Best Top 15 Free PDF Editors That Professionals Recommended

Are you tired of sitting for hours just to edit your documents? Are you in rush to finish your files and you are looking for a fast and easy PDF editor? You are in luck right now!

Introducing, the best top 15 editors that most professionals used are now gathered in this one article. If you're on a budget and need an all-in-one application that can edit, modify, convert, annotate, and print PDF files, we have the perfect tools for you. Thousands of professional free templates are within your grasp and are just waiting for you. You can customize your creative designs on work or study-related papers including project plans, reports, courseware, research, and resumes with these templates.

Whether you are a corporate professional or a student, we will help you show passion, spark creativity, and stand out among your peers by choosing the finest application. We have listed the best tools starting with the top most recommended software. At the end of the article, it has a comparison chart of the 15 editors.

The Ultimate List of the Top 15 PDF Editors

1. UPDF - Editors' Choice

Eyes here! If you are looking for a lightweight PDF editor but producing professional-quality documents then UPDF is the right choice. This newly launched PDF program attributes a super-fast editing performance, modified with a simple user interface to maintain an easy and friendlier tool for you to use.

This world-leading software encompasses the top features of an editing utility that can provide you with an effective and interactive workspace. UPDF is considered to be the cherry on top of all PDF editors for it equips with high-tech components that allow you to take full authority over the editing process. It assists you with every PDF task such as taking notes, managing pages, and editing text and photos through selecting the correct collection of tools with an outstanding interface.

Top Features of UPDF

To give users the best experience in PDF reading, it includes four features for reading mode: single-page view, two-page view, single-page scrolling, and two-page scrolling.
Full-fledged PDF editor that allows you to edit a PDF document, including text, images, and links. In addition, it can add and edit the watermarks, backgrounds, headers & footers in a PDF document. It has various elements to cater to the needs and requirements of your PDF task.
Except for being an excellent PDF editor, UPDF is also a great PDF annotator. Markup, comment, highlight and draw on PDF files in many different ways.
Organize PDF pages - reorder, crop, split, replace, extract, insert, delete, and rotate pages in PDF quickly.
The advanced OCR technology can convert scanned PDFs into editable and searchable.
Convert the PDF file to other popular formats, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
Since UPDF prioritizes efficiency and top-quality performance, another thing to take note of is that it guarantees the safe security of your PDF documents by having password protection. This enables the user to feel secure and can freely organize and manage their documents easily in a comfortable manner.

Pros

The intuitive interface saves time and the UI is really delightful.
Extensive PDF tools cover the majority of workplace scenarios for document management.
All-in-one solution to help you manipulate PDF documents in one place.
Among other things, this application works steadily on all platforms which will show true synchronization and smooth communication with the user. Moreover, UPDF supports Mac, iOS, Android, and Windows.

Apart from full PDF editing capabilities, UPDF will release more advanced features and it keeps frequent updates weekly. You can rely on it.

2. Adobe Acrobat

Here we have the well-known PDF editor Adobe Acrobat that allows you to easily revise, sign, track, and view the progress of the documents from any location and on any device. It is a program that is no hassle for you to work with and it promises you a trouble-free process for organizing data files.

This application is packed with free tools that you can use for annotation, sharing, managing, and combining files with just a simple click. This has no messy attachments and no complicated system interface. A handy software that can operate huge files right from your tablet or mobile phone. Adobe Acrobat lets you collect and automatically archive your signed documents. You can start working with Adobe Acrobat's standard version at US$155.88/Year (only Windows) and its pro version at US$239.88/Year (Windows and Mac).

3. WPS

Next in line is the WPS software that manipulates file sharing in all sizes and facilitates integration in enhancing multiple platforms for individual and business productivity. It is a comprehensive office suite designed to edit files in the writer, presentation, spreadsheet, and PDF to improve your work efficiency.

Although it is not a professional PDF editor since PDF is just a small part of it. But it can handle all types of businesses in creating, sharing, and editing documents with clients. This tool has been widely recognized for its high compatibility, feature-rich mechanism, and true synchronization in customizing your preferred designs on your work documents such as project plans resumes, reports, and courseware.

It supports all kinds of documents and can meet your requirements without troublesome formatting problems. Reaching your dream is no longer far-fetched, WPS can help you balance your passion and innovation in your work-study life. Avail WPS at US$18.99 for half a year and US$29.99 for a year. It is available on macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux.

4. Foxit

Check out Foxit PDF Editor it is a flexible application used to edit, export, and create PDF files. A widely recognized software that is reliable and allows users to convert, share, organize, and update documents. With various security options, it is protected with redaction and encryption to secure sensitive documents from unauthorized access. Built with an easy-to-use interface, the user has many options to choose from as it is stacked with a great number of features and functionality.

This system can work with several different third-party content management systems. This can become your go-to tool for everything and has proven to be a valuable addition to more difficult projects. External multimedia files are also supported by Foxit, which most individuals find quite useful. This is an enterprise-ready solution that is easy to incorporate into your existing systems. Such a program is based on a one-time payment for Windows and Mac.

