13 alternatives to Adobe Acrobat to edit, sign and manage your PDFs like a pro

You're probably familiar with that frustrating moment: an urgent PDF to modify, but Adobe Acrobat charging you €215.86 a year for the privilege. Rest assured, you're not alone in your predicament, and more importantly, alternatives do exist. And they do exist, whether you're a student looking to annotate courses or a professional needing to sign contracts remotely.

👉 This guide brings together our selection of 13 software products that will get the job done at a reasonable cost, tested and approved by thousands of users.

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What is Adobe Acrobat?

Adobe Acrobat has been the undisputed king of PDF software for almost 30 years. It was created by the company that also gave us Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator and others. This software has transformed the PDF format from a very basic tool into a true collaborative work tool.

In concrete terms, it lets you edit any PDF document as if it were a Word file. From the most basic (correcting a typo in a contract) to the most elaborate (adding your signature to a quote, or even completely reorganizing the pages of a report). It's the digital Swiss Army Knife for professionals who handle documents on a daily basis.

⚒️ Key features include :

• complete editing of text and images in PDFs, as in a conventional word processor;

• creation and management of interactive forms, such as checkboxes, drop-down menus and input fields;

• legal electronic signatures, the digital equivalent of your handwritten signature;

• OCR (optical character recognition), which easily converts your scans into editable text;

• conversion to and from a multitude of formats (transform a PDF into an editable Word in two clicks);

• real-time collaboration and commenting tools, for Google Docs-style annotation by several users;

• password protection and encryption of sensitive documents.

Adobe Acrobat DC

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Revolutionizing PDF Experiences with Cutting-Edge Features

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Why consider an alternative to Adobe Acrobat?

Overpriced for many budgets

With a minimum annual fee of €215.86, Adobe Acrobat Pro represents a substantial investment. Especially for freelancers and small businesses. That's the equivalent of a one-year subscription to ChatGPT or Perplexity, just to edit PDFs! For occasional use, this is clearly hard to justify.

Its level of complexity

Adobe Acrobat's interface can be intimidating with its hundreds of functions. To simply add a signature, you sometimes find yourself navigating labyrinthine, extremely rich menus. This functional richness becomes a handicap when you're simply looking to do basic tasks in a minute.

Its greed for system resources

Adobe Acrobat requires a relatively powerful machine and lots of disk space. If your computer starts to show its age, the software can become slow and frustrating to use. You have to contend with slow loading times to open a simple PDF.

Mandatory subscription

Gone are the days of buying software once and for all. Adobe now imposes a subscription model that can start to add up in the long run, especially if you only use the software a few times a month.

Comparison table of the 13 best alternatives to Adobe Acrobat

Our top 13 alternatives to Adobe Acrobat

Bluebeam

Bluebeam has established itself as THE PDF reference for construction and architectural professionals. If you work in the construction industry, this is probably the most relevant alternative for you, designed specifically for your business needs.

🎯 Who's it for? Architects, engineers, site managers, design offices.

Key features:

• calibrated measuring tools: accurately measure surfaces and distances directly on your plans, with automatic conversion according to scale ;

• BTP-specific annotations: library of standardized symbols (electrical, plumbing, structural) for professional annotation;

• Studio collaboration: work together on the same plan in real time, and see who's modifying what

• takeoff" function: automatically calculate the quantities of materials required from your plans;

• AI plan comparison: artificial intelligence instantly detects changes between two versions;

• layer management: display/hide the different technical layers of a complex plan.

💸 Price: from €240/year (on Basics version).

Foxit PDF Editor

Foxit is positioned more as a direct challenger to Adobe than an industry PDF software like Bluebeam. It has the advantage of offering a familiar interface and almost identical functionality, but at a more affordable price. It's the "no-surprise" alternative that will suit many professionals.

🎯 Who's it for? SMEs, administrative departments, multi-skilled professionals

Key features :

• intuitive editing: edit text and images as easily as in Word, with real-time preview ;

• high-performance OCR: convert scans into editable text in seconds, even on older documents;

• integrated AI assistant: summarize a 50-page contract in 5 key points, translate instantly;

• signatures included: create your signature once, reuse it anywhere, legally valid;

• Microsoft integration: open and edit PDFs directly from Word or Outlook;

• multi-platform: start on PC, continue on smartphone, everything synchronizes.

