In today’s digital age, PDF (Portable Document Format) files have become integral to personal and professional communication. PDFs are versatile and widely used, from contracts and reports to e-books and forms.
However, to harness the full potential of PDFs, you need the right tools. This article will explore the seven best PDF editing software options, each designed to streamline document management tasks.
Our top 3 picks for this month
Nitro PDF Pro
Nitro Pro offers a robust set of PDF editing tools in an easy-to-use interface. Although it’s feature-rich, the software is limited to Windows users. PDFpen from Nitro is available for Mac users.
PDFelement
PDFelement offers an intuitive and clean interface, making it user-friendly even for those new to PDF editing. It covers essential features like text editing, annotations, and form creation.
Adobe Acrobat Pro
Adobe Acrobat Pro is the industry standard for PDF editing, offering a comprehensive suite of features while its capabilities are robust.
Which is the best PDF Editing Software?
Importance of PDFs
PDFs have become the industry standard for sharing documents. They maintain formatting across platforms, ensuring that the receiver sees the document as the sender intended.
Why Use PDF Editing Software?
The need for PDF editing software arises when you want to change an existing PDF. These changes can range from minor text edits to more advanced functions like adding multimedia elements or form fields.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a PDF Editor
Compatibility
First and foremost, the software should be compatible with your operating system. Nothing’s worse than finding the perfect tool only to discover it doesn’t work on your computer.
User-Friendliness
Easy-to-use software will save you a lot of time and headaches. Look for intuitive interfaces and handy tutorials.
Features
Does the software have the features you need? Standard features include text editing, annotations, and form creation.
Price
Finally, consider your budget. Some PDF editors are free with limited features, while others require a subscription or one-time purchase.
List of Best 7 PDF Editing Software
- Nitro PDF Pro
- PDFelement Pro
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
- Foxit PhantomPDF
- Smallpdf
- PDF-XChange Editor
- Soda PDF
1. Nitro Pro
It is the best PDF editor with excellent features.
Nitro PDF Pro
Nitro Pro is another powerful PDF editor known for its intuitive interface and rich feature set. It includes tools for editing, converting, and secure sharing of PDFs. Nitro Pro is a cost-effective alternative to Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, making it a favorite among budget-conscious users.
Key Features of Nitro Pro
- Text Editing
- Document conversion
- OCR Technology
- Annotations and Comments
- Digital Signatures
- Batch Processing
- Document Security
- Cloud Integration
Nitro Pro offers robust, vital features to make PDF editing seamless.
User Interface
The user interface (UI) of Nitro Pro is designed for simplicity and ease of use. It adopts a straightforward layout that organizes functions and features like Microsoft Office.
Nitro Pro also offers customization options, letting you tailor the UI to fit your workflow.
You can add or remove toolbars and shortcuts for a more personalized experience.
What I Like/ Dislike About Nitro Pro
Like
- Easy to use
- Robust feature set
Dislike
- No Mac version
Pricing
For a lifetime license to use Nitro PDF Pro, a one-time payment of $179.99 is required to make the purchase.
If you use multiple license options, the price keeps reducing per license.
Check out the latest offers & deals on Nitro Pro plans.
2. PDFelement
Affordable solution for individual & small businesses.
PDFelement
Wondershare PDFelement is a versatile PDF editing software that offers an intuitive user interface and a variety of essential features. While it may lack some advanced functionalities, its cost-effectiveness makes it an attractive option for small businesses and individual users. The software also includes a mobile app for convenient on-the-go editing.
Key Features of PDFelement
- Image & text editing
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
- Document format conversion
- Markups
- Password protection of documents
- eSignature
- Cloud storage
PDFelement by Wondershare offers a suite of features, making it a versatile choice for PDF editing. The above listed are some key features that stand out.
User Interface of PDFelement
The intuitive user interface allows you to drag and drop elements like text and images effortlessly.
Overall, it looks clean and has easy-to-navigate features.
What I Like/ Dislike About PDFelement
Like
- Intuitive interface
- Cost-effective
Dislike
- Limited advanced features
- Limited OCR capabilities
Pricing
PDFelement is considered one of the most reasonable pricing PDF editors with excellent features.
It is available in Individual, Team, and Business plans, with the price starting from just $79.99
We have some of the latest promotions on most of the PDFelement plans.
3. Adobe Acrobat Pro
Professional, Feature-rich, and Excellent performance.
Adobe Acrobat Pro
Adobe Acrobat Pro is widely considered the industry standard in PDF editing. It offers a comprehensive range of features, from basic text edits to advanced functionalities like multimedia integration and form creation. While it provides a robust set of tools, it comes with a higher price tag and may require some time to master its features.
Key Features of Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Text and image editing, size adjustment
- OCR Technology
- Annotation & comments
- Digital signature and authentication
- Splitting/ merging PDF
- Redaction tools
- Advanced security options
These extensive features make Adobe Acrobat Pro a powerful tool for anyone looking to do more than just basic PDF editing, though they come at a premium price point.
User Interface of Adobe Acrobat Pro
The user interface of Adobe Acrobat Pro is designed for efficiency and ease of use for both newcomers and professional users. The layout is clean and organized, with a modern aesthetic that provides an intuitive workflow.
What I Like/ Dislike About Adobe Acrobat Pro
Like
- A comprehensive set of features
- Industry-standard
- Cloud storage integration
Dislike
- Expensive
Pricing
It comes in Business and Individual plans, and the Pro Plus edition starts from $19.99/ Month.
