The Best PDF Editors in 2026
We researched PDF editors through official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation, then ranked them by core editing features, PDF workflow capabilities, value for money and verified features. This guide does not claim hands-on testing.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Foxit PDF Editor#1 of 1029.3/10A mature PDF workspace with deep editing, OCR, forms, security, and integrations.
14-day trial
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Runner-up
iLovePDF#2 of 1029.2/10A broad PDF toolkit with free access, offline desktop processing, and cross-device apps.
Free plan
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Top-ranked free plan
Smallpdf#3 of 1029.1/10A broad PDF toolkit for simple editing across web, Windows, mobile, and Chrome.
Free plan · 7-day trial
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 102 tools, best first · page 1 of 3
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Best forBusinesses needing mature PDF workflows
A mature PDF workspace with deep editing, OCR, forms, security, and integrations.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Foxit -
Best forAccessible PDF work across devices
A broad PDF toolkit with free access, offline desktop processing, and cross-device apps.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
9.2/10★★★★★Visit iLovePDF -
Best forSimple cross-platform PDF editing
A broad PDF toolkit for simple editing across web, Windows, mobile, and Chrome.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
Free plan · 7-day trial Our Smallpdf verdict → Visit SmallpdfFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #3 · $79/mo →9.1/10★★★★★Visit Smallpdf -
Best forLow-cost, cross-platform PDF editing
A low-cost PDF suite with broad editing, OCR, conversion, and AI tools across platforms.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
Free plan · 3-day trial Our WPS PDF Editor verdict → Visit WPS PDFFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #4 · $69/mo →9.0/10★★★★☆Visit WPS PDF -
Best forOCR-heavy document editing
A capable desktop PDF editor for OCR-heavy workflows, with broader features on Windows.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit ABBYY -
Best forEditing and signing PDFs in the browser without installing anything
Browser PDF suite: edit, convert, merge, split, compress, sign and fill forms, plus ready-made legal templates and AI summarise, translate and chat.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Lumr -
Best forOpen-source and self-hosted collaboration
A broad PDF editor for teams that need open-source or self-hosted collaboration.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit ONLYOFFICE -
Best forPower users needing broad PDF automation
A wide-ranging PDF toolkit for users who need editing, automation, and deployment flexibility.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit PDFelement -
Best forFree, full-platform PDF editing
A broad free PDF suite for editing, conversion, OCR, forms, and document analysis.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit PDFgear -
Best forFree web and API PDF operations
A capable free PDF editor for everyday document work, forms, sharing, and automation.
- Form creation
- PDF conversion
- Text editing
8.5/10★★★★☆Try Zoho PDF Editor -
Best forWindows users wanting a capable free editor
A capable Windows PDF editor with broad free access and a one-time paid upgrade.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit PDF-XChange -
Best forWeb-based forms and signature workflows
A browser-focused PDF workspace for forms, signatures, annotations, and Google integrations.
- Form creation
- PDF conversion
- Text editing
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit DocHub -
Best forBroad platform and AI coverage
A broad PDF toolkit spanning document editing, automation, AI and multiple platforms.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Soda PDF -
Best forTeams using Microsoft document ecosystems
A broad PDF toolkit for Microsoft-focused teams that need editing, OCR, and administration.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Nitro PDF Pro -
Best forAEC teams reviewing technical drawings
A specialized PDF workspace for technical drawings, measurements, revisions, and AEC collaboration.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Bluebeam -
Best forEnterprise PDF and signature workflows
A broad PDF suite for organizations managing editing, forms, security, and signatures.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forAffordable editing across desktop and web
A capable PDF editor with web, desktop, Linux support, and a free usage-limited tier.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Sejda -
Best forWindows users needing batch PDF processing
A capable Windows PDF editor with batch processing, OCR, forms and security tools.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
7.7/10★★★★☆Try PDFsam Enhanced -
Best forModern AI-assisted PDF editing
A broad PDF toolkit with OCR, forms, conversion, and AI document tools.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit UPDF -
Best forTeams managing high-volume PDF workflows
A broad PDF workspace for editing, forms, templates, and signature workflows.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit pdfFiller -
Best forBudget-conscious Windows and web users
A low-cost PDF editor for editing, forms, signatures, and redaction.
