Is PDFdrive Safe & Legit? Is It Really 100% legal? (2022 Update) (2023)

Upfront Summary: Is PDFdrive Legit?

PDFdrive is a legitimate search engine for e-files, which enables you to search, preview, and download various PDFs. You will find more than 79 million ebooks, articles, and more on the search engine.

The search engine is free, but you can also opt for the premium version. PDFdrive’s premium version will become ad-free and offer unlimited cloud storage, and maximum download speeds, among other perks. The best part is that the PDFdrive has a mobile application for Android devices, letting users access its library of books on the go. Here is everything you need to know about this company.

(Video) Is it legal to download books from PDF drive?

Is PDFdrive Safe & Legit? Is It Really 100% legal? (2022 Update) (1)

Table of Contents

  1. PDFdrive Company Information
  2. What is PDFdrive?
  3. Is PDFdrive Legal And Safe Or A Scam?
  4. Is PDFdrive Reliable And Trustworthy?
  5. The Pros And Cons Of PDFdrive
  6. How Does PDFdrive Make Money?
  7. Best PDFdrive Alternatives
  8. FAQs

PDFdrive Company Information

Official Website:https://www.pdfdrive.com/
Headquarters Location:677 Seventh Ave San Diego, CA 92101, United States
Founded:2017
Industry:Technology, E-books
Ownership:N/A
Contact:https://www.pdfdrive.com/home/contact
Trust Score:Average
Social Media:Twitter and Facebook

What Is PDFdrive?

PDFdrive is an online search engine that allows searching, previews, and downloads of PDFs. You will find millions of magazines, ebooks, and more on the platform. Once you find what you are looking for, you can download it quickly.

There is a long list of categories that PDFdrive offers. These include art, business, lifestyle, health and fitness, science fiction, biography, and more. You can also find what you need in Most Popular and Editor’s Pick categories.

The website is intuitive, and you can search for something by writing the title or the author. Besides that, you can also peruse the various categories. The search engine is an excellent solution for people looking to read more.

The PDFdrive crawlers constantly scan the web to add more PDF files to the database. Besides that, if a particular PDF is withdrawn from the internet, PDFdrive will also remove it from their database. They do this to protect their website.

Is PDFdrive Legal And Safe Or A Scam?

Is The Site Generally Legal? In All Countries?

It is generally legal to use as long as you read the content and not print it. The PDFdrive DMCA disclaimer states that the data provided is published for a general purpose, and the company does not offer warranties on the content.

(Video) is PDF Drive website unsafe?😱 - how to download pdf book safe🔥 #shorts #computer

You can also check the source URL to see if the PDF files are legitimate. It is always best to check the copyright laws in your region before using this website.

How High Is The Chance Of Being Scammed?

PDFdrive does not scam its users. If you want to understand this, you can opt for their free trial of seven days. Besides that, you can also scour the search engine for free and download many books to read in no time.

Does The Site Contain Viruses Or Malware?

The website does not contain malware or viruses. However, PDF files are always at risk of containing malware or viruses. That is why you must always check the source URL to ensure the book you download does not harm your device.

Does The Site Steal Sensitive Data?

The website will not steal your sensitive data; you only need to offer basic personal information such as your name and email if you use it for free. On the other hand, you will have to give your credit card information to the premium account.

As of now, there are no complaints about sensitive data being stolen. Even people with premium accounts don’t face any issues with PDFdrive.

Are There Similar Fake Sites To Be Aware Of?

PDFdrive only has one website that will help you find some fantastic ebooks on the internet. No fake look-alike websites are imitating PDFdrive, so you can enjoy reading your favorite eBooks and documents on PDFdrive without worries; just make sure you are accessing the site using their official link at https://www.pdfdrive.com/.

Is PDFdrive Reliable And Trustworthy?

How Good Are The Company’s Overall Web Ratings?

There are no ratings on the web of PDFdrive. However, many people have used it, and their experiences have been good. That is why the only way to understand it is to use the search engine yourself.

(Video) 5 amazing websites to download books for FREE!

According to Scamadviser, the trust score of PDFdrive is average to good, and the site is legit and safe for consumers to access. However, users have been advised to do their own checking well.

