PDF files have become the most popular format when it comes to transferring or sharing important files or documents with other stakeholders including your team members, clients, or vendors. Hence, PDF files have become an integral part of documentation processes - professional and personal. Whether you need to create, edit, annotate, or sign PDF documents, having the right PDF editor app can make your life much easier. But with a plethora of options available, it can be challenging to choose the best one for your needs. In this blog, we'll explore the top PDF editor apps for various platforms, including Android, iPad, and Windows. We'll also delve into their features, pros, cons, and pricing to help you make an informed decision. However, if you don’t find the perfect fit, it might be a good idea to find the best fit and then employ meaningful app integrations to customize the functionalities to your unique requirements.
What is a PDF Editor App?
Before we dive into the list of the best PDF editor apps, let's briefly discuss what a PDF editor app is and why it's essential. A PDF editor app is a software tool that allows you to create, edit, manipulate, and manage PDF (Portable Document Format) files. PDF files are widely used for sharing documents because they preserve the formatting and layout across different devices and operating systems. However, there are times when you need to make changes to a PDF document, such as adding text, images, annotations, or even converting it to other formats. This is where a PDF editor app comes in handy. These apps offer a range of features, from basic text editing and annotation to advanced functionalities like digital signatures, form filling, and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for converting scanned documents into editable text. Whether you're a student, a business professional, or just someone who deals with PDFs regularly, a PDF editor app can streamline your workflow and help you work more efficiently.Best PDF Editor Apps
Now that we know what a PDF editor app is and does, it is time to explore the best PDF editor apps available on the market.- Adobe Acrobat Often quoted as the top PDF editor, Adobe Acrobat is a household name when it comes to PDF editing software. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for creating, editing, converting, and managing PDFs. Adobe Acrobat is available on various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
- Robust editing and formatting options.
- Advanced features like OCR and e-signatures.
- Seamless integration with other Adobe apps.
- Cross-platform compatibility.
- Subscription-based pricing can be expensive.
- Some advanced features require a higher-tier subscription.
- Adobe PDF Pack Adobe PDF Pack is a simplified version of Adobe Acrobat, designed for basic PDF editing needs. It's a cloud-based service that allows you to create, convert, and edit PDFs online.
- Easy-to-use online interface.
- No need for software installation.
- Accessible from any device with an internet connection.
- Limited editing features compared to Adobe Acrobat.
- Requires a subscription for full access.
- Foxit PDF Editor Suite Foxit PDF Editor Suite is the best PDF editor app as it provides a wide range of features for both individuals and businesses. It's available for Windows and offers robust editing capabilities, making it the best PDF editor for Windows.
- Advanced editing tools.
- Collaboration features for team projects.
- Affordable pricing.
- Limited platform availability (Windows only).
- Free trial has limited features.
- pdfFiller by airSlate pdfFiller by airSlate is an all-in-one document management platform that includes a robust PDF editor. It offers features for creating, editing, and collaborating on PDFs online making it one of the best PDF editor software.
- Comprehensive document management features.
- Easy-to-use interface.
- Cloud storage for documents.
- Advanced features require a subscription.
- Slightly higher pricing compared to some competitors.
- Smallpdf Smallpdf is a popular online PDF editor that focuses on simplicity and accessibility. It offers a wide range of PDF tools, including editing, conversion, compression, and more.
- User-friendly interface.
- Fast and efficient PDF processing.
- Integrates with popular cloud storage services.
- Limited advanced editing features.
- The free version has usage limitations.
- FineReader PDF for Windows and Mac FineReader PDF by ABBYY is a versatile PDF editor with advanced OCR capabilities and is one of the best PDF editor apps for iPad and Android. It's available for both Windows and Mac, making it suitable for a wide range of users.
- Powerful OCR technology for converting scanned documents.
- Advanced editing and formatting tools.
- Multi-language support.
- Relatively high pricing.
- Some features may require a learning curve.