- Form creation
- PDF conversion
- Text editing
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit PDFescape -
Best forSelf-hosted PDF automation and privacy
A broad PDF toolkit for privacy-focused automation, with limited form creation.
- OCR
- PDF conversion
- Text editing
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Stirling PDF -
Best forLow-cost editing on nearly any platform
A low-cost PDF toolkit with broad platform coverage and practical document tools.
- OCR
- PDF conversion
- Text editing
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit PDF Candy -
Best forDesktop users needing advanced PDF workflows
A broad desktop PDF toolkit for editing, OCR, forms, security, and batch workflows.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
7.0/10★★★★☆Try Xodo PDF Studio -
Best forLow-cost Windows PDF editing
A low-cost Windows PDF editor with broad document tools and no free plan.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit SoftMaker -
Best forCross-platform users wanting AI PDF tools
A broad PDF toolkit with useful AI features, but a relatively high annual entry price.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit KDAN PDF -
Best forUsers wanting a low-cost lifetime option
A feature-rich PDF editor with a $99.99 lifetime option and Windows-focused coverage.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit MobiPDF -
Best forWindows users needing conventional PDF tools
A broad Windows PDF editor with free access and flexible license options.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit EaseUS -
Best forWindows users wanting a mature one-platform editor
A mature Windows-only PDF editor with OCR, forms, redaction, signatures, and conversion.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit Ashampoo -
Best forWindows users wanting modular PDF tools
A modular Windows PDF editor with free basics and advanced Pro and Business tools.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit PDF Architect -
Best forUsers wanting inexpensive web PDF assistance
A low-cost PDF toolkit with broad access, cloud storage, OCR, AI, and a free plan.
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit LightPDF -
Best forPrivacy-focused technical users
A broad, open-source PDF toolkit for users who want local control and technical flexibility.
- OCR
- PDF conversion
- Text editing
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forPrivacy-focused local and on-device AI
A broad PDF toolkit with local OCR, redaction, forms, encryption, and on-device AI.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit PickPDF -
Best forUsers wanting a free privacy-focused editor
A capable free desktop editor for local PDF work, with Windows and macOS support.
- OCR
- PDF conversion
- Text editing
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit PDFluent -
Best forOpen-source, privacy-minded PDF editing
A privacy-focused PDF editor with broad editing, form, OCR, and page tools.
- Form creation
- OCR
- Text editing
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit DartPDF -
Best forConversion-focused PDF editing
A conversion-focused PDF editor with OCR, batch tools, and one-time pricing.
- OCR
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit PDF Agile -
Best forUsers wanting AI-assisted desktop PDF editing
A broad Windows and macOS PDF editor with a free plan and AI tools.
- OCR
- PDF conversion
- Text editing
5.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Aurora PDF -
Best forBudget-conscious users wanting AI PDF features
A low-cost PDF editor with broad document tools and AI features across five platforms.
- OCR
- PDF conversion
- Text editing
5.6/10★★★☆☆Visit SwifDoo PDF -
Best forApple-focused PDF editing
A capable Apple-focused PDF editor with OCR, conversion, signatures, and document tools.
- OCR
- PDF conversion
- Text editing
5.5/10★★★☆☆Visit PDF Expert -
Best forAI-focused users needing advanced PDF editing
A broad PDF editor with strong AI tools, but a high paid entry price.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
5.4/10★★★☆☆Try Tenorshare PDNob -
Best forPDF compression and batch processing
A compression-focused PDF editor with batch processing and broad platform support.
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit PDF2Go -
Best forMarkup-heavy collaborative PDF work
A cross-platform PDF editor built for detailed annotation and collaborative document work.
- OCR
- PDF conversion
- Text editing
5.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Drawboard PDF -
Best forWeb users needing AI-assisted PDF editing
A broad web PDF toolkit with AI translation, OCR, conversions, and paid support tiers.
- OCR
- PDF conversion
- Text editing
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit PDFEquips -
Best forOpen-source desktop PDF users
A capable free desktop PDF editor for users who value local, open-source software.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
4.9/10★★☆☆☆Visit PDFApps -
Best forUsers wanting affordable feature depth
A feature-rich PDF editor with free access, broad tools, and flexible paid plans.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
4.8/10★★☆☆☆Visit PDF Reader Pro -
Best forWeb and mobile users managing forms
A broad PDF toolkit for web and mobile users, with paid text editing and annual plans.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
4.7/10★★☆☆☆Visit DeftPDF -
Best forOpen-source PDF workflows for organizations
A broad local PDF toolkit with free AGPL use and costly organizational licensing.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
4.6/10★★☆☆☆Visit Open Satchel -
Best forOpen-source desktop users needing full editing
A broad free PDF toolkit for desktop users who prefer open-source software.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
4.5/10★★☆☆☆Visit site -
Best forDesktop users needing signatures and redaction
A broad PDF editor for desktop users who need signing, OCR, and redaction.
