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Head-to-head · PDF Software

Smallpdf vs PDF-XChange Editor

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Smallpdf #2 in PDF Software 9.3/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 5 features Visit Smallpdf
PDF-XChange Editor #6 in PDF Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Visit PDF-XChange

Smallpdf leads on 0 checks, PDF-XChange Editor on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSmallpdf · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Smallpdf

Smallpdf scores higher on our rubric for pdf software: 9.3 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

Smallpdf is the better fit for individuals and teams handling varied PDF tasks. PDF-XChange Editor is the better fit for windows users wanting capable PDF editing for a one-time fee.

  • Smallpdf fits best

    Individuals and teams handling varied PDF tasks

  • PDF-XChange Editor fits best

    Windows users wanting capable PDF editing for a one-time fee

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Side by side

Feature Smallpdf 9.3/10 Visit ↗ PDF-XChange Editor 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.9
Ranking #2 in PDF Software #6 in PDF Software
Best for Individuals and teams handling varied PDF tasks Windows users wanting capable PDF editing for a one-time fee
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $7/seat/mo $62/user one-time
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Desktop
Platforms Web, Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Windows
Support Email, Tickets, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Smallpdf 2/5 · PDF-XChange Editor 2/5
Edit PDF text Not checked yet Not checked yet
PDF conversion ✓ ✓
OCR ✓ ✓
E-signing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Batch processing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan includes 30+ document tools
  • Pro adds text editing, OCR, and unlimited downloads
  • Works across web, Windows, mobile apps, and Chrome
  • Edit, annotate, OCR and convert PDFs on Windows
  • Perpetual one-time licenses avoid recurring billing
  • Cloud access for SharePoint, OneDrive, Drive, Dropbox and Box
Cons
  • Free plan limits document downloads and mobile access
  • Pro costs more with monthly billing than annual billing
  • Team and Business add support and management features beyond Pro
  • Windows-only desktop availability
  • Fillable forms and enhanced OCR require the Plus license
  • Free licensed features may add watermarks; OCR is limited to 14 days
Our verdict

Smallpdf brings everyday PDF work into one suite for individuals, small businesses, teams, and larger organizations. Its tools cover editing text, adding annotations, converting files, recognizing text in scans, organizing pages, creating…

Read the review →

PDF-XChange Editor is a Windows desktop application for viewing, creating, editing, annotating, converting and managing PDF documents. It suits individual users, professional document creators and organizations with Windows-based PDF…

Read the review →
  1. SmallpdfPDF Software 9.3Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. PDF-XChange EditorPDF Software 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Smallpdf — where it wins

    • Free plan includes 30+ document tools
    • Pro adds text editing, OCR, and unlimited downloads
    • Works across web, Windows, mobile apps, and Chrome

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan limits document downloads and mobile access
    • Pro costs more with monthly billing than annual billing
    • Team and Business add support and management features beyond Pro

  • PDF-XChange Editor — where it wins

    • Edit, annotate, OCR and convert PDFs on Windows
    • Perpetual one-time licenses avoid recurring billing
    • Cloud access for SharePoint, OneDrive, Drive, Dropbox and Box

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows-only desktop availability
    • Fillable forms and enhanced OCR require the Plus license
    • Free licensed features may add watermarks; OCR is limited to 14 days

More comparisons

All PDF software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update