PDF files are the standard format when sharing documents, and it's easy to see why. They open on all operating systems, they can be password-protected, copy-and-edit-restricted, and you can even prevent others from printing them out.

PDF files aren’t affected by viruses, so you can pretty much always open them with confidence. A PDF file opens almost instantly, you can easily embed videos, as well as pictures, sound files, and other media. Take that, Microsoft Word!

As with any other type of file, a PDF is only as good as your ability to share it with others. Here are our top picks for the best free PDF hosting out there.

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 can scroll through it right in your browser. From Supreme Court rulings to America's favorite recipe for chocolate cake, you're likely to find all kinds of PDFs after a quick Google search.

"You're only as good as your last PDF", all caps, on a red field.

Other tools enable you to easily convert other files to the PDF format. For example, if you have a PowerPoint presentation, you can export it as a PDF to share. You might even end up with better-looking slides in the process.

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

1. Scribd

The Scribd homepage.

We'll start off with perhaps the most well-known way to host a PDF online. Scribd is now positioning itself as a monthly subscription service for eBooks and audiobooks—in fact, you can't even 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-only filter enabled, you'll see many PDFs hosted here. You can search within these documents, share them on social media, rate them, and even download them for yourself in some cases.

Scribd Features

  • Documents can be public or private.
  • You can upload multiple files at once.
  • You can upload revisions smoothly.
  • You can upload cloud-based files from Google Docs, Facebook, and Gmail, too.
  • You can set reader permissions and decide if your content can be copy and pasted from the site, if people can leave comments and reviews on your work, and even whether or not your PDF is available to download.
  • If your document is in another format, you can convert it to PDF.
  • You can embed a PDF file (Either yours or someone else's) on your website.
  • Scribd makes your content readable on iPhone, iPad, Android, and other mobile devices.

2. Google Drive

Downloading a file on Google Docs as a PDF.

Google Drive is absolutely fantastic, and one really cool feature is the ability to upload documents and then re-download them as a PDF file.

Google Drive can help you publish your PDF documents publicly, which can then be shared to a wider audience. You can also embed the file on your website; access 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 any 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, however, you might be pleasantly surprised. One of these features is the ability to embed PDF files inside of a widget, just like these other options.

Box Features

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

4. Beamium

The Beamium homepage.

Beamium offers a drag-and-drop interface; uploading PDF files is quick and easy. It works as a great virtual alternative to PowerPoint. You upload your slides as a single PDF file and are then given a unique presentation code. You 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 you've uploaded in real-time as you present it. You shuffle from slide to slide from home, and your invited viewers watch right along, just like a real PDF presentation. You can even activate a small, digital laser pointer, college professor-style.

Beamium Features

  • Simple and appealing service.
  • Your files stay hosted on the Beamium site for 14 days if you register for an account.
  • Browser-based, cross-platform, and no software to download.
  • Presentations are displayed in full-screen.

Related: How to Compress a PDF File

5. Publitas

The Publitas homepage.

If you're looking for a stable way to monetize your publication, a Dutch company called Publitas aims to serve. It's a site that will host your PDF publications and allow customers to buy them through an online checkout system. You can also upload PDFs that are free to read and download as well.

There are different pricing tiers—a free plan, and four paid plans. The free plan is extremely generous, though, so you may never need to upgrade.

Publitas Features

  • Extremely intuitive to use.
  • Touch-optimized for mobile devices and tablets.
  • You can add links to other parts of the publication, as well as additional media.

6. Flipsnack

Flipsnack is a service that lets you 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 you need a template, you'll be covered here. Their interface gives you many layers to work with; designing an interactive e-com catalog, for example, is super easy. You can create clickable buttons, image pop-ups, and even conditional discounts.

Flipsnack Features

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

7. Slides

The Slides homepage.

Slides is yet another site for creating slide presentations from uploaded PDF documents. Each page will become a slide. You 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 need to download anything. Everything is done in-browser.
  • Optimized for mobile devices and tablets.
  • Slides can be embedded on the web.
  • You can download slides to view offline.
  • Presentations can be remote-controlled by a touch-enabled device.

Related: Are Free PDF Editors Worthwhile?

Host a PDF Online for Your Next Big Presentation

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

In our digital world of remote offices and classrooms, the ability to share PDFs effectively is unquestionable. If you're working on a budget, any of the above will help you get your files where they need to go, totally free.