We all like to be offered a choice. That’s definitely true when looking at how you can complete your various PDF tasks without having to pay for an expensive Adobe subscription.
Naturally enough, you want to be able to use an option that has similar features and offers the same ease of use that you get when using Acrobat. The good news is that there is not just one viable alternative to Adobe Acrobat, but quite a few decent picks that will allow you to do all the things you want with your PDF files, but without the expense or hassle of maintaining what can often be an expensive subscription.
Let’s get one thing clear. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Adobe Acrobat, but it makes sense to look at credible alternatives where you get all of the typical benefits associated with Acrobat, but none of the obvious drawbacks, such as higher costs.
While Adobe Acrobat remains a popular choice, if you need advanced editing features, collaboration tools, or simply a more affordable option, there are several very acceptable alternatives that can meet your needs.
To put it simply, if you want to enjoy all the usual interface options and an effortless user experience but don’t want to commit to a Creative Cloud subscription offered by Adobe, here are some alternative rival products that are well worth considering.
Xodo ticks a lot of boxes
There’s a good reason why Xodo is so popular. It’s a free, cross-platform PDF editor that is renowned for its simplicity and powerful features. It’s particularly well-suited for users who need a reliable tool for reading, annotating, and collaborating on PDFs.
Let’s look at some of its key features –
It offers excellent cross-platform availability. You can use Xodo on Android, iOS, Windows, and through any web browser. This makes it highly accessible, allowing you to work on your PDFs from almost any device. It is also fair to say that Xodo shines in its collaborative capabilities. Multiple users can annotate a document simultaneously. This makes it perfect for team projects, academic work, or shared document reviews.
This program also offers great Cloud integration. You get seamless integration with Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive. Xodo allows you to easily access and save your documents in the cloud. Its annotation tools are worthy of mention too. You can highlight text, add sticky notes, draw, and underline, as well as insert comments and other annotations. The program also supports adding signatures, which is crucial for approving documents quickly.
Of course, a massive selling point is that Xodo is completely free to use. This means you get a comprehensive set of features without any hidden fees or in-app purchases.
Foxit PDF Editor gives Adobe a run for its money
Foxit PDF Editor is justifiably considered to be a powerful alternative to Adobe Acrobat, thanks to its lightweight design and extensive feature set. It is often favored by businesses and professionals who are looking for a reliable PDF editor that offers both advanced features combined with comparable affordability.
What are some of its key features?
Foxit PDF Editor’s interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. This makes it readily accessible for everyone, even if you are not tech-savvy. The ribbon-style layout is similar to Microsoft Office, so it provides a comfortingly familiar environment for users.
It also offers comprehensive editing tools that allow you to modify text, images, and even entire pages within a PDF. The software also includes advanced conversion options, such as converting PDFs to and from various file formats like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
If you are concerned about document security, Foxit includes features like encryption, password protection, and digital signatures. This helps ensure that your documents remain secure.
Another positive is that Foxit supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously. It also includes tools for document tracking and commenting. Lastly, Foxit integrates with most popular cloud services, enabling easy access to documents stored on Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
Although Foxit PDF Editor offers a 14-day free trial, before you are then invited to commit to a subscription plan that starts at $14.99 per month.
Nitro PDF Pro is worthy of consideration
Nitro PDF Pro has to be considered another strong contender in the PDF software market. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools that rival Adobe Acrobat.
Let’s look at some of its key features –
Document conversion options are notably good. Nitro excels at converting PDFs to and from a wide range of file formats, including Microsoft Office files. This makes it easy to repurpose PDF content across different platforms.
It also scores well when it comes to editing and annotation: Nitro PDF Pro provides powerful editing tools, allowing you to easily modify text, images, and pages within a PDF. Its annotation features include highlighting, comments, and drawing tools.
Nitro includes tools for adding electronic signatures, encrypting documents, and setting permissions. This makes it an excellent choice for any business that needs to secure their documents and ensure compliance with industry standards.
In addition, Nitro’s batch processing feature is a significant time-saver if you need to apply the same action to multiple files, such as conversion, compression, or watermarking.
Finally, Nitro integrates with popular cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive, making it easy to access and save documents from anywhere.
Nitro PDF Pro offers a 14-day free trial, with pricing starting at $179.99 for a one-time purchase. Volume licensing and enterprise solutions are available for larger organizations.
PDF-XChange Editor is a versatile alternative to Acrobat
PDF-XChange Editor is a versatile and feature-rich PDF editor that is known for its speed and efficiency. It offers a wide range of tools for editing, annotating, and converting PDFs, making it a strong alternative to Adobe Acrobat.
Notable features include a comprehensive range of editing tools. This includes the ability to edit text, images, and pages within a PDF. Advanced features like Optical Character Recognition (OCR) allow you to convert scanned documents into editable text.
This program offers a robust set of annotation tools, including highlighting, comments, stamps, and custom shapes. This makes it easy to review and mark up documents.
You will find it easy to create and fill out forms with the help of advanced tools for designing interactive forms, including checkboxes, dropdowns, and more.
When it comes to pricing, PDF-XChange Editor offers a free version with basic features, while the full version is available for a one-time purchase of $56.00. The paid version unlocks all features, including OCR and advanced editing tools.
PDFescape offers a range of options
PDFescape is a versatile PDF tool that is available as both a free online editor and a paid desktop application. It offers a range of features that make it a great choice for users who need a lightweight, easy-to-use solution for editing and annotating PDFs.
The online version provides basic editing tools, including text editing, form filling, and annotation features. This makes it an excellent option if you need to make quick edits without installing software.
The desktop version allows you to customize the interface to suit your typical workflow, making it easier to access frequently used tools.
PDFescape offers a free online version with basic features, while the desktop version starts at $2.99 per month.
Sejda PDF Editor offers a simple solution
Sejda PDF Editor is an online and desktop PDF tool that is worth considering if you need a simple, straightforward editor without the need for advanced features. It’s a great choice for users who need to perform basic edits quickly and efficiently.
It offers both a web-based editor and a desktop version, providing flexibility depending on your needs. The online version is particularly useful for quick edits without the hassle of installing software.
You get some basic editing tools, the option to merge and split PDFs, and Sejda supports converting PDFs to various formats, including Word, Excel, and JPG, as well as converting other file types into PDFs.
It is also worth noting that the interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to navigate even if you have limited experience with PDF editing.
Sejda offers a free version with limitations on the number of tasks you can perform each day. There are also paid plans that start at $7.50 per month.
Smallpdf does the basics well
Smallpdf is a web-based PDF tool that has been designed to be simple and accessible. It’s a great option if you need to perform basic PDF tasks quickly and efficiently without navigating your way around complicated software.
Its file conversion options are easy and efficient. In fact, Smallpdf excels at converting PDFs to and from a variety of file formats, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and JPG. It also supports compressing PDFs to reduce file size, making it easier to share documents.
Although Smallpdf doesn’t offer advanced editing features, it does allow you to perform basic tasks like adding text, inserting images, and filling out forms. Other features include the ability to merge and split PDFs, an option for eSigning, and good cloud integration.
Smallpdf offers a free version with limited features, while the Pro version starts at $9 per month. The Pro version unlocks additional tools and removes ads, helping to provide a more seamless experience.
As highlighted here, there are numerous viable alternatives to Adobe Acrobat. There is bound to be one of these options that is perfect for your needs.
