Want to convert your scanned documents into PDF or text in just a few minutes? If yes, the following article is just for you. Although there are many free and paid software available on the internet, it is still hard to find one that is easy-to-use, powerful enough and really works. In this article we will review some of the best PDF editing programs that are currently available to help you with your PDF conversion needs.
The economy is at its lowest point in 30 years, yet the need for paper documents is continuously growing. In order to overcome this paradox of a shrinking market but increased need for physical information storage, businesses are embracing the pdf format (portable document format). The popularity, however, has spawned a flood of software available to edit these documents. Some programs are freeware while others have a software license fee. The industry is experiencing a boom and the possibility of an explosion of unscrupulous programs taking advantage of unsuspecting business users who do not want to spend substantial costs for editing their pdf documents.
Free Pdf Editing Software – Get the Best Pdf Editing Software for your computer and make your documents, receipts, bills and invoices on your PC. In the following article, we will introduce some of the best free pdf editing software.
We identified the Best Pdf Editing Software and Reviews for your needs. Compare the Best Pdf Editing Software from the best online stores. Find comprehensive reviews and compare prices.
What is a PDF editor?
A PDF editor makes it possible to edit the otherwise non-editable PDF file. The PDF (Portable Document Format) file was designed for exchanging documents swiftly and reliably, but there was no option to edit it. PDF editors are built for editing PDFs directly, rather than converting them into an editable format (like .docx) and then making the changes.
FormSwift
A great source for forms
SPECIFICATIONS
Developer: King Street Labs LLCCompatibility: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, SafariCategory: Legal forms, PDF annotationUpgrade from free version: $89/yearTODAY’S BEST DEALSVIEW AT FORMSWIFT
REASONS TO BUY
+Extensive library of legal and business forms+Solid annotation tools
REASONS TO AVOID
-Limited text tools-No way to change existing text
FormSwift offers a slightly different twist on PDF editing. While it gives you the option to upload and edit PDF files, it also offers a large library of legal and other business forms you can fill in online and download as a PDF file or Word document.
I found FormSwift’s offerings to be excellent and well worth a look if you need basic business documents such as 1099s, lease agreements and business meeting minutes.
All of these forms can be filled out online and downloaded once you’ve added the pertinent information. Or you can download blank versions of the documents and enter information locally on your computer.
For PDF editing, the process is simple. Drag a file to your browser — there’s a 10MB max size — then use FormSwift’s tools to add new text and images; highlight, redact or erase existing text; and sign documents.
FormSwift’s text tools are limited. You have four fonts to choose from, but you can resize those fonts to almost any level you want, and you can also make changes to text colors and styles. You can add a new text field to your document, enter new text and adjust the text, placing it anywhere you want on the document.
But there is no way to make changes to existing text, other than by redacting it. All the other tools work as expected, including a signature tool that lets you sign a document using the keyboard, your mouse or an uploaded image.
Smallpdf
Good for file conversion
SPECIFICATIONS
Developer: Smallpdf GmbHCompatibility: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, SafariCategory: PDF conversion and editingUpgrade from free version: $108/yearTODAY’S BEST DEALSVIEW AT SMALLPDF
REASONS TO BUY
+Basic editing tools for PDFs+Includes tools for file conversion
REASONS TO AVOID
-No annotation or markup features-Limited font options-Limit of 2 documents per day
Smallpdf’s free online PDF editing offering is super-basic, only making it possible to add minor changes to documents.
But you may find Smallpdf’s other free features more compelling. These include tools for converting PDF files to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and JPEG. You can also convert each of those file types to PDF.
Basic as it may be, Smallpdf can add pages to or compress existing PDF documents. Additionally, there are tools for adding signatures to documents that are similar to those available with Apple’s Preview application on a Mac.
All of this is available with no file-size limitations, but Smallpdf lets you process only two documents per day. If you want to do more, you’ll have to upgrade to the Pro plan, which gives you Smallpdf desktop applications as well as unlimited processing.
As with all online PDF editors, you begin using Smallpdf by dragging the file you want to work with directly to your browser window.
For editing PDFs, you have four options to work with: Add Text, Add Image, Add Shape and Draw. You’ll note that there are no options to add notes or comments, and no way to highlight existing text. If you need to add annotations or otherwise mark up a PDF document, you should look elsewhere.
Even if the four options offered seem to be enough for you, you’ll still feel constrained within each of those tools. Add text, and you have only five size options and no font choices (although you can select serif, sans serif and monotype styles for your single font choice). You’re also limited to seven font colors.
While Smallpdf may lack anything beyond the basics for editing PDF files, it’s much more appealing for adding electronic signatures, converting or compressing files and merging documents.
PDFescape Online PDF Editor
What We Like
- Works online through your web browser.
- Includes lots of tools.
- Lets you add your own text and images.
- Can delete and add PDF pages.