Does The Site Have A Refund Policy?

There is no refund policy available for PDFdrive on their website or elsewhere. Most people stick to the free version of ebooks and more. You can contact the platform and talk to their team if you want to know more about this.

How Many Scam Reports Are There Compared To Positive Reports?

There are no scam reports on PDFdrive out there. That is because the search engine is free to use, and you can download any book you like. So, the search engine can’t scam you if you can access everything for free. Moreover, users who paid for premium subscriptions have made no scam complaints either.

How Reliable Is The Customer Support?

If you are looking to request a book, you can contact the search engine on their page. Once they review your request, they will get back to you through email. However, they might take a few days to respond to your request.

The Pros And Cons Of PDFdrive

Is PDFdrive Safe & Legit? Is It Really 100% legal? (2022 Update) (2)

Pros

  • You will find over 79 million things to read
  • It has a mobile app for easy access on the go.
  • There are many categories to choose from
  • It is free and easy to use

Cons

  • Some files may contain malware, which is why you must always check the source URL.
  • There is not much information, reviews, or ratings on the platform on the internet

How Does PDFdrive Make Money?

PDFdrive makes money by offering premium accounts to users who want more features. Its website has an estimated web sales of less than $1 million. If you also want all the features of this search engine, you can opt for their premium account.

Best PDFdrive Alternatives

While PDFdrive has over 80 million things to read, you might still not find certain things. In that case, there are other websites you can use to look for ebooks. These include:

(Video) Can a PDF Have a Virus? - How to Safely View a Malicious PDF

  • Bookyards
  • Bookboon
  • Free-ebooks.net
  • Internet Archive
  • Open Library
  • ManyBooks
  • Kupdf
  • Academia
  • Smashwords
  • Page by Page Books
  • And many more

FAQs

Is Downloading PDFdrive Books Safe?

Yes, you can download the ebooks to read them whenever you like. However, keep in mind that it will be illegal if you print the PDF document of copyright material. On the other hand, if you have created the material, it is legal to print it.

Another thing to remember is that not all PDF books might be safe, and some might contain a virus or malware that can harm your device. The best way to avoid this issue is to check the source URL.

Can You Trust PDFdrive?

Yes, you can trust PDFdrive because it is legitimate. The website has approval from Google AdSense; besides that, it gets its PDFs from other internet sources.

So, you are not getting something that doesn’t already exist on the internet. That is why you can trust PDFdrive to offer you fantastic and safe ebooks in no time.

How To View Content On PDFdrive?

It is incredibly easy to view content on PDFdrive. There are three key controls on PDFdrive, and you can choose one depending on your needs. The key controls are:

  1. The first one is a preview, allowing you to preview the document.
  2. The second one is a download that will enable you to download the book within seconds.
  3. Finally, the vertical dot next to the preview button is the last option, which will offer you additional options.

How To Avoid Getting a Virus From PDFdrive?

You can take a few steps to avoid getting a virus from one of the ebooks on PDfdrive. The first thing you must do is ensure that the author and book title are correct. Besides that, you can use anti-virus software to scan the PDF file for viruses before you open it.

Once you have the document, ensure you don’t click on any links. You can also use cloud readers to open the file and ensure no virus exists. All these steps will help you avoid getting a virus from PDFdrive in no time.

(Video) Download Any Book PDF For Free || Best Trick To Download Paid Books PDF For Free ||

Read More:

FAQs

Is PDFDrive legit or not? ›

The DMCA disclaimer on PDF Drive states that the data provided is published for general purposes and the company doesn't provide any warranties on the content itself. They even go so far as to provide you with the source URL so you can check the legitimacy of the file.

Is PDFDrive legal in US? ›

Pdfdrive is not technically illegal in the USA because scraping web and keeping an index of pdf files is legal. They don't give you books directly but they give you the location of books. Just like pirated movies or songs, it's illegal to download or read a pirated copy of a book.

What is happening to PDFDrive com? ›

pdfdrive.com is blocked since it contains inappropriate content. PDF Drive is a free search engine which allows you to search, preview and download millions of PDF files into your devices.

