Last Updated on October 5, 2023 by Rick Darlinton
Previously, the finality of the PDF did put off many looking to make changes to their documents in that format. Before now, you could only view the content of a PDF file. But that has changed with the advent of PDF editor apps.
These PDF editor apps aren’t constrained to the sophistication of computers as they’re available to mobile devices, including Android and iOS smartphones. You can highlight, sign documents, or even create PDF files from the scratch.
The PDF editor niche is heavily stuffed, and the capabilities of these editors tend to vary. Picking the right application can be tough; features and pricing aren’t the same across the board.
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Of course, we had to start from the first in the business of PDF readers, Adobe Acrobat. Being the pioneers of the PDF reader, Adobe Acrobat has set a standard in the industry, and it continues to pace the way for others.
Don’t let its name fool you, the Adobe Acrobat Reader isn’t limited to just reading PDF documents. There’s a lot that you can achieve using the mobile application.
The PDF editor app has tools that allow you to add comments, highlight sentences, add shapes, draw and sign documents. The basic features that you seek in an editor, the Adobe Acrobat Reader has them all. The app is available on both Android and iOS.
Unlike most PDF editor apps out there, the Adobe Acrobat Reader has a streamlined interface with zero clutter. Another attribute that sets this editor apart – besides its preinstalled status in most mobile devices – is its upsell. While the app’s regular PDF editing tools are free, its cloud service and additional tools are only accessible via a paid subscription.
PDFelement Android App
Another PDF editor app that’s available for mobile devices is Wondershare’s PDFelement app. Using PDFelement, you can read documents, edit and create new PDF files. Its annotating capability lets you highlight text, draw, add shapes, and more.
PDFelement’s uniqueness is its ability to manipulate existing text in PDF documents – enlarge, reduce, alter alignment, and more. The app lets you add your thoughts to the document by leaving sticky comments wherever you deem necessary.
One interesting thing about the PDFelement app is it can be used to combine PDF files into a single document. And if you’d rather have the PDF document in a different format, this Wondershare application can help convert the PDF document into any of the popular formats like Word, PowerPoint, and others.
It’s also worth noting that PDFelement app lets you do more than just edit documents. You can manage your PDF files, so it’s easy to locate them on your device. The mobile application is available to both Android and iOS devices. Its cross-platform capability is quite distinct as you can access saved documents on linked devices, whether it’s Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
PDFelement app might pose as a free app, but it’s not. Should you decide not to upgrade to the paid version, then get ready for watermarked documents.
Xodo PDF Reader
This is one PDF editor app that’s doing things differently. Don’t get us wrong, it still has the basic stuff: annotating tools, viewing PDF documents, and converting PDF files into other formats. Yet, the strength of this editor app for Android and iPhone is its ability to allow users to collaborate.
On Xodo PDF Reader, you can share PDF documents with other team members or associates in real-time using the connect feature. You’ll need to add collaborators using their email addresses.
Xodo PDF Reader is available to all and sundry, including Android and iOS users. The editor is free – no watermarks nor ads. It’s a great service with no strings attached.
If you’d like to use the Xodo PDF Reader with a cloud service, the PDF editor is compatible with a few. Unlike Adobe Acrobat Reader, Xodo lets you choose from a handful of cloud service providers not stuffing their product down your throat.
MobiSystems Office Suite
With this application, MobiSystems throws its hat into the PDF editing ring. The Office Suite from MobiSystems is an all-encompassing application with PDF editing capability.
On MobiSystems Office Suite, you can create PDF files, edit and sign these documents. The Office Suite also lets you convert PDF files into other formats and vice versa. Of course, depending on the format chosen, the structure of the document might become heavily distorted, so take note.
Similar to Xodo’s connect feature, the MobiSystems Office Suite’s chat can be used for collaborations on a shared document. But unlike Xodo, you’ll need a MobiSystems account for such.
Using this Office Suite, you can define the permission settings of your sensitive PDF files, limiting access to unauthorized persons.
The MobiSystems Office Suite’s file manager makes it easy to organize PDF files, so you spend less time locating them. Its cloud storage also puts this application in a league of its own.
MobiSystems Office Suite is available on mobile platforms like Android and iOS. The application comes with a 7-day trial license after which you’ll need to pay to use it.
Foxit Mobile PDF
The Foxit MobilePDF isn’t the hollow, lightweight PDF editor app that it once was. A lot of new features have been added to the mobile application to ensure it competes in all areas.
Despite Foxit MobilePDF’s feature-rich status, the interface is clean and fits right in on devices of different sizes.
While Foxit MobilePDF has worthwhile features like annotating, creating new PDF files, image conversion to PDF, and much more, most require you to pay to unlock them.
The in-app purchase approach might not go down well with many, but it’s relatively cheaper than a subscription-dependent service as seen in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Collaborations are also possible on the Foxit MobilePDF. You can edit PDF documents and share them with friends and colleagues. Depending on what side of the mobile divide – Android or iOS – you’re on, cloud integration might come at a cost.
Foxit MobilePDF might not be crammed full with features, but it attempts to please with a pleasant interface and an in-app pricing that’s gentle on your pocket. Yet, moving from app to cloud hints at the fragility of the PDF editor.
PDF Viewer Pro
Finally, there’s PDF Viewer Pro, one of the best PDF editor apps with a significant number of features that should appeal to most.
On PDF Viewer Pro, annotating works like elsewhere – highlight, drawing, and others. The PDF editor app allows you to manipulate documents for better results. Whether it’s deleting irrelevant pages or combining PDF files, this app appears to be up to the task.
With PDF Viewer Pro, you can assess information about documents and keep the content of PDF files secure through encryption.
One unique thing about the PDF Viewer Pro is its Presenter View. This helps replicate the slide experience of PowerPoint on the big screen without making an undesired conversion to that format.
PDF Viewer Pro application can be downloaded on both Android and iOS devices.