18.1
Smallpdf is a PDF service for editing, converting, compressing, organizing, sharing, protecting, and scanning documents.
Free planAndroidiOSWeb
Best PDF Software in 2026
PDF tools let you read, change, convert and organize documents. This category compares capabilities such as PDF text changes, conversion, OCR, electronic signing and batch handling. Check platform support before choosing. Tools in the list run on Windows, macOS, web, iOS, Android and Linux, with availability varying by product. Compare free plans, trials and the paid starting price for your budget.
28.1
Xodo Sign is an online service for signing, sending, and managing documents.
Free planAndroidiOSWeb
37.9
PDF Candy is a PDF toolkit for editing text, annotating, using OCR, and converting documents.
Free planAndroidiOSWeb
- 4
Foxit PDF Editor
Foxit PDF Editor is a document tool for editing text, annotating and converting PDFs, creating forms, signing documents, and using OCR.
AndroidiOSWebmacOS7.8 - 5
PDF Agile
PDF Agile is a PDF reader and editor for Windows, macOS and the web.
Free planWebmacOSWindows7.8$39 one-time - 6
PDFgear
PDFgear is a PDF tool for editing text, annotating documents, converting PDFs, creating forms, and recognizing text with OCR.
Free planAndroidiOSWebExtension7.7Free plan - 7
Nitro PDF Pro
Nitro PDF Pro is paid software for creating, editing, converting, organizing, securing, and signing PDFs on Windows, macOS, and iOS.
iOSWebAPImacOS7.6From $15 a month - 8
PDF Expert
iOSWebmacOS7.1 - 9
Stirling PDF
Free planWebLinuxmacOSSelf-hosted7.0From $99 a month - 10
Okular
Okular is a document viewer for PDFs, e-books, comics, images and Markdown, with versions for Linux, macOS and Windows as well as other platforms.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.9Free plan - 11
iLovePDF
iLovePDF provides tools for editing PDF text, adding annotations, running OCR, converting files, and creating forms.
AndroidiOSWebmacOS6.8 - 12
PDF Studio
PDF Studio is a PDF editor for creating and modifying documents while maintaining compatibility with the PDF Standard.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.8$149 one-time - 13
Tungsten Power PDF
Tungsten Power PDF is a paid PDF application for creating, editing, converting and annotating documents.
AndroidiOSWebmacOS6.8From $179 a month - 14
UPDF
Free planAndroidiOSmacOSWindows6.8Free plan - 15
DocHub
Free planAndroidiOSWeb6.7Free plan - 16
Adobe Acrobat Sign
Adobe Acrobat Sign is a web- and API-based service for sending documents for electronic signature.
WebAPI6.6 - 17
PDFescape
PDFescape is a PDF editor for the web and Windows, with tools to edit text, annotate documents, convert PDFs, and create forms.
Free planWebWindows6.6From $2.99 a month - 18
Sejda PDF Editor
Free planWebLinuxmacOSWindows6.6Free plan - 19
Soda PDF
Soda PDF provides tools to create, edit, convert, merge, compress, and manage PDF files.
AndroidiOSWebLinux6.6 - 20
PDF Architect
PDF Architect is a Windows application for viewing, creating, and editing PDF files.
Free planWindows6.4Free plan - 21
PDF Arranger
PDF Arranger is a free desktop application for combining and editing PDF pages on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.4Free plan - 22
Bluebeam Revu
AndroidiOSWebWindows6.3 - 23
PDF Bob
Free planWeb6.3Free plan - 24
PDFsam Basic
PDFsam Basic is a free, open-source desktop application for splitting, merging, rotating, mixing, and extracting PDF pages.
Free planLinuxmacOSWindows6.3Free plan - 25
Wondershare PDFelement
Wondershare PDFelement is paid PDF software from Wondershare, available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and the web.
AndroidiOSWebmacOS6.3
Choosing well
Check your platforms
Confirm that a tool supports the device you plan to use. Software in this category is available for Windows, macOS, web, iOS, Android and Linux.
If you work between a phone and a computer, look for support on both platforms rather than assuming a desktop app has a mobile version.
Match the PDF tasks
Decide whether you need text editing, conversion, OCR, e-signing or batch processing, then compare tools on those capabilities. A reader focused on signatures may not cover the same work as a conversion tool.
List the tasks you perform before choosing, then check the matching feature fields.
Review free and paid terms
Some tools in this category have a free plan; others require payment or provide a trial. Check what the free option includes before relying on it.
Compare the stated paid starting price where available. Coherent PDF shows a free plan with paid plans from $599, while Nitro PDF Pro shows a 14-day trial and no free plan.
Consider batch work
Batch processing can matter when you handle multiple files. Check this feature alongside conversion and OCR support to fit the way you prepare documents.
E-signing is a separate comparison point, so verify it directly if signing workflows are part of your work.
Questions people ask
What operating systems and devices do PDF tools support?
Software in this category runs on Windows, macOS, web, iOS, Android and Linux. Check the platform field for the tool you choose.
Is there free PDF software?
Yes. Products listed as free or freemium provide a free plan. Check the plan details before choosing.
Can PDF software edit text?
PDF text editing is one of the comparison fields. Review the feature listing for a tool before selecting it for text changes.
Do PDF tools include OCR?
OCR is a comparison field for this category. Check the individual tool's listing to confirm support.
Can I sign PDFs electronically?
E-signing is included in the comparison. Verify that the selected tool supports the signing workflow you need.