Is it safe to download free PDF books? ›

Never download pirated eBooks. Always buy books and digital content from legitimate retailers. Unless it's from a trusted retailer, some ebooks may contain malicious software that can install malware, spyware, and viruses in your computer. Do not distribute ebooks unless the company or author allows it.

Which are the best sites to download PDF books free? ›

5 Best Sites to Download Free PDF Books in 2022
  • Open Library.
  • Bookboon.
  • PDF Books World.
  • Project Gutenberg.
  • ManyBooks.
Jan 13, 2022

How do I know if a PDF is legit? ›

Scanning a PDF for viruses in a hurry.
  1. In your internet browser, go to the VirusTotal website.
  2. Select the tab for FILE, URL, or SEARCH. The SEARCH option lets you type in a URL, IP address, domain, or file hash.
  3. Upload a file, copy and paste a URL, or enter your search terms.
  4. View results.

What is the equivalent of Pdfdrive? ›

Internet Archive is one of the best and trendy alternatives to PDF Drive as it has a huge collection of over 25 million books in downloadable format, which the readers can access and download without any cost.

Are PDF documents legal? ›

Electronic signatures are legally binding in most jurisdictions and will hold up in court just like traditional paper documents, making PDF documents an ideal format for important legal documents. Enhanced security is a primary feature of using digital PDF documents.

Is it illegal to print a PDF of a book? ›

If you obtained the PDF legally, you are free to print it. However, reprinting multiple copies for use beyond the “Fair Use” doctrine—which includes education, criticism, research, review, news reporting—would be in violation of copyright.

Who owns drive PDF viewer? ›

Google PDF Viewer is, as its name indicates, Google's official PDF viewer. Usually, you can find all the features this app offers right on Google Drive, and thus the app's main aim is to offer an option for when Google Drive isn't available on your Android device.

Where is Pdfdrive located? ›

PDF Drive's headquarters are located at 6888 Friars Rd Unit 307, San Diego, California, 92108, United States What is PDF Drive's official website?

Why is PDF disappearing? ›

This situation can be caused by program crashes, browser errors, plugin problems, insufficient cash storage, and more. Or, your PDF text disappears after saving, which can be due to virus attacks, system crashes, human errors, etc.

What is a safe site to download books for free? ›

Comparison Table of Best Free Book Download Sites
Tool NameBest For
SmashwordsReading and Publishing eBooks
Project GutenbergReading books online and offline for free.
ManybooksDownload books online for free.
Open LibraryReading books in almost any format online for free.
2 more rows
Apr 3, 2023

What is the safest free PDF Converter? ›

PDFelement is the best free PDF converter for Windows 10, 8, 7, and Mac. It has what a great free PDF converter should possess: Various converting output formats, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, image, text, HTML, epub, and so on. OCR feature, helping to convert a scanned PDF as an editable document.

Can I get in trouble for downloading free books? ›

At base that's a civil matter, i.e. you don't get arrested by the state - the cops - just for infringing someone's copyright, but the copyright owner can sue you for damages and get you to stop. Is it okay to download books and other stuff from internet if I can't afford them? No, it's definitely not okay.

Is it safe to download books from Pdfdrive? ›

PDF Drive is generally safe in the sense that most users don't run into any problems on the site. However, it's better to err on the side of caution. PDF Drive is a publicly curated database – that means that most of the titles are sourced from users themselves.

How can I download full PDF books for free? ›

List Of The Top Websites To Download Free PDF Textbooks
  1. Smashwords.
  2. Open Textbook Library.
  3. Libre Texts.
  4. OpenStax.org.
  5. Bookboon.com.
  6. Project Gutenberg.
  7. Free E-Books.net.
  8. Internet Archive Books.
Mar 16, 2023

How can I download PDF files without paying? ›

Things You Should Know
  1. Download a free PDF reader if your computer does not already have one.
  2. Right click the PDF, click the floppy disk button, or click File at the top of your screen. Then, select Save As or Save Page As.
  3. Open your PDF file reader and select File > Open to view the downloaded file.

How do I know if a PDF is original or edited? ›

Adobe Acrobat's 'compare' tool for PDFs

Open the original PDF. In the View tab, choose Compare Files. Use the New File option that pops up to choose the PDF you want to compare the original to. Click the blue Compare button to view Acrobat's report comparing the documents side-by-side, highlighting all the changes.

