Portable Document Format files, also known as PDFs, are universally used during electronic document exchanges. This file format is often selected when users need to share, store, or print documents that typically aren't tampered with or edited. However, in some situations, it is important to be able to edit or save a PDF document. A business or service may need you to read and digitally sign a PDF contract, for example, or you may need to invoice in a PDF format.Finding the right solution for editing PDFs can be tough, especially when many free services are restricted or come with a watermark. There are paid options, but determining which option suits you best can be difficult.What is the best PDF editor right now?Our top pick for the best PDF editor is Adobe Acrobat Pro. This PDF editor has a host of editing and collaborative functions that will make dealing with the PDF format almost as easy as using a text editor, and while expensive at $19.99/month, it is an excellent and trusted tool for businesses, too. Sort by All The best PDF editors in 2025 Show less View now at Adobe If you're looking for a one-size-fits-all PDF editor, Adobe Acrobat Pro is our favorite pick. Adobe Acrobat Pro has been available for years, and the company has kept it current with frequent improvements in its editing, sharing, and productivity features. Editing your PDFs is a breeze, and with its variety of image and content tools, you can also use it for more than bog standard documents -- you have the option to be creative.Business users, too, will appreciate Adobe's multi-device support, scan-to-PDF functions, and e-signature options. While an AI assistant is in development, it is limited, and competitor offerings are ahead.There are three subscriptions on offer: a yearly subscription, billed monthly at $19.99/month; a monthly plan priced at $29.99/month; or an annual plan for $239.88 upfront. Alternatively, you can opt for Adobe Acrobat Standard ($12.99/month), but you will miss out on advanced features.A free seven-day trial is available, but you will have to hand over your payment card information. Don't forget to cancel within this time frame if you are unhappy with the software. Alternatively, you can try out Adobe's demo.Adobe Acrobat Profeatures:Editing| Multi-platform, web| Mobile support | OCR | Scanning capabilities| Easy PDF customization| Trial and demo Pros PDF workhorse Pro features Trial Cons Expensive Software can be sluggish If you're looking for a one-size-fits-all PDF editor, Adobe Acrobat Pro is our favorite pick. Adobe Acrobat Pro has been available for years, and the company has kept it current with frequent improvements in its editing, sharing, and productivity features. Editing your PDFs is a breeze, and with its variety of image and content tools, you can also use it for more than bog standard documents -- you have the option to be creative.Business users, too, will appreciate Adobe's multi-device support, scan-to-PDF functions, and e-signature options. While an AI assistant is in development, it is limited, and competitor offerings are ahead.There are three subscriptions on offer: a yearly subscription, billed monthly at $19.99/month; a monthly plan priced at $29.99/month; or an annual plan for $239.88 upfront. Alternatively, you can opt for Adobe Acrobat Standard ($12.99/month), but you will miss out on advanced features.A free seven-day trial is available, but you will have to hand over your payment card information. Don't forget to cancel within this time frame if you are unhappy with the software. Alternatively, you can try out Adobe's demo.Adobe Acrobat Profeatures:Editing| Multi-platform, web| Mobile support | OCR | Scanning capabilities| Easy PDF customization| Trial and demo Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Foxit The Foxit PDF Editor+ is an excellent alternative to Adobe Acrobat Pro. Once you've signed up, you can download the apps you like, including the PDF editor on Windows, macOS, or via the cloud. A mobile option is also available. However, the app file sizes are quite large, so it won't be instantaneous.The apps are extremely easy to use, and during testing, we found that its text and image recognition were on par with AAdobe's Text movement and resizing work well, and the solution comes with a variety of helpful editing functions. Foxit's OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is of a great standard, which helps when you need to convert documents to PDFs.What we really like, however, is the online e-signing facility. The user dashboard is clean and shows documents waiting for signatures, PDFs waiting for signatures from another party, draft PDFs, and completed documents. You can upload files from your computer or third-party services, including Dropbox and Google Drive, request notary support, or set up payment options.Plans begin at $10.99/month for the basic PDF Editor. If you need document management, you will need to sign up for Foxit PDF Editor+ at $13.99/month, or $169.99 per year. You can also purchase the e-sign service separately. A free 14-day trial is available, and no credit card is required.Foxit PDF Editor+ features:E-signing| Multi-platform| Mobile support| AI assistance| Password PDF security| Free trial Pros Excellent e-signing service Online notaries Supports SSO Easy to use Cons Large app download size The Foxit PDF Editor+ is an excellent alternative to Adobe Acrobat Pro. Once you've signed up, you can download the apps you like, including the PDF editor on Windows, macOS, or via the cloud. A mobile option is also available. However, the app file sizes are quite large, so it won't be instantaneous.The apps are extremely easy to use, and during testing, we found that its text and image recognition were on par with AAdobe's Text movement and resizing work well, and the solution comes with a variety of helpful editing functions. Foxit's OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is of a great standard, which helps when you need to