What We Don’t Like
- Can’t edit existing text, unless you pay.
- Limits the PDF size and page length.
- Documents stored in your account remain there only for 7 days.
PDFescape has quite a lot of features. It’s free as long as the document doesn’t exceed 100 pages or 10 MB.
You can’t truly change text or edit images for free using this editor, but you can add your own text, images, links, form fields, etc.
The text tool is very customizable so that you can pick your own size, font type, color, alignment, and apply effects such as bolding, underlining, and italics.
You also can draw on the PDF, add sticky notes, strikethrough text, put white space over anything you want to disappear, and insert lines, checkmarks, arrows, ovals, circles, rectangles, and comments.
PDFescape lets you delete individual pages from the PDF, rotate pages, crop out parts of a page, reorganize the order of the pages, and add more pages from other PDFs.
You can upload your own PDF file, paste the URL to an online PDF, and make your own PDF from scratch.
When finished editing, you can download the PDF to your computer without ever having to make a user account. You need one only if you want to save your progress online without downloading the PDF.
The online version works in all operating systems. There’s also an offline editor that runs on Windows, but it isn’t free.
LibreOffice Draw
What We Like
- Edits any text on the page.
- Doesn’t leave a watermark.
- Lots of other editing features.
What We Don’t Like
- Must download the whole suite of programs just to use the PDF editor.
LibreOffice Draw is LibreOffice’s flowchart and diagram program, but it also lets you open and edit PDFs. Use the File > Open menu to select the PDF you want to edit, and then zoom up to the text to select and change whatever you want.
One of the neat things about editing PDFs with this program is that it’s made for creating and manipulating objects, so you can just as easily edit non-text things, too, like images, headings, colors, etc.
When you’re ready to save, don’t use the typical save option; go instead to File > Export As to find the PDF option.
It works with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
PDF BOB
What We Like
- Super easy to use.
- No user account required.
- Supports multiple conversion methods.
- Use it in several languages.
- Zero ads and saves without a watermark.
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t edit existing text.
- Few font options.
- Only one upload source (your computer).
PDF BOB is a free online PDF editor that requires no user account. Just upload your PDF, make the changes you need to, and then export it to PDF again to finish up.
There are several tools here to edit your PDF, like a text tool that lets you select a custom color and font type, an image picker, an underliner, a colored pencil/marker, and a few shape tools.
You can also use this website to delete pages from the PDF and add new ones to it. When you save, there’s even a password option to secure the document.
When you’re done editing, export to the PDF format or, if you log in, JPG and PNG. Files can be saved back to your computer or imported directly into Google Drive or Dropbox.
Qoppa PDF Studio
Best for being a PDF Editor that can be used across most computing platforms such as Windows, macOS, Linux, and more.
PDF Studio Pricing: $89 One-Time Fee for 2 computers. Volume, Education & Non-Profit Discount available.
An easy-to-use, full-featured PDF editing software that is a reliable alternative to Adobe® Acrobat® and provides all PDF functions needed at a fraction of the cost. PDF Studio maintains full compatibility with the PDF Standard.
Features:
- Create, Upload, or Scan to PDF
- Annotate and Markup PDFs
- Convert From Multiple Formats
- Create & Fill Forms
- Merge & Split
- Secure PDFs
- Batch Processing
- OCR (Make PDF Searchable)
Verdict: This powerful PDF editor allows you to easily create, scan or convert documents to PDF as well as markup and edit existing PDFs.
At a fraction of the price as Adobe® Acrobat®, it also comes with very advanced features such as permanent redaction, imposition, file size reduction, preflight and even page resize! This editor can be used on multiple computing platforms such as Windows, macOS, Linux.
How to choose the best PDF editor for you?
Before selecting the best PDF editor, you’ll have to think about what you need the program for. If it’s simple text editing, a basic app with limited features will be fine, but you may need to check other options for advanced features like encryption and cloud storage for documents. You’ll also want to ensure the PDF editor is compatible with your operating system and has a bulk-buy discount if you’re purchasing multiple licenses for your firm.
Conclusion
Amid all the programs out there, deciding which one to use can be a daunting task. The sheer number of them is bewildering enough without having to sift through each one’s features to find those that will work best for your needs. One answer you may ask for help from is that expert who seems to know everything about everything — the Internet. It makes sense, because it’s always been easy to find information on just about anything in cyberspace.
Pdf editing software is like a coloring book for computer graphics and music files. The pdf editing software is used to add, delete or change features of the file. PDF file can store different kinds of files, such as sound files pictures. But it is unable to edit, because the CSS style is supported. Nowadays, a lot of people will use PDF reader. However, if you need to edit PDF files by yourself, you may feel headache or panic by the PDF editing program is not good enough. How to choose a good PDF editing program? I have prepared a review of Best PDF Editing Software for your help. I know, editing pdfs isn’t exactly high on the list of fun things to do with your free time.