How do I know if a PDF is unprotected? ›

Using your computer's basic Adobe Reader software, you can determine the security settings of any PDF file.
  1. Double-click on the PDF file that you want to open. Adobe Reader or Acrobat should open automatically. ...
  2. Click on the “File” menu.
  3. Click “Properties.” A new window opens on screen.
  4. Click the “Security” tab.

How do you check if a PDF is secured? ›

To view the security settings of a document, choose File > Properties in Acrobat or Reader. From the Document Properties dialog box, click the Security tab. If you have trouble opening a PDF, or you're restricted from using certain features, contact the author of the PDF.

How many books are on Pdfdrive? ›

× PDF Drive is your search engine for PDF files. As of today we have 83,564,941 eBooks for you to download for free. No annoying ads, no download limits, enjoy it and don't forget to bookmark and share the love!

Which app is better to read PDF? ›

Adobe Acrobat Reader

One of the preferred choices to read PDF ebooks on Android. The app supports 18:9 displays and other aspect ratios. It allows you to edit the PDF, take notes, fill out forms, and add your signature. It also provides some amount of cloud storage support.

Is there a better alternative to PDF? ›

Other important factors to consider when researching alternatives to Easy PDF include user interface. We have compiled a list of solutions that reviewers voted as the best overall alternatives and competitors to Easy PDF, including Wondershare PDFelement, Foxit PDF Editor, Adobe Acrobat, and pdfFiller by airSlate.

Is typing your name a legal signature? ›

Most other regulations and federal laws offer similar guidelines for digital signatures and electronic records. This means that a typed signature — especially when presented in the correct context — can serve as a legally binding substitute for a handwritten signature.

Is a printed PDF an original document? ›

Would the document be considered an original, if it has been signed and then printed? It's important to note that the electronic signature is performed on your digital document that is in a PDF format. Only this PDF is considered as an original and has legal value.

Are online PDFs illegal? ›

This helps us sort answers on the page. If they are still under copyright, the rights owner must give permission for dissemination. That may be general permission or only relate to specific sites. Without that permission, downloading is illegal.

Can a protected PDF be printed? ›

To print a secured PDF, you need to enter the password to unencrypt the PDF, then click the "Print" button to get it done. And the printing options can help you customize the size and the orientation of the output file freely. If you need to edit the PDF file before printing, this software can help you do that easily.

Is it illegal to copy a book that is out of print? ›

Answer. As a general rule, works published in the United States remain covered by copyright protection until 70 years after the death of the author, even if those works have become out-of-print.

Can I see who opens my PDF? ›

Can you track who opens a document? Yes, but you need a licensing system to identify the user, and the ability to lock a PDF to a device so you have certainty of who you are tracking.

Who viewed my drive file? ›

On the Activity Dashboard screen, select “Viewers” from the left-hand menu. To view who has accessed your Google Doc, Sheet, or Slide, click on the “All Viewers” tab located on the right side of the screen. You'll now see a list of people who have viewed your document, along with the date and time of their last access.

Why did Google remove PDF viewer? ›

Hi Folks, We are consolidating the PDF viewing capability previously provided in the standalone PDF Viewer application into the Files By Google app. With this change, we will deprecate the standalone PDF Viewer application and remove it from the Play Store.

Why is Pdfdrive legal? ›

PDF Drive lets you download files from the public web using its servers – the servers act as a proxy for you. This means that no data is controlled by us and you must have the legal right to download the content you are accessing through our servers; this site should not be used for any other purpose.

When was Pdfdrive founded? ›

PDF Drive started its journey from March, 2017 by the sponsorship of Asaha Inc., San Diego, United States. PDF Drive provides two types of services, i.e., free services and paid services.

How to download book free? ›

Where to find ebooks at popular and esoteric sites
  1. Open Library. The Open Library has more than 1 million free e-books available. ...
  2. Internet Archive. The Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library. ...
  3. Project Gutenberg. ...
  4. ManyBooks.net. ...
  5. BookBoon. ...
  6. Free eBooks. ...
  7. LibriVox. ...
  8. Hundred Zeros.

