Best PDF Software for Windows in 2025

How to choose the best PDF Software for Windows ?

When selecting the best PDF software for Windows, consider the following key factors:

• Editing Capabilities: Look for PDF software for Windows that allows you to make comprehensive PDF editing modifications, including ad hiding, deleting, or modifying text and images, as well as adjusting page layout and formatting. This will give you the flexibility to create and edit PDFs that meet your specific needs.
• Annotation Tools: Consider PDF software that provides a range of annotation tools to enhance collaboration and feedback sharing. Features like adding notes, highlights, shapes, and signatures allow you to easily mark up PDFs, making it easier to communicate changes and suggestions.
• File Conversion: Choose PDF software that supports seamless file conversion to and from various formats, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and popular image formats like JPG and PNG. This versatility ensures that you can easily integrate PDFs with other applications and share them with colleagues or clients who may not have PDF editing capabilities.
• Security Measures: Opt for PDF software that offers robust security measures to protect your sensitive documents from unauthorized access. Features like password protection, encryption, and digital signatures provide multiple layers of security, giving you peace of mind that your confidential information remains safe.
• Document Management: Consider PDF software that helps you organise and manage your PDF files efficiently. Features like file tagging, search functionality, and cloud storage integration make it easy to find the documents you need quickly and keep them organized, reducing the risk of losing or misplacing important files
• Compatibility: Ensure that the PDF software for Windows you choose is fully compatible with your operating system, whether it's Windows 10, 11, or any other version you're using. This will guarantee seamless integration and optimal performance, ensuring that you can use the software without any compatibility issues.
• User Interface: Look for PDF software with a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and understand. A well-organised and intuitive interface will simplify your workflow, making it easier to perform various tasks and find the features you need quickly and efficiently.
• Pricing: Consider the pricing of the PDF software you're considering, including any subscription fees or additional charges. Determine if the cost aligns with your budget and whether the software offers a good value for the features and functionality it provides. Explore different pricing options and compare them to find the best fit for your needs.
• Support: Choose PDF software that offers reliable technical support through various channels, such as email, phone, or live chat. Having access to knowledgeable and responsive support ensures that you can get help and resolve any issues you may encounter promptly, minimising any disruptions to your workflow.

Must have features of PDF Software for Windows

Here's a deeper dive into the essential features of PDF software for Windows, along with explanations of their importance:

• Crystal Clear Display: A good PDF software should render PDFs flawlessly, regardless of their complexity. This includes features like zooming in and out, different viewing modes (single page, facing pages, continuous scroll), and options to adjust brightness and contrast for optimal reading experience.
• Effortless Navigation: Efficient navigation is crucial for large documents. Features like thumbnails (miniature previews of each page), bookmarks (allowing you to save specific locations), and a search function with keyword highlighting help you find the information you need quickly.
• Interactive Feedback: You should be able to add comments, highlights, underlines, strikethroughs, and other markings directly on the PDF. This is essential for reviewing documents, providing feedback (e.g., for editing or revisions), and collaborating with others.
• Drawing Tools: Features like freehand drawing, shapes (arrows, lines, rectangles), and sticky notes allow you to visually emphasise specific sections or add additional information.
• Text Boxes and Pre-Built Stamps: The ability to insert text boxes and pre-defined stamps (e.g., "Approved," "Confidential") can further enhance communication and clarity in your annotations.
• Basic Text Tweaks: Editing existing text within a PDF allows for minor corrections or updates. Look for features like text selection, deletion, and modification.
• New Text Box Insertion: The software should allow you to insert new text boxes where you can add additional information to the document. This is useful for filling out forms, adding captions, or making notes.
• Image Editing on the Go: Basic image editing capabilities like cropping, resizing, and replacing images within the PDF can be helpful for optimising the document's layout or visual elements.
• Export to Editable Formats: The ability to convert PDFs to editable formats like Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), or PowerPoint (.pptx) allows you to work with the content in other applications. This is crucial if you need to reuse the information in a different format.
• Create PDFs from Scratch: The software should also allow you to create new PDFs from scratch or by converting existing files from various formats (e.g., Word documents, images, web pages).
• Password Protection: This allows you to restrict access to a PDF by requiring a password to open it. This is essential for protecting confidential information.
• Encryption for Extra Security: Encryption adds another layer of security by scrambling the document's content, making it unreadable without the proper decryption key.
• Granular Permission Control: Advanced software allows you to set permissions for who can view, edit, copy, or print the PDF. This is helpful for controlling how others can interact with the document.
• Sign Electronically: You can electronically sign PDFs with a digital signature, similar to a handwritten signature. This adds a layer of authenticity and ensures the document hasn't been tampered with since singing 
• Work with Fillable Forms: The software should be able to recognize and work with existing fillable PDF forms. This allows you to easily enter data into predefined fields on the form.
• Create Your Own Fillable Forms: Advanced software lets you create your own fillable forms with interactive fields like text boxes, checkboxes, dropdown menus, etc. This is useful for collecting data electronically.
• Make Scanned PDFs Editable: OCR allows the software to recognize text within scanned PDFs (where the text is essentially an image) and convert it into editable text. This makes the document searchable and allows you to copy and paste the text content.
• Merge and Split PDFs with Ease: The ability to combine multiple PDFs into a single document or split a large PDF into smaller, more manageable files can significantly improve workflow efficiency.
• Organise Your PDFs Effectively: Some software offers features for organising your PDFs, such as adding tags, creating folders, and using search filters to quickly locate specific documents.
• Real-Time Co-Editing: This advanced feature allows multiple users to edit the same PDF document simultaneously, with changes reflected in real-time for everyone.
• Cloud Storage Integration for Collaboration: Cloud storage integration allows you to store and access your PDFs from anywhere with an internet connection. This facilitates collaboration by allowing others to access and edit the documents remotely.