💸 Price: from €129.67/year.

Foxit Reader

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Efficient PDF Viewer with Advanced Editing Tools

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LibreOffice Draw

Draw is the 100% free, open-source option in the LibreOffice office suite. Perfect for tight budgets and basic needs, with no commercial ulterior motives.

🎯 Who's it for? Students, associations, occasional users.

Key features:

• basic editing: correct typos and add simple text ;

• free annotations: highlight, frame, add arrows for comment;

• universal export: create PDFs from any LibreOffice document;

• multi-OS: works identically on Windows, Mac and Linux;

• active community: thousands of free online tutorials;

• privacy guaranteed: no data is sent to external servers.

💸 Price: it's 100% free!

LibreOffice Draw

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Advanced Diagramming and Graphic Design Software

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Master PDF Editor 4

The champion of all Linux categories! Its main strength lies in its perpetual license, which eliminates the need for recurring subscriptions. This is the preferred solution for developers and system administrators.

🎯 Who's it for? Developers, system administrators, multi-OS companies.

Key features :

• truly multi-platform: same interface and functionality on Linux, Windows and macOS ;

• Advanced JavaScript: create complex forms with automatic calculations and validations;

• multilingual OCR: recognizes 29 languages including Chinese, Arabic and Cyrillic;

• certified signatures: compatible with all digital certificate standards;

• professional management: handle layers, bookmarks and metadata like a pro;

• definitive purchase: pay once, use forever, upgrades included.

💸 Price: license from €68.

Nitro PDF Pro

Nitro is all about performance and simplicity. It is estimated to process large files up to 30% faster than Adobe, according to numerous user feedbacks. The Microsoft Office-style interface puts everyone at ease immediately.

🎯 Who's it for? Windows SMEs, sales departments, project teams

Key features :

• lightning conversions: turn 100 Word pages into PDFs in under 10 seconds ;

• Intelligent OCR: automatically detects language and preserves page layout;

• Nitro AI: automates repetitive tasks, suggests improvements;

• unlimited signatures: send as many documents for signature as you need;

• familiar interface: find your Office bearings with the customizable ribbon;

• full trial: 14 days to test everything, without commitment or credit card.

💸 Price: from €16.80/month.

Nitro PDF

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Advanced PDF Editing Solution for Professionals

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PDF Expert

PDF Expert is the best PDF editor for Apple users, with perfect Apple Pencil integration on the iPad. If you (and your colleagues) work solely in the Apple ecosystem, it's the obvious choice.

🎯 Who's it for? Exclusive Mac/iOS users, creatives, Apple students.

Key features:

• Native Apple Pencil: annotate by hand just like on paper, handwriting recognition included ;

• Apple Vision OCR: Apple technology turns your photos into editable PDFs;

• iCloud transparent: your PDFs sync automatically between all your devices;

• PDF Copilot AI: ask questions about your documents, get instant answers;

• Apple design: streamlined interface that shows only what you need.

💸 Price: €7.08/year, or €149.99 perpetual license.

PDF-XChange Editor

PDF-XChange Editor is the king of freemium, with most features available free of charge. The only downside is that it's Windows-only, but what generosity for PC users!

🎯 Who's it for? Windows users, engineers, technicians.

Key features :

• expert annotations: add 3D models, audio/video comments, custom stamps ;

• technical measurements: precise dimensioning tools for technical drawings and schematics;

• high-performance: opens a 1000-page PDF in 2 seconds;

• generous free: most essential functions without paying (discreet watermark);

• integrated DocuSign: sign and have signed electronically without leaving the software;

• portable: USB version to take it anywhere, no installation required.

💸 Price: from €52.73 single purchase.

PDFescape

PDFescape is the web-based solution that works everywhere, without installation. Ideal for one-off editions from any computer, even the library!

🎯 Who's it for? Nomadic users, occasional needs, multi-site companies.

