7 Best Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat for PDF Management

7 Best Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat for PDF Management

You're probably paying for Adobe Acrobat features you never use.

Acrobat is a powerful but bloated tool, and its high price is a tax on inefficiency.

The best alternatives to Adobe Acrobat aren't just cheaper; they're faster and more focused on the core jobs of editing, signing, and sharing PDFs.

This isn't a list of random clones. It's a strategic breakdown of the 7 tools that give you maximum workflow efficiency without the enterprise price tag.

Key Features to Consider in a PDF Alternative

Right, before you jump in, let's be clear on what you should actually be looking for. It's dead easy to get distracted by a shiny list of features you'll never touch. Let's break down what really matters.

First up, editing capabilities. Can you actually change text and move images around like in a Word doc? Or are you just slapping digital sticky notes on top? There's a world of difference between basic annotations and proper, structural layout changes.

Then there's conversion quality. A tool is pretty useless if it mangles your perfectly formatted Excel sheet or Word document when you turn it into a PDF. The best ones keep everything exactly where it's supposed to be, no questions asked.

If you work with a team, collaboration tools are a must. Look for things like live commenting, shared reviews, and the ability to track who changed what. It'll save you a mountain of painful back-and-forth emails, trust me.

And you can't forget security. Simple password protection is the minimum. For serious business documents, you'll want proper permissions and redaction tools to black out sensitive info. You don't want private data getting out there.

Finally, let's talk brass tacks, the price. Are you paying a one-off fee for a perpetual licence you own forever? Or are you getting locked into yet another monthly subscription? Figure out what works for your budget in the long run.

1 – Nitro PDF Pro

The rising cost of software subscriptions can be a significant problem for individuals and businesses. Fortunately, Nitro PDF Pro offers a perpetual licence as an Adobe Acrobat alternative, providing a one-time payment option for PDF management software.

But is the cost worth it? Our team tested Nitro PDF Pro and found it rivals Adobe Acrobat in many ways. The software has a user-friendly interface that makes navigating easy, even for those new to PDF editing.

Unlike the often overwhelming interface of Adobe Acrobat, Nitro PDF Pro offers a streamlined experience that allows you to start editing immediately.

Regarding features, Nitro PDF Pro offers a range of tools for creating and editing PDFs. You can modify existing PDF documents and create new ones from scratch. With various options for annotations and instructions, collaborating with colleagues is easy.

However, one area where Nitro PDF Pro falls a little short of Adobe Acrobat is in editing the actual content of an existing PDF file. While making changes is possible, the process could be more seamless. Still, the software's other features more than make up for this minor shortcoming.

A standout feature of Nitro PDF Pro is its file conversion capabilities. It allows users to easily convert files to and from PDF format, making it a versatile tool for working with different documents. The software also includes an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tool, which can be invaluable for businesses that need to extract data from scanned documents.

Nitro PDF Pro is compatible with PC and Mac platforms, making it accessible to many users. The software costs $180 per licence, with volume licensing options available for businesses.

In summary, Nitro PDF Pro is an excellent alternative to Adobe Acrobat, especially for those who want to avoid subscriptions. Its features resemble Adobe Acrobat, with a user-friendly interface and various tools for creating, editing and converting PDF documents.

Despite some limitations in editing existing content, Nitro PDF Pro is a solid choice for individuals and businesses looking for a reliable PDF management solution.

2 – Foxit PDF Editor

For those looking for an alternative to Adobe Acrobat, Foxit PDF Editor offers a range of powerful features comparable to Adobe Acrobat. The company has been providing PDF tools for decades, and its many high-profile endorsements, including Amazon, Google, Dell and Intel, guarantee its quality.

Foxit PDF Editor offers a wide range of features, including watermarks, headers and footers, password permissions, templates and the ability to convert other document formats to PDF. One notable feature is the ability to drag and drop files of different formats, making it easy to convert Excel or PowerPoint documents to PDF.

Our review of Foxit's PDF editor found that it may offer less for casual users. Still, it is an excellent option for businesses that regularly manipulate, edit, redact, annotate, and modify PDF documents.

A particular highlight for us was the redaction tools that allow users to remove sensitive data from documents. This feature is essential for teams concerned about compliance with international data laws.

Another thing worth pointing out is that Foxit isn't just sitting still. They've properly stepped up their game by integrating an AI Assistant that genuinely helps you get through documents faster.

Imagine you've just been sent a 50-page report that you need to understand, like, yesterday. Instead of reading the whole thing, you can just ask the AI to summarise the key points for you in a few bullets. It can also help you rephrase sentences to sound more professional or translate bits of text on the fly, all without leaving the app. It's a real time-saver.

Pricing for Foxit PDF Editor is flexible, with monthly and annual subscription options available. For those who wish to avoid making ongoing payments, a perpetual licence is also available for a one-off purchase. The software also offers two upgrade versions – Pro and Pro+ – with additional features for power users.

While Foxit PDF Editor is a powerful alternative to Adobe Acrobat, it stands out for its ease of use. The software's intuitive user interface makes navigating easy, even for those new to PDF editing. Moreover, the software is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac and Linux, making it accessible to many users.

