PDFs are the most common file formats out there, and it's no surprise. They are flexible and secure in the sense that they display the exact same content and layout no matter what operating system you use, plus they're technically not editable, protecting its content even when it's shared, among others. But what if you need to edit a PDF? This is where PDF editors come into play.
PDF editors allow you to modify PDF content easily and save your changes in the file. There are a lot of PDF editors available online, each with its own unique features ideal for different purposes. This article aims to introduce to you the10 best PDF editors to download as well as provide you with an informative buying guide that helps you pick out the best PDF editor.
Quick List - Top PDF Editors
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Table of Contents
If you find yourself still confused and undecided on which PDF editor to download, don't worry, we got you covered! In this buying guide, we've listed the most important factors that you should consider when choosing a PDF editor for your devices.
With all the features to keep in mind, sometimes the app can be quite complicated to navigate with their system and design. If you'd like less clutter and a more minimalist feel, go for those with a clean user interface (UI) and basic features.
On the other hand, if you really need those advanced functions and don't mind dealing with a complicated UI, opt for those that offer a wide range of tools, although keep in mind that they might come at a steeper price or a higher download requirement.
While an appealing interface is a big deal, of course, it still all comes down to the functions and features that your PDF editor can carry out. Before picking out an editor, make sure to check that it can perform the tools that you need for your PDF tasks.
With the wide range of file formats available now and the different purposes that they serve, it is important to have a versatile PDF editor that will allow you to export your PDF files into different file formats and vice versa. Among the most common file formats are PDF, Word, Excel, PPT, and JPG.
Converting or exporting to and from PDF is extremely helpful and handy, especially if you want a more printer-friendly or editable version of your files. Also, with this feature, you can convert your PDF documents into formats that are more accessible for everyone!
Compared to other document formats such as word documents, the content of PDF files can’t usually be edited to protect the content shared by the original author of the file. However, PDF editors with text-editing options allow you to add text, shapes, images, freehand notations, page numbers, and even e-signatures to your PDF documents through its editing tools.
For many students especially those in college, PDF reading is part of university life, and having a PDF annotator can come in handy when reading and reviewing required readings in class. With an annotating option, you can be more productive as you can highlight, draw, and even add comments on your readings and save them on your very own digital copy.
While it is possible to manually extract pages from a PDF file, it might be hard if you only want to separately save certain pages into individual documents in a PDF file. For this, a PDF editor with a split tool is needed. A "split" feature allows you to extract pages from your PDF or save each page as a separate PDF with a few clicks.
Conversely, the "merge" feature allows you to combine multiple PDFs into a single document just by uploading and arranging them on the PDF editor. With this tool, you can compile the pages you need and save them on a single PDF. Customizing document pages have never been this easy!
If you can't decide between two editors with the same basic tools, try to look for additional features as well. Some PDF-editing software comes with collaboration options that allow you to share and edit PDFs to multiple participants by giving them access to the file.
This collaboration feature is perfect for teams as it allows users to edit documents together in real-time! Other than that, you can also look for advanced security features, including password protection, watermark, and other access options that you can set on your PDF file.
With these features, you'll not only be able to read and edit PDFs but also create and share them with others while protecting its content! This is especially helpful given today’s digital age.
Not every PDF editing software is available on every device. So, make sure you'll take the device you're using into consideration when picking out a PDF editor to use. If you're using a tablet to read a PDF, then you might want to download a PDF editor that can display, print, and share PDF using your tablet or mobile phone.
Meanwhile, if you'll be editing PDFs, then it might be ideal to find a PDF editor that is compatible with your laptop or PC. Also, try to pick one that is compatible or downloadable on your operating system, whether it's Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, etc.
PDF editors are an important tool to have, but unfortunately, not all of their services are for free, where they require either a one-time fee or monthly subscriptions to unlock their more advanced features. It might seem costly in the long run, but it can be a great investment, especially if you regularly use it for school or work.