Key features:

• 100% browser: works on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, no download required ;

• generous free plan: edit up to 100 pages and 10 MB without paying a cent;

• simple forms: create fill-in PDFs with boxes and text fields;

• quick signatures: draw or type your signature, then reuse it;

• optional desktop: Windows version available for working offline;

• no obligation: 15-day money-back guarantee for worry-free testing.

💸 Price: free or from €2.54/month.

PDFSam Basic

PDFSam is the specialist in manipulation: in short, the most interesting tool for merging, splitting and reorganizing. No content editing, but ultra-efficient for restructuring your PDFs. The indispensable tool for secretariats.

🎯 Who's it for? Administrative staff, secretariats, document managers.

Key features :

• expert merging: combine 50 PDFs into one, in the order of your choice ;

• precise splitting: extract pages 10 to 25 from a 100-page document;

• batch rotation: straighten 20 crooked scanned documents with a single click;

• open source: transparent code, no risk to your confidential data;

• local processing: your documents never leave your computer;

• simple interface: drag-and-drop, three clicks, done!

💸 Price: free (Enhanced version at €63/year).

PDFsam

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Enhance Your PDF Workflow Efficiency

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Sejda

Sejda strikes a well-considered balance between functionality and price, with an intelligent hybrid web/desktop approach. The preferred solution for small, pragmatic teams.

🎯F or whom? Small businesses, freelancers, dispersed teams.

Key features :

• well thought-out freemium: 3 free tasks per hour, perfect for light use ;

• complete editing: modify text, images, links, anything is possible ;

• powerful OCR: convert up to 100 scan pages into editable text;

• secure signatures: create and store multiple signatures for different uses;

• confidential mode: desktop version for sensitive documents, nothing is uploaded;

• team rates: automatic discounts for 3 users or more.

💸 Price: from €5.50/month.

Smallpdf

Smallpdf is the most popular online PDF editor, with an interface so simple that even novices can use it with ease. Over 50 million users can't go wrong!

🎯 Who's it for? Mobile professionals, marketing teams, casual users.

Key features:

• magical interface: drag your PDF, choose the action, edit file, done;

• 20+ tools: compression, conversion, merging, signing, it's all there;

• smart compression: reduce size with no visible loss of quality;

• OCR included: turn your scans into editable Word documents;

• apps everywhere: web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, work wherever you want;

• Swiss security: servers in Switzerland, ISO 27001 certified, RGPD respected.

💸 Price: free, and pro plans from €7.50/month (annual).

Smallpdf

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Effortless PDF Management for Small Businesses

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SumatraPDF

Please note that SumatraPDF is NOT an editor, but rather a PDF reader- and the fastest on the market! The application weighs just 6 MB and starts up very quickly. An indispensable free add-on.

🎯 Who's it for? Anyone who just wants to READ PDFs fast.

Key features:

• lightning startup: opens in less than a second, even on old PCs ;

• minimalist: only 6 MB, won't clutter up your system;

• multi-formats: reads PDF, EPUB, MOBI, CBZ/CBR comics, e-books;

• USB portable: take it with you on a USB stick, no installation required;

• smooth navigation: browse 1000 pages without slowing down;

• total respect: no ads, no tracking, just reading.

💸 Price: 100% free.

Sumatra PDF

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Effortless PDF Management for All Users

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Wondershare PDFelement

Wondershare PDFelement champions artificial intelligence with Lumi, an assistant that understands and analyzes your PDFs. It clearly shows the future of PDF editing.

🎯 Who's it for? Innovative companies, tech-savvy professionals, students.

Key features:

• Interesting Lumi AI: "Summarize this contract", "Translate into Spanish", "Find important clauses" ;

• 300+ conversions: PDF editing tool to absolutely anything, and vice versa;

• Certified OCR: 99.5% accuracy even on old or handwritten documents;

• 45% faster: version 2025 literally flies over large files;

• truly universal: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, web, Linux coming soon.

💸 Price: from €100.50/month on Windows, and from €129/year on Mac.

Wondershare PDFelement

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Efficient Document Management for Business Productivity

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How to choose the right alternative to Adobe Acrobat?

