Existing for more than two decades now, PDF remains a reliable, easy file format the public has utilized in various ways. Thus, it is no surprise that there is a need for the best pdf editor in the market.

Created by Adobe, the portable document format (PDF) extends its use beyond the mere exchange of information. The file format allows for easy conversion, security-encrypted documentation, and overall convenience, especially for maintaining the key elements of electronic documents.

Unlike other file formats, a PDF preserves the original format, thus securing the quality and authenticity of your document when exchanged or distributed among multiple recipients. You can trust the file format to retain the font styles, image quality, and even the text alignment of your electronic document in a PDF file format.

Can a PDF File Be Editable?

Yes, a PDF file can be editable, especially if they're text-based. However, there are also instances when the file format remains inaccessible for editing due to certain reasons ranging from file protection, software limitations, or lack of rights granted by the file's creator. This feature of the portable document format is a double-edged sword.

Without proper PDF editing software, you're bound to the restrictions of the file format. Fortunately, there are notable platforms specially for PDF editing besides the famous Adobe Acrobat. This article aims to provide alternatives to the original PDF software that offer the same or close functionality but make it easier to handle PDF files.

Below are the top 5 hottest PDF software on the market right now:

1 PDF Extra

Price: $ 4.16 per month (Premium) / $6.66 per month (Ultimate) / $99.99 (Lifetime)

PDF Extra wants you to become the architect of your PDFs. MobiSystems Inc. made sure to incorporate all the features you need, such as viewing, editing, and compressing, to create the best PDF editor. It is no surprise then that this PDF editing software is the no.1 PDF solution for Android, with the most downloads and sales on Google Play. It also has over 20M installations cross-platform.

Moreover, PDF Extra has cross-platform support, meaning it uses the same license on every platform where they are available, including Windows, Android, and iOS, for ultimate flexibility. This makes your work accessible no matter which device you use. Moreover, the full mobile versions are included in the PDF Extra Ultimate plan.

See more about PDF Extra's pricing plans here.

(Photo : PDF Extra)

PDF Extra's Edit Feature Allows Multiple Edits

PDF Extra's Edit feature allows multiple edits. From the texts to the objects, this PDF editing software is enriched with tools that are easy to use. Besides editing, adding, deleting, or rotating text, you may also finetune the structure via line spacing or virtual scaling. Moreover, PDF Extra also lets you tweak the text styles, fonts and coloring with its PDF editor tool, proving it is indeed one the best PDF editor available.

PDF Extra stands out in object customization, too. If there are elements present in the PDF, PDF Extra offers tools that allow you to add images sourced locally or online, making your file more presentable or stylish. With MobiSystems Inc.'s PDF editor, you can easily adjust any element in your PDF, from shapes to drawings.

You also have the option to include comments or attach your electronic signature. Both these features are present in PDF Extra.

Convert Seamlessly With PDF Extra

Regardless of the document or image format, PDF Extra lets you convert your files into PDF seamlessly with its PDF converter. This feature enables you to switch between different office formats without losing any information in the conversion process. PDF Extra converts them easily from Word documents, Excel sheets, PowerPoint presentations, and even ePub or image files.

Out of all its features, PDF Extra's conversion feature is only available for use with an internet connection. But guaranteed, whether you want to convert to Word or jpg, the operation is quick. If you ever need to switch back to other formats, PDF Extra provides this option, too. After all, you are the master of the format with the best PDF editing software.

Merge Two or More PDF Files With PDF Extra

Speaking of multiple file formats, PDF Extra allows you to combine multiple PDFs into one. With its PDF combiner feature, you can merge two or more PDF files. After you've merged the files, you have the freedom to move them around as you wish, with the option to add or remove them until you get your desired result.

This feature allows for efficient organization, making file management a breeze, especially when you're working in collaboration. Simply compile every document needed, convert them if needed, and merge them into one file. PDF Extra offers this level of flexibility. Regardless of your industry, PDF Extra aims to be the best PDF editor in the market, granting you the power and control to maximize the uses of the portable document format.

Even Without an Internet Connection, PDF Extra Remains Operational

As discussed, PDFs are editable, but each PDF editing software operates differently. With PDF Extra, you're allowed to scan a physical document, import it directly into the software, and edit it to your liking. Even without an internet connection, the PDF Extra remains operational.

Many PDF editors require access to the Internet to operate. With PDF Extra, all of your editing and other processing take place on your computer or smartphone instead of in the cloud, which guarantees the safety of your data. PDF files often contain sensitive or confidential information. With PDF Extra, you're assured your PDF data is protected.

2 Soda PDF

Price: $7.97 per month / $10.00 per month (Home Plan) / $15.00 per month (Premium Plan) / $20.00 per month (Business Plan) / $159.00 (Enterprise Edition - perpetual license)

Soda PDF brands itself as all-in-one PDF software with its 50 easy-to-use tools, accessible both for PC and mobile. Trusted by established organizations like NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, this PDF editing software qualifies as one of the best PDF editors, with its many features.