In summary, Foxit PDF Editor is an excellent replacement for Adobe Acrobat. It offers a range of features that make it a good choice for organisations that need to manipulate, edit, redact, annotate and modify PDF documents.

The redaction tools are a particular highlight, and the software's flexibility and ease of use make it the first choice for many users. Whether you choose a subscription or perpetual licence, Foxit PDF Editor has a pricing option that is right for you.

3 – Readdle PDF Expert

If you are a Mac or iOS user, you know that not all software is created equal. This is especially true for PDF editors, and finding the best Adobe Acrobat alternative for your Apple devices can be challenging. Fortunately, Readdle PDF Expert offers many features to help you quickly manage your PDFs.

Although Apple Preview comes pre-installed on Macs and iOS devices, it lacks the advanced editing tools of Adobe Acrobat. PDF Expert fills this gap, offering users an impressive range of editing features, from text and image editing to document conversion and eSignature.

Our review of PDF Expert found it to be a well-designed and intuitive PDF editor with a straightforward user interface and toolbar that makes it easy for new users to complete everyday PDF tasks quickly.

The software offers powerful PDF editing tools that quickly highlight, annotate and redact sensitive information, extract and reorder pages, and merge documents.

A standout feature of PDF Expert is the ability to sync documents to all Apple devices, so you can edit your PDFs wherever you are. The software also supports the Apple Pencil, allowing users to draw in PDFs directly on the iPad – a plus for those who prefer a stylus.

Regarding pricing, PDF Expert offers annual subscriptions and perpetual licences, with the yearly fee allowing access to the software on all Apple devices. Although some may dislike the subscription model, the convenience and ease of use make it a worthwhile investment for frequent PDF users.

Overall, Readdle PDF Expert is an excellent Adobe Acrobat alternative for Mac, iPad and iPhone users, offering a range of powerful features, a clean and intuitive interface and seamless integration with Apple devices.

PDF Expert is worth considering if you're looking for a versatile PDF editor that meets all your PDF needs.

4 – PDF Filler

pdfFiller is a powerful web-based platform that provides users with complete tools to manage their PDF documents. Whether you need to create PDFs from scratch, edit, merge or convert existing PDF documents, pdfFiller is an all-in-one solution that allows you to manage all your PDF needs easily.

One of pdfFiller's outstanding features is the ability to create fillable PDF forms. With over 25 million ready-to-use templates, you can quickly and easily create custom forms to meet your needs. This feature is handy for businesses and organisations needing to capture customer or client data.

Beyond just making your own forms from scratch, pdfFiller gives you a massive head start with its huge online library. We're talking thousands of ready-made, editable templates for legal contracts, business invoices, and even official tax forms. It saves a ridiculous amount of time.

But don't think of it as just an editor. It's a proper document management system that lives in the cloud. This means your whole team can store, organise, and securely share everything in one central place. It makes keeping track of who signed what and when a complete doddle.

pdfFiller also offers several other valuable features, including converting PDFs to different file formats, merging and sharing PDFs, adding watermarks and other annotations, and editing text and images in existing PDF documents. The platform is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy for anyone to get started.

When we tested pdfFiller, we were impressed by the range of features offered and the platform's ease of use. We particularly liked the ability to create your fillable PDF forms using the pre-made templates. This is a great way to streamline data collection and improve customer engagement.

While Adobe is often considered the gold standard for managing PDF documents, pdfFiller comes very close to matching Adobe's performance. The platform is a cost-effective alternative to Adobe Acrobat and provides users with all the essential features they need to manage their PDFs.

Pricing for pdfFiller is flexible, with three different plans to choose from. The Basic plan costs $8 per month, the Plus plan costs $12, and the Premium plan costs $15. All plans are billed annually, and a 30-day free trial is available for users who want to test the platform before deciding to subscribe.

5 – PDFLiner

If you are looking for a reliable Adobe Acrobat alternative for PDF editing, PDFLiner is worth considering. The standout feature of this software is its online editing interface, which is incredibly user-friendly and straightforward. Upload a file to the website, and you can start editing immediately.

The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, with a clean and modern design that makes it a pleasure to use. In addition to editing, PDFLiner offers several other valuable features, such as PDF conversion, splitting and password protection.

One of PDFLiner's most notable features is the ability to convert PDF files to JPG and PNG formats, which can be very useful if you need to extract images from a PDF file. Another useful feature is adding a digital signature to a PDF file, saving time and hassle when signing and sending documents electronically.

PDFLiner also provides redaction and highlighting tools that make it easy to manage and edit content in a PDF file. If you need to split a large PDF file into multiple documents or extract specific pages, PDFLiner can do that, too.

PDFLiner may not be as robust as Adobe Acrobat, but it offers a cleaner editing interface and fast processing capabilities at a much lower price. Whether you are a student, a small business owner or someone who needs to work with PDF files regularly, PDFLiner is worth considering.

