Discovering the top PDF editors for Android and Mac brings you closer to perfecting your document handling.
Our rundown of the 15 best PDF editors reveals each offer's standout functions and tools, ensuring you can easily fine-tune your PDFs no matter your device.
- Comparison Table: Best PDF Editor for Android and Mac
- 15 Best PDF Editor for Android and Mac
- Best PDF Editors for Smartphone: Best Practices
- Best PDF Editors for Smartphone: FAQ
Comparison Table: Best PDF Editor for Android and Mac
PDF Reader Pro has ranked #1; find out why!
15 Best PDF Editor for Android and Mac
- PDF Reader Pro
- Kdan PDF Reader
- Adobe Acrobat
- Foxit
- OfficeSuite
- Xodo PDF
- WPS Office
- PDFelement
- Gaaiho
- PDF Filler
- PDF Candy
- Sejda PDF Editor
- LightPDF
- Okular
- PDFSimpli
1. PDF Reader Pro
Image source: PDF Reader Pro
With PDF editors, PDF Reader Pro offers a perfect blend of functionality and user-friendliness. Tailored to meet the varied needs of its users, it is a comprehensive tool that promises to simplify your document-editing tasks.
Educational Features
- Annotate with ease: Highlight, underline or strike out text.
- Efficient navigation: Utilize bookmarks for lengthy academic readings.
- Eye-care: Night Mode for comfortable reading in dim settings.
How PDF Reader Pro Fared When Tested
Uniquely combines an extensive feature set with user-friendliness, setting it apart from competitors. Its AI Summarizer boosts my productivity and enhances my article writing process by quickly distilling key information.
The ability to batch process documents, powerful editing tools, and easy file conversion positions PDF Reader Pro as the superior choice for comprehensive PDF management and creative work.
2. Kdan PDF Reader
Image source: Kdan PDF Reader
Rising rapidly in popularity, Kdan PDF Reader is not just an editor but an all-encompassing PDF solution. Its unique features make it a valuable companion for academic professionals.
Educational Features
- Digital prowess: Easily sign documents electronically.
- Voice-enabled: Make voice notes directly on PDFs.
- Study on the go: Sync effortlessly with cloud storage.
How Kdan PDF Reader Fared When Tested
It offers a sleek design and useful tools and has a smooth speech-to-text feature but lacks PDF Reader Pro's advanced functionalities like batch processing and AI summarization, which are crucial for efficient document management.
3. Adobe Acrobat
Image source: Adobe Acrobat
A titan in the PDF industry, Adobe Acrobat has long been a trusted name. It's not just about viewing PDFs but enhancing them, making it a top choice for many.
Educational Features
- Convert with ease: Change PDFs to formats like Word or Excel.
- Quick tasks: Fill forms or add signatures instantly.
- Collaborate: Add comments anywhere on your PDF.
How Adobe Acrobat Fared When Tested
Despite being feature-rich, it comes with a steep learning curve and higher cost, whereas PDF Reader Pro offers a more accessible and cost-effective alternative without sacrificing powerful editing and management capabilities.
4. Foxit
Image source: Foxit
Foxit provides a blend of advanced features with a user-centric approach, making PDF editing a breeze.
Educational Features
- Go paperless: Digitize hardcopy documents.
- Team up: Use the collaborative review for group tasks.
- Secure your files: Add passwords and encryption.
How Foxit PDF Reader & Editor Fared When Tested
Known for speed and security but doesn't offer the same level of user convenience or innovative features like AI summarization that PDF Reader Pro provides, making it less adaptable to diverse professional needs.
5. OfficeSuite
Image source: OfficeSuite
More than just a PDF editor, OfficeSuite integrates smoothly with other apps, promising an uninterrupted workflow.
Educational Features
- Integrated workspace: Works seamlessly with other OfficeSuite apps.
- Accessibility: Use text-to-speech for hands-free reading.
- Secure and sign: Add digital signatures and permissions.
How OfficeSuite Fared When Tested
While it integrates well with office documents, it doesn't offer the broad feature set of PDF Reader Pro, which includes advanced editing, OCR, and unique AI tools for a more comprehensive document management solution.
6. Xodo PDF
Image source: Xodo PDF Reader & Editor
Xodo is renowned for its responsive design, making document handling efficient even for larger files.
Educational Features
- Smooth experience: No-lag scrolling for extensive documents.
- Real-time teamwork: Collaborate online instantly.
- Study-friendly: Dark mode for late-night sessions.
