9 Best PDF Editor Apps for iPhone, Android & Desktop (2026)

The best PDF editor app depends on what you need to change—and where you work. Adding a comment is different from editing existing PDF text; working with a scanned page may also require OCR. We compare nine options for phones, tablets, and computers, noting where their mobile and desktop capabilities differ.

Use this list to choose by task and platform, then check the device-specific features and plan before committing to an app.

9 Best PDF Editor Apps for Mobile and Desktop

1) UPDF – Cross-Platform PDF Editor App

UPDF is a cross-platform option for people who need to revise existing PDF text and images on a phone as well as on a computer. Its iPhone/iPad and Android apps support PDF editing, while OCR helps turn scanned pages into searchable or editable files. Desktop and mobile interfaces differ, so check the guide for the device you use most.

If you regularly correct PDF text on your phone and continue working on a computer, try UPDF on the device you use most. You can test its editing tools first; saving edited PDFs without a trial watermark requires UPDF Pro.

2) Xodo – PDF Annotation and Browser Editing

Xodo offers PDF reading, annotation, form tools, and editing options across web, desktop, and mobile products. It is a practical choice for reviewing documents and making quick changes, but free access and editing features vary by product and plan.

3) PDF Expert – PDF Editing for Apple Devices

PDF Expert is designed for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It can edit existing PDF text and images directly, so converting a file to Word is not a prerequisite. It also supports reading, annotation, links, and redaction.

4) Smallpdf – Browser-First PDF Tools

Smallpdf suits people who prefer quick PDF tasks in a browser, with mobile apps and a Windows desktop app also available. Its online tools include OCR for scanned PDFs. Check whether the particular task you need is available in the app or in the browser, and whether your plan includes it.

5) LiquidText – Research Reading and Annotation

LiquidText is primarily a workspace for reading, excerpting, connecting, and annotating research documents—not a conventional choice for revising PDF page text and layout. It is available across Apple devices and Windows, but not Android.

6) Adobe Acrobat – Free Reading, Paid Mobile Editing

Adobe Acrobat Reader on iOS and Android is free for viewing, commenting, filling, and signing. Editing existing text and images on mobile requires an eligible paid subscription; available features depend on the plan. Acrobat Pro offers a broader desktop-and-mobile subscription, but feature availability should be checked by device.

7) Nitro PDF Pro – Windows, Mac, and iOS

Nitro PDF Pro has current versions for Windows, macOS, and iOS. Its iPhone and iPad app supports tasks such as text corrections, markup, page organization, and signatures; desktop capabilities should be evaluated separately.

8) Foxit PDF Editor – Desktop and Paid Mobile Workflow

Foxit PhantomPDF is the former name of Foxit PDF Editor. Foxit offers PDF editing on Windows, macOS, and the web; its current PDF Editor+ plan adds full access to iOS and Android apps.

9) Soda PDF – Windows Desktop and Online Editing

Soda PDF combines a Windows desktop editor with browser-based tools that can be used on Mac and mobile devices. Its online offering includes AI tools, while the Windows desktop app supports offline work. It does not currently offer a native macOS desktop app.

Conclusion

For cross-platform PDF edits, UPDF is worth trying; PDF Expert is a focused Apple-only option; LiquidText fits research reading; and browser-first tools such as Smallpdf or Soda PDF suit occasional online tasks. The deciding question is whether you need to change existing PDF content, annotate it, or edit a scan—and whether that feature works on your device and plan.

Need to edit the same PDF on your phone and computer? Try UPDF with a document similar to your real work, then check the saved result before deciding whether to upgrade.

For device-specific comparisons, see our PDF editors for iPhone and PDF editors for Android.