To find out what WPS Office can actually deliver, I tested it myself. While I mostly focused on the PDF editing features, I also took a look at its other apps.

Stick around, because in this unfiltered WPS Office review, I will reveal its key features, pricing, pros and cons, and ultimately share my experience with this productivity suite.

Let’s dive in!

Verdict

Here’s the quick verdict if you don’t want to read the full review:

Tested with our review & scoring methodology Real-world testing Unbiased evaluation

How We Test PDF Editors

To keep our reviews and final scores fair and consistent, we evaluate every PDF editor using a standardized testing framework built on over 3 years of hands-on experience testing these tools in real-world scenarios.

Our scoring breakdown after testing 30+ PDF editors:

Want a detailed breakdown of how we test each category?

Learn exactly how we test tools → Review methodology

Short on time? Here’s a quick overview of WPS Office

What is WPS Office?

WPS Office is a productivity suite with apps for PDFs, documents, images, sheets, and slides. It was developed by Kingsoft Office Software, and more than 200 million users utilize it for daily tasks.

WPS Office is a remarkable alternative to Microsoft Office, replicating its overall appearance and fundamental functionalities. If you have used Microsoft Office before, you will be familiar with WPS Office files and features.

It works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS devices, which makes it a pretty versatile office suite.

My experience with WPS Office

My overall experience with WPS Office was positive and smooth. It is easy to use and has a short learning curve if you are switching from MS Office.

It offers solid PDF editing features and has all the tools to manipulate your PDF files. I particularly found its AI features strong and the way WPS implemented them.

As for drawbacks during my WPS Office review, I encountered ads while using the free version. Also, I felt the free version was limited in its PDF editing features. Besides the really basic features, all the other tools require paid plans.

Why WPS Office got a 4 / 5 score

WPS Office delivered a smooth and beginner-friendly experience with solid PDF editing tools and useful AI-powered features. It covers all the essentials for editing, annotating, converting, organizing, and protecting PDF files while maintaining a clean interface similar to Microsoft Office.

Where it lost points is pricing and limitations in the free version. Many advanced PDF and AI features require paid plans, the free version includes ads, and the refund policy may frustrate some users.

Who WPS Office is a good fit for

Who WPS Office is not ideal for

Key Features

Let’s start this WPS Office review with its PDF software’s key features!

WPS PDF

Over the past few years, I tested 30+ PDF editing software and was curious how WPS Office stacks up against them. Therefore, during my WPS Office review, I tested all its PDF features to see how it performs compared to the most popular PDF editors.

Scroll down to see the results.

PDF reading

You can access the PDF viewing features on the button in the right corner. WPS lets you apply different view modes, such as light, dark, comfort, and parchment.

Furthermore, you can choose from layout options, so you can read your PDFs with single and two-page views. Also, you can view your PDFs in full screen for maximum reading comfort.

Ultimately, WPS Office provides the essential PDF reading features. Compared to PDF-XChange or Tungsten Power PDF, the reading features might be more limited, but you have all the necessary functions that 80% of PDF editors offer.

PDF editor

If you click on “Edit content”, WPS Office selects the text boxes for editing. It offers numerous font types, colors, alignment options, and more.

When changing the font size, I noticed that you can’t just simply type in the number, but you have to select it; otherwise, WPS Office won’t apply the selected size. This was a bit annoying, but all the other text editing functionality worked smoothly during my WPS Office review.

On the other hand, it was great that many AI features appeared when selecting the text box. With this feature, you can ask WPS to summarize, expand, explain, and more. It’s a useful addition, and I did not see this solution when testing other PDF editors.

Moreover, you can place images in your PDF documents with WPS Office. Once inserted, you can adjust the size, position, opacity, and more.

I appreciated its Smart Background Removal feature, and surprisingly, it worked great for most of the pictures. This is something I missed when testing even more advanced PDF editors.

In addition to incorporating text, images, WPS Office lets you insert links, audio, video, and shapes.

Ultimately, I was satisfied with WPS Office’s PDF editing features. While it might not have as many advanced features as PDF-XChange or other PDF editors, it’s not stuffed with functions and icons, and it makes sense where you find the relevant options.

Annotation tools

If you click on the “Comment” tab, you can find the annotation features. You can highlight text or an area, draw, leave comments, callouts, and more.

I found that during my WPS Office review that if you click on the properties of each annotation tool, you can further customize them. So, you can change the color, opacity level, and apply similar options.

Overall, I was satisfied with the annotation tools, which make WPS Office a suitable choice for teams managing PDF files.

PDF organization

With WPS Office, you can organize your pages. It allows you to import, delete, extract, replace, crop, and split pages with a few clicks. You can also drag and drop the picture of the pages to easily change their positions.

Forms and electronic signatures

You can use WPS Office for form filing and creation. These features are best for users who are looking for essential form creation tools. You can insert six different elements, such as text boxes, check boxes, or lists, and further personalize the appearance, action list, and options.

Furthermore, you can sign documents with WPS Office. You can generate your e-signature by drawing, typing, or inserting it from a picture. Also, you can add initials.

It’s ideal for occasional signing on your personal computer or tablet. Once you have created your signature, you can insert it with one click. Nevertheless, the free version allows you to create only one signature.

PDF protection

WPS Office provides solid protection for your PDF files. You can add a password for opening, editing, and extracting. You can also restrict the printing, commenting, copying, form-filling, and inserting or deleting pages.

Moreover, you can insert digital certificates for encryption and add watermarks to your files.

Conversion features

WPS Office also offers conversion features for your PDF documents. You can convert PDF files into Excel, PPT, and Word documents. Additionally, you can convert PDF files into pictures and TXT.

Compressing tools

WPS Offers supports PDF compression as well. It supports multiple compression levels, including HD, Recommended, and Smallest. Besides, you can batch process numerous files.

OCR

Using WPS’s OCR feature, you can transform scanned documents into editable ones. You can access this feature under the Convert tab. WPS offers two types of OCR features.

The first converts scanned PDFs into editable and searchable documents, making it ideal for organizations or schools that need to digitize archives, for example, quickly retrieving and updating contracts, agreements, or study materials.

The second allows users to extract text from images and export it directly into TXT, Word, or Excel formats. This is especially useful in study or work scenarios, such as turning a photo of a classroom whiteboard or a meeting slide screenshot into an editable document within seconds.

WPS Docs

I’ll be fast on this one. You can create and edit documents similar to Microsoft Word. You have all the options, such as adding different font types, highlights, bullet points, and more. Furthermore, you can insert tables, pictures, shapes, and more.

Two important functions I noticed here. First, WPS automatically selects sections and sentences. If you click on the six dots, you can transform the section into headings, change alignment, and more.

Secondly, WPS has built-in AI features that you can utilize to improve your writing. It helps you to make text longer, shorter, and apply different writing styles.

Overall, I was satisfied with WPS Docs, which provides a smooth experience to manage your documents.

WPS Slides

With WPS Slides, you can create slide decks easily. Compared to other office suites, WPS Slides works similarly, and I found it ideal for creating slides fast.

That said, you can choose a template from the library of more than 10,000 covering work, educational, personal, and other categories. This helps to speed up the process of creating well-structured slides.

Furthermore, WPS implemented its built-in AI features into this software. Besides helping you to polish your text, you can utilize it for creating slides.

During my WPS review, I discovered that WPS Slides is easy to use and has a short learning curve since you can find all the functionalities quickly if you have used PowerPoint.

WPS Sheets

WPS Sheets is a solid alternative to Microsoft Excel for creating, editing, and sharing spreadsheets. With the WPS Sheets, you can visualize, analyze, and use formulas for your data.

Essentially, the formulas work the same as MS Office. So, familiar with the previous functions, you will experience a short learning curve if you are switching from MS Office.

AI features

WPS Office’s AI features are useful for summarizing documents, finding information quickly, translating pages, and generating mind maps, slides, and images. While the document summarization was a bit slow, WPS Office generated mind maps in seconds.

Furthermore, the AI slide generator truly impressed me during my WPS review. It extracts the key details from your documents and organizes them into slides. After that, you only need to select the template you want to apply, and it will prepare the entire slide deck in a few minutes.

It’s a really useful addition for those who work a lot with PPTs and want to prepare slides faster. As with other PDF editors with AI tools like UPDF or PDNob, WPS’s advanced AI capabilities are locked behind premium subscription tiers as well.

WPS Office user interface

WPS Office offers a user-friendly interface. From the homepage, you can access the Docs, Slides, Sheets, and PDF software as well. Also, you will find here the files you worked with recently.

WPS Office pricing

WPS Office offers one free plan and three paid plans to individuals.

