We have picked 12 most popular Acrobat alternatives in view of features, running speed, user reviews, and price. Best Alternative to Adobe ® Acrobat ® 1. PDFelement (Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android) PDFelement is a premium Adobe Acrobat alternative that offers multiple features in one simple platform. Apart from being multi-featured. Other important factors to consider when researching alternatives to Adobe Acrobat DC include user interface. We have compiled a list of solutions that reviewers voted as the best overall alternatives and competitors to Adobe Acrobat DC, including Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Foxit PDF Editor, and PDFelement.

Whenever it comes to editing PDFs, Adobe Acrobat is the first-stop solution for many users. Due to its unique features and excellent services, Adobe Acrobat has been around for years. However, most of the users are often discouraged by its high prices. So, if you are the one who is in need of a PDF editor but finding Adobe Acrobat an expensive option, then we have got you covered with a handful of free Adobe Acrobat alternatives that will deliver you the same excellence whenever you will get your hands onto them!

This guide will walk you through the 8 best PDF editing software! Get an insight into the detailed information about each of them and make a correct decision based on your needs and requirements.

1. EaseUS PDF Editor

Supported OS: Windows 10/8.1/8/7

The foremost PDF Editor in the list that can excellently replace Adobe Acrobat is EaseUS PDF Editor. It is an all-in-one solution that allows users to make, read, edit and convert PDF files flawlessly.

With this tool, you can easily edit, OCR, merge, create, sign, annotate and split PDF files in just a couple of minutes. No matter which device you are using, the original fonts, pictures, and layout of the document will look the same everywhere. With unique features, you can customize PDFs painlessly.

Pros：

• 100% secure
• Support for various file formats
• Free customer support service

Cons:

• Support for Windows only

Now click the below button to get this excellent alternative for Adobe Acrobat.

2. Smallpdf

Supported OS: Windows, Mac, Android and iOS

Smallpdf is another alternative for Adobe Acrobat that allows you to edit PDFs in just a few simple steps. With Smallpdf's PDF tool, you will get a user-friendly and straightforward interface that will let you add image to PDF files easily.

Along with a free PDF editor tool, Smallpdf contains many other PDF tools that can help you convert PDFs into other formats quickly. Apart from all this, the best thing about Smallpdf is that it offers both a cloud-based solution and desktop software to edit PDFs as you want.

Pros：

• Excellent range of helpful PDF tools
• It is a cloud-based as well as a desktop tool

Cons:

• The free version of this tool comes with a limited time offer

3. PDF X-Change Editor

Supported OS: Windows

PDF X-Change Editor is a free Windows PDF editor. Talking about the interface, it is pretty complex than that of the other PDF editors in the list. The main thing that has made PDF X-Change Editor one of the top 8 free Adobe alternatives is that it comes with Optical Character Recognition feature, which means that if your original PDF file is a photocopy, then this tool will still be able to recognize the text included in it and will allow you to edit it.

In addition to this, you can even reformat text and convert it into fonts that are not already loaded on your computer.

Pros：

• Supports Optical Character Recognition
• Allows users to edit the text
• Splits and extracts pages

Cons:

• It adds a watermark on the documents edited through it

4. PDFescape

Supported OS: Windows 10/8/7

PDFescape allows the users to edit the PDF files online or through a desktop application. If we talk about the desktop application, it is influential because it supports editing to the pre-existing PDF content. Moreover, it allows the users to scan the paper documents. But one crucial thing to note here is that only the online version of this tool is free to use.

With PDFescape, you will get a handful of PDF editing options like the ability to make freehand notes, tools to add clickable URL links to your document, and much more.

Pros：

• It allows easy merging of the documents
• No account creation is necessary to edit the PDFs

Cons:

• It involves a file size limit
• The desktop editor is a paid version

5. Sejda PDF Editor

Supported OS: Windows, Linux and Mac

Another option is Sejda. It is a free PDF editor that offers excellent PDF editing results along with top-notch features. It is an entirely full-feature-fledged PDF editing tool that can give a tough competition to Adobe Acrobat.

