Since their introduction in the early 1990s, PDFs have steadily become a standard for handling digital documents across business, government, and education sectors. Their popularity stems from their ability to maintain a consistent layout across different devices.
But can you edit or convert a PDF to other formats? Also, is it possible to add images, charts, or notes with a PDF highlighter online or use security features like passwords or digital signatures?
Fortunately, this is possible with the right PDF editor online tool.
This blog post will highlight which online editing software can help you. We will compare their core features, advantages, and disadvantages.
1. Overview
Not all PDF editors are created equal. Some might not have the exact features you need. You may seek a tool with robust security features or an excellent scanned PDF to editable PDF converter.
Your priority might be a tool that lets your remote team work smoothly on a significant project with a tight deadline. An easy-to-use online PDF editor like Lumin stands out for its real-time collaborative features.
Some can reduce PDF size more effectively by splitting or merging files to create a larger electronic document, while other tools are lower priced than the competition.
Here’s a review of five popular PDF editors to make it easier for you to choose.
2. Features
When you’re comparing PDF editors online, the first thing you want to know is what makes each one special.
Adobe Acrobat
With Adobe Acrobat, you can quickly convert your Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files to Portable Document Format and edit text and images. You can edit PDF pages online by rearranging or removing them and securing files with passwords. It’s simple to share and sign documents with others, too.
But keep in mind that Adobe Acrobat DC isn’t cheap. You’ll have to pay a subscription fee to use it, so there’s no one-time payment option.
pdfFiller
pdfFiller is a handy tool for editing, sharing, and storing files online. Its interface is like a desktop app, making navigation simple with a toolbar and document thumbnails. You can make fundamental text changes or use advanced PDF annotation tools for more extensive edits.
pdfFiller also has a mobile version for editing on the go. However, it has a steep learning curve and is subscription-based, with different tiers.
Foxit PDF Editor
Foxit is feature-packed, including tools for editing PDFs, manipulating images, and filling out PDF forms. You can also add hyperlinks and sign PDFs.
Foxit PDF Editor prioritizes security. Its “Protect” feature lets you erase or whiteout text for more document control. However, the HTML-to-PDF tool can be glitchy. It’s also only available with a subscription, which some consider a little pricey.
PandaDoc
PandaDoc is a versatile tool for editing forms, contracts, and proposals. It also allows you to add electronic signatures.
It has a user-friendly interface packed with useful features and is priced affordably. Plus, it emphasizes security and regulation compliance.
Lumin
Lumin is an all-in-one platform for all your PDF tools. It easily converts Word, Excel, JPEG, or PPT to PDF. You can compress PDFs, split PDFs, and merge PDFs. You can also quickly create a fillable PDF form and share it with the target audience for feedback and analysis with third-party tools.
You can also edit, comment on, and share documents online with your team in real-time. Lumin is made especially for people who use Google Workspace. You can save your work to the cloud and open it from Gmail. The way it looks and works is similar to Google’s tools, so it feels conveniently familiar.
Additionally, Lumin provides great security and authentication features. If you know how to sign a PDF form, you’ll find the Lumin Sign integration tool beneficial for business purposes. The software has a desktop app that works equally well.
Pros and cons
When choosing your editing software, it is important to weigh both sides of the coin to balance your assessment. Here’s a quick breakdown of the pros and cons.
| PDF Editor | Pros | Cons |
| Adobe Acrobat |
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| pdfFiller |
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| Foxit |
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| PandaDoc |
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| Lumin |
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3. Pricing
The cost of editing software varies based on features and subscription plans.
- Adobe offers Acrobat Standard for $12.99/month and Acrobat Pro for $19.99/month with free trials. You can also add an AI Assistant for $4.99/month.
- pdfFiller has two enterprise plans: Basic at $96/user/year for a minimum of 20 users and Premium at $180/user/year for 10 users.
- Foxit offers the Editor Suite Pro for Individuals at $139/user/year, Editor Suite for Teams at $129/user/year, and Editor Suite Pro for Teams – Windows & Mac at $159/user/year. They also have education plans starting at $4.99/month with free trials.
- PandaDoc has three options: Essentials, which costs $19/user/month for up to 2 users; Business, which costs $49/user/month; and Enterprise, which has custom pricing.
- Lumin offers even cheaper plans with similar or better features: An edit PDF free software plan at zero cost, a Starter pack at $9/user/month, a Pro upgrade at $19/user/month, and a Business subscription at $199/user/month.
- User Feedback
Here are highlights from the latest user feedback from TrustPilot for each reviewed option:
“The free version of PandaDoc works well, and I am excited to upgrade to premium soon. I have been using the free version for my marketing agency contracts.”
- Alex B
“Lumin is great to use. It is reliable and easy to navigate. No unnecessary popups or refreshes.”
- Ayesuwaa
Deceptive and unreasonable subscription policies.
(updated). (Acrobat Reader) did cancel the recurring monthly charges, so I adjusted my review. I wish I hadn’t needed to escalate to get it done, but the outcome was acceptable.
- Derek Smith
“(Foxit) is more difficult to remove than most malware, even though this software is over a decade old.”
- NF
(pdfFiller) is easy to use. It helped me convert all my office paperwork to fillable PDFs to streamline my work online.
- Yvonne Lee
Conclusion
Choosing the correct PDF editing software is crucial for enhancing productivity and collaboration. Each option offers unique features and pricing plans to suit various needs. Whether you prioritize advanced editing capabilities, security features, or seamless teamwork, there’s a PDF editor tailored for you.