Free plan

With the Free plan, you will access basic PDF editing features, a PDF viewer, and 1 GB cloud storage. While you will get 100% compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, you will get limited Office Suite Features and no AI tools.

Just a heads-up: Using the free software, you may sometimes see pop-ups from WPS Office offering an upgrade.

WPS Pro

The WPS Pro is $35.99 annually and provides access to all the PDF editing features, conversion tools, unlimited templates, electronic signature function, and 20 GB cloud storage.

With this plan, you will no longer see advertisements from WPS Office to upgrade. WPS Office’s refund policy is generally restrictive, with many users reporting that refunds are issued only for technical issues. That said, based on some user reports I read, many people have experienced difficulty in obtaining refunds for accidental charges or subscription renewals.

WPS AI

If you need access to the AI features, WPS Office offers its WPS AI plan for $119.88 per year. This covers numerous AI tools, such as AI spell check, AI slides, translation, PDF chat, and more.

WPS Pro and WPS AI

WPS Office has a plan for those who need the Pro features but want to utilize the AI tools as well. You can get this plan for $129.99 per year, so if you need AI features, I recommend going with this plan since the price difference between this and the WPS AI plan is minimal, but you get significantly more.

Team plan

WPS Office also offers a plan for teams. It starts with two users, and you can purchase it for $2.49 per user monthly. However, the Team plan does not include the AI features.

Pros and cons I discovered during my WPS Office review

After my WPS Office review, I found these pros and cons you should know about this software.

WPS’s pros

WPS’s cons

WPS Office alternatives

Since I mostly focused on the PDF editing features, here are some of the best alternatives to WPS Office if you need a PDF software:

Wrap-up: WPS Office review

Throughout my testing, WPS Office provided a smooth experience. It’s a balanced option for small businesses and individuals who need a solid Microsoft Office alternative with an intuitive PDF editor.

Related articles:

• The 8 Best Adobe Acrobat Alternatives: 30+ PDF Editors Tested
• The 10 Best PDF Editors In 2026 | 30+ Personally Tested PDF Tools
• The 6 Best PDF Readers For 2025 (Only FREE Options)
• 6 Best OCR Software For 2026 | 30+ Personally Tested Tools
• 6 Best PDF Converter For 2026 | 30+ Personally Tested Tools

Hope I was able to help you find the best PDF editor for you. As always, I will update this WPS review over time so you guys have up-to-date information about this PDF software.

Why you can trust our reviews

At thebusinessdive.com, our team tests, reviews, and compares hundreds of productivity apps every year — from project management tools to note-taking apps. We dive deep into real-world use cases to help you find the right tools that actually improve your workflow, not just add noise.

Our mission? No fluff, no shortcuts—just honest, hands-on insights from productivity pros.

Discover how we stay transparent, read our review methodology, and let us know about any tools we missed.

Frequently asked questions

Is WPS Office good or bad?

Based on my WPS Office review, I found it to be a solid solution to manage your files. Considering its feature set and pricing, it is an ideal choice for individuals and small businesses.

Is WPS a Chinese company?

Yes, WPS Office was developed by the Chinese company Kingsoft Office Software.

What are the disadvantages of WPS?

If you use the free version, you will probably encounter pop-ups that can be bothersome during work. Also, I discovered that you can not access advanced features for PDF editing with the free version.

Can I trust the WPS Office?

Based on my research, I found that WPS Office is trustworthy in terms of functionality and file security. It’s not an open-source office suite, and its source code operates under a proprietary license. If this makes it a no-go for you (for me, it isn’t), I recommend checking out LibreOffice or OnlyOffice.

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links through which, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read the full privacy policy here.

Aron Kantor

Hey there! I am Aron, the founder of Thebusinessdive. I have been testing productivity apps for almost three years now. I reach 25.000 -50.000 people monthly with the mission to help you find the perfect productivity apps. Subscribe to my YouTube channel, newsletter, and social media to hear more about the best productivity tools. Let’s dive in!

thebusinessdive.com

The post WPS Office Review 2026 | Is It Worth It For YOU? appeared first on .

I invested over 200 hours in this project and tested more than 30 PDF editors to discover the best Adobe Acrobat alternatives.

And I have good news for you! I found some PDF editing software that is better and cheaper than Adobe.

In this article, I will share the best Adobe Acrobat alternatives you can find in 2026.

Let’s dive in!

Quick Picks: Best Adobe Acrobat Alternatives

How I Tested Adobe Acrobat Alternatives

To keep our reviews and final scores fair and consistent, we evaluate every PDF editor using a standardized testing framework built on over 3 years of hands-on experience testing these tools in real-world scenarios.

I specifically evaluated how each PDF editor stacks up against Adobe Acrobat in editing, OCR, AI features, pricing, performance, and usability.

Our scoring breakdown after testing 30+ PDF editors:

Want a detailed breakdown of how we test each category?

Learn exactly how we test tools → Review methodology

Compare the Best Adobe Acrobat Alternatives

Detailed Reviews of the Best Adobe Acrobat Alternatives

Let’s see the list of the best Adobe Acrobat Alternatives in 2026!

Tenorshare PDNob

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

4.6/5

PDNob combines accurate OCR, AI-powered document tools, and simple PDF editing in a beginner-friendly interface for Windows, Mac, and IOS. It is a strong alternative to Adobe Acrobat for users who want a budget-friendly PDF editor with solid features, though the lack of an Android version may be limiting for some users.

Full PDNob review Visit PDNob

Best for AI + OCR workflows

Quick verdict

• Best for:

Professionals handling OCR-heavy PDF workflows

• Not ideal for:

Users need to edit a PDF on Android

• Biggest strength:

One of the most accurate OCR engines I tested

• Biggest weakness:

No Android version

Pricing starts at: $49.99/year + free plan available (~4.8x cheaper than Adobe Acrobat Pro)

My take after using PDNob for 3 years

After I tested PDNob, it became my default PDF editor, so needless to say, it performed well during testing. But let’s break it down.

PDNob PDF editor offers a wide range of PDF editing and annotation tools. With its easy-to-use tools and user-friendly interface, I had almost zero learning curve with this PDF editor.

It has one of the most accurate OCR engines, and its advanced PDF reading capabilities make it easy to read long PDF documents.

During my Tenorshare PDNob review, I especially loved the AI features. Based on my experience testing numerous PDF editors on the market, I think PDNob’s AI features are among the fastest.

Besides that, I received relevant and accurate answers to my questions. So, it helped me a lot to extract insights from my PDF files and save time.

To summarize, I had an absolutely positive experience with the PDNob PDF editor, and I recommend it to those who need a simple yet effective solution for PDF management. Compared to Adobe Acrobat or Foxit, PDNob offers a similar feature set but at a more affordable price.

Who gets the most value from PDNob

When PDNob might not work for you

Use the above link and the discount code TS-TBD-20 to get 20% OFF from the paid plans.

Key features

What does it cost?

To try out PDNob, you get a one-week free trial, so you can test everything before committing.

If you want to use the advanced features on an ongoing basis, PDNob currently costs $49.99 with a promotion, while the regular price is $159.98 per year, which is still significantly cheaper than Adobe Acrobat.

Furthermore, you can buy the lifetime license for $64.99 and access unlimited AI features for $39.99.

Tenorshare PDNob’s pros and cons

After comparing PDNob directly with Adobe Acrobat, these were the most important pros and cons I discovered.

Tenorshare PDNob’s pros

Tenorshare PDNob’s cons

Read my full review: Tenorshare PDNob Review 2026 | My Unfiltered Opinion

Use the above link and the discount code TS-TBD-20 to get 20% OFF from the paid plans.

EaseUS PDF Editor

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

4.6/5

EaseUS PDF Editor offers one of the best balances of features, usability, and pricing among the PDF editors I tested. It works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android and combines solid editing with accurate OCR. While I missed the built-in AI features, it is an excellent alternative to Adobe Acrobat for everyday use.

Full EaseUS PDF review Visit EaseUS PDF

Best for everyday PDF editing

Quick verdict

• Best for:

Individuals who need a budget-friendly PDF editor with an extensive feature set

• Not ideal for:

Large organizations

• Biggest strength:

Affordable pricing plans

• Biggest weakness:

AI features

Pricing starts at: $49.95/year + free plan available (~4.8x cheaper than Adobe Acrobat Pro)

My hands-on experience with EaseUS PDF Editor

EaseUS PDF has an intuitive interface and some useful tools for editing and reading PDF files. This tool is very simple.

You can find all the tools you need, whether it is OCR or annotation tools, in seconds. When testing EaseUS PDF Editor, I did not notice any performance issues even when I worked with larger PDF documents.

The features that mostly stand out for me were the editing, OCR, and encryption tools. I only missed the built-in AI tools when using EaseUS PDF Editor’s desktop version.