Sejda PDF Editor allows the users to edit the PDF files easily in just a few minutes. In addition to editing the PDFs, you can also add signatures on the PDF files, add links and comments on PDFs, and create fill-able PDF forms in just a few simple steps.

Pros：

• Easy to use interface
• No account required
• Involves excellent and unique PDF editing features

Cons:

• Premium version is expensive
• File size limitations.

6. PDFSam Basic

Supported OS: Windows, Linux, and Mac

If you are hunting for the Adobe Acrobat alternative free that can edit PDF files in a simple and easy way, then PDFSam Basic is the perfect option for you!

PDFSam Basic is a lightweight and easy-to-use desktop application that is well worth keeping downloaded for all the situations that require quick PDF editing. Unlike the other PDF tools mentioned in the list, PDFSam Basic won't let you modify the actual content of the PDF files, but it will make dividing and combining them an easy task. With PDFSam Basic, you can always be stress-free because it involves no watermarks to worry about.

Pros：

• No need to upload files
• Simple and easy to use
• Involves no ads in between

Cons:

• It involves a limited feature set

7. PDF Buddy

Supported OS: Windows and Mac

PDF Buddy is another free Adobe Acrobat alternative that can help you edit PDF files in just a couple of minutes. It is free to use PDF editing tool that allows you to edit the PDF files without requiring any installation or download. Yes, you read it correctly! You don't need to install or download PDF on your PC because it is also a cloud-based platform that can be used just by visiting its official website.

With PDF Buddy, you will get all the necessary features that are a must to have in a PDF editing tool. This free PDF editor works on all Windows systems like XP, 7, 8, and 10.

Pros：

• Uploading and editing files are easy
• All the instructions are easy to understand, and tasks can be completed quickly
• Signing up takes few minutes

Cons:

Best Alternative To Adobe Acrobat Dc

• Involve limited features
• Privacy and security are a concern because all the editing is done over the internet

8. AbleWorld PDF Editor

Supported OS: Windows 10/8/7/XP

Last but not least, the final option in our list is AbleWorld PDF Editor. AbleWorld PDF Editor is not a very well-known software, but it works flawlessly when it comes to editing PDFs on your PC.

In addition to a PDF Editor, it is also a word processor that helps you edit the files easily and quickly as you would do with a word document. This PDF Editing tool supports reformat images, adds and edits headers and footers, and performs several other essential functions. Apart from all this, AbleWorld PDF Editor also involves spell check and other similar functions.

Pros：

• It is easy and straightforward to use
• It excellently supports some of the top Microsoft Word features

Cons:

• It involves limited features
• The output generated is not as perfect as some of the other PDF editing tools

Conclusion

From EaseUS PDF Editor to AbleWorld PDF Editor, all the top 8 Adobe Acrobat alternative free mentioned above will definitely prove to be a great choice for editing the PDF files affordably! Each of the above-mentioned tools has its relative pros and cons, so you can compare each of the tools based on all the aspects. This, in turn, will help you choose the one that perfectly fits all your needs.

Edited by Nataly Bogorad

September 29, 2020

When you’re writing an essay for your homework assignment, filling out an application form for a new position, or preparing an activity report for your boss, you probably have to work with PDF files. You don’t only need to review PDFs in Adobe Reader, but you may also need to add images or text, highlight information, or use Bates numbering. To take care of these tasks quickly and easily, you need a good PDF editor.

You can turn to the well-known Adobe Acrobat PDF editor. It’ll provide you with all the necessary tools to create, convert, and edit PDF documents. But it’s not the only game in town ー there are plenty of programs similar to Adobe Acrobat, too.

If you’ve been wondering how to edit a PDF without Adobe software, read our article below. The questions “what can I use instead of Adobe?” and “is there a free version of Adobe?” will no longer be a mystery to you.