5. freePDFconvert

Another smooth online software that you can use is the freePDFconvert which deals with any type of file you need to convert into a PDF be it Word Document, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG, OpenOffice, eBooks, or work. It's your one-stop shop for all file conversion needs. You can start converting files for free with a free trial or join up for one of their subscriptions for unlimited access to the application's full range of tools.

When mentioning data privacy, encryptions to all of your documents are added for security and convenience. Users can merge or divide PDFs, drag and drop pages within a document, and even upload and convert multiple files to PDF simultaneously. What's more, this application converter is compatible with all operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. As a result, as long as you have an Internet connection, you can convert files to PDF from any OS or device.

6. Nitro

One of the most dependable applications is the Nitro PDF editor, it has PDF and eSignature solutions that revolutionize for you to interact with documents, allowing you to get more tasks done in less time. When talking about editing images, text, and pages this software accomplishes everything with flying colors.

Nitro's simple document tools let you scale digital workflows and increase productivity across your organization. Its trademark shows a powerful solution that caters to the demands of your team by selecting only the requirements you deemed necessary. It is designed to tailor faster rollout plans, data files, reports, and worksheets to achieve an excellent digital solution. By removing volume limitations, first-time users can get the most out of it since it is coupled with technological capability and unifying simplicity. You can purchase Nitro at a one-time price starting at US$143.99 (Windows) and US$179 (Mac).

7. PDF 24 creator

PDF 24 creator is an approachable tool that enables users to change and assemble management interface through scaling first-rate features with unmatched seamless integration.

It's surprisingly jam-packed with superior feature tools and it includes everything you'll need to create and edit PDF files. It lacks several advanced functionalities generally found exclusively in premium competitor applications, however, this will be mainly irrelevant to most users. It is considered to be one of the lightest editors on the market right now, indicating that the developers have put a lot of effort into making their software as accessible as possible.

So, it doesn't install any additional software on your computer, which is something that much other free software does. Using the tool launcher, it is easy to open the sub-applications and assemble, generate, and alter PDF files. PDF24 creator is a free PDF merger and converter program for Windows with a lot of features.

8. PDF Expert

Have you heard anything about PDF Expert? PDF Expert is a simple and quick PDF editor that can handle any PDF project.

This tool is noted for its ability to make PDF management simple. When working collaboratively, you may keep track of changes and specify edit rights to preserve data security. PDF Expert will always protect your personal information - secure your complete document with a password or permanently redact sensitive information from the document's content.

You can turn printed texts or photos into digital text in real-time using the application's built-in optical character recognition (OCR) feature. Feel at ease because this software will take care of the rest through its smooth scrolling, two-page views, and Day, Night, or Sepia modes. Individuals view this application as a go-to tool for everything and are proven to be a valuable addition to more difficult projects.

9. Online2PDF

From its name, this is a PDF tool that is accessible in any internet browser, but this is not readily available offline. The service prides itself on not requiring any set-up for users, allowing for more efficient and time-saving processing of any PDF document. With over ten main features clustered into one single user interface, users are guaranteed quality service.

Some important features to take note of include having the ability to convert several files to PDF separately, which is made possible by just selecting your chosen files on your computer and uploading it. It is also important to know that this free service can handle a maximum file size of 100MB and all files selected must not be over 150MB. With this, Online2PDF allows for PDF handling to be easily performed at a glance.

10. Sejda

Sejda PDF Editor is another online PDF editor that offers a desktop version of its service through a subscription. The seamless interface as you navigate through the website makes it less intimidating, which increases productivity and efficiency.

Sejda offers more than 30+ PDF tools under a subscription, thus allowing users to have a broader selection in manipulating their documents. Some popular tools demanded and used by users include extraction of pages which is done by uploading your chosen file and then creating a new document that only contains your desired pages. This application is well-suited for macOS, Windows, and Linux operating systems.

All these features can be accessed by subscribing to different plans that match your needs which can be weekly, monthly, or yearly, and whether you want to utilize the desktop version of the said PDF editor or not.

11. iLovePDF

iLovePDF is another PDF tool that offers general tools but addresses the unique needs of students, teachers, and professionals wherein their goal is to spearhead document efficiency across companies and institutions. This means file management is made better by toppling down barriers like document modification and optimization.

All the tools you need are at your fingertips. A number of tools are free to use. Just upload your file and then choose your desired tool to meet your needs. PDFs can be combined in the order that you want through the merge PDF tool. They have established this PDF tool with consideration regard to security, compliance, and privacy, thus allowing for smooth document processing without worrying about any infringement.

12. Soda PDF

Soda PDF allows users to have full autonomy over any file. It has a minimal approach when it comes to the user interface which makes it friendly to users from different demographics. The said software has dedicated customer support that is always on the go to facilitate and cater to any concerns regarding the navigation and usage of Soda PDF.

