In the realm of digital document management, the significance of PDF editors are unparalleled. As we navigate deeper into 2025, the competition among these editors intensifies, promising advanced features and smoother user experiences. We embarked on a journey to test and evaluate the most prominent names in the market, laying out our findings for you.
Dive in as we detail the performance of the top 9 PDF editors available for Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android this year.
Quick Comparison of the Best PDF Editors
Here is a quick comparison of basic information about these PDF Editors. Curious about what each editor can do and when to use it? Check out the detailed breakdowns below to find the best fit for your needs.
9 Best PDF Editors
1. PDF Reader Pro —The Best All-Rounder for Any Device
If you're looking for a professional-grade tool that doesn't cost a fortune, PDF Reader Pro is a standout that earns unwavering trust from 90 M+ users. Offering both basic and advanced features, it’s perfect for editing, converting, annotating, securing PDFs, and more— all in one app. Even better, it's available on Mac, Windows, iPhone, and Android, making it an ideal cross-platform solution.
Pros: Feature-rich, user-friendly, affordable lifetime plan
Platforms: Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android
Free version: ✅ (very generous, you can use it to convert image to PDF, fill out forms, annotate PDFs, transfer text to speech, print and encrypt PDFs — all for free and with no watermarks or any trial limits)
Pricing: $50.99/year for Standard version, $55.99/year for Advanced Version, and $79.99 for a lifetime license — much more affordable than subscription-based editors like Adobe and other competitors.
Best for: Professionals and power users who want value without compromise
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2. Kdan PDF Reader
Kdan PDF Reader elevates itself from being merely a normal PDF tool to a comprehensive ecosystem tailored for digital document management. Its eye-friendly interface, complemented by smooth page scrolling and diverse background options like day, night, and sepia, ensures comfort in extended reading sessions. Beyond just reading, Kdan streamlines your workspace by offering digital document storage in one consolidated location.
Pros: User-friendly, easy document management, affordable plan
Pricing: $59.99/yearFree Version: ✅(no watermarks)
Best For: Users who prioritize reader experience and smooth workflow
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. ComPDF’s Web Demo
If you're looking for a 100% free, no-installation-needed solution, ComPDF is your hero. It supports editing, converting, merging, and compressing—all online, instantly.
Pros: Completely free, no sign-up, intuitive design
Cons: No mobile or desktop apps (yet)
Pricing: Totally free – no plans, no paywalls
Free Version: ✅
Best For: Anyone who wants quick and professional edits without installing anything
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4. Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat delivers robust editing features like annotating, compressing, e-signing, and form filling. But it comes at a steep price, making it better suited for enterprise users.
Pros: Powerful, trusted, frequent updates
Cons: No free version, expensive subscription model
Pricing: $155.88–$239.88/year
Free Version: ❌(only 7-day free trial)
Best For: Corporates and professionals who need top-tier features
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5. Wondershare PDFelement
Wondershare PDFelement is a simple, easy-to-use PDF editor. The features it offers are, for the most part, similar to what most of its competitors offer. The highlight is its seamless integration with cloud platforms such as iCloud Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Box, making accessing documents effortlessly smooth. However, the free version adds watermarks, which can be a trouble for professional use.
Pros: Clean UI, decent functionality
Cons: Watermarks in the free version, limited advanced features
Pricing: $79.99/year, $110.49/lifetime
Free Version: ✅ (with watermarks)
Best For: Casual users okay with occasional editing
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
6. Foxit PDF Editor
Foxit PDF Editor presents itself as a dependable choice for regular users. With built-in cloud compatibility, it ensures effortless uploads and downloads of PDFs from popular cloud services. If a lightweight, efficient editor is what you're after, Foxit is a good choice.
Pros: Lightweight, easy to use
Cons: Expensive for limited advanced features
Pricing: $129.99–$159.99/year
Free Version: ✅
Best For: Speed-focused users willing to pay for it
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
7. PDF Expert
Built exclusively for Apple users, PDF Expert is optimized for Mac and iOS devices. The app's layout was straightforward, ensuring even first-time users could navigate seamlessly. But it comes at a high price for Mac-only use.
Pros: Beautiful UI, Apple ecosystem integration
Cons: No Windows/Android support, expensive
Pricing: $79.99/year, $139.99/lifetime
Free Version: ❌
Best For: Mac-only users who want a premium feel
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
8. PDFescape
PDFescape is a simple, web-accessible tool for Windows users. While the features are quite basic, the price is appealing for light tasks.
Pros: Budget-friendly, browser-based
Cons: Basic tools only, dated interface
Pricing: $35.88–$71.88/year
Free Version: ✅
Best For: Users who only need occasional PDF tweaking
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
9. Xodo PDF
Xodo's real-time collaboration features (only for the Document Suite version) are top-notch, with users being able to annotate and comment simultaneously. For those working in teams, this is invaluable. Its mobile app compatibility also makes it a great option for those constantly on the move. While its editing features may not be as advanced as some other tools on this list, its collaborative features make it stand out.
Pros: Real-time collaboration, strong mobile app, easy to use
Cons: Editing features are relatively basic
Pricing: $59.88/year (Basic), $119.88/year (Pro)
Free Version: ❌
Best For: Teams and users who prioritize collaboration over advanced editing
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Conclusion & Final Recommendation
If you're looking for the perfect blend of power, platform flexibility, and price, PDF Reader Pro is the top recommendation. It packs in features you’d expect from high-end tools like Adobe, but at a fraction of the cost, and works across all major devices. If you're after free tools, ComPDF delivers shockingly good value without charging a cent.
So whether you’re going pro or keeping it free, the right PDF editor is out there. Pick the best one for you now!