We’ve made a list of some of the best Adobe Acrobat alternatives with different prices, functionality, and operating systems. They are as effective for professional and personal use as Adobe Acrobat DC Pro. Check them out!

Comparison Table of the Best Adobe Acrobat Alternatives

The Best Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat in 2020

PDFChef by Movavi

PDFChef by Movavi is a lightweight, easy-to-use application. Its minimalist interface is accessible for beginners as well as professionals. It will be useful at all stages of your work with PDF files. You can create, convert, edit, export, and present your PDFs, add text or images, rearrange and extract pages, and sign documents. A free trial version enables you to try all these tools to the full.

Pros:

• Offers good value for its cost
• Full editing control over PDF files
• Available for Windows and Mac users

Cons:

• Maximum of three pages per conversion in the trial version

Best Alternative To Adobe Acrobat Reader

Soda PDF

Soda PDF is an effective, all-in-one PDF editor that enables the conversion of PDF files to various formats. You can use this program not only for creating, viewing, commenting, and editing your files but for document revision, filling out forms, e-signing and bates numbering. With a broad set of tools, Soda PDF makes PDF files completely customizable. It is available both as an online and a desktop app.

Pros:

• A versatile range of editing tools
• Integrated cloud storage

Cons:

• Available for Windows 10/8/7 only

Sejda PDF

Sejda PDF Editor was originally online, freeware that enabled users to manage PDF files. Now it has both an online and a desktop version with a ton of editing tools. Sejda needs less RAM than other programs similar to Adobe Acrobat. It makes working with PDF documents faster and easier. You can use this application to apply watermarks, highlight text, sign, split, merge, or compress PDF files.

Is there a free alternative to Adobe Acrobat? Yes, there is, and it is Sejda.

Pros:

• An easy-to-navigate interface
• Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux

Cons:

• Free editing of files is limited to 200 pages or 50 MB and three tasks per hour

Nitro Pro

Best Alternative To Adobe Acrobat Pro For Mac

Nitro Pro is another replacement for Adobe Acrobat. Unlike other alternatives to Adobe Acrobat, this software is for more advanced and professional users. Cloud integration facilitates the working process and enables you to access and share files quickly. The application supports scanning paper documents and converting typed or handwritten text into a machine-readable format.

Pros:

• Integrated cloud storage
• A clear and well-designed toolbar

Cons:

• Expensive in comparison to other Adobe Acrobat alternatives
• Available only for Windows 10/8/7

Wondershare PDFelement

Wondershare PDFelement is an intuitive PDF editor. It combines a standard set of PDF editing functions with advanced tools, including font recognition, e-signing, combining different format files, filling out forms, and file sharing. Try this program if you want to boost your productivity.

Pros:

• Editing PDFs without affecting original formatting and fonts
• Simple navigation

Cons:

• Needs more computer memory than other similar programs
• A watermark is added to output files in the trial version

Foxit Phantom PDF

Foxit is fast and powerful PDF editing software. This Adobe Acrobat alternative is compatible with both Windows and macOS. The Windows version is available in two versions, for beginners and advanced users. With Foxit Phantom PDF, you can easily read and annotate your PDFs, rotate and resize pages, create fillable forms, and share content.

Pros:

• Integrated encryption and OCR tools
• Easy conversion to and from standard file formats
• A 14-day free trial period

Cons:

Best Alternative To Adobe Acrobat Reader

• An overloaded toolbar

PDFChef by Movavi

Everything you need from PDF Software!

• Different PDF-editing modes (4-in-1 page arrangement, text editing, and object editing)
• Digital signature solutions

Best Alternative To Adobe Acrobat

Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.

Best Alternative To Adobe Acrobat Free

* The free version of PDFChef by Movavi has the following restrictions: 7-day trial period, watermark on the output PDF. Learn more