To summarize, I had an excellent experience with EaseUS PDF, and it is ultimately an affordable alternative to Adobe Acrobat for small and mid-sized businesses and individuals.

Who should use EaseUS PDF Editor

Who should NOT use EaseUS PDF Editor

Key functions

If you think you may need the advanced features, use the above link for signup and enter the code THEBUSINESSDIVE20 to receive 20% OFF if you fall in love with EaseUS PDF later.

Pricing overview

EaseUS’s monthly plan is $19.95, while the yearly plan is $49.95. They include one license for one computer and 1-year free upgrades.

If you go for the lifetime upgrades, it will cost you $79.95.

Overall, EaseUS is currently one of the cheapest PDF editors on the market.

EaseUS PDF editor’s pros and cons

To summarize my experience, these are the biggest wins and compromises of switching away from Adobe Acrobat to EaseUS PDF Editor.

EaseUS PDF Editor’s pros

EaseUS PDF Editor’s cons

Read my full review: EaseUS PDF Editor Review 2026 | My Unfiltered Opinion

If you think you may need the advanced features, use the above link for signup and enter the code THEBUSINESSDIVE20 to receive 20% OFF if you fall in love with EaseUS PDF later.

PDF Expert

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

4.4/5

PDF Expert delivers a smooth experience with fast performance, excellent reading tools, and a clean interface that never feels overwhelming. Compared to Adobe Acrobat, it feels lighter, easier to use, and significantly more affordable for Apple users, although its biggest limitation is the lack of Windows and Android support.

Full PDF Expert review Visit PDF Expert

Best for lightweight Mac editing

Quick verdict

• Best for:

Individuals who need an intuitive and fast PDF editor for Mac

• Not ideal for:

For those who need need a PDF editor for more platforms

• Biggest strength:

Smooth PDF reading

• Biggest weakness:

Supports only Mac

Pricing starts at: Free plan+ paid from $79.99/year (~2.99x cheaper than Adobe Acrobat Pro)

My real-world experience with PDF Expert

PDF Expert is a straightforward, fast, and reliable PDF editor for Apple devices. I mostly used its Mac version, and I was 100% satisfied with what I saw. While it offers numerous tools for your PDF documents, I did not feel that it was overwhelming.

Compared to Adobe Acrobat Pro, it’s not only substantially cheaper, but also feels that it has more accessible PDF editing features, and offers a much better experience performance-wise. That said, I did not have to wait long when opening large PDF documents; there were no crashes, and so on.

Additionally, PDF Expert has an intuitive, user-friendly interface that is often simpler than Adobe Acrobat’s more complex design. For me, these are the most crucial aspects when ranking PDF editors.

So, if you are considering whether to choose PDF Expert or Adobe Acrobat Pro, my obvious answer is PDF Expert, especially if you work within the Apple ecosystem. It is ideal for individuals and small businesses.

Nevertheless, if you need a PDF editor for mid-to-large-sized businesses, PDF Expert will likely be limited in terms of features. For enterprise use, I found Tungsten Power PDF and Nitro to be a more suitable choice.

Who should choose PDF Expert over Adobe Acrobat?

When PDF Expert may not replace Adobe Acrobat for you

Core features

Pricing structure

PDF Expert offers two paid plans.

You can get a lifetime subscription for a one-time fee of $139.99. While it includes almost all the features except the PDF Co-pilot, you have to pay for the updates, and you will not have access to the iPhone and iPad versions.

The annual subscription is $79.99 and includes the updates, iPhone and iPad versions, and the PDF Co-pilot.

All in all, PDF Expert is way cheaper than Adobe Acrobat and an affordable PDF solution on the market.

PDF Expert’s pros and cons

Switching from Adobe Acrobat can save money and make PDF editing smoother with PDF Expert, but here are the trade-offs you should consider with it.

PDF Expert’s pros

PDF Expert’s cons

Read my full review: PDF Expert Review 2026 | Is it REALLY the best for Mac Users?

Smallpdf

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

4.4/5

Smallpdf combines browser-based PDF editing, powerful AI tools, and Google Workspace integrations in one intuitive platform. It is a solid alternative to Adobe Acrobat for users who want a lightweight PDF solution. However, if you need advanced PDF reading or annotation features, desktop-focused PDF editors may be a better fit.

Full Smallpdf review Visit Smallpdf

Best browser-based PDF editor

Quick verdict

• Best for:

Teams & individuals who need a versatile online PDF editor

• Not ideal for:

Users who need a desktop PDF editor

• Biggest strength:

You can use it inside your Google Workspace and Dropbox

• Biggest weakness:

Does not support too many PDF reading functions

Pricing starts at: Free plan+ paid from $120/year(~1.99x cheaper than Adobe Acrobat Pro)

What I learned using Smallpdf over time

When testing Smallpdf, I used its online version. With its intuitive user interface, it was super easy to access all the features I needed.

During the Smallpdf review, I had a feeling that it was more than just a PDF editor; it was rather a document management solution. It supports various formats and offers many tools to manage your documents.

When editing PDFs, Smallpdf adopted a drag-and-drop functionality, which made it easy to edit PDFs quickly and smoothly. Furthermore, Smallpdf offers advanced PDF organization, conversion, and AI features.

I also appreciated the option to add team members. With its discounted pricing for teams, Smallpdf is an ideal solution for teams as well.

Overall, I had an absolutely positive experience with Smallpdf, and I think it is among the best PDF and document management solutions.

Best use cases for Smallpdf

Where Smallpdf falls short

Features Worth Highlighting

Cost breakdown

With the free version, you can access all the basic tools for document management. It covers compression, PDF conversion tools, passwords, a PDF editor, and e-signature features. Nevertheless, the Free Plan has a daily download limit for these features.

The Pro Plan is excellent for professionals who need unlimited downloads and access to all the Pro features. The Pro version of Smallpdf starts at $10 per month when billed annually. Alternatively, if you want to pay monthly, you can use its monthly plan for $15.

With the 7-day free trial, you can test Smallpdf’s Pro features for yourself before buying. The Pro Plan includes all the features of the free version without limits, plus access to additional advanced features.

SmallPDF has a dedicated plan for teams. The Pro for Teams Plan ($8/month per seat) is perfect if you and your team need access to advanced features and faster support, and want to save a bit more compared to individual subscriptions.

Pros and cons of Smallpdf

Compared to Adobe Acrobat, here are the features that stood out most positively in Smallpdf, along with the limitations you should know about.

Smallpdf’s pros

Smallpdf’s cons

Read my full review: Smallpdf Review 2026 | The Top Lightweight PDF Tool

PDF-XChange

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

4.3/5

PDF-XChange is a feature-rich Windows PDF editor with advanced annotation, security, OCR, review, and batch-processing tools, making it a massive Adobe Acrobat alternative for organizations. It offers enterprise-level functionality at a lower one-time cost than Adobe. Still, its busy interface, confusing pricing structure, and lack of built-in AI tools create a steeper learning curve.

Full PDF-XChange review Visit PDF-XChange

Best alternative for enterprises

Quick verdict

• Best for:

Enterprises that need a massive feature set

• Not ideal for:

Beginners wanting a lightweight PDF editor

• Biggest strength:

Security features

• Biggest weakness:

Overwhelming interface

Pricing starts at: Free plan+ paid from $62 one-time fee (~3.86x cheaper than Adobe Acrobat Pro)

My real-world experience with PDF-XChange

PDF-XChange is one of the most powerful PDF editors I’ve tried so far. In addition to Nitro PDF, Tungsten Power PDF, and Adobe Acrobat, it offers an extensive feature set ideal for business use.

Whether we talk about PDF editing, reading, annotating, security, or converting documents, PDF-XChange is a top PDF software. The one feature I missed here is an in-built AI assistant to summarize my documents.

The main limitations I found during my PDF-XChange review are its pricing model and user interface. The pricing page is simply confusing.

Although it offers a reasonable price, it’s just tough to see what the paid plans include and what features they offer. Also, it only offers a perpetual license, which may not be ideal for many of you.

Regarding its user interface, I think it is just too “busy”. You will see icons, functions, and options everywhere, which make the learning curve longer.

After my PDF-XChange review, I realized that it is one of the most powerful PDF editing software programs currently. If you can get used to its overwhelmed user interface and pricing model, it can be a top choice, especially for businesses.

When to choose PDF-XChange

When you should skip PDF-XChange

Top features

Available plans

The PDF-XChange Editor plan includes the essential features to manipulate your PDF document for $62 per user.

PDF-XChange Editor Plus. The difference between the Plus version and the simple PDF-XChange Editor is that this plan covers fillable forms, enhanced OCR, and dynamic stamps. You can get this plan for $79 per user.

