PDFs are everywhere—contracts, reports, manuals, invoices, forms—you name it. Whether you’re a student merging lecture notes, a business editing agreements, or just someone crossing out that embarrassing typo, having the right PDF editing software is essential in 2025.
The PDF (Portable Document Format) has been a global standard for decades, and it’s not going anywhere. According to a recent 2024 report by Adobe, over 2.5 trillion PDFs are opened annually. But here’s the catch: editing a PDF isn’t as simple as opening a Word doc. You need software that can handle annotations, signatures, form creation, file conversion, OCR (Optical Character Recognition), and secure sharing—ideally without making you want to pull your hair out.
The good news? There’s more variety than ever. From free tools to professional-grade editors, here are the 10 best PDF editing software options in 2025.
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1. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
Best for: All-In-One Professional PDF Editing
Adobe created the PDF format, and Acrobat Pro DC still leads the pack. It offers everything you need—editing, commenting, converting, OCR, signing, and form creation—in a sleek interface. It also supports real-time collaboration and integrates with cloud storage. It’s not cheap, but for professionals and businesses, it’s often worth it.
2. Foxit PDF Editor
Best for: Fast Performance and Lower Cost
Foxit PDF Editor is one of the most respected alternatives to Adobe. It offers robust editing tools, annotation features, security options, and shared reviews—all at a lower price point. It’s lighter and faster than Acrobat, making it ideal for those who want efficiency without the bloat.
3. Nitro PDF Pro
Best for: Business Teams and Bulk PDF Tasks
Nitro PDF Pro provides enterprise-grade PDF editing, including batch processing, eSign workflows, file conversions, and cloud integration. It’s perfect for small businesses and corporate users that need something strong and scalable. Plus, it integrates smoothly with Microsoft 365.
4. PDF-XChange Editor
Best for: Advanced Tools Without the Premium Price
PDF-XChange Editor offers tons of features, from text editing and annotation to OCR and multimedia embedding. It has a bit of a learning curve, but it’s fast, lightweight, and incredibly powerful for a low cost. The free version includes watermarked exports but still provides most core features.
5. Smallpdf
Best for: Quick, Cloud-Based Editing
Smallpdf is a browser-based PDF tool that’s perfect for those who need fast, occasional editing. You can merge, split, compress, sign, and convert files in seconds. It’s great for students, freelancers, or anyone who doesn’t want to install software.
6. Sejda PDF Editor
Best for: Easy Online Editing With Privacy Controls
Sejda is another cloud-based editor that lets you edit PDFs without installing anything. It supports text edits, signatures, form filling, and even whiteout tools. What sets Sejda apart is its privacy-first model—files are auto-deleted after two hours.
7. PDFescape
Best for: Free Web Editing and Form Creation
PDFescape offers both an online editor and a desktop version. The free web version lets you annotate, fill out forms, and add text, while the desktop version offers more advanced tools like PDF creation, printing, and encryption. A great entry-level tool for casual users.
8. Wondershare PDFelement
Best for: Simple UI With Powerful Capabilities
PDFelement combines a clean, intuitive interface with features like OCR, batch processing, editing, form design, and PDF/A compliance. It’s aimed at professionals who want Adobe-level tools without the Adobe price tag. Available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
9. iLovePDF
Best for: Quick Fixes and Free Daily Tasks
iLovePDF is a handy, web-based PDF toolkit for simple tasks like merging, splitting, compressing, and rotating files. It also offers basic editing, watermarking, and signing. Great for when you’re in a pinch and don’t need to download heavy software.
10. Soda PDF
Best for: Cross-Platform Use and Cloud Storage Integration
Soda PDF is available online and as a desktop app. It covers all the essentials: editing, reviewing, converting, and form creation, plus cloud storage access and e-signature tools. It’s particularly user-friendly and ideal for those who switch between devices frequently.
Conclusion
Editing a PDF used to feel like a chore. Now, with tools like Foxit, PDFelement, Smallpdf, and the ever-reliable Adobe Acrobat, there’s something for everyone—from power users to casual editors. Whether you’re working on a contract, compiling a report, or just signing a form, the right tool can make your life a whole lot easier.
Your choice depends on your budget, how often you edit PDFs, your device preferences, and whether you need advanced tools like OCR or batch processing. Try a few out—most offer free versions or trials—and find what fits your workflow best.
Which PDF editor do you swear by? Share it in the comments!