Do PDFs ever expire? ›

Once a PDF file has expired it can no longer be opened. Users cannot unlock or open expired PDF files. When a PDF file has expired, an expiry message is displayed: The email address is replaced with your own one so users know who to contact once the PDF has expired.

What's wrong with PDF files? ›

Because PDFs aren't web pages, they don't show a standard navigation like a website would. Users often struggle to stay oriented with where they are, and how to get back to where they were before.

Are PDFs permanent? ›

That's the whole point of a PDF: it's a permanent document that can't be changed.

What site has every book for free? ›

Free downloadable Ebook Websites
  • Free Ebooks.Net. This site has some free ebooks you can download or view on your computer. ...
  • Project Gutenberg. Project Gutenberg provides access to over 30,000 free ebooks that you can either view on your computer or download to a device. ...
  • Obooko. ...
  • Manybooks.net. ...
  • Scribd.
Feb 2, 2023

How can I get free books online legally? ›

Reviews of the 25 Best Sites to Legally Download Free E-Books and Audiobooks
  1. Authorama Review. ...
  2. BookRix Review. ...
  3. eBooks.com Review. ...
  4. Free Computer Books Review. ...
  5. Free-Ebooks.net Review. ...
  6. Google Play Books Review. ...
  7. HathiTrust Digital Library Review. ...
  8. Internet Archive eBooks and Texts Review.

Is there a site where I can read any book for free? ›

11 Great Places to Read Free Books Online
  • BookBub.
  • Project Gutenberg.
  • World Public Library.
  • Riveted.
  • Radish.
  • International Children's Digital Library.
  • Smashwords.
  • OverDrive.
Sep 10, 2020

Is there a 100% free PDF editor? ›

PDFescape is the free online editor and a form filler. You can view and edit PDF files. It will allow you to create new PDF forms. It will let you upload PDFs from the PC as well as from the Internet.

Does Google have a free PDF converter? ›

PDF Convert - Convert Documents - Google Workspace Marketplace. Convert your Documents to PDF and vice-versa format for free. This software is free to use and will convert your documents into PDF and vice-versa within seconds.

What is the best online convert to PDF? ›

The best way to convert to PDF is using one of Soda PDF's 100% secure converter tools. Simply upload your PDF and select the file format you want to convert to. With just one click, our easy-to-use online tool turns any PDF into any MS Office or image file!

Why downloading free is illegal? ›

Most songs and movies that appear on download or file–sharing websites are copyrighted. It is illegal to download any music or movies that are copyrighted. Downloading or file-sharing a copyrighted song or movie could expose you to a lawsuit for money damages that could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Is it OK to download free pdf books? ›

Always buy books and digital content from legitimate retailers. Unless it's from a trusted retailer, some ebooks may contain malicious software that can install malware, spyware, and viruses in your computer.

Can you get in trouble for downloading things? ›

The violation is typically enforced as a civil matter, although specific penalties vary by jurisdictions and some may apply criminal punishments. Generally speaking, however, the most likely penalty is going to be a monetary fine for copyright infringement -- if you're caught downloading illegally, that is.

Is it legal to download PDF from Google? ›

Is downloading PDF, copyrighted books for personal use without sharing illegal? It is illegal, yes. “Personal use” only applies to making copies of something you already own. Not acquiring something you do not own.

Is it legal to download audiobooks? ›

There are complexities, such as copyrights on music used in the audiobook having their own two separate additional copyrights per, but ultimately, it boils down to no - it is not legal to download and listen to the audiobook if all you own is a physical copy.

Are you allowed to sell PDF books? ›

Yes, you absolutely can sell PDF books! Thanks to the rapid rise of digital publishing, the number of eReaders is expected to hit 15% by 2026. So, if you've been looking for a way to make money online in 2023, then selling eBooks is a great way to get started.

Is downloading books illegal in US? ›

Downloading copyright protected content isn't a crime. So no, no one has been prosecuted. Copyright infringement is mostly a civil affair. You are sued when you break this law, not arrested.