4. Foxit PhantomPDF
Foxit PhantomPDF
Foxit PhantomPDF is a Windows-only PDF editor that combines affordability with a rich feature set. The user-friendly software offers capabilities ranging from text editing and annotations to advanced features like form creation. However, its Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities may be limited compared to high-end options.
Key Features of PhantomPDF
- Text Editing
- Document Security
- Seamlessly PDF conversions
- Annotations and Markup
- Form Creation and Filling
- Content Redaction
- Version Control to keep track of document
These features make Foxit PhantomPDF a robust PDF editing software that caters to basic and advanced requirements, offering a competitive alternative to other industry standards like Adobe Acrobat Pro.
User Interface of PhantomPDF
The interface is user-friendly and adaptable, resembling the Microsoft Office ribbon layout, allowing newcomers to acclimate swiftly.
What I Like/ Dislike About PhantomPDF
Like
- Affordable
- Feature-rich
- User-friendly
Dislike
- Limited OCR capabilities
- Windows only
Pricing
Foxit comes in Individual and Team plans and costs $4.92/ month.
5. SmallPDF
SmallPDF
Smallpdf is a web-based PDF editing tool that’s easy to use and requires no installation. While the free version offers limited functionalities, it’s perfect for quick, basic edits. The tool is ideal for those who need to make occasional adjustments to PDFs and prefer an online solution that doesn’t require a steep learning curve.
Key Features of SmallPDF
- Editing & resizing images/ texts
- PDF compression
- Conversion of documents
- PDF editing tools
- Digital signature
- Merge & split
- File management
These features make Smallpdf a convenient and efficient option for quick and straightforward PDF editing solutions that can be accessed from any web browser.
User Interface of SmallPDF
Being a web-based tool, Smallpdf offers an intuitive interface that requires no installation or complex setups.
What I Like/ Dislike About SmallPDF
Like
- Easy to use
- Web-based
Dislike
- Limited free version
- Requires internet connection
Pricing
SmallPDF comes in Pro, Team, and Business licenses, and the pricing starts from $7/ month. You can also go with the free version for basic editing and conversion.
6. PDF-Xchange Editor
PDF-Xchange
PDF-XChange Editor is a lightweight yet feature-rich PDF editing software designed for Windows users. It offers quick performance and includes tools like annotations, text editing, and OCR capabilities. Some advanced features may require a separate purchase, but the core functionalities are robust and efficient.
Key Features of PDF-XChange
- Document Annotations
- Text editing
- Form Creation and Management
- Drag-and-Drop Interface
- Customizable UI allows users to add or remove toolbar buttons according to their needs.
- Secure sensitive information with redaction tools.
These extensive features make PDF-XChange Editor a powerful and flexible tool for basic and complex PDF editing tasks.
User Interface of PDF-XChange
The user interface is adaptable and customizable, allowing users to add or remove toolbar buttons according to their requirements.
Move or reorganize pages within your PDF document through a simple drag-and-drop interface.
What I Like/ Dislike About PDF-XChange
Like
- Lightweight
- Quick performance
- Feature-rich
Dislike
- Windows only
- Some features require separate purchases.
Pricing
Standard plan costs you $56, the Pro plan starts from $121, and the Plus plan starts from $72 with 1-year updates.
7. Soda PDF
Soda PDF
Soda PDF provides a versatile PDF editing experience with a focus on user-friendliness. The software offers a range of features, from basic text editing to advanced functions like OCR. It’s available for Windows and macOS, making it a flexible option for different users.
Key Features of Soda PDF
- PDF editing tools
- Split and merge PDF pages
- Numbering PDF pages
- Compress PDF without losing quality
- Signature
- OCR for content scanning
These comprehensive features enable Soda PDF to tackle various PDF editing and management tasks.
User Interface of Soda PDF
With a clean, modern layout, the software makes navigation and task execution straightforward.
What I Like/ Dislike About Soda PDF
Like
- Cloud Integration with popular cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox makes saving and sharing documents easy.
- User-Friendly Interface
- Multi-platform support for Windows and macOS, offering more flexibility for users.
- Affordable pricing for beginners
Dislike
- Limited Free Version
- No Mobile Application
Pricing
Soda PDF is available in Standard Pro and Business plans, and the pricing starts from $5.50/ month.
Our Opinion for the best PDF editing software
PDF editing doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
By choosing the right software, you’ll make your life much easier. Each software option, from Nitro Pro to Smallpdf, brings its features and pricing.
Find what suits you best, and you’ll edit PDFs like a pro in no time.
Nitro PDF Pro is the winner in all terms, whether we look for features, compatibility, user experience, and pricing.
FAQs for PDF Editing Software
Is Adobe Acrobat Pro the best PDF editor?
Adobe Acrobat Pro is considered the industry standard but may not be the best for everyone due to its high cost and steep learning curve.
Are there any good free PDF editors?
Sejda and Smallpdf offer free versions with limited features.
Can I edit a PDF on a mobile device?
Some PDF editors like Adobe Acrobat and Wondershare PDFelement offer mobile apps for basic editing.
Is PDF editing software safe?
PDF editing software is generally safe as long as you’re downloading from reputable sources.
What’s OCR, and why is it important?
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is a technology that converts scanned PDFs into editable text. It’s helpful if you plan to work with scanned documents.