Overview of the best alternatives to Adobe Acrobat

Software	Type of user	Key features	Entry price (in €)
Bluebeam	Construction professionals	Construction, measurement and collaboration tools	From €240/year
Foxit PDF Editor	SMB, versatile	Complete editing, AI, fast OCR	From €129.67/year
LibreOffice Draw	Students, associations	Basic editing, free	Free
Master PDF Editor	Multi-OS, developers	Linux native, perpetual license	License from €68
Nitro PDF Pro	SMB Windows	Performance, Office conversions	From €16.80/month
PDF Expert	Apple users	Apple Pencil, iCloud, design	From €7.08/year or 149.99 € perpetual license
PDF-XChange Editor	Windows, engineers	70% free, 3D annotations	From €52.73/year
PDFescape	Nomads, occasional users	100% web, simple	From €2.54/month
PDFSam Basic	Administrative	Merger/division expert	Free
Sejda	Small business	Balanced web/desktop	From €5.50/month
Smallpdf	Mobile professionals	Intuitive interface, cloud	From €240/year
SumatraPDF	Read-only	Ultra-fast, lightweight	Free
Wondershare PDFelement	Tech-savvy, students	Advanced AI, 300+ formats	From €100.50/year (Windows) or from €129/year (Mac)

(*) : prices at the time of writing, subject to change, please consult the respective websites.

Criteria for selecting an alternative to Adobe Acrobat

Your operating system

If you're on a Mac, PDF Expert offers the smoothest experience with the Apple ecosystem.

For Linux, Master PDF Editor is virtually unrivalled.

Windows offers the most choice, with PDF-XChange Editor leading the way for value for money.

💡A lways check compatibility before embarking on a free trial.

Your budget

Let's calculate together:

• daily use justifies an annual investment: Foxit, Nitro ;
• while monthly use is perfectly compatible with a perpetual license: Master PDF Editor ;
• for occasional use, free options like LibreOffice Draw or freemium options like Smallpdf are more than sufficient.

☝️ Don't forget to calculate over 2 to 3 years, so you can compare subscription and one-off purchase models on an equal footing.

Your real current needs

Let's be frank: do you really need all Adobe's features?

• for annotating and signing PDFs, Smallpdf does the job perfectly ;
• for daily editing of complex documents, invest in Foxit or Wondershare;
• architects will naturally go for Bluebeam.

The classic mistake is to over-equip for your real needs.

Frequency of use

Occasional use (less than once a week) is just fine with a web-based solution like PDFescape or Sejda.

Daily use, on the other hand, merits true desktop software with full offline functionality.

Between the two, hybrid solutions like Smallpdf offer an interesting compromise.

Confidentiality

For sensitive documents (contracts, personal data, intellectual property, etc.), it's best to opt for solutions with local processing: Master PDF Editor, PDFSam, or the desktop version of Sejda.

Cloud solutions are practical, but they mean that your documents transit through external servers, even temporarily. A word of caution.

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Is Adobe Acrobat a thing of the past? Perhaps so... the choice is yours

Adobe Acrobat is still an excellent product, but its monopoly is definitely a thing of the past. Alternatives to Adobe are no longer content to imitate: they innovate and often surpass the original on specific points.

👉F or the majority of users, we recommend starting with Foxit PDF Editor (versatile professionals) or Smallpdf (occasional use). These two solutions offer the most attractive balance between functionality, price and ease of use.

👉 Apple users will prefer to invest in PDF Expert, while freeware enthusiasts will turn to LibreOffice Draw for basic needs or PDF-XChange Editor for more advanced functions.

👉 Artificial intelligence, much sought-after by students and consultants, for example, is already very well integrated into Wondershare PDFelement. If you're looking to save time analyzing and understanding large documents, this is the solution to look to.

Our final word of advice? Take advantage of free trials. Most solutions offer a 7 to 30-day trial period. Start by identifying your three main needs (editing text? signing documents? merging PDFs?), then test one or two corresponding solutions. The era of accessible PDF has finally arrived. Now it's your turn.