Pros and cons of PDF-XChange

If you are considering switching from Adobe Acrobat to PDF-XChange, these pros and cons should help you make a decision more quickly.

PDF-XChange’s pros

PDF-XChange’s cons

Read my full review: My Unfiltered PDF-XChange Review 2026

PDFgear

Rating: 4 out of 5.

4.1/5

PDFgear is a free PDF editor that offers editing, OCR, annotation, conversion, and AI-powered tools. It is one of the best free alternatives to Adobe Acrobat for personal use, but it lacks some advanced PDF editing tools, and there is an ongoing privacy debate.

Full PDFgear review Visit PDFgear

Best free Adobe alternative

Quick verdict

• Best for:

If you need a completely free Adobe Acrobat alternative

• Not ideal for:

User seeking advanced editing features

• Biggest strength:

100% free

• Biggest weakness:

Concerns about privacy

My experience with PDFgear

Straight to the point: PDFgear is currently the best free PDF editor. It offers solid editing, annotation, AI, and conversion features for free, while these features are normally included in paid plans.

During my PDFgear review, I experienced smooth performance, and especially enjoyed using the PDFgear Copilot feature that works like a personal assistant.

As for drawbacks, I would appreciate more powerful editing features or password protection. Furthermore, there is still debate about PDFgear’s security, which poses a potential privacy risk (more information on the debate in the review article).

While I think it’s a safe PDF editor based on my experience, since I used it numerous times in the past three years, there is a data risk, particularly if you use it in your business.

Would I recommend it to my friend?

Yes, if he wants to use it as an individual. If he were to use it for business purposes, I would recommend safer alternatives such as EaseUS PDF Editor or Xodo PDF Studio.

Who should use PDFgear

Who should stay with Adobe Acrobat

Feature breakdown

Pricing

PDFgear is a free PDF editor. The reason behind this is simple: they are just starting out.

The business is currently in a stage where it focuses on growth and acquiring users. So, they will introduce some advanced features in the future and offer paid plans for that.

But for now, it is a completely free online PDF editor that also has a desktop version.

Pros and cons of PDFgear

To wrap up my experience, these are the biggest wins and compromises of switching away from Adobe Acrobat to PDFgear

PDFgear’s pros

PDFgear’s cons

Read my full review: My Honest PDFgear Review 2026 | What They Don’t Tell You

pdfFiller

Rating: 4 out of 5.

4.1/5

pdfFiller combines PDF editing, e-signatures, collaboration tools, reusable templates, and document management in one place, making it one of the best Adobe Acrobat alternatives for teams that need a cloud-based PDF editor. Nonetheless, it lacks OCR and advanced PDF reading features, and it does not offer a permanent free plan.

Full pdfFiller review Visit pdfFiller

Best for document management

Quick verdict

• Best for:

Individuals & teams need an all-in-one cloud solution

• Not ideal for:

If you need a free PfoxDF editor

• Biggest strength:

Offers many tools for document management

• Biggest weakness:

Less advanced PDF reading tools than Adobe Acrobat Pro

Pricing starts at: Free trial+ paid from $96/year (~2.49x cheaper than Adobe Acrobat Pro)

My experience with pdfFiller

After testing 30+ PDF software, I found pdfFiller is an outstanding alternative to Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. During my review, I discovered that it has advanced document management, team collaboration, and e-signature features.

That said, pdfFiller is more than just a PDF editor; it’s an all-in-one solution for managing your documents. Thanks to its team collaboration features, it is among the best Adobe Acrobat Pro DC alternatives for teams.

Who pdfFiller is best for

When pdfFiller is not the right choice

Features worth highlighting

Pricing

Although pdfFiller does not have a free version, it has a 30-day free trial, so you can test it for yourself. As for the pricing plans, you can choose from 3+2 paid subscription options.

With the Basic Plan, you can edit, fill, draw, and rearrange pages, as well as convert your PDF documents into Word files, and get customer support within a day. It is $8 per month with annual billing or $20 per month with monthly billing.

If choosing the Plus Plan, it is $30 month-to-month or $12 per month with an annual commitment. It offers some advanced features like smart document tags and folders, password protection, and allows you to create reusable templates and add basic fillable fields.

pdfFiller’s Premium Plan is $40 monthly or $15 per month with an annual billing for more advanced features. With this plan, you can sign documents, access the US legal forms library, use custom branding on your documents, and more.

Finally, pdfFiller offers two business plans, starting with a minimum of 10 users.

pdfFiller’s pros and cons

Before replacing Adobe Acrobat with pdfFiller, these are the pros and cons I think you should know about.

pdfFiller’s pros

pdfFiller’s cons

Read my full review: pdfFiller Review 2026: Here is what surprised me

Foxit

Rating: 4 out of 5.

4.1/5

Foxit offers a similar feature set to Adobe Acrobat Pro, with more advanced PDF editing, and at a lower price. It works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Online as well.

Full Foxit review Visit Foxit

Best Adobe alternative for advanced editing

Quick verdict

• Best for:

Advanced PDF editing

• Not ideal for:

Casual or occasional users

• Biggest strength:

Wide range of PDF editing features

• Biggest weakness:

 Some features locked behind higher tiers

Pricing starts at: Free plan+ paid from $129.99/year (~1.84x cheaper than Adobe Acrobat Pro)

Testing Foxit in everyday use

Foxit PDF Editor has features similar to Adobe Pro, but it is significantly cheaper. Another difference I noticed is how fast this PDF editor is. Even when I opened up large files, I did not have an issue with the loading time I experienced with Adobe Acrobat DC.

Nevertheless, some users mentioned in my reviews to me that they experienced performance issues, so the above was only my experience.

Foxit implemented a smooth drag-and-drop function when editing text or image formats. It makes it super convenient to edit or create PDFs quickly.

Who gets the most value from Foxit

When Foxit might not work for you

Main features

Pricing

Using Foxit’s free version, you can view and read your PDFs and utilize its PDF reader tools. Besides the free version, Foxit offers two plans.

The PDF editor includes the essential features to edit PDF files for $129.99. By choosing this plan, you can create documents, edit them, fill out forms, add security, and more.

Essentially, you can have many advanced features with this plan; the real limitations of this plan are the limited AI credits and signing tools.

Nevertheless, if you need the eSign, smart redact features, and want to use Foxit on your mobile, you must go with the PDF Editor+. You can get this plan for $172.79 per year and access all the advanced features of Foxit.

Lastly, if you want to add AI Assistant, which includes 2000 credits per month, that is an extra $49.99/year.

Pros and cons of Foxit PDF Editor

Here’s a quick breakdown of what this Adobe Acrobat alternative does really well and where it could improve.

Foxit’s pros

Foxit’s cons

Read my full review: My Honest Foxit Review After Trying +30 PDF Editors (2026)

Related readings:

• The 8 Best PDF Editors In 2026 | 30+ Personally Tested PDF Tools
• Adobe Acrobat Vs Foxit: I Tried Both and Found The BEST (2026)
• I Tested +30 PDF editors for Windows | Here Are The 8 Best

Summary: Best Adobe Acrobat Alternatives in 2026

While I think Adobe Acrobat DC and Pro are still reliable options, they are too expensive, considering what other PDF editors can offer. One thing is sure: no matter which Adobe Acrobat alternatives you try from this list, they will be among the best PDF editors in 2026.

Related articles:

• The 6 Best PDF Readers For 2026 (Only FREE Options)
• 5 Best Foxit Alternatives 2026 (#1 Will Surprise You)
• Adobe Acrobat Pricing In 2026 | Why I Regret Buying It
• 6 Best PDF Converter For 2026 | 30+ Personally Tested Tools

I hope I was able to find the best alternatives to Adobe Acrobat DC and Pro in 2026. As always, I will keep updating this list to ensure it reflects reality.

Why you can trust our reviews

At thebusinessdive.com, our team tests, reviews, and compares hundreds of productivity apps every year — from project management tools to note-taking apps. We dive deep into real-world use cases to help you find the right tools that actually improve your workflow, not just add noise.

Our mission? No fluff, no shortcuts—just honest, hands-on insights from productivity pros.

Discover how we stay transparent, read our review methodology, and let us know about any tools we missed.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an alternative to Adobe Acrobat that is free?

The best alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC and Pro version that you can get for free is PDFgear. It has all the editing and annotation tools you need to manage your PDFs effectively.

Can you edit PDF files without Adobe Acrobat?

There are many other alternatives on the market for PDF editing needs. I recommend trying PDFelement, Foxit PDF Editor, SmallPDF, Nitro PDF Pro, and UPDF, as they have more advanced PDF editing features than Adobe Acrobat DC and Pro.