Users can easily modify elements found within their PDF files, make PDFs from hundreds of different file formats, and relish the fastest PDF to Microsoft Office converter on the market. Through Soda PDF, users can make their PDF documents into collaborative environments that allow for easier and stress-free creation of outputs. Lastly, it currently has the highest security rating on the market, ensuring users that their privacy is not at stake.

13. Smallpdf

Contrary to its name, Smallpdf packs 21 tools that are well-optimized for the straightforward processing and production of PDF documents. Smallpdf has the goal of making its software inclusive to everyone. This can be observed in their clean and simple interface, which makes navigation easier and hassle-free for both old and new users. They do not have any file size limit; thus, users can upload an unlimited number of files for processing.

Their e-sign tool allows freelancers or business owners to easily sign contracts, this is coupled with security and legal compliance, tracking of unsigned contracts, and collaboration with clients; which safeguards the involved networks. The mentioned tools are just some of what Smallpdf can offer to users—centering around tools made for work, for home, and for life.

14. PDFelement

Now let us talk about the software that offers a user-friendly interface that does not require any complicated functions, the PDFelement. It's a tool that is easy to use and delivers excellent results. You can make PDFs from a variety of sources, including numerous existing blank documents, PDF files, HTML, images, screen captures and window captures.

You can split documents, add pages, merge files, and scan paper documents into PDFs with this software. On Windows and Mac, PDFelement is the simplest method to create, convert, edit, and sign PDF documents. This application is an all-in-one PDF solution for users of all types since it is the only comprehensive PDF solution available on Mac, iOs, Android, and Windows.

Furthermore, it allows you to export or save the document with a single click on "Save". It has a highly appealing and simple design, and any user may learn to use it without any prior experience. PDFelement has optical character recognition (OCR) capabilities, which allow it to recognize and convert documents in many languages and translate them into a single, consistent language.

15. PDF Candy

At this point, we have the application called PDF Candy. PDF Candy is a rare tool, with top-notch scanning, several file conversion options, OCR functionality, and other features you'd expect to pay extra for. A document management solution for enterprises of all kinds that changes a variety of document formats and picture files into PDFs and can be edited and annotated in one place.

This is a web-based editor which presents a collection of distinct program icons accessible from a single landing page, rather than as a unified interface. You can work with a basic editor that allows you to mark up, annotate and edit text.

Watermarking documents, adding, rearranging, and separating pages, extracting photos, changing file metadata, cropping and resizing pages, and password-securing PDFs are all available. PDF Candy created this unique toolset by combining the most valuable aspects of our desktop products to give you the finest online experience. Start using PDF Candy at US$6 for a month on the website and US$99 for a year on the desktop website.

A Comparison Chart of the Top 15 PDF Editors

Product	Release Date	Pricing	System Compatibility
UPDF	2021	US$39.99/Yr US$59.99/Perpetual (One purchase, all platforms)	Win/Mac/iOS/Android
Adobe Acrobat	1986	Pro Version（Win&Mac）：US$239.88/Yr; Standard Version（Only Win）: US$155.88/Yr	Win/Mac/iOS/Android/Web
WPS	1989	US$18.99/halfyear US$29.99/Yr	Win/Mac/iOS/Android
Foxit	2001	Windows: US$179/one-time Mac: US$159/one-time	Win/Mac/iOS/Android/Web
freepdfconvert	2005	Free: Can only convert 2 pages Paid：US$6/Month, US$48/Yr, US$99/one-time	Web
Nitro	2005	Windows: US$143.99/one-time Mac: US$179/one-time	Win/Mac
pdf 24 creator	2006	Free	Win+Web
PDF Expert	2007	Mac+iOS: US$79.99/Yr Mac: US$139/one-time	Mac/iOS
Online2PDF	2007	Free	Web
Sejda	2010	Desktop+Web: US$63/Yr Desktop: US$7.95/week Web: US$5/week Web: US$7.5/Month	Windows/Mac/Linux/Web
iLovePDF	2010	Free: limit file numbers. Paid：Web+mobile+desktop: US$7/Month US$48/Yr	Win/Mac/iOS/Android/Web
Soda PDF	2010	Free features: Create, Compress, Combine, Split, and Read PDF. Standard Version: US$5/Month; US$49.8/Yr; Pro Version: US$9/Month; US$85.8/Yr (Pro Version has OCR and forms features)	Web
Smallpdf	2013	Free: Web+Mobile; limit 2 files/day Paid: US$12/Month;US$108/Yr	Win/Mac/iOS/Android/Web
PDFelement	2014	US$79/Yr;US$129/one-time iOS: US$39.9/Yr	Win/Mac/iOS/Android/Web
PDF Candy	2016	Web: US$6/Month Web: US$48/Yr Desktop+Web: US$99/Yr	Windows/Web

Conclusion

The tools above will allow you to find trustable software that communicates easily and exchanges documents from anywhere and anytime for optimal efficiency. All of the tools have the functions needed for creating, editing, and converting PDF files. However, if you are looking for the best solution with feature-rich tools UPDF is the best program that is suitable for you.

The Best among the Rest: Top 15 PDF Editors in 2023