PDFLiner's pricing is affordable, and there are three different plans: Basic, Premium and Business. The Basic plan starts at just $6 per month and offers basic editing and conversion tools, while the Premium and Business plans offer advanced features at higher prices. You can also try the software for free for 14 days before deciding to subscribe.

6 – Sejda

Sejda is a good option for anyone looking for a free alternative to Adobe Acrobat. The free version of Sejda has a maximum file size of 50 MB or 200 pages and allows up to three daily tasks. This limitation may be sufficient for non-professionals, but Sejda offers a range of affordable paid plans for those needing more usage.

Sejda offers a variety of tools for editing and manipulating PDF files. Users can merge multiple files into a single PDF file or split a PDF file into multiple files. The software also allows for easy conversion of PDF files into office and image formats. In addition, users can compress PDF files while maintaining image and resource quality.

One of the most valuable features of Sejda is the ability to add, move and edit the text in PDF files. This feature makes it easy to create professional-looking PDFs without expensive software.

Sejda also offers security features such as the ability to apply PDF passwords and editing restrictions to ensure the safety of your documents.

The desktop version of Sejda is a good option for those who prefer to work with local applications rather than cloud-based ones. In addition, Sejda's price is much more affordable than that of other PDF editing software.

Sejda is an excellent choice for those needing basic PDF editing features without breaking the budget. While it doesn't offer all the advanced features of Adobe Acrobat, it's a solid option for home or small business use.

7 – PDF Architect

PDF Architect is a versatile PDF editor offering various packages to rival Adobe Acrobat. Unlike other PDF editors, PDF Architect offers four versions you pay for and use as you see fit. Each version provides a range of powerful features tailored to the specific needs of other users.

The free version of PDF Architect is ideal for essential functions such as creating PDFs, editing PDF pages and merging multiple PDF files. If you want to edit the text in PDF files and convert the file to other formats, you need the Standard version.

With the Professional version, you can convert a PDF into a fillable form, annotate it, and save it. The Professional Plus OCR version has the added benefit of OCR technology, allowing you to recognise text in scanned PDFs and images.

In addition to these features, PDF Architect offers advanced security features such as password protection, which allows you to protect sensitive documents. You can also add reviews and comments to a PDF, making collaborating with colleagues or clients easier. The e-signature feature will enable you to sign documents electronically, saving time and effort.

One of the main benefits of PDF Architect is its flexible pricing, which allows you to choose a plan that suits your needs without spending a fortune on features you won't use. With minimal system requirements, PDF Architect is one of the best alternatives to Adobe Acrobat for low-end, low-equipped computers.

The excellent user interface, familiar to anyone who works with Microsoft Office software, and the extensive toolkit make it a good choice for anyone needing a reliable, advanced PDF editor with many extra features and a stable, reliable interface.

In addition to considering PDF Architect's pricing and features, businesses may also want to explore Adobe signature pricing. Adobe offers a variety of plans for digital signatures, which are fully integrated with Adobe Acrobat. These plans are designed to meet the needs of both small businesses and larger enterprises, providing legally compliant and secure e-signature options.

However, there are limitations, even beyond the free version. E-signatures, for example, require their module in the PDF editor. For this reason, the free trial version is recommended to get a feel for what you can and cannot do and see if it fits your current workflow. PDF Architect is the best alternative to Adobe Acrobat for users who want flexible pricing and robust features for their specific needs.

8 – Smallpdf

If you're after something quick, simple, and entirely web-based, then Smallpdf is a brilliant option to consider. It's been designed from the ground up for people who just need to get a task done fast, without getting bogged down in complicated menus and settings.

Smallpdf offers a focused suite of over 20 tools that cover all the most common PDF jobs you can think of. You can compress large files, convert them to and from Office formats, merge multiple documents into one, split pages out, and even eSign contracts. It all works through a clean and simple drag-and-drop interface that anyone can use.

Its real strength is its sheer speed and convenience. Because it runs in your browser, you don't need to install any heavy software that slows your computer down. There are also very capable mobile apps for iOS and Android, which are perfect for making quick edits or signing documents when you're out and about.

The pricing model is very straightforward and fair. There's a free version that lets you process a couple of documents per day, which is often more than enough for casual users. If you find you need more power, the Pro plan unlocks unlimited access, desktop app functionality, and handy features like batch processing for a reasonable monthly or annual fee.

In short, Smallpdf is a top contender for students, freelancers, and small teams that value simplicity and efficiency. It’s the perfect tool if you don't need all the highly advanced features of a heavy-duty desktop programme but still want reliable results.

Conclusion

In summary, while Adobe Acrobat is a widely used and well-known tool for managing PDF files, several alternatives offer a range of features and price plans to suit different needs and budgets.

Whether you're looking for a free option like Sejda, a comprehensive solution like Nitro Pro or a flexible tool like PDF Architect, there's an alternative.

Ultimately, the best choice will depend on your specific requirements and preferences. It's worth exploring the options and finding the one that works best for you. With the right tool, managing PDFs is a breeze; you can focus on the content rather than the format.