Who is the biggest competitor of Adobe?

The biggest competitors currently are Foxit and Nitro PDF Pro. Nevertheless, there are always new competitors, such as PDFgear.

Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read the full privacy policy here.

Aron Kantor

Hey there! I am Aron, the founder of Thebusinessdive. I have been testing productivity apps for almost three years now. I reach 25.000 -50.000 people monthly with the mission to help you find the perfect productivity apps. Subscribe to my YouTube channel, newsletter, and social media to hear more about the best productivity tools. Let’s dive in!

thebusinessdive.com

The post The 8 Best Adobe Acrobat Alternatives: 30+ PDF Editors Tested appeared first on .

So why compare them?

Because even though they seem similar on the surface, they are different:

• ONLYOFFICE is more modern and easier to use
• LibreOffice is more traditional and less intuitive
• ONLYOFFICE handles PDFs better
• LibreOffice is better for offline use and full control
• ONLYOFFICE is simpler, LibreOffice is more complex

If you already have a preference based on this, you probably know which way to go.

If not, keep reading this ONLYOFFICE vs LibreOffice review, where I’ll walk you through everything from features and pricing to my honest experience using them.

Let’s dive in!

Verdict

Here’s the quick verdict if you don’t want to read the full ONLYOFFICE vs LibreOffice review:

Tested with our review & scoring methodology Real-world testing Unbiased evaluation

My ratings: ONLYOFFICE Vs LibreOffice

The Scoring System We Used for ONLYOFFICE Vs LibreOffice

To keep our reviews and final scores fair and consistent, we evaluate every PDF editor using a standardized testing framework built on over 3 years of hands-on experience testing these tools in real-world scenarios.

During our testing, we also explored the broader office suite capabilities of ONLYOFFICE and LibreOffice, including document editing, collaboration, compatibility, and overall usability.

However, since this comparison primarily focuses on PDF editing and document management, the scores in this article reflect how well these tools perform specifically for PDF-related tasks.

Our scoring breakdown after testing 30+ PDF editors:

Want a detailed breakdown of how we test each category?

Learn exactly how we test tools → Review methodology

Key differences between ONLYOFFICE and LibreOffice

Here is a short overview of the key differences I found in the LibreOffice vs ONLYOFFICE showdown:

Comparison: ONLYOFFICE vs LibreOffice

First, I will show you my experience of both tools one by one. After, I will guide you through their key features, pricing, and user interfaces. Finally, I collected the pros and cons that I discovered during the ONLYOFFICE vs LibreOffice comparison.

Testing ONLYOFFICE PDF editor in everyday use

During my ONLYOFFICE PDF editor review, I used the ONLYOFFICE desktop app for my PDF files and forms. Just out of curiosity, I also took a look at the spreadsheet, document, and presentation editors.

They work quite similarly to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and offer a smooth experience. Overall, my feeling was that ONLYOFFICE is one of the best alternatives to Microsoft Office in terms of document compatibility and user interface.

Its PDF editor had a smooth experience as well. I did not experience any learning curve, and the whole process was very intuitive. I especially enjoyed trying some plugins and the way I can customize my tool stack for PDF documents.

During my ONLYOFFICE PDF editor review, I did not experience any performance issues compared to Adobe Acrobat.

Ultimately, I had a smooth and positive experience with ONLYOFFICE PDF editor. It offers not only a PDF editing solution but a wide array of tools for your documents, presentations, and spreadsheets.

Short on time? Here’s a quick overview of ONLYOFFICE

Who should use ONLYOFFICE

Who should NOT use ONLYOFFICE

My hands-on experience with LibreOffice

During my LibreOffice review, I used the desktop app to test documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and a few PDF files to see how it performs across different use cases.

From the start, it felt quite different from the PDF tools I’ve used before, since it’s not really designed as a typical PDF editor.

As I used it more, it became clear that LibreOffice is built for a different type of user. It makes the most sense for people who want a completely free, open-source office suite, especially students, public institutions, or teams that want full control and don’t rely on cloud tools. It also fits more advanced users who don’t mind a more complex interface in exchange for flexibility.

Overall, my experience with LibreOffice was mixed. It’s reliable and capable, but not the most intuitive choice if you’re used to more modern tools.

When to choose LibreOffice

When you should skip LibreOffice

Key features

Let’s continue with ONLYOFFICE’s features!

ONLYOFFICE’s features

Below, I guide you through the key features I tried during my ONLYOFFICE vs LibreOffice testing.

PDF software

Here, I break down the PDF functions of ONLYOFICE.

PDF editor

If you click on the edit PDF, you will see all the options to make changes in a PDF file. You can edit existing text, use a different font type for the text, adjust the size, and change the margins of a content block and paragraph alignment and spacing.

ONLYOFFICE PDF editor uses a drag-and-drop system when editing text in your PDF files. So, when you select a text box, you can not only edit it but also move around on the pages.

Besides editing existing text, you can add new text to your PDF. To add a new text box, just select the text box option above. Similarly to the editing features, you can change your text box’s fonts, color, etc.

In addition to text editing, you can insert pictures into PDF documents using ONLYOFFICE PDF editor. When inserting a picture, it also follows a drag-and-drop system.

Therefore, once you insert the picture, to move it somewhere else, you only need to click on the edited picture, and you can place it somewhere else smoothly.

PDF reader

ONLYOFFICE has some essential PDF reader tools as well. On the right button of the page or the view option, you can zoom and choose from more themes.

For instance, you can use light or dark themes when reading your PDF documents. Personally, I really enjoyed the fact that the ONLYOFFICE PDF editor offers numerous themes for reading your PDFs. 

Annotate PDF documents

Annotating PDF documents is critical when it comes to team collaboration. Efficient PDF annotation tools help to review documents faster and more efficiently.

With the ONLYOFFICE PDF editor, you can access the PDF annotation tools by clicking on the Comment tab. Here, you will find the options to add comments, highlight text, apply strikethrough, or access the drawing tools.

PDF organizer

If you hit the Page Thumbnails button on the left, you can easily reorganize your pages with the ONLYOFFICE PDF editor. You only need to drag and drop the page’s thumbnail, and you can change the order.

PDF forms

ONLYOFFICE PDF editor allows you to create PDF forms. If you go to the home page, select the PDF form on the left, and you will reach the same page as above.

Compared to other PDF editors, ONLYOFFICE PDF editor has all the tools to create customizable forms. You can insert text boxes, dropdown lists, checkboxes, images, signature fields, etc.

PDF protection

PDF protection is an important factor you need to consider, particularly for business users, as your PDFs can include your and other’s sensitive information.

If you click on the file, you can easily add passwords to your PDF files and restrict access. Just a side note here: you can not recover the password for your PDF file, so make sure you keep it in a safe place that you will not forget about.

Plugins

ONLYOFFICE PDF editor’s plugin feature is really special on the market. This is probably thanks to the fact that ONLYOFFICE is not only a PDF editor, but the ONLYOFFICE Suite includes other tools as well, such as presentation, document, and spreadsheet editor.

Using the plugins, you can boost your PDF experience with additional tools. For instance, you can install an AI chatbot plugin to perform tasks in your PDF and document editor. You can also install an OCR plugin for your PDF documents.

I really loved that all the plugins you can access are free, and I can personalize the tools I need for my PDF documents.

AI agents

ONLYOFFICE also includes AI tools that can help you work faster inside the suite.

In ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors, AI agents can analyze document content, search for information in files and on the web, and generate text. In the desktop app, the AI agent can generate and rewrite text, help with formatting, and even analyze and visualize spreadsheet data or create slide content from prompts.

Besides the standalone AI agent, ONLYOFFICE also offers an AI plugin that works directly inside documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and PDFs. You can use it to generate content, rewrite or summarize text, translate content, correct grammar and spelling mistakes, and perform other AI-powered editing tasks without leaving the editor.

Another advantage is that the AI plugin supports multiple AI providers, including ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek, and local AI models, so you can customize how AI works inside the suite.

Keep in mind that you need to install and connect the AI plugin first, as AI is not enabled by default.

Document Editor

This is one of ONLYOFFICE’s strongest features. The interface is very similar to Microsoft Word, so creating and editing documents, formatting text, and working with tables or images is intuitive.

Where it really stands out is collaboration. In the online version, you can co-edit documents in real time, leave comments, use built-in chat, and track changes. There are even two co-editing modes, depending on whether you want to see changes instantly or review them more carefully. You also get version history, so you can see who made changes and restore previous versions.

In the desktop version, you still get core editing features, comments, and track changes, but real-time collaboration and sharing are online-only.

Spreadsheet Editor

ONLYOFFICE’s Spreadsheet Editor supports all major formats like XLSX, XLS, ODS, and CSV, so working with Excel files is not a problem.

