Find, in this selection, the PDF editor that will meet all your expectations, whatever your operating system.
Many free software programs allow you to annotate, highlight, manage pages, read and possibly convert PDF files, but they generally do not offer the possibility of modifying the text in an unlimited manner and without a watermark. Here we offer you a selection of the best PDF editors which allow (with a lifetime license or subscription) the modification of the content of PDF files, their reading, the addition of annotations, the protection, the change of images and the text, and conversion to other formats.
Adobe Acrobat Pro
The first PDF editor that comes to mind is obviously Acrobat Pro. Developed by Adobe, it offers advanced features for creating, editing and protecting PDF files, ensuring security and compliance. It allows viewing, printing, sharing, editing annotations and direct modifications of text and images in PDFs.
In addition, it also offers options for compressing, merging and splitting PDF files, as well as easy conversion to PDF or from PDF to other office formats (DOCX, XLSX, etc.). Collaboration is made easy with Adobe Creative Cloud, enabling real-time document sharing, review and signing by your team members. The tool has a full range of features for filling out, signing and managing electronic forms and contracts. Security is ensured by passwords, watermarks, encryption and built-in accessibility checking.
This is indeed the most complete software, but it is also one of the publishers offering the most expensive subscription. Flexible subscription options are offered, with a seven-day free trial period. Adobe Acrobat Pro is compatible with Windows, macOS and web browsers.
ILovePDF
iLovePDF is a complete editing solution for PDF documents, the main advantage of which is to offer a range of tools for working on PDFs online or offline. It offers features such as merging, compressing, splitting, converting, editing, protecting, adding watermarks, e-signing and scanning. Compatible with various devices, iLovePDF can be used on the web, desktop (Windows, Mac) or mobile (Android, iOS).
It provides organizational features for merging, splitting and rearranging PDF documents, as well as tools for optimizing the size of PDF files without loss of quality (compression). Editing tools allow you to add and edit text, shapes, and images in PDFs. iLovePDF also allows conversion of various file formats to PDF, as well as converting PDF to office or image formats. It integrates security tools with passwords and electronic signatures. We also appreciate its compatibility with cloud storage spaces like Google Drive and Dropbox, to download and import files directly into the PDF editor.
Although a free version is available, some features are limited, and a premium version is offered to eliminate all restrictions and have advanced features.
Foxit PDF Editor
Geared more towards professionals, Foxit PDF Editor provides all the essential features for creating, viewing, editing and electronically signing PDF documents. It also has more advanced features, including dynamic text editing, PDF creation from various formats, page manipulation, real-time collaboration, and document creation support.
Its main advantages: optical character recognition (OCR) to scan paper documents and advanced security options such as password encryption and digital signature.
Downloadable on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and available online, Foxit PDF Editor has a user-friendly interface fully translated into French and supports conversion to different file formats. Free trials are available, as well as subscription or one-time purchase options for the desktop version.
Foxit PDF Editor
UPDF
If you’re looking for a PDF editor with AI-related features, look to UPDF. It offers all the tools inherent in a good PDF editor, such as editing, management, conversion, conversion, annotation and protection by password, signature or watermark. In addition, an AI extension allows you to summarize, translate or explain the content of your document, but also to answer all your questions, via a chatbot connected to the Internet.
We also appreciate the character recognition (OCR) function for scanning paper documents, available both on the desktop version for Windows and Mac and on the mobile version. Its interface has been the subject of particularly careful work to make it pleasant, intuitive and very easy to use.
In addition to being accessible on most platforms, the advantage of UPDF is that it costs four times less than Adobe Acrobat Pro. Which is not a negligible argument.
UPDF – PDF Editor & PDF Converter
PDFElement
PDFelement is one of the most interesting alternatives to the leader Adobe Acrobat Pro, also integrating AI into the heart of its interface. Artificial intelligence is thus able to translate or summarize the document, or even answer all questions about the content of the file.
Of course, all other editing, conversion, compression, modification, annotation or protection features are available. If PDFelement is part of this selection, it is also thanks to its simplified editor for creating forms in one click using drag and drop.
And in terms of compatibility, PDFelement is not left out since it is available in a PC version to download and install on Windows and Mac desktop computers, and in a mobile version for Android and iOS. It also exists as an online service, accessible from any device (Linux and Chromebook included) via a web browser. This cloud service facilitates simultaneous collaborative work on the same document and its revision.
PDF-XChange Editor
PDF-XChange Editor offers a competitive alternative to market leaders thanks to several distinct advantages. First, its more affordable price attracts individual users and small businesses and its user-friendly interface makes it easier for novices to navigate.
Thanks to its lightness and the few resources it requires, it works efficiently even on less powerful devices. Additionally, PDF-XChange Editor offers extensive customization of tools and settings, catering to individual user preferences.
Although perhaps less rich in advanced features, and above all only compatible with Windows PCs, it still offers a wide range of features for creating, editing and managing PDF files. In addition, its responsive and efficient technical support is an advantage for those requiring rapid and precise assistance.
PDF-XChange Editor
Nitro PDF Pro
Nitro PDF Pro allows you to create, collaborate, review, save forms and read PDF files. This software integrates a creation wizard to guide users in their tasks, with a user-friendly interface and an easy-to-access ribbon toolbar, which is reminiscent of Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Office tools.
In addition to text and image editing tools, it offers other interesting features like organizing pages, adding bookmarks, inserting comments, signatures and attachments, as well as a zoom function for easier reading. Nitro Pro allows you to work on multiple documents in the same window and allows drag and drop of files.
It is available for Windows, Mac and iOS, with a 14-day trial period to evaluate its features before purchasing a license or subscription. Unfortunately, this is only available for Windows, leaving Mac users without a trial option.