Ranked on the record · 104 apps

Best PDF Editors 2026

PDF editors help you read, change, mark up, convert and prepare PDF files. This guide is for buyers choosing a tool for work, study or document forms.

Compare free access, paid starting options, text editing, annotation tools, OCR, PDF conversion, form creation and supported platforms. Check the platforms you use, from Windows and macOS to web, iOS, Linux or Android.

WPS PDF Editor

by WPS PDF Editor

WPS PDF Editor suits people who need PDF editing, page organization, form completion or electronic signatures across desktop, mobile and web platforms.

Free plan Free trial AndroidiPhone & iPadWebWindowsMacLinux+1

Record8.9 Visit site The record

ONLYOFFICE PDF Editor

ONLYOFFICE PDF Editor edits and annotates PDFs on mobile, desktop, web and self-hosted setups.

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+5

Record8.6 Visit

Foxit PDF Editor

Foxit PDF Editor suits people who need to edit, convert, sign, or manage PDF documents across desktop, web, and mobile platforms.

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+2

Record8.5 Visit

Smallpdf

Smallpdf suits individuals who need PDF tools across devices, including editing, OCR, conversion, and signatures.

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+1

Record8.3 Visit

PDF Candy

PDF Candy suits people who need PDF editing and conversion tools across desktop and mobile platforms.

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3

Record8.2 Visit

LightPDF

LightPDF provides PDF tools on mobile, desktop, web, extensions, API and self-hosted setups.

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+6 $15.99 a year Record8.1 Visit

PDFgear

PDFgear suits people looking for PDF editing and document utilities across web, desktop, and mobile platforms.

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 Free plan Record8.0 Visit

iLovePDF

iLovePDF suits people who need PDF editing, conversion, OCR, or form tools across desktop, mobile, and web.

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+2 Free plan Record7.8 Visit

PDF2Go

PDF2Go provides PDF tools on mobile, desktop, web, extensions, API and self-hosted setups.

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+5 Free plan Record7.8 Visit

KDAN PDF

KDAN PDF edits and annotates PDFs on Android, iOS, macOS and Windows.

AndroidiPhone & iPadWindows+1 $59.99 a year Record7.7 Visit

Zoho PDF Editor

Free PDF editor for Linux, macOS, web and Windows with conversion and form creation.

WebWindowsMac+1 Free plan Record7.6 Visit

Soda PDF

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 Free plan Record7.6 Visit

PDF Agile

Freemium PDF editor for macOS, web and Windows with OCR.

WebWindowsMac $39 one-time Record7.3 Visit

Tenorshare PDNob

iPhone & iPadWebWindows+1 $39.99 a year Record7.3 Visit

Drawboard PDF

Drawboard PDF edits, annotates, OCRs and converts PDFs on mobile, desktop and the web.

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 Free plan Record7.3 Visit

Nitro PDF Pro

Nitro PDF Pro edits, annotates and OCRs PDFs on iOS, macOS, web and Windows.

iPhone & iPadWebWindows+2 $15 a month, billed yearly Record7.2 Visit

PDFChef by Movavi

Freemium PDF editor for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows with text editing and annotations.

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 $35.99 a year Record7.2 Visit

PDF Expert

Freemium PDF editor for iOS, macOS and web with text editing.

iPhone & iPadWebMac Free plan Record7.1 Visit

DartPDF

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 Free plan Record7.0 Visit

PDFluent

Free PDFluent app edits text and adds annotations on macOS and Windows.

WindowsMac €999 a year Record6.9 Visit

PDF Reader Pro

PDF Reader Pro edits, annotates and OCRs PDFs on Android, iOS, macOS and Windows.

AndroidiPhone & iPadWindows+1 Free plan Record6.8 Visit

HiPDF

Freemium PDF converter with OCR for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows.

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+5 Free plan Record6.8 Visit

SoftMaker FlexiPDF

Windows 169.90 PLN a year Record6.7 Visit

SwifDoo PDF

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+2 Free plan Record6.7 Visit

DocHub

DocHub handles PDF text and markup on Android, iOS and the web.

AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb Free plan Record6.6 Visit

Before you choose

Match the editing tools to your files

Check whether a tool covers the work you need: text editing, annotations, OCR, PDF conversion or form creation. A tool may suit a narrow task better than a broad workflow.

Use the same checklist when comparing Smallpdf, WPS PDF Editor, PDFgear, DocHub and other editors.

Compare free access with paid plans

Look for a free plan if you want to start without payment. If a paid plan is required, compare the paid-from price shown for the tool.

A free trial can give you a time-limited way to review paid features before choosing a plan.

Check device and browser support

Supported platforms include Windows, macOS, web, iOS, Linux and Android. Confirm that the editor works on the devices and browsers in your workflow.

Platform support can affect whether you can move between a computer, phone, tablet and browser.

Review licensing needs

If open-source code matters, check the editor's licence and project details before choosing it. This matters for readers who need to inspect or adapt software.

For proprietary tools, review the maker's plan terms and supported platforms alongside the features you need.

Questions

What should I compare in a PDF editor?

Compare free access, paid-from pricing, text editing, annotation tools, OCR, PDF conversion, form creation and supported platforms.

Which platforms can PDF editors support?

The listed platform categories are Windows, macOS, web, iOS, Linux and Android. Check the tool's own platform support before choosing.

Do PDF editors offer free plans?

Free-plan availability varies by tool. Check the plan details for the editor you are considering.

What is a free trial?

A free trial provides temporary access under the maker's terms. Check its length and included features before starting.

Should I look for an open-source PDF editor?

If inspectable or adaptable code matters, check whether the editor is open source and review its licence.