In terms of features, it covers both basic and advanced use cases. You get more than 400 functions and formulas, along with tools like pivot tables, conditional formatting, sorting and filtering, data validation, and macros.

There are also visualization options like charts, sparklines, and graphics, so it works well for both simple tracking and more complex data analysis.

For collaboration, the online version supports real-time co-editing, comments, chat, and version history, while the desktop app focuses on local editing.

Presentation Editor

The Presentation Editor covers all the essentials, including creating new presentations, opening existing ones, changing color schemes, and using standard actions like copy, paste, undo, and redo.

For teams, it also offers collaboration features. In the online version, you can co-edit presentations in real time, leave comments, chat, share files, and track version history. In the desktop version, comment management is still available, but full sharing and live co-editing are online-only.

It also supports the formats most people actually use, including PPTX, PPT, ODP, PPSX, and KEY, and it can export presentations to PDF, PNG, and JPG. For viewing, you also get basic navigation tools like zoom and previous/next slide controls.

LibreOffice’s features

Now, it’s time to delve into LibreOffice’s features!

Document editor

LibreOffice Writer is the suite’s core word processor and one of the main reasons many users choose LibreOffice in the first place.

It gives you everything you need to create and edit documents, from basic text formatting to more advanced layout options such as headers, footers, styles, tables, and columns.

During testing, the Writer was the most useful when I worked with longer, more structured documents. It is a traditional desktop editor, so it is not as polished or collaboration-focused as ONLYOFFICE, but it offers a solid set of tools for everyday writing.

PDF support

LibreOffice is not really a PDF editor in the same sense as dedicated PDF tools. Instead, it lets you open PDFs in Draw, where the file is converted into editable objects. In some cases, this works well enough for simple PDFs with clean layouts and selectable text.

However, this is also where LibreOffice shows one of its biggest weaknesses. More complex PDFs, especially scanned files, heavily formatted pages, or documents with unusual fonts, can open imperfectly or not render correctly at all. So while you can technically edit some PDFs, the experience is far from seamless.

Draw

LibreOffice Draw is the feature that makes PDF handling possible in the first place. It is a vector graphics and layout tool, but many users rely on it to make basic edits to PDF files, such as adjusting text blocks, moving objects, or changing certain elements on the page.

That said, Draw is best treated as a workaround rather than a true PDF editor. It can be useful for light edits, but it is not the most reliable option if you want to work with PDFs regularly.

Spreadsheet editor

LibreOffice Calc is the suite’s spreadsheet tool, and it is one of the strongest parts of the platform. It includes the usual spreadsheet essentials, such as formulas, charts, sorting, filtering, and pivot tables, so it’s suitable for both simple and more advanced data work.

Compared to ONLYOFFICE, Calc is a bit more traditional, but it’s still a capable tool if you need to manage data locally.

Presentation editor

LibreOffice Impress lets you create and edit presentations, and it covers the basics well. You can build slides, add text and images, and work with transitions and animations. It is not the most modern presentation editor out there, but it gets the job done.

For users who need a free offline alternative to mainstream office suites, Impress is a practical option.

Open-source flexibility

One of LibreOffice’s biggest strengths is that it is completely open source and free to use. That’s a big plus for individuals, schools, nonprofits, businesses, or anyone who wants to avoid subscriptions and keep full control over their software.

This also means LibreOffice has a strong community behind it, along with extensions and customization options that can make the suite more adaptable over time.

File compatibility and export options

LibreOffice supports a wide range of file formats, including its native ODF formats as well as common Microsoft Office files. It also offers strong export options, especially when it comes to saving documents as PDFs.

From my experience, it’s most useful when your main goal is to create documents locally and export them into a shareable format at the end.

Plans & value

Let’s take a look at the pricing structure of each tool.

ONLYOFFICE’s cost breakdown

You can use ONLYOFFICE in two ways. 

First, you can download the desktop app (i.e., ONLYOFFICE Desktop Editors), and after you install it, you can use it for free. 

Second, you can create a free ONLYOFFICE DocSpace account and work on PDFs and other office files. DocSpace also offers a paid plan with some benefits and more storage space. It starts at $20 per admin monthly. 

LibreOffice’s cost breakdown

LibreOffice is completely free to download and use, with no subscriptions, licensing fees, or paid tiers to unlock features.

You get access to the full suite (Writer, Calc, Impress, Draw, and more) without any limitations, whether you’re using it personally or for business.

The only exception is if you install it through app stores like the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store, where there might be a small one-time fee, but that’s mainly to support distribution and development, while the software itself remains open-source and free.

In short, LibreOffice is one of the few tools in this space that gives you full functionality without any ongoing costs or upgrade pressure.

User interface

ONLYOFFICE’s user interface

ONLYOFFICE PDF editor has a simple user interface with many easy-to-use tools. It is an excellent PDF editor for both work and personal use.

Moreover, you can access some templates for documents, spreadsheets, or presentations. It is also a quite unique addition.

LibreOffice’s user interface

LibreOffice has a very traditional interface with lots of menus and toolbars. There are a lot of options, many of which I didn’t personally need, which made my experience a bit overwhelming at first.

That said, LibreOffice does offer some customization options, such as switching to a tabbed (ribbon-style) view or adjusting the toolbar to better fit your workflow. This helps make the interface more usable, but it still leans more toward functionality than simplicity.

Overall, LibreOffice’s interface is practical and reliable, but it is not as intuitive or visually polished as some newer office tools.

Pros and cons of ONLYOFFICE

After reviewing my ONLYOFFICE PDF editor, I found the pros and cons you should know about this software.

ONLYOFFICE PDF editor’s pros

ONLYOFFICE PDF editor’s cons

Pros and cons of LibreOffice

Here, I summarize the pros and cons I found throughout my LibreOffice review.

LibreOffice pros

LibreOffice cons

Alternatives to ONLYOFFICE and LibreOffice

If you feel like ONLYOFFICE or LibreOffice is not perfect for you, here are the best alternatives:

My pick: ONLYOFFICE vs LibreOffice

After testing both tools, my pick is ONLYOFFICE.

It’s simply closer to what most people expect today: a clean interface, intuitive workflow, and a much more consistent experience when working with PDFs.

LibreOffice, on the other hand, is not a bad tool at all, but it’s built with a different mindset. It makes more sense if you specifically want a completely free, open-source solution and don’t mind a more complex interface or a less predictable PDF workflow.

Related articles:

• 6 Best OCR Software For 2026 | 30+ Personally Tested Tools
• 10 Best PDF Editors In 2026 | 30+ Personally Tested PDF Tools
• The 6 Best PDF Readers For 2026 (Only FREE Options)
• 6 Best PDF Converter For 2026 | 30+ Personally Tested Tools

Why you can trust our reviews

At thebusinessdive.com, our team tests, reviews, and compares hundreds of productivity apps every year — from project management tools to note-taking apps. We dive deep into real-world use cases to help you find the right tools that actually improve your workflow, not just add noise.

Our mission? No fluff, no shortcuts—just honest, hands-on insights from productivity pros.

Discover how we stay transparent, read our review methodology, and let us know about any tools we missed.

Frequently asked questions

What is the main difference between ONLYOFFICE vs LibreOffice?

The main difference in ONLYOFFICE vs LibreOffice comes down to usability and workflow. ONLYOFFICE offers a more modern UI, better compatibility with Microsoft Office formats (DOCX, XLSX, PPTX), and strong real-time collaboration. LibreOffice, on the other hand, is a fully open source office suite focused on offline use, open standards, and extensive customization.

Which office suite is better for Microsoft Office compatibility?

ONLYOFFICE is generally better for working with Microsoft Office formats, as it is built around Office Open XML (OOXML). This means files from Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and PowerPoint usually keep their formatting. LibreOffice supports these formats too, but complex documents may not always look the same.

Is LibreOffice a good alternative to Microsoft Office?

Yes, LibreOffice is a strong Microsoft Office alternative, especially if you want a free, open source office suite. It includes a word processor, spreadsheet tool (LibreOffice Calc), and presentation editor, along with extra tools like Base and Math. It’s especially useful for users who prefer working offline on desktop apps.

Does ONLYOFFICE support collaboration and cloud features?

Yes, ONLYOFFICE offers advanced real-time collaboration, including co-editing, comments, version history, and cloud connectivity. It works well for teams that rely on cloud services and shared documents. In comparison, LibreOffice has limited collaborative editing and is more focused on local desktop use.

Which one should you choose: ONLYOFFICE or LibreOffice?

You should choose ONLYOFFICE if you want a more familiar interface, better file compatibility, and strong collaboration features. Choose LibreOffice if you prefer a fully free, open source office suite with offline capabilities and more control over your files.

