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PDF Expert alternatives

Top PDF Editors like PDF Expert

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

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

PDF Expert alternatives
AllFreeOpen source
8 apps

All PDF Expert alternatives

  1. Adobe Acrobat

    2.2(646) · App Store

    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
    Categories
    PDF EditorsE-signature
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroidBrowser extension
    Features
    AI assistantElectronic signaturesMerge and split PDFsOCRPDF annotationPDF conversion
    Visit websiteMore about Adobe Acrobat

  2. PDFgear

    4.7(8.8K) · App Store

    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
    PDF Editors
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    AI assistantElectronic signaturesMerge and split PDFsOCRPDF conversionPDF text editing
    Visit websiteMore about PDFgear

  3. Foxit PDF Editor

    4.5(4.8K) · App Store

    Foxit PDF Editor is a commercial PDF editor from Foxit Software, positioned as an alternative to Adobe Acrobat for businesses. It edits text and images, runs OCR on scans, converts to and from Office formats, protects and redacts documents and handles e-signatures, with an AI assistant for summaries and translation. It is sold by subscription with a free trial, and the separate Foxit PDF Reader is free.

    10 Foxit PDF Editor alternatives

    Pros

    • Full PDF editing, OCR, redaction and e-signatures
    • Lighter alternative to Acrobat with a familiar ribbon interface
    • Available on Windows, Mac, mobile and the web

    Cons

    • Subscription required after the free trial
    • The Mac version has fewer features than the Windows one
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    PDF EditorsE-signature
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    AI assistantElectronic signaturesMerge and split PDFsOCRPDF conversionPDF text editing
    Visit websiteMore about Foxit PDF Editor

  4. Nitro PDF Pro

    Nitro PDF Pro is a commercial PDF editor from Nitro Software for Windows and Mac, aimed at businesses replacing Adobe Acrobat. It edits text and images, converts PDFs to and from Word, Excel and PowerPoint, runs OCR, manages pages and includes Nitro Sign for sending documents for signature. It is a paid product with a free trial.

    7 Nitro PDF Pro alternatives

    Pros

    • Office-style interface that feels familiar to Word users
    • Solid conversion to and from Word, Excel and PowerPoint
    • Nitro Sign included for sending documents for signature

    Cons

    • Desktop only, with no mobile apps
    • Paid product after the trial, with no free tier
    Cost / License
    Free trialProprietary
    Categories
    PDF EditorsE-signature
    Platforms
    WindowsMac
    Features
    Electronic signaturesMerge and split PDFsOCRPDF conversionPDF text editing
    Visit websiteMore about Nitro PDF Pro

  5. Smallpdf

    4.8(6.9K) · App Store

    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
    PDF Editors
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    AI assistantElectronic signaturesMerge and split PDFsOCRPDF conversionPDF text editing
    Visit websiteMore about Smallpdf

  6. iLovePDF

    4.8(51.9K) · App Store

    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
    PDF Editors
    Platforms
    WebWindowsMaciPhoneAndroid
    Features
    API accessElectronic signaturesMerge and split PDFsOCRPDF conversionPDF text editing
    Visit websiteMore about iLovePDF

  7. PDF24 Tools

    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
    PDF Editors
    Platforms
    WebWindows
    Features
    Electronic signaturesMerge and split PDFsOCROffline modePDF conversionPDF text editing
    Visit websiteMore about PDF24 Tools

  8. Sumatra PDF

    17.7Kstars

    Sumatra PDF is a small, fast document reader for Windows that opens PDF, EPUB, MOBI, XPS, DjVu and comic book files. It focuses on quick startup and a minimal interface rather than editing, with basic annotation support and a portable version that runs without installation. It is free and open source under the GPLv3.

    6 Sumatra PDF alternatives

    Pros

    • Very fast startup and a minimal interface
    • Opens PDF, EPUB, MOBI, DjVu and comic book files
    • Portable version runs without installation

    Cons

    • Available on Windows only, with no Mac or Linux version
    • No PDF editing and only basic annotations
    Cost / License
    FreeOpen source
    Categories
    PDF Editors
    Platforms
    Windows
    Features
    Ad-freeOffline modePDF annotation
    Visit websiteMore about Sumatra PDF

PDF Expert vs its alternatives at a glance

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

PDF Expert vs its alternatives at a glance
AppPricingPlatformsElectronic signaturesMerge and split PDFsOCRPDF annotationPDF conversion
PDF ExpertFreemiumMac, iPhone
Adobe AcrobatFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, Browser extension
PDFgearFreeWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
Foxit PDF EditorFree trialWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android
Nitro PDF ProFree trialWindows, Mac
SmallpdfFreemiumWeb, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android

PDF Expert alternatives: frequently asked questions

What is the best alternative to PDF Expert?

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

Is there a free alternative to PDF Expert?

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

Is there an open source alternative to PDF Expert?

Yes, one open source alternative is listed: Sumatra PDF.

Is PDF Expert free?

PDF Expert has a free plan, with paid plans that unlock more features.

Compare PDF Expert with its alternatives

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