The need for PDF software has skyrocketed as PDFs become essential for both professional and personal needs. PDF tools when selected properly can be instrumental in facilitating seamless sharing and collaboration.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the best PDF software available in the market. Each tool on this list is carefully selected based on functionality, user experience, cost, and unique features. Whether you need robust editing capabilities, an intuitive design, or a cost-friendly solution, our review will provide you with good free and paid alternatives to choose from.
7 Best PDF Software Recommended [Free & Paid]
The following are 7 of the best PDF tools in the market based on our review;
- Afirstsoft PDF
Of all the tools we have examined in our review, Afirstsoft PDF stands out as a comprehensive and versatile solution, designed to meet the needs of both professional and personal users. It is compatible with macOS, Windows, iOS, Web and Android, thereby ensuring seamless functionality across all devices. Whether you are creating, converting, or editing PDF documents Afirstsoft PDF should be your first choice.
Key Features
- It offers advanced editing tools to modify text, images, and graphics on the document with ease.
- Its robust PDF conversion tools allow you to convert PDFs to various document formats including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and image formats.
- Annotation tools that include comments, highlights, and notes allow for seamless collaboration.
- Batch processing capabilities allow you to work with many PDFs at the same time.
- Afirstsoft AI tools allow you to summarize a PDF with ease or ask questions about the PDF to better understand its content.
- OCR technology allows you to transform scanned and image-rich PDFs into searchable and editable text.
Highlights
- Its intuitive design simplifies complex tasks, saving you a lot of time.
- Its cross-platform compatibility means that you can work on your PDFs on any device.
- It has a wider range of PDF tools to cater to all your needs.
- The integrity and quality of the document you are working on are maintained regardless of whether you’re converting or editing the document.
- One license can be available on all platforms.
Pricing: There is a free trial version of Afirstsoft PDF that you can explore before committing to a subscription. If you choose to purchase a subscription, an affordable annual price of $44.99 will give you access to all features.
- Adobe Acrobat Pro
Adobe Acrobat Pro is by far one of the most widely known tools in the market. It comes with a suite of tools for creating editing and managing PDFs in various ways.
Key Features
- Advanced editing features allow you to edit text and images within the PDFs
- Form creation and filling tools
- The conversion tool to convert PDFs to various popular formats
- OCR function to recognize the text in scanned and image-rich PDFs
- Annotation tools allow you to read and collaborate on a PDF document
- Seamless integration with the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Highlights
- Adobe has name recognition and is trusted by professionals worldwide
- It offers a wide range of PDF tools
- Available on Windows, macOS, and mobile devices
- Offers a high quality and consistent performance even when working with large documents
Pricing: Adobe Acrobat Pro monthly subscription costs $14.99 for an annual commitment ($179.88/Yearly) or $24.99 per month. There is a 7-day free trial.
- PDF Expert
PDF Expert is a PDF tool designed for Apple devices. It comes with a lot of great features for both personal and professional PDF management.
Key Features
- PDF editing features to modify both text and images
- Annotation tools that include highlights, underlining, notes, and comments
- Create and fill PDF forms easily
- Convert PDFs to other formats
- Organize PDF pages and even merge or split PDFs
Highlights
- A simple user interface makes it easy to navigate
- Optimized for use on macOS and iOS
- Receives regular updates for continued improvement and introduction of new features
Pricing: A free trial is available. A one-time payment of $79.99 gives you access to full features.
- Foxit PDF Editor
Foxit PDF is another comprehensive and versatile tool that offers a wide range of PDF management tools for professional and personal use.
Key Features
- Editing tools to edit both text and images
- Create and fill out interactive forms
- Convert PDFs to various formats
- OCR Technology that allows for the editing of scanned or image-rich PDFs
- Annotation tools that are as easy to access as they are effective
- Batch processing capabilities to handle multiple documents simultaneously
Highlights
- Fast and reliable editing and processing
- An intuitive user interface that is easy to navigate
- Available on macOS and Windows
- Scalable for small businesses and large enterprises
Pricing: There is a free trial version. An annual subscription of $99 per year is needed to access all features.
- PDFelement
Developed by Wondershare, PDFelement is another great solution that combines powerful tools and an easy user interface.
Key Features
- Powerful editing tools to edit text, images, and other aspects of the document.
- Create and fill out PDF forms with ease
- Conversion tools that allow you to convert PDF to various formats
- Powerful OCR technology
- Annotation tools to comment, add notes, highlight, and underline text
- Batch processing tools to handle more than one document at the same time
Highlights
- A user interface that is easy to navigate
- Cross-platform compatibility allows you to edit your PDFs on any device
- Affordable pricing models make it a cost-effective option
Pricing: Annual subscription costs $79.99 with a perpetual license available for $129.99. There is a free trial version.
- PDFescape
This PDF editor offers both desktop and online versions with basic editing capabilities for users who don’t require complex tools.
Key Features
- Edit text and images on PDF
- Add comments, highlights, and notes
- Convert PDFs to various formats
- Use the online version to edit PDFs on your browser
Highlights
- The online version is free
- The user interface is easy to use
- Available for macOS, Windows and online
- The desktop version is cost-effective
Pricing: The online version is free. The desktop version cost $2.99 per month or $29.99 for a perpetual license.
- Nitro PDF Pro
Nitro PDF is another very powerful PDF editing tool that provides a wide range of features. It is especially known for its robust performance.
Key Features
- Edit text, images, and other content on PDFs with ease
- Convert PDF documents to various formats
- Powerful OCR technology
- Robust annotation tools
- Cloud integration for easy collaboration
Highlights
- A simple user interface makes it easy to use
- It is a fast and reliable PDF editing tool
- Available on Windows and macOS
Pricing: The subscription plan costs $159.99 per year although it does offer a free trial.
Conclusion
Each of the tools highlighted above offers a unique set of features designed to help you create, edit convert, and manage PDFs with ease. Choose a tool that meets your needs and preferences although Afirstsoft PDF does combine a comprehensive toolset, user-friendly interface, and affordable price to stand out in the crowd.
