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Head-to-head · PDF Editors

iLovePDF vs PDFgear

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score iLovePDF #2 in PDF Editors 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit iLovePDF
PDFgear #9 in PDF Editors 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit PDFgear

iLovePDF leads on 0 checks, PDFgear on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreiLovePDF · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth

iLovePDF scores higher on our rubric for pdf editors: 9.2 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #9.

iLovePDF is the better fit for accessible PDF work across devices. PDFgear is the better fit for free, full-platform PDF editing.

  • iLovePDF fits best

    Accessible PDF work across devices

  • PDFgear fits best

    Free, full-platform PDF editing

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.

Side by side

Feature iLovePDF 9.2/10 Visit ↗ PDFgear 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.6
Ranking #2 in PDF Editors #9 in PDF Editors
Best for Accessible PDF work across devices Free, full-platform PDF editing
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Free
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email, Docs Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features iLovePDF 5/5 · PDFgear 5/5
Text editing ✓ ✓
Annotation tools ✓ ✓
OCR ✓ ✓
PDF conversion ✓ ✓
Form creation ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported platforms web, windows, macos, ios, android web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Our review
Pros
  • OCR, form creation, annotations, conversion, and PDF security tools
  • Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android applications
  • Desktop app supports local and offline document processing
  • Free access to editing, OCR, conversion, forms, signatures, and AI tools
  • Supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, web browsers, and Linux
  • Includes batch conversion and page organization tools
Cons
  • Free access includes limited document processing
  • Existing PDF text editing is not explicitly confirmed
  • Business features are oriented toward organizational buyers
  • Direct replacement of existing PDF text is limited to desktop software
  • ChatGPT is the listed integration
  • No paid tier adds premium features or expanded capabilities
Our verdict

iLovePDF is a PDF productivity service for individuals, professionals, and businesses that need to edit, annotate, convert, organize, sign, protect, and compare documents. Its toolkit includes adding text, shapes, comments, and highlights;…

Read the review →

PDFgear is a free PDF software suite for individuals, educators, and businesses that need more than basic viewing or annotation. It covers editing existing PDF text and images, adding highlights, notes, comments, stamps, shapes, and…

Read the review →
  1. iLovePDFPDF Editors 9.2Free plan
  2. PDFgearPDF Editors 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • iLovePDF — where it wins

    • OCR, form creation, annotations, conversion, and PDF security tools
    • Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android applications
    • Desktop app supports local and offline document processing

    Where it doesn't

    • Free access includes limited document processing
    • Existing PDF text editing is not explicitly confirmed
    • Business features are oriented toward organizational buyers
  • PDFgear — where it wins

    • Free access to editing, OCR, conversion, forms, signatures, and AI tools
    • Supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, web browsers, and Linux
    • Includes batch conversion and page organization tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Direct replacement of existing PDF text is limited to desktop software
    • ChatGPT is the listed integration
    • No paid tier adds premium features or expanded capabilities

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update