharing PDFs online like shooting fish in a barrel and convenient. Some of them even rival PowerPoint in their ability to create a live presentation out of your PDF.

In our digital globe of remote offices and classrooms, the ability to share PDFs effectively is unquestionable. If you're working on a budget, any of the to a higher place will help y'all get your files where they demand to become, totally complimentary.