PDF files are becoming more common as a reading format on our computer, although editing it is not an easy task because it requires specific software for it. That is why today we are going to the best programs that we can find to edit our PDFs, both images and text, covering all the needs that may arise.
PDFs are portable document files that were initially developed by Adobe Systems in 1993 and later released as an open standard starting in 2008. With this file format we can represent all kinds of documents on our computer, being compatible with Windows operating systems, Mac OS and Linux.
These files can incorporate graphics, texts, forms, signatures … as well as multimedia elements such as audio and video, include bookmarks and link to web pages. One of its most outstanding features is that they never lose their shape, whether you download it from a website or send it to other people.
To view PDF we can choose a large number of dedicated programs for it. But if, in addition to being able to see them, we need to edit them in part, we need more specific software. So today we are going to see which applications are the best to be able to edit PDF both free and paid.
Best free programs to edit PDF
PDF BOB
It is an online editor for PDF that we can use from any web browser. With this tool we can add text to our documents, as well as annotations. It also has highlighting tools and shape tools like rectangles, circles, lines and arrows. In addition, it allows us to use a pencil to mark certain elements of the document, something really useful. It is compatible with image formats such as JPG, SVG or PNG, among others. Another interesting function is the possibility of rearranging the pages of a PDF, changing its order and adding new pages.
Best of all, PDF BOB is a completely free tool, and to enjoy it you only need to access its website .
Sejda PDF Editor
We are facing another PDF file editor with which, in addition to editing and signing, we can fill in PDF templates online, as well as add or change text, insert images, create links, hyperlinks and make all kinds of annotations. Another extremely interesting feature is the possibility of being able to transform PDF files into Word format, as well as converting the files to other formats such as JPG.
Sejda PDF Editor has a free version that we can download from its official website . This version has some limitations, with a maximum of 3 tasks per day, documents up to 50 MB, compresses files up to 100 MB, images up to 5 MB, combines up to 30 files and converts files one by one. If we want to enjoy all its features, we can purchase one of its payment options for days, months or annually from $ 4.
PDFescape Editor
It is a simple application with which we can easily and quickly manage and edit our PDF files, both images and texts. In addition, it will allow us to fill out forms and protect them by password, make annotations, add watermarks, add numbers to each page, as well as merge various documents to convert them from PDF to Word or vice versa.
PDFescape Editor can be used free of charge online by accessing its website and with which we can perform the most basic editing options. It also has a Premium version that we can download to our computer for free and that contains many more options than the online version.
LibreOffice Draw
Draw is one of the tools that make up the LibreOffice package, designed to create anything, being an application specialized in technical drawing, but which can also be used to edit PDF files , since it will be in charge of converting them to their format to facilitate editing. . With this tool we will be able to carry out almost any editing topic that we can think of such as changing the text, inserting paragraphs, inserting photos, etc. Once finished, we can export the result as a PDF file.
LibreOffice is free to download from the developer’s website . Once downloaded we will have access to Draw and all its functions including PDF editing.
Smallpdf Online PDF Editor
This application is a PDF editor with which we can edit files online from any browser. From it we will be able to compress, convert, merge, edit and sign PDF documents quickly and easily thanks to its minimalist interface. The tool works 100% in the cloud, so the editor can be accessed from anywhere and hardly consume any resources from our computer. Just drag and drop the PDF to be able to add, images, text or draw on it. Both the website and the file transfer have SSL encryption so that our data is safe.
To start using Smallpdf Online PDF Editor, all you have to do is access its website and add the file you want to edit.
PDF-XChange Editor
This application is a fast and small PDF file viewer and editor with lots of functions . This tool will allow us to create, view, edit, annotate and digitally sign all types of PDF files. To highlight the possibility of creating PDF files directly from scanned images or text files, being compatible with all Office programs. Within its wide range of editing we can highlight, modify the size of the images, add links and comments. We can even send the file by email without having to leave the application.
PDF-XChange Editor can be downloaded free from its website for domestic use, for commercial use it would cost 42 euros. It contains more than 60% of the available functions. In case we want to have available the complete options package, both for domestic and professional use, it is necessary to purchase the Plus package at a price of 52 euros.
PDFsam Basic
With this free, free and cross-platform tool, we can easily edit our PDF files. In this way we can easily divide, merge, extract pages, and rotate documents. One of its most striking functions is the possibility of both joining and separating different documents, as well as turning pages to create different file compositions. It also has a mixture of PDF files that allows us to combine two or more files, taking alternate pages from each input file, both in direct and reverse order, which is ideal for simplex scans.
PDFsam Basic is a free application that we can download from its website .
Inkscape
It is a free and open source vector graphics editor compatible with Windows, Mac OS and Linux, with which it will also be possible to edit PDF files , through its Import text as text function. In this way it allows us a wide range of colors, export options and add text and images. We will also have rotation options. Despite not being a tool specially created to edit PDF, it does additional work. Once the work is finished, we can export it again as a PDF file.
Inkscape is a free application that we can download directly from the developer’s website .
PDF Buddy
It is an online application to edit PDF, so we can access it from any web browser. With this tool we will be able to complete forms, add signatures, whiten and highlight, without the need to install any software since all operations are carried out online. To guarantee our privacy, it uses AES-256 bit encryption, so that our files will always be protected.
PDF Buddy is a free tool that we can use by accessing its website . In this way we can edit up to 3 PDF files per month. It also has an unlimited premium service that can be purchased for $ 7.99 per month.
