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The Best Pdf Editor For 2025 Me Pcmag Com

Leo Migdal
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the best pdf editor for 2025 me pcmag com

The Portable Document Format (or PDF) is what most people use to share information because it can show text, images, and even sound and video on any platform. Most PDFs are for reading only, but that doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't modify them. For example, you might want to correct a typo without recreating a whole file, or add or remove text and images. Whatever the job, you need a PDF editor. PCMag has been reviewing document editing software for several decades, so you can trust that all the apps here are up to the task. Our Editors' Choice winners are ABBYY FineReader for its OCR tools and Adobe Acrobat Pro for its business features, but we also include far more affordable options that handle the basics competently.

Below the list, we outline everything you need to know before choosing the best PDF editor for your needs. ABBYY FineReader's deep feature set, convenient editing tools, and smooth, modern interface make it the premier productivity app for professional OCR and PDF work. Adobe Acrobat Pro, from the company that created the PDF format, is a document editing and management powerhouse. A subscription isn't cheap, but if Acrobat Pro does what you need, it's an obvious choice. ABBYY FineReader ($99 per year for the Standard version, $165 per year for the Corporate version) combines a well-designed set of standard PDF management features with class-leading OCR technology for converting scanned images into... A spacious, lucid interface lets you create or edit PDFs, as well as convert them into other formats, all in a few mouse clicks.

The advanced OCR editor has a fast, keyboard-friendly interface for fixing the unavoidable OCR errors that you get with scanned documents, and its image editor tool makes short work of adjustments to single or... FineReader doesn’t have Adobe’s cloud-based support for gathering responses or payments, but it offers a built-in “hot folder” feature that automatically converts documents you add there into PDFs. (Adobe’s comparable feature is separate from Acrobat and more difficult to set up.) ABBYY FineReader also includes a convenient screen-scraping application that grabs any text on your screen. The Corporate version has a unique tool for comparing two documents in different formats, unlike Acrobat, which compares only PDF documents. PDF editing apps work best for making relatively minor changes to the text or images in a file. For example, all PDF editing apps let you add arrows, comments, and lines as overlays on an existing document.

They can all crop the images in a scanned document so that pages are the same size, merge or split documents, and reorder and rotate pages. You can also use them to add bookmarks, hyperlinks to other pages in the same file or external websites, headers, footers, and page numbers. Many can reduce the size of PDF documents by compressing images, too. PDF documents are fundamentally different from those you create with a document, spreadsheet, or another similar app. The format isn't meant to accommodate edits or changes, so any revisions might disrupt its format. The apps here, especially the commercial ones, can handle adding or changing text well, though they still aren't perfect at it.

Aside from their editing capabilities, PDF apps can also convert Word and Excel files into PDFs and export PDFs to those standard formats. The best apps do a good job of preserving formatting when converting to and from the PDF file type, but you might need to experiment with settings a bit to get the best results. All the PDF apps on this list also use optical character recognition (OCR) to convert scanned documents to searchable text, but results vary drastically in quality. It's possible to use a PDF editor to build a document from scratch, too. You can simply create a text box and type text into it, insert an image from a file, or use an app’s drawing tools to create shapes and lines. However, it's still much easier to start on a word processing app and later export to the PDF format.

High-end PDF apps can create PDF forms, either from scratch or via form fields you add in a word processor. Some apps even provide cloud- or e-mail-based methods of circulating forms and gathering data. Finally, top-end apps can sanitize PDFs by removing personal data or redacting sensitive text or images so that nothing can recover them. PDF files have become ubiquitous in our multi-platform world. This convenient file format makes it possible to view and share documents across various devices using various operating systems and software programs. While simply viewing or commenting on a PDF is possible with free software, there are times when you need more robust tools for working with a PDF document.

Say you want to make edits, reorganize a file, or collaborate with others to make changes. In such cases, you’re likely to be better served by a full-featured PDF editor. The best PDF editors allow you to edit, create, alter, and convert PDF files just like you would with any other text document. The most well-known option to most people is the formidable Adobe Acrobat Pro. Its reputation is certainly deserved given its excellent feature set and overall utility. But it’s also quite expensive.

Fortunately, there’s a whole range of capable and even great third-party PDF editors that provide less expensive alternatives to Adobe’s premier product. EaseUS Black Friday Offer: EaseUS PDF Editor – Edit, Convert, Compress & Protect PDFs If you work with PDF files regularly then a PDF editor is an indispensable tool. Whether it’s part of your job, you manage PDF files for your own personal use, or you just need to complete a one-off editing task, a top editor program is an essential piece of... Full-featured editors such as Adobe’s Acrobat Pro DC might provide all of the bells and whistles, but a free PDF editor can still offer most of the important tools of a paid service for... Plus, many free PDF editors are browser based, which means you don’t need to worry about about platform- or device-compatibility issues.

Of course, free products won’t come with every feature of their premium counterparts. So, if you find that you need more advanced tools such as password protection, Bates numbering, or e-signatures, then you’re probably better served by a premium PDF editor. Why you should trust PCWorld for PDF editor reviews and buying advice: At PCWorld, we’ve been testing PC hardware and software for decades. Our evaluation process is thorough, always hands-on and focused on real-world usage needs. We won’t ever recommend something we wouldn’t be comfortable using ourselves. EaseUS Black Friday Offer: EaseUS PDF Editor – Edit, Convert, Compress & Protect PDFs

TL;DR: Get a SwifDoo PDF Pro on your PC for $24.97 (MSRP $129) with promo code PRO, available until December 14, and unlock PDF editing with no subscriptions. SwifDoo PDF Pro is a full-featured Windows PDF editor available now with a lifetime license — no recurring fees — for just $24.97 for Cyber Week (MSRP $129) through December 14. It’s a solid, budget-friendly pick for anyone who needs serious PDF editing power without the ongoing subscription drain. With SwifDoo PDF Pro, you can create, edit, convert, and annotate PDFs with ease. It handles text, images, and form fields with reliable precision, and its built-in OCR (optical character recognition) turns scanned documents into searchable, editable files — perfect if you regularly deal with contracts, receipts, or... The software also supports merging and splitting files, batch processing multiple documents at once, and converting PDFs to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and image formats.