Jovana Simić

Hey! I’m Jovana, a content writer who loves writing, researching, and testing new productivity apps. With a background in philosophy, I bring a thoughtful but no-bullshit approach to everything I do. Let’s connect on Linkedin!

The post ONLYOFFICE vs LibreOffice 2026 | Which One Is Better? appeared first on .

There are over 100 PDF editors on the market, but finding one that is actually worth paying for is harder than it looks.

Over the past three years, I tested more than 30 PDF tools and spent 200+ hours comparing their editing features, OCR accuracy, AI tools, pricing, performance, and overall usability.

In this guide, I break down the best PDF editors in 2026 based on hands-on testing and real-world use cases, so you can quickly find the right option without wasting time or money.

Let’s dive in!

Best PDF Editors in 2026 (Quick Picks)

How We Test PDF Editors

To keep our reviews and final scores fair and consistent, we evaluate every PDF editor using a standardized testing framework built on over 3 years of hands-on experience testing these tools in real-world scenarios.

Our scoring breakdown after testing 30+ PDF editors:

You will find each tool’s final score in the comparison table and review sections, along with detailed hands-on reviews explaining the reasoning behind every rating.

However, the rankings in this list are not based only on the overall scores. Each PDF editor earned its place based on specific use cases, strengths, and the type of user it serves best.

Want a detailed breakdown of how we test each category?

Learn exactly how we test tools → Review methodology

Compare the Best PDF Editors in 2026

Here are the top 9 PDF editors that stood out the most to me in 2026:

Detailed Reviews of the Best PDF Editors

Let’s see the best PDF editors in 2026!

EaseUS PDF Editor

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

4.6/5

EaseUS PDF Editor is an affordable yet powerful PDF editor for Windows and Mac, offering strong OCR, editing, and security features with an intuitive interface.

Full EaseUS PDF review Visit EaseUS PDF

Best Overall

Bottom line

• Best for:

Individuals who need a budget-friendly PDF editor with an extensive feature set

• Not ideal for:

Enterprises

• Biggest strength:

Fast, distraction-free reading + easy editing tools

• Biggest weakness:

AI features

After testing 30+ PDF editors, EaseUS PDF Editor stood out with its PDF reading tools, fast performance, and easy-to-use editing tools. It offers the right balance of features, usability, and pricing, making it an excellent alternative to Adobe Acrobat for individuals and small businesses.

My experience with EaseUS PDF

EaseUS PDF has an intuitive interface and some useful tools for editing and reading PDF files. This tool is very simple.

You can find all the tools you need, whether it is OCR or annotation tools in seconds. Furthermore, I did not notice any performance issues even when I worked with larger PDF documents.

There is one key limitation here: the AI assistant is currently only available online.

Nevertheless, I had a good experience with EaseUS PDF, and it is ultimately an affordable PDF editor for Windows & Mac users.

Who gets the most value from EaseUS PDF Editor

• Individuals looking for a budget-friendly PDF editor with advanced features
• Professionals and small businesses needing reliable PDF editing and OCR
• Users who want a simple, intuitive tool with no learning curve
• Anyone looking for a cost-effective alternative to Adobe Acroba
• Users who mainly work on desktop (Windows or Mac)

When EaseUS PDF Editor might not work for you

• Users who need a mobile app (no iOS or Android support)
• Those looking for advanced AI features built into the editor
• Businesses requiring enterprise-level workflows or integrations
• People needing a fully free solution with no limitations

Try EaseUS PDF

If you think you may need the advanced features, use the above link for signup and enter the code THEBUSINESSDIVE20 to receive 20% OFF if you fall in love with EaseUS PDF later.

Key Features

PDF reader: EaseUS PDF Editor offers single and two-page views. You can decide between scrolling the pages or automatically jumping to the next page once you reach the end of the PDF page.

PDF editing tools: With this PDF editor, you can edit all the elements of the PDF files, including text, images, shapes, and shades. However, if you select the “all options” tab, you can edit the item you click on. It provides a straightforward way to edit PDF text and images.

Annotate PDFs: You can highlight text, use underline, or strikethrough, but there are also other options. For example, you can add sticky notes and callouts, or you can even draw.

Organize PDFs: Using the Page Tab, you can rearrange your PDF pages, merge, crop, delete, split, and extract pages. So, it has all the tools you need to smoothly organize your PDF pages.

PDF forms and signatures: EaseUS PDF offers simple solutions for creating and filling out forms. When creating a form, you can choose from inserting a text field, checkboxes, drop-down menus, and more. You can also create your digital signature with one click.

Convert PDFs: You can convert PDF documents into Docx files, Excel, PPT, image files, TXT, or HTML formats.

Optical character recognition: EaseUS PDF also has an OCR tool that recognizes text and converts image files to PDF documents.

Password protection: It also has security features, so you can protect your PDF files with passwords.

AI tools: Although it does not have an in-built AI assistant yet, you can use the online PDF editor version where you can access this tool. Apart from this aspect, it works like the other AI assistants.

Try EaseUS PDF

If you think you may need the advanced features, use the above link for signup and enter the code THEBUSINESSDIVE20 to receive 20% OFF if you fall in love with EaseUS PDF later.

Pricing structure

EaseUS’s monthly plan is $19.95, while the yearly plan is $49.95. They include one license for one computer and 1-year free upgrades.

If you go for the lifetime upgrades, it will cost you $79.95.

Overall, EaseUS is currently one of the cheapest PDF editors on the market.

Pros and Cons of EaseUS PDF Editor

Here are the most important pros and cons I discovered.

EaseUS PDF Editor’s pros

• First and foremost, EaseUS PDF Editor is an affordable PDF software. Compared to most of the PDF editors on the market, especially Adobe Acrobat, you can get this PDF software at a very reasonable price.
• Secondly, it is an easy-to-use PDF editor. You can smoothly edit your PDFs and access the tools you need.
• In addition, I did not experience any performance issues when using EaseUS PDF Editor, even when working with larger PDF files.
• Moreover, EaseUS PDF Editor did a great job when it comes to the OCR features. For me, it is among the top OCR tools currently.
• Lastly, it has advanced PDF protection features. You can set open and permission passwords, select the encryption algorithm, and add or remove watermarks.

EaseUS PDF Editor’s cons

• One of the disadvantages of EaseUS PDF editor is the lack of a mobile version. It would be useful if you could access its features on iOS and Android.
• Furthermore, I missed the built-in AI features when using EaseUS PDF Editor on my PC’s desktop app.

Read my full review: EaseUS PDF Editor Review 2026 | My Unfiltered Opinion

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If you think you may need the advanced features, use the above link for signup and enter the code THEBUSINESSDIVE20 to receive 20% OFF if you fall in love with EaseUS PDF later.

Tenorshare PDNob

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

4.6/5

PDNob is an AI-powered PDF editor for Windows and Mac that offers many features to edit, read, organize, and annotate your documents.

Full PDNob review Visit PDNob

Best AI-Powered PDF editor

Bottom line

• Best for:

If you need advanced PDF editing & OCR features

• Not ideal for:

Users need to edit a PDF on Android

• Biggest strength:

Powerful OCR features

• Biggest weakness:

No Android version

PDNob is a powerful, well-rounded PDF editor with strong AI features, accurate OCR, fast performance, and an easy-to-use interface. If you’re looking for a modern alternative to the popular PDF editors, this is probably your best option right now.

My experience with Tenorshare PDNob after using it for 2 years

After I tested PDNob, it became my default PDF editor, so needless to say, it performed well during testing. But let’s break it down.

PDNob PDF editor offers a wide range of PDF editing and annotation tools. With its easy-to-use tools and user-friendly interface, I had almost zero learning curve with this PDF editor.

It has one of the most accurate OCR engines, and its advanced PDF reading capabilities make it easy to read long PDF documents.

During my Tenorshare PDNob review, I especially loved the AI features. I received relevant and accurate answers to my questions. So, it helped me a lot to extract insights from my PDF files and save time.

To summarize, I had an absolutely positive experience with the PDNob PDF editor, and I recommend it to those who need a simple yet effective solution for PDF management.

Compared to Adobe Acrobat or Foxit, PDNob offers a similar feature set but at a more affordable price.

Best use cases for Tenorshare PDNob

• Users who need advanced PDF editing with a simple interface
• Professionals working with scanned documents and OCR-heavy workflows
• People looking for an affordable alternative to Adobe Acrobat with similar capabilities
• Users who value fast performance and minimal learning curve
• Small businesses and professionals handling regular PDF editing, conversion, and organization

Where Tenorshare PDNob falls short

• Users who need a PDF editor on Android (no support currently)
• Enterprise teams requiring advanced, large-scale document workflows
• Users looking for a completely free PDF editor or cheaper alternatives

Key features

PDF reader: PDNob has the essential tools to read PDFs, including more layout options and dark mode.

