Best PDF Editor Alternatives in 2026
The top PDF Editor alternatives are Foxit PDF Editor, iLovePDF and Smallpdf: 15 PDF editors our editors would look at instead of PDF Editor, in our ranking order.
PDF Editor: A capable open-source Windows editor for local PDF work, with OCR and security tools. Where it falls short: supports packaged builds for windows only.
Switching from PDF Editor? For most pdf editors buyers the best PDF Editor alternative is Foxit PDF Editor, built for businesses needing mature PDF workflows. On a budget, Smallpdf starts at $7/seat/mo. iLovePDF has a free plan.
Why People Look for a PDF Editor Alternative
- Supports packaged builds for Windows only
- Form filling is out of scope
- Full document reflow is out of scope
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallFoxit PDF Editor9.3
Businesses needing mature PDF workflows
Visit Foxit PDF Editor - Lowest priceSmallpdf9.1
Paid plans from $7/seat/mo
Visit Smallpdf - Best free optioniLovePDF9.2
Has a free plan
Visit iLovePDF
All 15 PDF Editor Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forBusinesses needing mature PDF workflows
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 3.0
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
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 3.0
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
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 3.0
A broad PDF toolkit for simple editing across web, Windows, mobile, and Chrome.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Smallpdf -
Best forLow-cost, cross-platform PDF editing
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 3.0
A low-cost PDF suite with broad editing, OCR, conversion, and AI tools across platforms.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit WPS PDF -
Best forOCR-heavy document editing
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 3.0
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
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 3.0
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
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 3.0
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
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 3.0
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
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 3.0
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
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 3.0
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
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 3.0
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
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 3.0
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
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 3.0
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
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 3.0
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
- Better than PDF Editor:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 3.0
A specialized PDF workspace for technical drawings, measurements, revisions, and AEC collaboration.
- Form creation
- OCR
- PDF conversion
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Bluebeam
PDF Editor Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to PDF Editor?
Foxit PDF Editor: #1 in our PDF Editors ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A mature PDF workspace with deep editing, OCR, forms, security, and integrations.
Is there a free alternative to PDF Editor?
Yes. iLovePDF, Smallpdf, WPS PDF Editor, Lumr and ONLYOFFICE PDF Editor have a free plan or a free tier (10 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to PDF Editor?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Smallpdf starts lowest, at $7/seat/mo.
Why do people look for PDF Editor alternatives?
Supports packaged builds for Windows only; Form filling is out of scope; Full document reflow is out of scope.
How do I switch from PDF Editor?
Export your data from PDF Editor (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel PDF Editor.
How to Switch from PDF Editor
- Export your data from PDF Editor (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel PDF Editor.
PDF Editor vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Text editing | Annotation tools | OCR | PDF conversion | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | PDF Editor | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3.0 | |
| 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 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update