Best PDF Software for Windows Comparison

PDF Software	Features	Price and Free Trial
iLovePDF	Easy to Use, Language Support, Security, PDF conversion, Edit and Comment PDFs, Create PDFs, Protect PDFs	Starting at $9.00
Foxit PDF Reader	PDF Reader, Edit PDF Files, Online PDF Creator & Converter, Merge PDF Files Online, Annotate PDFs, Reduce PDF File Size, Convert PDFs and Scans, Fill, Sign, and Secure PDFs, Print to PDF, Protect PDFs	Starting at $5.99
UPDF	Edit Text in PDF, Built-in PDF Image Editor, Convert PDF to Multiple Format, OCR Text in PDF, Intuitive Page Management, Secure Documents, PDF Annotator, File Manager	Starting at $24.99
PDFelement	Edit & OCR PDF, Forms & Data Extraction, Create & Combine, Convert & Extract, Protect & Share, Review & Comment, Document Management, Convert from PDF, PDF Editor	Starting at $47.99
Smallpdf	Workflow Management, Document Conversation, Collaboration, Electronic Signature, Convert PDF to JPG image, Edit and Comment PDFs, Convert to PDF, PDF Tools, Online PDF Creator & Converter	Starting at $10.00
ABBYY FineReader	Convert PDFs and Scans, Edit and Comment PDFs, Document Comparison, Automate Conversion, Search Option, Convert to PDF, Layout Setting, PDF Editor, Bulk Conversion, Online PDF Creator & Converter	Starting at $16.00
PDF Candy	PDF Editor, User-friendly interface, PDF to Editable Word Files, Privacy, Batch Processing, OCR (Text Recognition), No Internet Connection Needed	Starting at $6.00
CutePDF	Content Replace, Merge PDF, Add Reduce File Size tool, Convert PDF to JPG image, Custom Texts, FTP Upload Functionality, Easy to Use, Create Hyperlinks using Drag & Drop Tool, Digitally Signing PDF Documents, Rotate Pages, Add Watermarks	Starting at $45.00
PDFescape	Edit PDF Files, Fill Out PDF Forms, Password Protect PDF Files, Edit Text and Images, Merge, Convert PDF to Microsoft Office 365 formats, Watermark, Share Document Online, Compress PDF Size, View PDF Files	Starting at $5.99
Sejda PDF	Convert PDF to JPG image, Compress PDF Size, PDF Tools, Online PDF Creator & Converter, Document Assembly, Merge PDF Files Online	Starting at $5.00

How do we test pdf editors for windows?

When testing PDF editors for Windows, we use a variety of methods to evaluate their features and performance. This important step is essential to ensure our readers get the most accurate and up-to-date information about the best PDF editors available. Our testing process includes the following steps:

• Feature evaluation: We start by evaluating the features offered by each PDF editor. We consider the range of features, including basic editing tools, advanced editing capabilities, OCR (optical character recognition), and collaboration tools.
• Performance testing: We test the performance of each PDF editor by measuring how quickly it can open, edit, and save PDF files. We also test how well the editor handles large PDF files and complex editing tasks.
• User experience testing: We evaluate the user experience of each PDF editor by considering how easy it is to use and navigate. We also consider the overall design and aesthetics of the editor.
• Security testing: We test the security features of each PDF editor to ensure that it can protect your PDF files from unauthorized access and modification.
• Compatibility testing: We test the compatibility of each PDF editor with different versions of Windows and other software programs.
• Price and value testing: We consider the price of each PDF editor and compare it to the features and performance offered. We also evaluate the value for money that each PDF editor provides.

By following this rigorous testing methodology, we can provide our readers with the most comprehensive and accurate information about the best PDF editors for Windows.

What is the cost of PDF Software for Windows? 

The cost of PDF Software for Windows varies from $5.00 to $47.99. The most expensive software is PDFelement, which starts at $47.99, while the most affordable option is Sejda PDF, which starts at $5.00. 

Other popular PDF software options include iLovePDF (starting at $9.00), Foxit PDF Reader (starting at $5.99), UPDF (starting at $24.99), Smallpdf (starting at $10.00), ABBYY FineReader (starting at $16.00), PDF Candy (starting at $6.00), CutePDF (starting at $45.00), and PDFescape (starting at $5.99).