Discover the best PDF editor apps that allow you to edit, annotate, and manage PDFs like a pro, whether you’re working on a mobile device or desktop.
PDFs (Portable Document Format) are one of the most widely used file formats for sharing documents across different platforms and devices.
Whether you’re sending contracts, reports, resumes, or e-books, PDFs ensure that the document maintains its formatting no matter what device it’s viewed on. However, editing a PDF can often be a challenge without the right tools.
Fortunately, there are plenty of PDF editor apps that make editing PDFs as easy as working with a Word document. From adding annotations to merging, splitting, and converting files, these PDF editors allow you to handle PDFs like a pro.
Here’s a rundown of the best PDF editor apps for various needs, from basic editing to advanced document management.
1. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
When it comes to editing PDFs, Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is the gold standard. As the creator of the PDF format, Adobe offers a comprehensive suite of tools for everything from editing text and images to creating forms and converting PDFs to other formats.
With Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, you can add, delete, and modify text and images directly within the PDF, as well as rearrange, split, and merge PDF pages.
The app also includes advanced features like OCR (Optical Character Recognition), which allows you to edit scanned documents and turn them into searchable, editable PDFs.
While Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a subscription-based service, it’s a powerful tool for professionals who need robust PDF editing capabilities on a regular basis.
Key Features:
- Edit text and images directly within PDFs.
- Convert PDFs to and from Microsoft Office formats.
- Add e-signatures and create fillable forms.
- OCR for scanned documents.
Best For: Professionals who need advanced editing features and frequent PDF management.
2. PDFelement
PDFelement by Wondershare is a versatile PDF editor that offers a wide range of features at a lower price point than Adobe Acrobat. It’s ideal for small businesses and individual users who need professional PDF editing tools without committing to a subscription service.
PDFelement allows you to edit text, images, and pages, as well as annotate, comment, and highlight documents. It also supports form creation and PDF conversion.
One of its standout features is batch processing, which allows you to convert or watermark multiple PDFs at once, saving time when handling large volumes of documents.
With its intuitive interface, PDFelement makes PDF editing accessible for users of all experience levels.
Key Features:
- Edit and annotate PDFs easily.
- Create and fill forms.
- Batch process PDFs for conversions or watermarks.
- Convert PDFs to various formats, including Word and Excel.
Best For: Users looking for a cost-effective alternative to Adobe Acrobat with professional features.
3. Foxit PDF Editor
Foxit PDF Editor is another excellent choice for users who want powerful editing tools at a lower cost. Known for its fast and lightweight design, Foxit’s PDF editor is ideal for those who need to work with PDFs regularly but don’t want the bulkiness of more complex software.
Foxit PDF Editor provides all the essential tools you need to edit PDFs, including text editing, image manipulation, and page management.
It also offers collaboration features, such as the ability to leave comments and annotations, making it a great choice for teams working on documents together.
One of its best features is the integration with cloud services, which allows you to store and share PDFs across platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
Key Features:
- Lightweight and fast performance.
- Text, image, and page editing.
- Cloud integration for easy sharing and collaboration.
- Supports password protection and encryption for added security.
Best For: Individuals and teams who need a quick, efficient PDF editor with collaboration capabilities.
4. Smallpdf
If you’re looking for a simple, web-based PDF editor with all the basic tools you need, Smallpdf is a fantastic option. With its clean and user-friendly interface, Smallpdf makes editing PDFs straightforward and accessible to everyone, from students to professionals.
Though it doesn’t have the advanced editing capabilities of software like Adobe Acrobat, Smallpdf allows you to perform essential tasks like merging, splitting, compressing, and converting PDFs. You can also add annotations, rotate pages, and sign documents.
One of the best things about Smallpdf is that it’s cloud-based, meaning you don’t need to download any software to your device. You can use it from any browser, and it integrates with popular cloud storage platforms for easy access.
Key Features:
- Merge, split, and compress PDFs.
- Annotate and sign PDFs.
- Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, and other formats.
- Cloud-based with no software download required.
Best For: Users who need a free or low-cost, web-based PDF editor for basic tasks.
5. Sejda PDF Editor
Sejda PDF Editor by LiGames.net is another web-based solution that offers both free and paid plans, making it a great choice for users who need occasional PDF editing without a long-term commitment. Like Smallpdf, it allows you to merge, split, convert, and compress PDFs, as well as edit text and images.
What sets Sejda apart is its ability to edit PDFs directly in your browser without uploading them to a server, which can be a concern for users handling sensitive documents. It’s also one of the few web-based editors that lets you add new text to an existing PDF, making it a flexible option for basic edits.
The free version of Sejda is limited to three tasks per day, but upgrading to the paid version unlocks more advanced features and unlimited use.
Key Features:
- Edit text and images directly in the browser.
- Merge, split, and compress PDFs.
- Desktop and web versions available.
- No file uploads required for editing.
Best For: Users who need a secure, web-based PDF editor with no need for file uploads.
6. PDF Expert (Mac/iOS)
For Apple users, PDF Expert by Readdle is a powerful PDF editing app designed specifically for Mac and iOS devices. It offers a sleek interface and a seamless user experience, making it one of the best choices for Mac users who need to work with PDFs regularly.
With PDF Expert, you can easily edit text, images, and links within your PDFs, as well as annotate, highlight, and fill out forms.
The app is also optimized for Apple’s ecosystem, supporting features like Handoff, so you can start editing a document on your iPhone and finish it on your Mac.
Key Features:
- Optimized for Mac and iOS.
- Smooth, user-friendly interface.
- Edit text, images, and links easily.
- Annotate and sign PDFs on the go.
Best For: Mac and iOS users looking for a fast, intuitive PDF editor.
Conclusion
Editing PDFs doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Whether you need advanced features for professional document management or a simple, web-based editor for basic tasks, there’s a PDF editor app to suit your needs.
From industry-standard options like Adobe Acrobat Pro DC to budget-friendly alternatives like PDFelement and Smallpdf, these tools allow you to handle PDFs with ease, boosting productivity and helping you manage your documents like a pro.