Soda PDF
With this application we can create PDF documents from more than 300 formats, as well as convert PDF to Word. We can modify all the content of the file and customize the structure within our own PDF files. It has an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) function through which we can transform documents and scanned images into editable PDFs. It will also allow us to connect to clouds such as OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, among others, and perform most of its functions from any device using the web browser.
Soda PDF is a free program that we can download from its website.
Other professional payment programs to edit PDF
Wondershare PDFelement
It is a most complete and professional PDF file editor that will allow us to carry out all kinds of tasks such as creating PDFs, editing already created files, converting PDF files to other formats, creating PDFs from other types of files, encrypting PDFs, as well how to combine different files into a single document. This application integrates the main cloud services such as Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive or iCloud. It is also possible to scan images and documents in PDF format to edit them later without losing their original format and design.
PDFelement has two paid versions. The Standard that has a price of 79 euros and will allow us to create, export, edit, annotate, fill and sign PDF files. It also has a Pro version, which is priced at 129 euros and with which we will also have optical character recognition (OCR), compress and optimize documents, create and edit form fields, among other functions. We can test it by downloading a free trial version from their website.
Adobe acrobat
Possibly we are before the most popular viewer and editor of PDF files , not in vain was the forerunner when it comes to PDF files. With this application we can edit PDF files, changing text and images in a simple way. With the full-page editing feature, paragraphs are automatically adjusted when you add text, lines, and bulleted lists in the editor. We can also add, replace, move or resize the images on the page using the options in the Objects list.
Adobe Acrobat allows you to download a free trial version for 7 days from its official page . In order to enjoy the product it is necessary to pay the license. For individuals it can be purchased for 30 euros a month, or with an annual subscription of 18 euros a month. For companies the price is 20 euros per month with annual billing.
Foxit PhantomPDF
This powerful application allows us to edit our PDFs, in addition to having a wide range of possibilities. It allows you to export our PDFs to a word processor, spreadsheet, presentation software or image file. We can also link or divide text blocks , as well as move the blocks, change their size and thus a more attractive design. In addition, we will be able to compress PDF images, delete user data and non-embedded fonts, as well as reduce the size of the files.
Foxit PhantomPDF is priced at 139 euros and we can find it available for both Windows and Mac OS. It also has a Business-oriented version for companies that costs 179 euros. If you want you can download a free trial version from their website, for this you will need to fill out a form.
Nitro pro
It is an application with which we can create, convert, edit, sign and share PDF files. In addition, we can insert, delete and organize pages and combine multiple files in one PDF. It also allows you to copy and paste selected parts of a PDF file keeping the formatting intact, or to create batch PDF files . It has full integration with Microsoft Office and cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox. Another interesting function is the possibility of converting PDF files into Word, Excel and PowerPoint formats and vice versa.
Nitro Pro is a paid tool, which allows us to download a free trial version for 14 days. To enjoy all its features permanently we can acquire your license for 159 euros.
Able2Extract Professional
With this professional tool we can create, convert, sign, view and edit PDF. With this application it will be possible to convert PDF files to all the main formats, including CAD, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, among others. We can also extract scanned PDF content using the ROC tool. We will not have problems to edit all kinds of PDF content, manipulate pages and enter forms in real time. We will have the possibility to protect our PDFs through an advanced encryption process. In addition, we can digitally sign our PDFs and validate the signatures we receive.
Able2Extract Professional is priced at $ 149.95 to purchase the full license. We can also opt for a 30-day subscription for $ 34.95. In order for us to test and evaluate the product, the application has a free trial period that we can download from its official website.
PDF Architect
With this powerful application, editing PDF files will be a simple task. It has all kinds of tools with which to get the most out of our files, allowing us to edit, review, insert, convert and sign any type of file in PDF format. We will be able to edit forms, invoices and personalized PDF documents quickly and safely for greater business productivity. You shouldn’t overlook the presence of its Optical Character Recognition (OCR) with which to unlock text in a single document or use its batch recognition to recognize multiple files simultaneously.
In order to enjoy all the options that PDF Architect offers us, we can purchase it from 49 euros a year with its standard version. It also has a PRO version that costs 69 euros a year, and a PRO + OCR version that costs 89 euros a year. If we want to test the application before buying it, we can choose to download the free package from its website.
FineReader
This tool is perfect for all kinds of professionals who want to get the most out of their PDF documents. This application allows you to edit both digital and scanned PDFs very quickly and easily. It will allow us to correct both sentences and entire paragraphs, and even adjust the design for a better final result. We also have the option to fill out PDF forms, both in interactive form and on scanned paper to add text to the spaces we designate. These forms can be protected by digital signature.
FineReader has two paid versions for private users. On the one hand, it has the Standard version that has a price of 199 euros in a single payment. With it we will be able to edit, protect and collaborate on PDF files, as well as create and convert PDF files and digitize documents on paper and scanned with OCR. On the other hand, it has the Corporate version that has a price of 299 euros, in a single payment. If we want to test the application we can download a fully functional free trial version for 30 days.
Kofax Power PDF
It is an application designed for individuals and companies with which to create, edit, convert and share PDF files, so that we can work in the most efficient and safe way. With this tool we can digitize paper forms to convert them into interactive PDF forms with fields, check boxes, signature fields and other elements. We can also quickly and efficiently convert Word documents and other formats to PDF and vice versa.
Kofax Power PDF has two purchase versions, Standard and Advanced. The Standard edition is priced at 109 euros and contains all the essential options for editing PDF. The Advanced version is priced at $ 179 and allows us to obtain a higher level of security, as well as additional functions of connectivity, real-time collaboration, security and deletion of personal data. From both versions it is possible to download a free trial version from its official website.