PDF editing tools: When editing your PDFs, PDNob uses a drag-and-drop system. With this PDF editor, you can make changes to the text, pictures, and more. If you select a text box, you can move it around, change the font type, adjust the alignment, and more. Nevertheless, you can insert images and add or remove watermarks and backgrounds, so you have many possibilities to work with your PDF document.

Optical character recognition: PDNob offers an optical character recognition feature as well to edit and convert scanned PDFs. You can find the OCR feature on the top sidebar. Overall, the OCR was quite accurate, and I was satisfied with this feature when testing.

Convert PDFs: Using PDNob, you can convert PDF format into Excel, PowerPoint, images, Word documents, and more. The conversion takes 10-15 seconds, and you can work on the document in the desired format.

Annotate PDFs: Using this PDF editor, you can easily add annotations, for example, comments, text highlights, and more. Similar to the editing features, annotating PDFs is very simple with PDNob.

Organize PDFs: If you select the Page tab on the top tools, you can access PDNob’s tools to organize your PDF pages. You can select the pages’ order, insert a new one, rotate, split, and replace them if you want.

PDF compress: You can compress your PDF files with the PDNob. If you select high quality, you can reduce the file size without losing quality. It is very accessible; you can find this feature on your home tab.

Password protection: If you click on “Protect,” you can easily add password protection to your PDF files and restrict access to more sensitive data. When restricting access to PDF documents, PDNob provides numerous options. For instance, you can only allow others to print, but do not allow editing.

AI tools: One of the best features of the PDNob PDF editor is the AI-powered tools. You can ask the AI assistant to summarize your PDF document in seconds. Moreover, you can chat with your PDFs and get instant answers about your PDF documents. Lastly, you can ask AI to translate, rewrite, or explain the PDF for you.

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Use the above link and the discount code TS-TBD-20 to get 20% OFF from the paid plans.

What does it cost?

To try out PDNob, you get a one-week free trial, so you can test everything before committing.

If you want to use the advanced features on an ongoing basis, PDNob currently costs $49.99 with a promotion, while the regular price is $159.98 per year, which is still significantly cheaper than Adobe Acrobat.

Furthermore, you can buy the lifetime license for $64.99 and access unlimited AI features for $39.99.

Tenorshare PDNob’s pros and cons

These were the most important pros and cons I discovered during my testing.

Tenorshare PDNob’s pros

• First, the PDNob PDF editor has a user-friendly and modern interface. You will quickly find the tools you want to use, and it has a short learning curve
• Secondly, it has straightforward PDF editing tools
• Furthermore, PDNob has solid AI features. Such features are powered by GPT 4.1 and DeepSeek R1 and helped a lot in summarizing and explaining PDF documents
• Moreover, the PDNob PDF editor has an efficient OCR feature to turn scanned PDFs into editable documents

Tenorshare PDNob’s cons

• The only con for me is that this PDF editor currently lacks an Android version.

Read my full review: Tenorshare PDNob Review 2026 | My Unfiltered Opinion

Try PDNob

Use the above link and the discount code TS-TBD-20 to get 20% OFF on the paid plans.

pdfFiller

Rating: 4 out of 5.

4.1/5

pdffiller is a cloud-based PDF editor with numerous tools to work with your PDF documents. It offers a signing and editing solution that lets users sign and edit documents, send them for signature, and manage the full electronic document workflow in one place. 

Full pdfFiller review Visit pdfFiller

Best for document management

Bottom line

• Best for:

Individuals & teams need an all-in-one cloud solution

• Not ideal for:

If you need a free PDF editor

• Biggest strength:

Offers many tools for document management

• Biggest weakness:

No advanced PDF reading features

pdfFiller is a cloud-based PDF editor with massive document management & team collaboration features.

Compared to other PDF editors on this list, it stands out because it provides a complete solution to sign and edit documents, send them for signature, and manage the full electronic document workflow in one place.

Using pdfFiller in daily workflows

Honestly, pdfFiller surprised me. With its solid team collaboration and document management features, it showed something different after testing many PDF editors.

pdfFiller’s signing and editing solutions allow users to sign documents, edit them, send them for signature, and manage the full electronic document workflow.

As someone who works in a team, it helped a lot in my daily work that I can organize documents in team and personal spaces as well, and I have plenty of options to share documents.

When editing PDFs, it has various tools to manipulate the file. Here, I especially loved how easy it is to add, remove, and adjust images.

If I consider its feature set, the only thing I missed was some more advanced PDF reading features, but apart from that, I was fully satisfied.

Who pdfFiller is best for

• Individuals and teams looking for an all-in-one cloud-based PDF solution
• Businesses that need end-to-end document workflows (edit → send → sign → store)
• Teams that rely heavily on collaboration and shared workspaces
• Professionals handling contracts, agreements, invoices, or legal documents
• Users who prefer working in the browser without installing software
• Organizations that need secure document management with audit trails and role-based access

When pdfFiller is not the right choice

• Users looking for a completely free PDF editor (no permanent free plan)
• Those who need advanced PDF reading features
• Users who rely on OCR (not supported)
• People who prefer a desktop-first/offline PDF editor
• Users who only need basic, occasional PDF tasks

Key Features

PDF reader: pdfFiller provides the essential PDF reading features, such as zoom in & out after you upload the file from your local drives, Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.

PDF editing tools: It has all the tools you need to edit PDF documents, from changing font type or size to increasing or decreasing opacity. I found the variety of image options particularly helpful. You can easily move them around, change the size, flip, rotate, crop, erase, and adjust them.

Annotate PDFs: With pdfFiller, you can highlight, add sticky notes, draw, redact text, and more. I noticed that when testing pdfFiller, all the annotation tools are highly customizable.

Organize PDFs: You can rearrange or delete pages with a few clicks. On the left side, just click the three dots to delete, add, duplicate, or move pages around.

PDF forms and signatures: Using pdfFiller, you can create and fill forms easily. As for the electronic signatures, this PDF editor provides a robust feature set thanks to its enterprise-grade eSignature solution that offers SOC 2 Type II & ISO 27001 certifications for trust and legal validity. You can draw, upload, and capture your signatures with your webcam. Plus, you can add your signatures via QR code, text, and email.

Convert PDFs: With this PDF editor, you can convert PDF files into JPEG, Excel, PPT, and Word documents. Nevertheless, it works both ways, so you can convert these formats to portable document format.

Password protection: You can protect your sensitive documents with passwords to restrict access.

Document management: Utilizing pdfFiller, you can create custom labels and folders for yourself or your team to organize and search your PDF documents easily. Furthermore, it has an extensive document library with numerous customizable government, legal, and business forms. Lastly, you can create reusable templates to prepare repetitive documents faster.

Team collaboration tools: pdfFiller provides shared workspaces, centralized user controls, role-based access, and audit trails to help teams collaborate on documents. Also, you can share and export PDFs in various ways, including link and email.

AI tools: pdfFiller’s AI features are designed to automate and streamline document workflows, including chatting with PDFs, summarization, translation, AI-powered document generation, and so on.

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Paid plans

Although pdfFiller does not have a free version, it has a 30-day free trial, so you can test it for yourself. As for the pricing plans, you can choose from 3+2 paid subscription options.

With the Basic Plan, you can edit, fill, draw, and rearrange pages, as well as convert your PDF documents into Word files, and get customer support within a day. It is $8 per month with annual billing or $20 per month with monthly billing.

If choosing the Plus Plan, it is $30 month-to-month or $12 per month with an annual commitment. It offers some advanced features like smart document tags and folders, password protection, and allows you to create reusable templates and add basic fillable fields.

pdfFiller’s Premium Plan is $40 monthly or $15 per month with an annual billing for more advanced features. With this plan, you can sign documents, access the US legal forms library, use custom branding on your documents, and more.

Finally, pdfFiller offers two business plans, starting with a minimum of 10 users.

Pros and cons of pdfFiller

These are the pros and cons I think you should know about.

pdfFiller’s pros

• It offers solid team collaboration features, making it an ideal Adobe Acrobat alternative for teams
• Unlike Adobe Acrobat, you can create reusable templates with pdfFiller
• It has one of the most extensive electronic signature solutions on the PDF editor market
• With the tags and folders, you can easily structure your documents
• pdfFiller provides a user-friendly interface

pdfFiller’s cons

• It has fewer advanced PDF reading features than Adobe Acrobat Pro
• pdfFiller does not offer a free plan
• It does not have an OCR feature at all

Read my full review: pdfFiller Review 2026: Here is what surprised me

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