You’ll get access to password protection and redaction tools, making it easier to keep sensitive information secure. This lifetime license installs directly on your Windows computer and works entirely offline once it’s set up. And unlike subscription-based tools, once you own it, you own it — use it for life on a single PC without monthly fees or surprise renewals. The best PDF editors let you handle portable documents like a pro When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

The best PDF editors let you do even more with PDF files, from marking them up to making changes to the text and images they include. Even though PDF files may appear to be finalized, they can be edited and changed in the same way you can alter a text document. You just need the right software to do so. The best PDF editors allow you to open almost any PDF file and from here, you can edit, alter, annotate, sign or convert it into other popular file formats like Microsoft Word’s Doc and... Whether you use PDF files for work, need to make edits while studying or just want a quick way to sign a file, we've found the right paid and free PDF editors to get... After testing a dozen different platforms, we're here to help you find the best ones to alter text, change images, annotate PDF files and beyond.

Paying monthly for Adobe Acrobat means you’re shelling out your hard-earned dollars to use one of the most common file formats around. If you want a cheaper alternative, try switching to SwifDoo PDF Pro. It works just like Acrobat, but instead of paying monthly, you can own a license, on sale now for $29.97 (reg. $129). SwifDoo PDF Pro is a simple, reliable PDF editor. It allows you to split and merge documents, edit text and formatting, add annotations, and even convert files between PDF, Word, Excel, images, and more.

If you’ve ever struggled with scanned PDFs, SwifDoo’s built-in OCR can recognize and extract text, making those files searchable and editable. SwifDoo also lets you compress files to save space, remove or add watermarks, and even encrypt PDFs for extra security. You can add your handwritten or uploaded signature without having to print anything. The software also supports batch processing, so you can handle multiple files at once instead of converting or compressing them one by one. For a limited time, you can get a SwifDoo PDF Pro License on sale for $29.97 ($129). Sale ends September 7 at 11:59 p.m.

PT. There are over 100 PDF editors in the world. The question is: How do you know which PDF editors are worth checking out? I tested more than 30 PDF tools and spent +200 hours to find the best PDF editors in 2025. And I will not lie; it was overwhelming sometimes to go through all the features, pricing, and information available on the internet one by one. But my list of the best PDF editors is finally completed.

In this article, I guide you through the best PDF editors you can find currently on the market. By sharing this list of the best PDF editors, I hope I can help you save time and money as well. When putting together my best PDF editors list, I considered features, versatility, my experience, and user interface. While I can not summarize all my findings in this table, this will help you get an overview of the key information for each PDF editor. Here are the top 9 PDF editors that stood out the most to me in 2025: Home » Buying Guides » 6 Best PDF Editors (December 2025) Compared & Tested

Working with PDF documents has become essential in our digital workflow. Whether you’re editing contracts, annotating research papers, or filling out forms, having the right PDF editor can save hours of frustration. After testing 15+ PDF editors extensively, Adobe Acrobat Pro remains the best PDF editor in 2025 for its comprehensive feature set, reliable performance, and industry-standard compatibility. However, several excellent alternatives offer better value for specific needs. Our team spent 120 hours testing these editors with real documents – from complex legal contracts to scanned invoices. We evaluated text editing precision, OCR accuracy, collaboration features, and overall usability to help you find the perfect match.

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The Portable Document Format (or PDF) Is What Most People

The Portable Document Format (or PDF) is what most people use to share information because it can show text, images, and even sound and video on any platform. Most PDFs are for reading only, but that doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't modify them. For example, you might want to correct a typo without recreating a whole file, or add or remove text and images. Whatever the job, you need a PDF edito...

Below The List, We Outline Everything You Need To Know

Below the list, we outline everything you need to know before choosing the best PDF editor for your needs. ABBYY FineReader's deep feature set, convenient editing tools, and smooth, modern interface make it the premier productivity app for professional OCR and PDF work. Adobe Acrobat Pro, from the company that created the PDF format, is a document editing and management powerhouse. A subscription ...

The Advanced OCR Editor Has A Fast, Keyboard-friendly Interface For

The advanced OCR editor has a fast, keyboard-friendly interface for fixing the unavoidable OCR errors that you get with scanned documents, and its image editor tool makes short work of adjustments to single or... FineReader doesn’t have Adobe’s cloud-based support for gathering responses or payments, but it offers a built-in “hot folder” feature that automatically converts documents you add there ...

They Can All Crop The Images In A Scanned Document

They can all crop the images in a scanned document so that pages are the same size, merge or split documents, and reorder and rotate pages. You can also use them to add bookmarks, hyperlinks to other pages in the same file or external websites, headers, footers, and page numbers. Many can reduce the size of PDF documents by compressing images, too. PDF documents are fundamentally different from th...

Aside From Their Editing Capabilities, PDF Apps Can Also Convert

Aside from their editing capabilities, PDF apps can also convert Word and Excel files into PDFs and export PDFs to those standard formats. The best apps do a good job of preserving formatting when converting to and from the PDF file type, but you might need to experiment with settings a bit to get the best results. All the PDF apps on this list also use optical character recognition (OCR) to conve...