- OCR
- PDF conversion
- Text editing
4.4/10★★☆☆☆Visit IndyPDF -
Best forFree users needing straightforward browser editing
A capable free web editor for everyday PDF changes, forms, and file operations.
- Form creation
- PDF conversion
- Text editing
4.2/10★★☆☆☆Try Online PDF Edits
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Text editing | Annotation tools | OCR | PDF conversion | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foxit PDF Editor | No | $10.99/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.3 |
| 2 | iLovePDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Smallpdf | Yes | $7/seat/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 4 | WPS PDF Editor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 5 | ABBYY FineReader PDF | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 | |
| 6 | Lumr | 8.8 | ||||||
| 7 | ONLYOFFICE PDF Editor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 8 | Wondershare PDFelement | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 9 | PDFgear | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 |
| 10 | Zoho PDF Editor | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 11 | PDF-XChange Editor | Yes | $62/user one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 |
| 12 | DocHub | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | ||
| 13 | Soda PDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 14 | Nitro PDF Pro | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.1 | |
| 15 | Bluebeam Revu | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | |
| 16 | Tungsten Power PDF | No | $179/device one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 17 | Sejda PDF Editor | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 18 | PDFsam Enhanced | Yes | $69/user/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 |
| 19 | UPDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.6 | |
| 20 | pdfFiller | No | $8/user/mo | 7.5 | ||||
| 21 | PDFescape | Yes | $2.99/mo | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 7.3 |
| 22 | Stirling PDF | Yes | $99/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.2 |
| 23 | PDF Candy | Yes | $6/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.1 |
| 24 | Xodo PDF Studio | No | $9.99/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.0 |
| 25 | SoftMaker FlexiPDF | No | $39.90/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.9 |
| 26 | KDAN PDF | Yes | $59.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.8 |
| 27 | MobiPDF | Yes | $6.67/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.7 |
| 28 | EaseUS PDF Editor | Yes | $49.95/device/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.6 |
| 29 | Ashampoo PDF Pro 5 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.5 | |
| 30 | PDF Architect | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.4 | |
| 31 | LightPDF | Yes | $15.99/yr | 6.3 | ||||
| 32 | PDF Editor Offline | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.2 |
| 33 | PickPDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.1 | |
| 34 | PDFluent | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.0 |
| 35 | DartPDF | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.9 | |
| 36 | PDF Agile | Yes | $39 one-time | Yes | 5.8 | |||
| 37 | Aurora PDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.7 | |
| 38 | SwifDoo PDF | Yes | $69/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.6 |
| 39 | PDF Expert | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.5 | |
| 40 | Tenorshare PDNob | Yes | $89.99/user/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.4 |
| 41 | PDF2Go | Yes | 5.3 | |||||
| 42 | Drawboard PDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.2 | |
| 43 | PDFEquips | Yes | $8.33/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5.0 |
| 44 | PDFApps | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.9 |
| 45 | PDF Reader Pro | Yes | $59.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.8 |
| 46 | DeftPDF | Yes | $49.99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.7 |
| 47 | Open Satchel | Yes | $2,500/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.6 |
| 48 | PDF Viewer Editor | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.5 |
| 49 | IndyPDF | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.4 | |
| 50 | Online PDF Edits | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 4.2 |
Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →
- Foxit PDF Editor vs iLovePDF
- Foxit PDF Editor vs Smallpdf
- Foxit PDF Editor vs WPS PDF Editor
- Foxit PDF Editor vs ABBYY FineReader PDF
- Foxit PDF Editor vs ONLYOFFICE PDF Editor
- Foxit PDF Editor vs Wondershare PDFelement
- Foxit PDF Editor vs PDFgear
- iLovePDF vs Smallpdf
- iLovePDF vs WPS PDF Editor
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How we rank PDF editors
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update