convert documents to PDFs.What we really like, however, is the online e-signing facility. The user dashboard is clean and shows documents waiting for signatures, PDFs waiting for signatures from another party, draft PDFs, and completed documents. You can upload files from your computer or third-party services, including Dropbox and Google Drive, request notary support, or set up payment options.Plans begin at $10.99/month for the basic PDF Editor. If you need document management, you will need to sign up for Foxit PDF Editor+ at $13.99/month, or $169.99 per year. You can also purchase the e-sign service separately. A free 14-day trial is available, and no credit card is required.Foxit PDF Editor+ features:E-signing| Multi-platform| Mobile support| AI assistance| Password PDF security| Free trial Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Nitro Through the Nitro Pro workspace, you can quickly download apps for Windows, macOS, and iOS, as well as open up tools including requests to sign, self-signing, converting Word to PDF, and PowerPoint to PDF -- or vice versa.The software's user interface is easy to understand and contains all the functions you could need, including text editing, highlighting, annotation, freestyle drawing, and conversion. However, it might be overkill for casual users. There are a few annoyances, such as trying to format and align large amounts of text, and sometimes the text correction function doesn't work very well.The most interesting feature to note is Document Assist. Currently in Beta, this tool utilizes an AI assistant to create summaries, answer queries, or translate PDFs up to 250MB in size. So far, it seems quite good as a summary tool. There is also a useful set of guides to help you edit or produce PDFs.You can choose between a variety of plans, including an individual license for $14.99/month, starter pack bundles, small team subscriptions, and Nitro Pro Business, which includes volume license discounts. A free trial is available; you don't have to hand over any financial information to try it out for 14 days. Demo modes will watermark your documents.Although a lack of readily available support has been noted, many customers have few online customer-related support channels.Nitro Profeatures: Editing functions | Document conversion| Demo available| Document Assist AI | E-sign facilities| Free trial| SSO Pros Pro Clean workspace Free trial A variety of plans are available Cons Lack of support channels Can be expensive Through the Nitro Pro workspace, you can quickly download apps for Windows, macOS, and iOS, as well as open up tools including requests to sign, self-signing, converting Word to PDF, and PowerPoint to PDF -- or vice versa.The software's user interface is easy to understand and contains all the functions you could need, including text editing, highlighting, annotation, freestyle drawing, and conversion. However, it might be overkill for casual users. There are a few annoyances, such as trying to format and align large amounts of text, and sometimes the text correction function doesn't work very well.The most interesting feature to note is Document Assist. Currently in Beta, this tool utilizes an AI assistant to create summaries, answer queries, or translate PDFs up to 250MB in size. So far, it seems quite good as a summary tool. There is also a useful set of guides to help you edit or produce PDFs.You can choose between a variety of plans, including an individual license for $14.99/month, starter pack bundles, small team subscriptions, and Nitro Pro Business, which includes volume license discounts. A free trial is available; you don't have to hand over any financial information to try it out for 14 days. Demo modes will watermark your documents.Although a lack of readily available support has been noted, many customers have few online customer-related support channels.Nitro Profeatures: Editing functions | Document conversion| Demo available| Document Assist AI | E-sign facilities| Free trial| SSO Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at PDF Expert If you need a mobile-ready PDF with a great interface for Apple's ecosystem, Readdle's PDF Expert might be your best bet. PDF Expert has gained a high rating in the App Store as a productivity tool, and we can see why. During testing, we found that the user interface has been designed with user-friendliness in mind. Any tool you might need is within easy reach, including editing PDFs, merging documents, compressing PDFs, image manipulation, or starting a PDF from scratch.Like many other PDF editors, this option also experiments with AI. PDF Expert Copilot, available for free while in Beta, summarizes and makes suggestions for improving PDF documents.There are two pricing options: $6.67/month or a one-off payment of $199.99 for a lifetime subscription. However, the lifetime option is limited to a macOS app. A seven-day trial is also available.PDF Expertfeatures:Editing and annotation| OCR text recognition| Signing| PDF conversion| AI| Trial available Pros User-friendly AI assistance Trial available Lifetime license available Cons Not available on Android If you need a mobile-ready PDF with a great interface for Apple's ecosystem, Readdle's PDF Expert might be your best bet. PDF Expert has gained a high rating in the App Store as a productivity tool, and we can see why. During testing, we found that the user interface has been designed with user-friendliness in mind. Any tool you might need is within easy reach, including editing PDFs, merging documents, compressing PDFs, image manipulation, or starting a PDF from scratch.Like many other PDF editors, this option also experiments with AI. PDF Expert Copilot, available for free while in Beta, summarizes and makes suggestions for improving PDF documents.There are two pricing options: $6.67/month or a one-off payment of $199.99 for a lifetime subscription. However, the lifetime option is limited to a macOS app. A seven-day trial is also available.PDF