- Wondershare PDFelement Wondershare PDFelement is a feature-rich PDF editor available for Windows and Mac. It offers a wide range of tools for editing, converting, and securing PDFs and is known as one of the best PDF editor apps for Android and iOS.
- Intuitive user interface.
- Advanced editing features.
- Affordable pricing.
- Some advanced features are only available in higher-tier plans.
- Limited cloud integration.
- Nitro PDF Productivity Nitro PDF Productivity is a robust PDF editor designed for businesses and professionals. It offers features for editing, collaborating, and signing PDFs.
- Comprehensive editing and collaboration tools.
- Secure document sharing and signing.
- Integration with popular cloud storage services.
- Limited platform availability (Windows only).
- Higher pricing for business plans.
- PDF Expert PDF Expert is a top-notch PDF editor for Mac and iOS devices. It's known for its smooth user experience and advanced annotation features.
- Excellent annotation and markup tools.
- Seamless syncing between Mac and iOS devices.
- User-friendly interface.
- Limited to Mac and iOS platforms.
- Higher pricing for advanced features.
- Jotform PDF Editor Jotform is a versatile online form builder that also includes a PDF editor. It's suitable for businesses and organizations that need to create and edit forms within PDF documents.
- Easy-to-use form builder.
- Collaboration features for team projects.
- Integration with Jotform's other services.
- Limited advanced PDF editing features.
- Focused primarily on form creation.
- Coolnew PDF Coolnew PDF is an online PDF editor that offers a range of editing and conversion tools. It's designed for users who need to quickly edit and manage PDFs.
- Simple and user-friendly interface.
- Fast PDF editing and conversion.
- No software installation required.
- Limited advanced editing features.
- The free version has limitations.
Pros
Cons
Pricing
Adobe Acrobat offers a range of subscription plans, starting at $14.99 per month. There's also a free trial available.Pros
Cons
Pricing
Adobe PDF Pack is available as part of Adobe's subscription plans, starting at $9.99 per month. A free trial is also available.Pros
Cons
Pricing
Foxit PDF Editor Suite offers a free trial with limited features. The paid plans start at $8.99 per month.Pros
Cons
Pricing
pdfFiller offers various subscription plans, starting at $20 per month. A free trial is available.Pros
Cons
Pricing
Smallpdf offers a free version with limited features. Premium plans start at $12 per month, with a free trial available.Pros
Cons
Pricing
FineReader PDF offers a 7-day free trial. The paid plans start at $199.Pros
Cons
Pricing
Wondershare PDFelement offers a free trial. The paid plans start at $69 per year.Pros
Cons
Pricing
Nitro PDF Productivity offers a free trial. The paid plans start at $159 per year.Pros
Cons
Pricing
PDF Expert offers a free trial. The paid plans start at $79.99 for Mac and $9.99 per month for iOS.Pros
Cons
Pricing
Jotform offers a free version with basic features. Paid plans start at $24 per month.Pros
Cons
Pricing
Coolnew PDF offers a free version with basic features. Premium plans start at $6 per month.Conclusion
Choosing the best PDF editor app depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you require advanced editing capabilities, collaboration features, or just simple PDF annotation tools, there's an app on this list that's suitable for you. Remember to consider factors such as platform compatibility, pricing, and the specific features that matter most to you. In summary, Adobe Acrobat and Adobe PDF Pack are top choices for comprehensive PDF editing, while Foxit PDF Editor Suite offers advanced features at an affordable price. pdfFiller by airSlate and Smallpdf are excellent options for online document management, while FineReader PDF excels in OCR capabilities. Wondershare PDFelement and Nitro PDF Productivity offer solid features at competitive prices. For Mac and iOS users, PDF Expert is a top pick, while Jotform is ideal for form creation within PDFs. Finally, Coolnew PDF is a simple and cost-effective option for quick PDF edits. Choose the PDF editor app that aligns with your needs and start simplifying your document management and editing tasks today. Whether you're a student, a professional, or anyone who deals with PDF files regularly, having the right PDF editor app can significantly improve your productivity and streamline your workflow.Related Articles
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