Besides editing and conversion, Soda PDF allows you to create fillable forms or accomplish any existing form easily. Moreover, this PDF editing software has optical character recognition that lets you transform scanned documents and images into searchable PDF files. This feature automatically detects text within images, making scanning or highlighting convenient when necessary. With Soda PDF's text recognition, you don't need to retype any document ever again.

Soda PDF also contains features essential for PDF editing. This software allows you to insert annotations into a PDF without hassle. This is useful for collaborations, especially when the file goes through multiple people, from your colleagues to your supervisor. If the document needs approval, the authorized person can simply insert their electronic signature.

Whether it's for document management or creating paperless workflows, Soda PDF is accessible online and is available for download. This PDF editing software certainly considered its users while developing the portable document format.

3 PDF Element Pro

Price: $79.99 per year (Individuals) / $129.99 per year (Individuals - One-Time Purchase) / $109.00 (Pro Team) / $139.00 (Pro Team - One-Time Purchase)

Created by Wondershare, PDF Element Pro is a multi-platform PDF solution trusted by over two million active users, including multinational conglomerate companies like Fujifilm and Hitachi.

Besides being known as a global leader in software development, Wondershare is also a member of the PDF Association, where international leaders collaborate to advance and standardize PDF technologies.

Free for download, this PDF Element Pro stands out in its ability to translate and extract data from PDF forms exported into CSV format. Like other PDF editing software, PDF Element Pro works similarly in its ability to view, edit, or convert PDFs to the file format you need. It even allows batch processing, so converting them one by one is unnecessary.

The interface looks similar to the Word program with its main menu button, where you can access the features and tools for optimal PDF editing. One of its distinguishable components is the tabs you can add while operating on its workspace. This allows for easy access to multiple documents, allowing you to transfer or copy details if necessary.

Unlike some of the software mentioned, PDF Element Pro is also available on Mac, which is advantageous for Apple users since the mobile application can also be downloaded from the App Store.

Also, even if you're only using the free version, PDF Element Pro offers cloud storage of 1GB for everyone regardless of what Operating System you have, so make sure to maximize the software's capacity and its other tools.

4 PDF Candy

Price: Free

PDF Candy is a PDF software for Windows created by the Icecream Apps team in 2016.

What qualifies PDF Candy as one of the best PDF editing software in the market is its low system requirements, remaining accessible for PCs still operating on Windows 8.1 down to Windows Vista. If you can't afford to upgrade yet, PDF Candy offers more than 40 tools.

One of PDF Candy's key features is its templates. This allows you to save time for repetitive documents. This PDF editing software also provides for two-way conversion, whether you want to convert your PDF into videos or web pages, or convert other file formats utilized by Word or PowerPoint into PDF.

PDF Candy functions as a program, not as an online service. This makes it convenient for you to work offline, according to your schedule, without worrying about losing your progress due to service interruption. Moreover, the converting feature of PDF Candy can also operate without an internet connection, allowing you to work in remote locations, even without access to the global network.

This PDF editing software also utilizes the advantage of OCR, but unlike the ones listed, you can't directly edit the text it can recognize from photos. Yet this limitation is only one compared to the many features accessible when using PDF Candy. From editing, compressing, merging, and securing your PDFs, you would still have one of the best PDF editors in the market.

5 pdfFiller

Price: $8.00 per month (Basic) / $12.00 per month (Plus) / $15 (Premium)

pdfFiller also qualifies as one of the best PDF editing software available, used by Facebook, Best Buy, and even Tesla employees.

Developed by airSlate, this PDF editing software brands itself as a comprehensive online document management platform. With pdfFiller, you have an online editor, a cloud storage platform, and a signature request manager, all in one package. Created in 2008, pdfFiller is keen on protecting the information your PDFs contain while allowing you to fill, edit, or modify any PDF form online.

Aside from its basic features like document editing and annotation, pdfFiller has over 25 million fillable forms available for access. You can even integrate your payment system into these fillable forms like PayPal or Stripe. In addition, it features an online spell checker so you can eliminate the typos and errors that go undetected, making this PDF editing software one of a kind.

You may also choose to block confidential details with pdfFiller, as the software is keen on protecting your information. pdfFiller has AICPA, PCI DSS, and HIPAA certifications from organizations responsible for handling sensitive or confidential data.

Compared to other PDF editing software, pdfFiller is a paid platform. However, you may still use its best features with a free trial of 30 days.

These PDF tools qualify as five of the best PDF editors in the market. They differ in advancement and availability, but essentially, they are all capable of editing your PDF files while maintaining the authenticity the format aims to preserve.