Expertfeatures:Editing and annotation| OCR text recognition| Signing| PDF conversion| AI| Trial available Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best PDF editor? PDF editorPriceFree trial?Editing?AI?E-signing?Adobe Acrobat Pro$19.99+/monthYes (payment card required)YesLimitedYesFoxit PDF Editor+$10.99+/monthYesYesYesYesNitro Pro$14.99+/monthYesYesYesYesPDF Expert$6.67/month+YesYesYesLimited Show more Which is the right PDF editor for you? Choose this PDF editorIf you wantAdobe Acrobat ProA one-size-fits-all PDF editor. While the monthly subscription can be expensive, if you need a powerful PDF workhorse for your daily tasks, it can be worth the investment.Foxit PDF Editor+The best Adobe alternative. Foxit offers bang for your buck as a PDF editor and its eSign functionality is top-notch.Nitro ProA PDF editor for AI assistance. Nitro Pro is a decent option for daily PDF editing and its Document Assistant is a useful summarizer of PDF documents.PDF ExpertA PDF editor for the Apple ecosystem. This option is reasonably priced and includes useful editing tools and AI help. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a PDF editor When you are on the hunt for a PDF editor, consider the below factors in your decision:Functions: Do you just need a barebones editor for occasionally signing documents and filling out forms? In that case, it might not be worth signing up for a premium software plan. If, however, you want autofills, image scanning, and batch editing, you will need a higher tier of software.Frequency of use: Consider the limitations you are willing to put up with. If you don't mind daily PDF document editing limits, for example, you can probably get away with entry-level software. However, if you envision you will need to use a PDF editor on a daily basis, advanced software with useful functionality, including scanning and editing assistance, might be a better choice.Business purposes: Some free PDF editors will be unrestricted but include a watermark. You'll need a PDF editor without any of these forms of advertising or limits if you plan to use a PDF editor for business purposes.Cost: Consider how much you are potentially willing to pay for a PDF editor subscription. If the benefits of third-party PDF editors outside of Google Drive and similar online services, for example, are worth it to you, add this to your monthly budget.Compatibility: There's no point in investing in PDF software unless it works on your preferred platforms and operating systems. Ensure you have checked compatibility requirements before signing up. Show more How did we choose these PDF editors? In compiling this list of the best PDF editors, we examined third-party reviews and extensively researched customer feedback on each option. We also have hands-on experience with a variety of PDF solutions available on the market, which helps us fully understand the most useful features for consumers and businesses alike.When selecting the best PDF editors, these are some of the most important factors that determine the best options:Paid or free: Not everyone wants to pay for a PDF editor subscription, which is understandable. While the trade-off might be that premium features are locked, we chose to include a selection of both free and paid options.Platforms: We included PDF editors that support a range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, and mobile devices.File format support: Not every PDF editor is equal in relation to how many file formats they support. We have endeavored to include as much variety in file format support as possible.Tools: We like to see PDF editors offering a range of tools and features that are useful, including scanning tools, signing, line-by-line editing, and more.Individual, business use: We have included PDF editors that are suitable for individual and business use. Whether you want a solution for casual, ad-hoc signing or you need software that can be used daily, you'll find some great options. Show more PDF editor FAQs Do you have to pay for a PDF editor? No, you don't have to pay for a PDF editor. There are countless PDF editors available for free, including online-only services, PC software, mobile apps, and PDF editors in productivity suites. For basic and limited use, free PDF editors tend to be enough for individuals, but businesses may need to invest in a paid option if they need to use a PDF editor on a daily basis. Show more Does Google have a free PDF editor? Yes. Google has a free PDF editor, which you can access through Google Drive and Google Docs. You will need to upload a PDF to Google Drive and then open it in Docs before editing can begin.This option is best suited for basic, casual use, as it is a barebones editor. Alternatively, there are third-party PDF editors that can connect to Google Drive, giving you more editing options and control over your PDF documents. Show more What's the difference between a free and a paid PDF editor? Free PDF software and editors only offer barebones editing functions, or they typically lock advanced features behind paywalls. Some free PDF editors will also limit how many documents you can edit, or they may include a watermark -- in other words, the free option is for you to test it out before you buy it. Paid options offer more advanced features, including deeper editing options, sharing and collaborative tools, and converting other file formats and images into PDFs. Show more Can I edit any PDF file with a PDF editor? It's not always possible to edit PDFs with an editor. The reason PDFs are often used as the preferred format for important documents -- such as legal paperwork, for example -- is that they can be locked with a password and secured via encryption. The original creator of the PDF may have also revoked editing permissions. However, in general, most PDFs can be edited with the right software as long as there are no security locks to stop a PDF file from being tampered with. 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