The best program for working with PDFs, Adobe Acrobat. With the number of programs that claim to serve as the ultimate PDF solution, how can you tell which one is right for you? Whether you’re editing, converting or simply viewing PDFs, Adobe Acrobat has long been the preferred option. But not everyone wants to pay for the full version of Adobe Acrobat, let alone pay for a subscription. Relax, here are some Adobe Acrobat Alternative that are free and won’t cost you anything. In this article, we recommend the best free Adobe Acrobat alternative so you can finally get more work done without breaking the bank.
Read: How to Fix Adobe Acrobat Error Code 12000?
Why Opt for Adobe Acrobat Alternative?
Adobe Acrobat is a paid piece of software, and not everyone has the funds to spend, especially if it’s just for basic PDF viewing or small-scale edits and annotations. Free alternatives pretty much do everything this does, and they’re generally easier to use and have fewer complicated options. You can do things with these that you just couldn’t do for the same kind of money, perfect for budget-minded folks.
Top Free Adobe Acrobat Alternative for PDF Management
2.1 Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is another best free Adobe Acrobat alternative that comes with rich features. Though mostly just a PDF viewer, it also includes annotation and signing tools for PDF files. Foxit Reader is one of them, so if you’re tired of the slow pace at which Adobe’s PDF viewer loads, then check out this new option. With this software, you can leave comments, highlight text, and even fill out PDF forms.
Key Features:
- Fast and snappy UI
- PDF reading (highlight and underline, etc.)
- Form-filling capabilities
- Free and lightweight
The alternative that offers good features and needs a perfect and easy-to-use tool for viewing and basic editing of PDFs, Foxit Reader is an excellent choice.
2.2 PDF-XChange Editor
PDF-XChange Editor. Another strong Adobe Acrobat Alternative is the PDF-XChange Editor. BONUS PDF-Xchange Viewer. This program, which lets you make edits to PDF files, is an all-in-one stop for PDFs, and you won’t have to pay Adobe to get the job done. It enables you to add text, annotations, and images to a PDF file, and even perform optical character recognition (OCR) to extract text from scanned documents.
Key Features:
- Full PDF editing features
- OCR: Optical character recognition
- Markup and annotation tools
- Free with in-app purchase upgrades
PDF-XChange Editor is ideal for those who require more than basic PDF viewing and less functionality in an outright free package than what’s offered by the free tier of Sejda PDF Desktop or PDFescape.
2.3 Smallpdf
Smallpdf is a web-based PDF service offering a myriad of services. It’s an easy-to-use, great Adobe Acrobat Alternative that allows you to convert, compress, combine, split, and edit PDFs. Though smallpdf can be used for free for simple tasks, if you’d like more advanced feature options, you’ll need to pay for them. But even the free version should be sufficient to cover most of your day-to-day PDF needs.
Key Features:
- covers, FILE conversion (Word, Excel, JPG, and so on)
- Compress PDF to reduce file size
- Very basic drag and drop controls
- Free with daily limits
For anyone that wants a lightning-fast, no-nonsense way to manage PDFs without downloading software, Smallpdf couldn’t be better.
2.4 Sejda PDF Editor
Sejda Another free Adobe Acrobat Alternatives that provides you an easy to use and intuitive interface. It’s an online service that lets you edit PDFs, fill out forms, and even merge and split PDFs. Sejda’s interface is basic and easy to use, making it particularly suitable for novices and for those who find more complicated software to be a pain.
Key Features:
- Merge, Split and Rotate PDFs
- Edit text and images in PDFs
- Fill out and sign PDF forms
- Free with a limited number of tasks per day
Sejda is a good choice if you are looking for a simple and quick solution to work with and organize PDFs.
2.5 LibreOffice Draw
LibreOffice is a popular open-source office suite and its LibreOffice Draw is the best free alternative to adobe acrobat for editing the PDF files. It may not have as many fancy features as Adobe Acrobat, but LibreOffice Draw can certainly be used as a PDF editor, and you don’t need to spend any money to use it.
Key Features:
- Open and edit PDF files
- Edit text, images, and objects in PDFs
- Open source and free.
- Supports Numerous File formats
LibreOffice Draw: A free PDF editor for LibreOffice Draw is a tool in which you can edit PDFs for free if you find you don’t like using DrawPlus for them.
What to Look for in Adobe Acrobat Alternative
This the Features to Look For When searching for an alternative to Adobe Acrobat. It is important to know what features are most important to you. Here are some ideas to consider:
- Ease of Use: You want a tool that you can use with relative ease; one that isn’t going to confuse you with a lot of functionality.
- Editing Features: Find a tool that allows you to modify your PDFs, including adding text, highlights, or form fields.
- Conversion Options: There are many free options that enable you to convert PDF files to other formats, and the other way around.
- Security: Make sure the tool you use has secure options, particularly if you are dealing with sensitive documents.
- Cross-platform compatibility: If you’re working on a mix of devices, pick an option that will work across platforms, whether that’s on Windows, your Mac, or online.
Conclusion: Select the Best Adobe Acrobat Alternative for You
Why should you pay for Adobe Acrobat when there are so many excellent free alternatives around? Whether you need a basic open-source PDF reader or something more lightweight, you’ll find the perfect free PDF reader for you. Every one of these applications provides the essential tools for viewing, editing and managing your PDFs, without having to offset it with the cost of Adobe Acrobat.
Pick the one that works best for your workflow, and you’ll be well on your way to managing your PDF files like a boss, without the boss-like price.