That being said, many PDF editors are freemium apps where you can take advantage of available free trial plans before purchasing. This can help you decide whether you should purchase them or not.
Another thing you can do is to research first and see if the basic features would cover your needs. This way, you can save money by not going for the premium or paid version of the software right away when the basic version would suffice.
Before purchasing or subscribing to a PDF editing software, it would be helpful to look at the reviews and ratings first of those who have used the software. You can find reviews on the Play Store or App Store, and you can also read articles such as this one that would help you know the pros and cons of different editing software.
This way, you can assess the software based on other users' experiences without having to spend a lot of time, effort, and money testing different products. It helps you avoid purchasing a product only to regret it later on.
With reviews, you can see if the editor works well and if it can perform the functions that you need in a PDF editor. Doing your own research is completely free, and it can help manage your expectations as well!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Adobe Inc. Acrobat Reader | ![]() | An All-in-One PDF Editor for Every User | |
2 | XODO PDF Reader and Annotator | ![]() | Read and Annotate Files on Different Devices | |
3 | Smallpdf | ![]() | An Accessible, No-Fuss Editor for Easy Tasks | |
4 | Readdle Inc. PDF Expert: PDF Editor, Reader | ![]() | The Ultimate PDF Editor for iOS | |
5 | Wondershare PDFelement Lite | ![]() | Create and Design Docuements on the Go | |
6 | Kdan Mobile Software Ltd. PDF Reader | ![]() | A Full-Feature PDF Editor for Mobile Devices | |
7 | PDF Candy | ![]() | Free PDF Editor for PDF Conversions | |
8 | WPS SOFTWARE PTE. LTD. WPS Office | ![]() | Integrate Different File Formats in One App | |
9 | PDFSimpli | ![]() | An Online Editor for Quick Edits | |
10 | Media Apps Dev PDF Office Pro | ![]() | A Professional PDF Editor With a User-Friendly Interface |
Looking for a versatile PDF editor to download? Adobe's Acrobat Reader has got you covered! With this software, you can view, print, collaborate, annotate, export, and edit PDF files, even on the go! For your reading experience, there are a lot of functions and customization options, such as display modes and scroll modes, to choose from.
What makes this editor a hit is that it allows you to completely edit the PDF file, whether it is with pictures or texts, and add comments to it. Keep in mind, however, that some editing and converting features are only available to paid subscribers. Nonetheless, it's definitely a versatile editor worth subscribing to!
Transferring the same file to all your devices is a lot of work, but fortunately, XODO offers a solution to this problem. With this PDF editor, you can edit, annotate, sign, and share PDF files seamlessly across your devices. Currently, it runs on desktop, mobile, and web, allowing you to get work done no matter what device you’re using.
Other than editing, you can also fill out forms, add signatures, collaborate with others, and sync XODO to cloud services such as Dropbox and Google Drive. However, what's amazing about this PDF editor is that its services are free of charge, allowing you to enjoy powerful features without any cost!
If you're looking for a straightforward and minimalist PDF editor, then Smallpdf is for you. It is extremely accessible as it can be utilized through its own website without the need for downloads or even sign-ups. Simply choose a function you want to carry out, and you can edit your PDF document right away.
It includes many editing tools such as convert, combine, edit, annotate, merge, split, compress, unlock, and protect files. No matter what editing task you need to do, it is probably offered given its wide range of functions. Overall, this is a great editor if you want a clean, no-fuss, and accessible PDF editor whenever you need it.
Want to edit files using your iPhone? Then consider downloading this PDF editor on the App Store. PDF Expert is fast, intuitive, and powerful, making it a must-have app on your iOS device for all your PDF tasks. With this app, you can manage, edit, and read PDFs effortlessly on your Apple device.
