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Free Nitro PDF Pro alternatives

Top PDF Editors like Nitro PDF Pro

The most popular alternative to Nitro PDF Pro is Adobe Acrobat, which has a free version. Other great alternatives to Nitro PDF Pro are PDFgear, PDF Expert, Smallpdf, and iLovePDF.

Most alternatives to Nitro PDF Pro are in the PDF Editors category, compared here by price, platform and features.

Nitro PDF Pro alternatives
AllFree
6 apps

All Nitro PDF Pro alternatives

  1. Adobe Acrobat is the PDF application from Adobe, the company that created the format. The free Acrobat Reader views, annotates and signs files, while paid Acrobat Standard and Pro add text and image editing, OCR, conversion to and from Office formats, redaction, comparison and e-signature requests. An AI Assistant can summarise documents and answer questions about them.

    11 Adobe Acrobat alternatives

    Pros

    • Reference PDF tool from the company that created the format
    • Free Reader for viewing, annotating and signing
    • Pro adds editing, OCR, redaction, comparison and signature requests

    Cons

    • Editing and conversion require a costly subscription
    • Heavy app with frequent prompts to upgrade
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
  2. PDFgear is a free PDF application from Singapore-based PDF Gear Tech for reading, editing, converting, merging, compressing and signing documents. It includes OCR for scanned files and a Copilot assistant that summarises PDFs and carries out edits from chat requests. It is available on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android and the web, without watermarks or a required account.

    10 PDFgear alternatives

    Pros

    • Free editing, conversion and signing without watermarks
    • No account required to use the apps
    • Copilot assistant summarises PDFs and applies edits from chat

    Cons

    • Text editing is less precise than in Acrobat or Foxit
    • Younger product with less of a track record than established editors
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
  3. PDF Expert is a PDF app from Readdle designed for Apple devices. Reading, annotating, highlighting and filling forms are free, while a subscription unlocks text and image editing, OCR for scanned pages, page management, conversion and signatures. Its native interface is designed to stay responsive with large documents.

    8 PDF Expert alternatives

    Pros

    • Native Apple design that stays fast with large documents
    • Reading, annotation and form filling are free
    • Clean tools for editing text, images and pages

    Cons

    • Editing, OCR and conversion require a subscription
    • Fewer enterprise and automation features than Acrobat
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
    Platforms
  4. Smallpdf is a Swiss PDF platform with simple tools to compress, convert, merge, split, edit and sign PDFs from the browser, plus desktop and mobile apps. It is aimed at individuals and teams with quick, occasional PDF tasks. Free users get a limited number of tasks per day, while the Pro plan removes limits and adds OCR, batch processing and AI tools for summarising documents.

    8 Smallpdf alternatives

    Pros

    • Clean, simple tools for quick PDF tasks in the browser
    • Compress, convert, merge, edit and sign in one place
    • Desktop and mobile apps alongside the web version

    Cons

    • Free users get only a few tasks per day
    • OCR, batch processing and AI tools require Pro
    • Files are processed online, a concern for sensitive documents
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
  5. iLovePDF is a web-based PDF toolkit from a company based in Barcelona, with single-purpose tools to merge, split, compress, convert, rotate, watermark, OCR and sign PDF files. Desktop and mobile apps cover the same tasks, and a developer API is offered separately. Most tools are free with file-size and usage limits, and a Premium subscription removes them.

    8 iLovePDF alternatives

    Pros

    • Simple single-purpose tools for merging, splitting and compressing
    • Most tools work free in the browser, with nothing to install
    • Developer API for automating PDF tasks

    Cons

    • Free use has file-size and usage limits
    • Uploading files to a web service may not suit sensitive documents
    • Text editing is basic compared with desktop editors
    Cost / License
    FreemiumProprietary
    Categories
  6. PDF24 Tools is a free collection of PDF utilities from the German company Geek Software, covering merging, splitting, compressing, converting, OCR, editing, signing and redacting. The tools run in the browser, and the PDF24 Creator app for Windows offers the same features offline along with a virtual PDF printer. There is no paid tier, and the website shows ads.

    10 PDF24 Tools alternatives

    Pros

    • Completely free, with no paid tier
    • Wide range of tools, including OCR, redaction and signing
    • Windows app works offline and adds a virtual PDF printer

    Cons

    • The website shows ads alongside the tools
    • The desktop app is Windows only
    • Interface is functional rather than modern
    Cost / License
    FreeProprietary
    Categories
    Platforms

Nitro PDF Pro vs its alternatives at a glance

Pricing, platforms and the key features of Nitro PDF Pro, compared with its most popular alternatives.

Nitro PDF Pro vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsElectronic signaturesMerge and split PDFsOCRPDF conversionPDF text editing
Nitro PDF ProFree trialWindows, Mac
Adobe AcrobatFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, Browser extension
PDFgearFreeWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
PDF ExpertFreemiumMac, iPhone
SmallpdfFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
iLovePDFFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android

Nitro PDF Pro alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to Nitro PDF Pro?

The most popular alternative to Nitro PDF Pro is Adobe Acrobat: Adobe's PDF software for viewing, editing, signing and converting. Other great alternatives are PDFgear, PDF Expert, Smallpdf, and iLovePDF.

Is there a free alternative to Nitro PDF Pro?

Yes, 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan, including Adobe Acrobat, PDFgear, PDF Expert, and Smallpdf.

Is there an open source alternative to Nitro PDF Pro?

No open source alternative to Nitro PDF Pro is listed yet.

Is Nitro PDF Pro free?

Nitro PDF Pro is a paid app that offers a free trial.

Compare Nitro PDF Pro with its alternatives

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