Whether you need to annotate, edit, sign, or convert PDFs, the right tool can significantly enhance your productivity.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best PDF editors for Mac, highlighting both free and paid options to help you make an informed decision.
1. Apple Preview
For users with basic PDF needs, Apple’s built-in Preview app is surprisingly capable. It supports annotations, form filling, and signatures, making it a handy tool for everyday tasks. While it lacks advanced editing and OCR features, its integration with macOS and zero cost make it a great starting point for casual users.
2. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC remains the gold standard for PDF editing. Its powerful features include creating, editing, and converting PDFs, along with robust OCR capabilities that accurately recognize and digitize text from scanned documents. Acrobat Pro DC also supports electronic signatures and offers extensive privacy and security features, making it ideal for professionals who handle sensitive documents regularly. Although it comes with a hefty price tag of $179.88 per year, its comprehensive features justify the cost for those needing advanced functionality.
3. Nitro PDF Pro
Nitro PDF Pro is a strong contender, offering a suite of tools for creating, editing, converting, and signing PDFs. It includes fast and accurate OCR, making it easy to edit scanned text. Nitro’s cloud storage integration ensures your documents are accessible across devices, and its user-friendly interface makes it a favorite among Mac users. With features like secure document handling and extensive analytics for business use, Nitro is priced affordably and offers a robust alternative to Adobe.
4. PDF Expert
PDF Expert by Readdle is another popular choice, especially for its ease of use and elegant design. It supports annotation, text editing, and form filling, with a focus on user experience. PDF Expert’s one-time purchase option ($139.99) provides a lifetime license, making it a cost-effective solution for those who prefer not to subscribe to a service. Its fast performance and reliable functionality make it suitable for both personal and professional use.
5. PDFelement
Wondershare’s PDFelement offers a balance of advanced features and affordability. It supports comprehensive PDF editing, conversion to various formats, and form creation. PDFelement’s intuitive interface is accessible to users of all skill levels, and its OCR technology is capable, though slightly less refined than Adobe’s. This tool is available at a lower cost than many competitors, providing significant value for its feature set.
6. ABBYY FineReader Pro
Renowned for its exceptional OCR capabilities, ABBYY FineReader Pro is the go-to choice for those needing precise text recognition in multiple languages. It converts scanned documents into editable formats with high accuracy and supports a wide range of file conversions. While its other editing features are somewhat limited, it excels in tasks requiring detailed text extraction and digitization. Priced at $119.99 for the Mac version, it’s a worthy investment for users who prioritize OCR functionality.
7. Smallpdf
Smallpdf offers online tools for various PDF tasks, including merging, splitting, converting, and compressing files. While not a traditional editor, its ease of use and accessibility make it a good option for occasional users. The service operates primarily online, which means it requires an internet connection and comes with privacy considerations for sensitive documents. Smallpdf’s pricing is $12 per month after a free trial.
8. PDFpen
PDFpen provides a solid set of editing tools, including text correction, annotation, and form creation. Its OCR capabilities are robust and support export to Word and other formats. While not as powerful as Adobe or Nitro, PDFpen is a reliable choice for Mac users who need a straightforward and effective PDF editor. The app’s interface is clean, and it offers video tutorials and a comprehensive user manual, making it accessible to new users.
Choosing the right PDF editor for Mac depends on your specific needs and budget. For those requiring advanced features and robust performance, Adobe Acrobat Pro DC and Nitro PDF Pro are excellent choices.
For users looking for ease of use and affordability, PDF Expert and PDFelement provide substantial value. ABBYY FineReader Pro stands out for its unparalleled OCR capabilities, while tools like Smallpdf and Apple Preview cater to more basic needs.
Investing in the right PDF editor can streamline your workflow, enhance productivity, and ensure you can handle any PDF-related task with ease.
Whether for personal use or professional environments, these tools offer a range of options to suit every Mac user.