How Xodo PDF Reader & Editor Fared When Tested
Xoxo is adequate for straightforward PDF interactions, yet PDF Reader Pro's batch processing feature enhances the handling of multiple documents simultaneously, a critical time-saver for managing extensive documentation.
7. WPS Office
Image source: WPS Office
A versatile suite that's more than just a PDF editor, WPS Office seamlessly integrates multiple functionalities.
Educational Features
- Multi-format support: Edit PDFs, Word docs, spreadsheets, and more.
- Template Gallery: Wide range of templates for presentations and documents.
- Share & Collaborate: Work together with teammates in real-time.
How WPS Office Fared When Tested
WPS offers a suite of office tools, but PDF Reader Pro's specialized features, like night mode for eye comfort and presentation mode for PDFs, make it invaluable for long work hours and professional presentations.
8. PDFelement
Image source: PDFelement
Standing out with its clean interface and potent features, PDFelement is designed for those who seek simplicity without compromising on functionality.
Educational Features
- Text recognition: Convert scanned documents into editable text.
- Form Creation: Quickly create interactive forms for surveys or feedback.
- Multi-language support: Easily toggle between various languages.
How PDFelement Fared When Tested
While PDFelement provides strong editing capabilities, PDF Reader Pro's unmatched annotation support, including voice memos and advanced drawing tools, enhances interactive note-taking and document review processes.
9. Gaaiho
Image source: Gaaiho
Gaaiho is the new kid on the block, but it's making waves with its advanced features and user-friendly design.
Educational Features
- Gesture shortcuts: Use hand gestures for common tasks.
- Smart crop: Automatically remove unnecessary margins.
- Quick Search: Find keywords or phrases in seconds.
How Gaaiho Fared When Tested
Gaaiho's collaboration features are noteworthy, yet PDF Reader Pro's integration capabilities with cloud services like Google Drive for easy access and backup of documents offer a more connected and secure document management ecosystem.
10. PDF Filler
Image source: PDF Filler
Rising rapidly in popularity, PDF Filler is recognized for its form-filling and signing capabilities, making it an indispensable tool for legal, HR, and administrative tasks.
Educational Features
- Digital Prowess: Enhances document workflows with electronic signatures.
- Custom Forms: Create and edit PDF forms with ease.
- Collaborative Tools: Share and collaborate on documents in real time.
How PDF Filler Fared When Tested
While PDF Filler excels in form management and offers a range of editing tools, it falls short of PDF Reader Pro's comprehensive editing suite. It lacks features such as OCR technology and extensive file conversion options that are essential for handling a wide array of PDF editing needs.
11. PDF Candy
Image source: PDF Candy
Known for its wide variety of PDF tools, PDF Candy provides users with a convenient and straightforward approach to converting, merging, and editing PDF documents.
Educational Features
- Extensive Conversion Tools: Converts PDFs to various formats and vice versa.
- Ease of Use: User-friendly interface for quick document editing.
- Online Accessibility: Accessible from any device with an internet connection.
How PDF Candy Fared When Tested
PDF Candy is a strong contender with its array of tools. Still, it doesn't match PDF Reader Pro's advanced editing capabilities and document security features, pivotal for comprehensive PDF management and protection.
12. Sejda PDF Editor
Image source: Sedja PDF Editor
Sejda PDF Editor is appreciated for its simplicity and the array of basic PDF editing tools it offers, which are suitable for quick edits and document adjustments.
Educational Features
- Intuitive Editing: Simple tools for fast document modifications.
- Web-Based: No installation is required, and it is accessible online.
- Security: Offers secure editing and file handling.
How Sedja PDF Editor Fared When Tested
Sejda provides a straightforward editing experience, but it doesn’t offer the depth of features found in PDF Reader Pro, such as detailed annotations and advanced multimedia integration, making it less suitable for intricate document work.
13. LightPDF
Image source: LightPDF
LightPDF stands out for its cloud-based PDF solutions, offering conversion, compression, and editing functionalities accessible from anywhere.
Educational Features
- Cloud Integration: Seamlessly connect with cloud storage solutions.
- File Conversion: Wide range of file conversion options.
- Simplicity: Designed for easy and quick PDF editing.
How LightPDF Fared When Tested
LightPDF's cloud-based features are convenient, yet it lacks the in-depth editing and annotation options PDF Reader Pro provides, which are essential for detailed PDF manipulation and review.
14. Okular
Image source: Okular
Okular, primarily favored in the open-source community, provides a versatile document viewing experience, supporting various formats beyond PDFs.
Educational Features
- Format Support: Reads a wide range of document formats.