Has anyone been prosecuted for downloading books? ›

Downloading copyright protected content isn't a crime. So no, no one has been prosecuted. Copyright infringement is mostly a civil affair. You are sued when you break this law, not arrested.

Why is Google blocking PDF downloads? ›

Your file download may be blocked for one of a few reasons: We think it might be a malicious, unwanted, uncommon, or insecure file. Malicious: You tried to download malware. Unwanted: You tried to download a deceptive piece of software.

Is it illegal to download files from Google Drive? ›

It's not illegal to download from Google Drive, however the contents of what you are downloading could be, for example, subject to copyright.

What is the illegal website for free audiobooks? ›

10 Best Audiobook Torrenting Sites
  • AudioBook Bay.
  • My Anonamouse.
  • The Pirate Bay.
  • KickassTorrents.
  • LimeTorrents.
  • Zooqle.
  • Torrent Downloads.
  • 1337x.
Jan 18, 2023

How can I download full audiobooks for free? ›

17 Places to Get Audiobooks for Free Online
  1. Audible. While Audible, a service from Amazon, isn't strictly a site for free audiobooks, it does offer some audiobooks for free online. ...
  2. Digital Book. ...
  3. Spotify. ...
  4. OverDrive. ...
  5. Open Culture. ...
  6. Storynory. ...
  7. LibriVox. ...
  8. LearnOutLoud.
Mar 28, 2023

Where can I download audiobooks for free? ›

11 sites to download audiobooks for free
  1. Scribl. To find newly released books, head over to Scribl. ...
  2. Storynory. Audiobooks aren't just for adults, but for kids too! ...
  3. Lit2Go. ...
  4. Spotify. ...
  5. ThoughtAudio. ...
  6. Internet Archive. ...
  7. Loyal Books. ...
  8. Open Culture.
Jul 14, 2022

Does Amazon sell books in PDF? ›

Amazon Kindle is by far the largest platform for ebooks worldwide, with millions of titles on offer. Lots of formats are supported, including PDFs. You also don't have to only write fiction or business books.

Is downloading PDF copyrighted books for personal use without sharing illegal? ›

Under copyright law, it is illegal to download or share copyrighted materials such as music or movies without the permission of the copyright owner.

Can I print a book and sell it? ›

Yes. With the right resources and book printing companies, self-publishing can be straightforward and affordable.

Is it a crime to download books? ›

But according to Matthew Oppenheim, lead counsel for the Educational Publishers Enforcement Group, acquiring textbooks from the internet is legally under the same category as downloading copyrighted movies or music for free—piracy.

Can you get sued for downloading books? ›

Generally, most authors do not sue individuals downloading their materials illegally over the web. However, large artist organizations such as the RIAA and the MPAA routinely bring copyright infringement lawsuits in attempts to dissuade the public from downloading copyrighted material and violating copyright laws.

What files are illegal to download? ›

Downloading and distribution of copyrighted music, movie and other entertainment files from online distribution sites that offer these items free of charge is illegal, in direct violation of the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Florida State University Student Conduct Code and the Florida State University ...

Videos

1. FREE Traffic for Affiliate Marketing (Get Thousands of Targeted FREE Traffic From PDF Drive)
(Zaidi Mustafa)
2. Download Any Books In IOS And Android For Freee!!!
(Justin Lama)
3. Website Pays $350 to Copy & Paste PDF Books! - Make Money Online from Your Phone or Computer
(Affiliate Side Hustle)
4. ADVANCE CPA Marketing 2023 | CPA Grip Offer in hindi| Promote On Free CPA marketing product in hindi
(Creative Aspak)
5. Earn $100 Every Day Online(FREE) || Make Money With Affiliate Marketing || Zero Investment -In Hindi
(Next Step)
6. Make $56 Every 10 Minutes For Copy & Paste E-Books (Make Money Online)
(YT Shorts Girl)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Barbera Armstrong

Last Updated: 05/13/2023

Views: 5802

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Barbera Armstrong

Birthday: 1992-09-12

Address: Suite 993 99852 Daugherty Causeway, Ritchiehaven, VT 49630

Phone: +5026838435397

Job: National Engineer

Hobby: Listening to music, Board games, Photography, Ice skating, LARPing, Kite flying, Rugby

Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.