It offers everything you need in a PDF editor, such as view, highlight, annotate, bookmark, edit, and protect. There are also additional functions to choose from, including adding links, redacting sensitive data, and cloud-syncing. The only disadvantage is that it is only available for iOS, so Android users would not be able to use it.
Want to create high-quality and eye-catching documents? If so, PDFElement is the one for you. With this, you can create, convert, and share pdf files with your team. Its various design elements make it a perfect solution for creatives looking for editing software that would allow them to create documents with striking graphics.
While this editor requires a fee upfront, you can choose to sign up for a free 1-week trial first if you want. Nevertheless, it offers many paid features such as scan paper into editable PDFs and free 1 GB document cloud storage for its more than 2 million active users. PDFElement is also available on desktop, mobile, and web.
If you're looking for a PDF editor that can do basically every PDF task you can think of, then definitely consider PDF Reader. Despite the app's name, this software can do so much more than view PDF. You can sign, write, merge, split, change background color, and extract pages from your PDF file using your mobile phone!
Additionally, there are also a ton of security tools available such as add and remove passwords and watermarks, as well as validate signatures. Still, what truly sets it apart from other editors is its wide range of supported cloud devices. With PDF reader, you can get files from Kdan Cloud, iCloud Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, Evernote, and more.
Do you need your PDF converted to different file formats? If yes, then PDF Candy is for you! It is an editor that allows you to upload PDF files online and export them in a wide variety of formats such as PDF to Word, Excel, JPG, DOCX, HTML, MOBI, EPUB, PNG, RTF, ODT, PPT TXT, XML, CHM, and vice versa.
Aside from conversion, this editor also has a multitude of tools that allows you to extract text and images, edit metadata, crop PDF, add watermark, and resize pages. PDF Candy is completely free to install and can also be added as a Chrome extension for easier access.
If file compatibility is your top priority, then WPS Office is the ideal app for you. This app integrates all Microsoft Office file formats, making it a central place for all your document-editing needs. For PDFs, you can use this app to view, edit, as well as convert all office documents into PDFs.
While WPS Office is not primarily just for PDFs, it still has a lot of features to offer, such as document encryption and cloud drive syncing. It also supports all office file formats and a power-saving feature that will never cause lags. To maximize these features, you can opt to pay for a subscription which you can cancel and renew anytime.
PDFSimpli is an online PDF editor that allows you to convert and edit files by simply uploading them online. With this editor, there is no need for any installation or setup on your device. Basically, you can edit and convert your documents without the hassle ever again!
A unique feature of this app is that it also offers PDF software for different industries such as tax and finance, legal, and many more. Through it, you can customize and fill out basic forms perfect for professional and personal purposes as well. Keep in mind, however, that you would need to sign-up for an account to access that feature.
While having many editing tools at your disposal is great, it also makes your editing app feel cluttered and difficult to navigate. If you want to be more productive, a complicated UI might be a hindrance. PDF Editor Pro avoids this by providing an editing app with a clean and easy-to-navigate user interface for its users.
Despite its simple design, this PDF editor comes packed with features that allow you to edit files easily. Among those are tools such as edit, merge, rotate, and convert. You can also add a watermark on your PDF with this app to protect the content that you share with other people.
If you are looking for more tools to help you become more productive with school or work, you might want to read up on grammar checkers, cloud storage, and study apps. These apps and extensions can save you time and energy and help you become more organized and productive!
Editing PDFs can be tricky, but that is what PDF editors are for. Whether you are a student or a professional, PDF editors can make editing, converting, and sharing more convenient, and the best thing about it is that you can all d these things in one handy app! We hope that our article helped you find the ideal PDF editor for you!
Author: Katrina Balingit
Editor: J. Cuizon
No. 1: Adobe Inc.|Acrobat Reader
No. 2: |XODO PDF Reader and Annotator
No. 3: |Smallpdf
No. 4: Readdle Inc.|PDF Expert: PDF Editor, Reader
No. 5: Wondershare|PDFelement Lite
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