- Annotations: Offers basic annotation tools.
- Cross-Platform: Available for Linux, Windows, and macOS.
How Okular Fared When Tested
Okular’s support for multiple formats and basic annotation tools are commendable. Still, regarding the advanced editing, collaboration features, and security options offered by PDF Reader Pro, it doesn't quite measure up, especially for users seeking comprehensive document management capabilities.
15. PDFSimpli
Image source: PDFSimpli
PDFSimpli specializes in simplifying the PDF conversion and editing process, making it accessible even to those with minimal PDF experience.
Educational Features
- Conversion Ease: Focuses on straightforward PDF to Word conversions.
- Edit and Sign: Basic tools for editing text and signing documents.
- User-Friendly: Intuitive interface for quick learning.
How PDFSimpli Toolbox Fared When Tested
PDFSimpli is effective for basic edits and conversions but lacks the richer feature set of PDF Reader Pro, such as advanced OCR, batch processing, and extensive editing capabilities, which are crucial for sophisticated document management and editing tasks.
PDF Reader Pro stands out for its easy operation on Android and Mac. It provides a consistent and efficient PDF management experience.
Its mobile optimization on Android ensures smooth reading and editing, making it perfect for on-the-go document handling.
With advanced features like annotation, signing, and file conversion, it's the ideal choice for enhancing productivity in managing articles and research, regardless of the device used.
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Best PDF Editors for Smartphone: Best Practices
With so many options available, how does one discern which PDF editor is truly worth the download? Beyond flashy features and sleek designs, there are core best practices that the best PDF editors consistently nail. If you're in search of the crème de la crème of PDF editors for your smartphone, use the following tips as your blueprint.
1. Friendly User Experience
- Best Practice: The interface should be intuitive, minimizing the learning curve for new users. A great PDF editor will make even complex tasks feel straightforward.
- Pro Tip: Look for apps with a clean design, clear icons, and helpful tooltips. The aim is to reduce the number of taps and swipes needed to accomplish a task.
2. File Compatibility & Integration
- Best Practice: Premium editors should handle not just PDFs, but other formats like DOCX, PPT, and XLS seamlessly. Integration with popular cloud storage options, such as Dropbox or Google Drive, is a significant plus.
- Pro Tip: Editors that allow batch processing (e.g., converting multiple DOCX files to PDF simultaneously) can be a massive timesaver.
3. Security Measures
- Best Practice: With sensitive documents often shared in PDF format, powerful security features, including encryption, watermarking, and secure sharing options, are indispensable.
- Pro Tip: Two-factor authentication and the ability to revoke document access are advanced security features to look out for.
4. Annotation & Editing Tools
- Best Practice: Top-notch editors provide a range of annotation tools – from simple highlighting to voice notes – ensuring that users can interact with documents in diverse ways.
- Pro Tip: Some apps offer collaborative annotations. If you often work in teams, this feature can revolutionize your document review process.
5. Offline Accessibility
- Best Practice: Dependence on the internet can be limiting. The best PDF editors allow users to access, edit, and save documents offline.
- Pro Tip: Syncing capabilities ensure that once you're back online, all offline changes are automatically updated to the cloud.
6. Customer Support & Updates
- Best Practice: Beyond the initial app experience, having reliable customer support and regular software updates ensures the tool remains beneficial in the long run.
- Pro Tip: Check out user reviews regarding the frequency and quality of updates. An active developer community often suggests a continually improving app.
Best PDF Editors for Smartphone: FAQ
Why do I need a specialized PDF editor for my smartphone?
Many regular document editing apps lack specialized tools for handling PDFs. A dedicated PDF editor will offer specific features optimized for PDFs, such as annotation, form-filling, and secure signing.
Are all PDF editors safe for confidential documents?
Not necessarily. It's essential to choose a PDF editor such as PDF Reader Pro with robust security features, including encryption and secure sharing options. Always check the app's privacy policy and reviews for insighs into its security.
Can I convert PDFs to other file formats with these editors?
Most premium PDF editors offer conversion tools that allow you to transform your PDFs into other formats like DOCX, PPT, and XLS, and vice versa.
Are there quality PDF editors available for free without ever paying?
Yes, many PDF editors offer free versions. However, these often come with limitations in terms of features or the number of uses. For advanced functionalities, you might need to upgrade to a premium version.
How do I ensure the PDF editor correctly displays my document?
Opt for editors that support a broad range of PDF standards and features, ensuring accurate rendering. Checking user reviews can also provide insights into the app's performance in real-world scenarios.
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