Top 10 PDF Tools for macOS

Elise Williams

2023-04-27 09:40:32 • Filed to: Mac Software Comparison • Proven solutions

PDFelement for Mac is a nice PDF tool specifically designed for Mac users. As a basic PDF reader, you can use it to view, create, review, and convert PDF files. But that is just about it. PDFelement for Mac is a good choice for all PDF related tasks.

Top 10 PDF Tools for Mac

1. PDFelement

If you are looking for a PDF tool that will make managing PDF files easy, look no further. With a Microsoft Office familiar interface, PDFelement for Mac is user-friendly and easy to use. Works on both Mac and Windows.

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Key Features:

A wide and powerful range of editing and annotation tools.

You can edit text, images, add sticky notes, comments, markup, highlight text, and much more.

You can also create and convert PDF files from/to any other popular file format.

Create and fill PDF forms, including XFA forms.

Turn scanned PDF documents into selectable and editable texts with OCR.

Protect PDF files with passwords, permissions, and redaction tools.

Pros

Familiar Microsoft Office interface

Intuitive and user-friendly

Powerful range of editing features

Managing PDF files will be much faster

2. PDF Expert

Another PDF tool that was designed for Mac users, PDF expert provides features like reading, editing, annotating, and creating fillable forms in your PDF file. Fast and slick document tool, it can easily give Preview a run for its money.

Every new version of the PDF tool comes with new features. And it is now close in terms of features with Adobe Acrobat and more full-featured PDF tools. Some of the new features include adding links, redacting text, and protecting files with a password.

The price has gone up, and what was once an affordable option, it is now a pricey option.

Pros

Free basic download available

More affordable than competitors

Amazing editing options

Cons

Pricey for what it brings

Lacks advanced features

OCR

Free Download PDF Expert >>

3. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Adobe is the company that first developed PDF files. As such, their products are hold in high esteem. But over the years, Adobe has fallen, which left the field open for other companies and products. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a software that lets you create, view, edit, print, manage PDF files, and more.

Since DC stands for Document Cloud, all of your files are instantly uploaded to the cloud and accessible from everywhere. One of the biggest downsides of Adobe Acrobat is the lousy customer service, high system requirements, and of course, the price.

Pros

Cloud service integration

The most extensive list of features

Cons

High system requirements

High price tag

4. FineReader Pro

FineReader Pro is a great OCR application for Mac users. However, if you need basic and advanced editing features, the app will not help you. You can get as a free trial, which lasts for 30 days or 100 pages.

There are however, some issues with the OCR technology. In some cases, it doesn’t recognize pages. Because of that, some of the results can be muddled, and translation can be awful. But you can correct the mistakes afterward.

Pros

Designed for OCR

Free trial

Cons

Lack of editing tools

Doesn’t recognize pages sometimes

Free Download FBReader >>

5. PDFPen

Powerful PDF tool for editing in Mac, you can add signatures, text, and images. And you can correct typos in OCR scanned documents. PDFPen was released in September 2008, and since then, the application has improved to a point it is a nice PDF tool. One of the most convenient and reliable software options for your Mac, it comes with outstanding features. Use it daily for personal or business, you won’t be sorry.

Pros

Convenient and reliable

Reliable results

OCR works perfectly

Cons

Annual upgrade

Limited new functions

Layout doesn’t change in new versions

Free Download PDFPen >>

6. Foxit PhantomPDF

Foxit is a comprehensive PDF solution that works for both personal and business users. Comes with an intuitive interface, loaded with advanced PDF editing and security tools. Thanks to the familiar interface, you can learn to use it quickly and easily.

Use it to create, edit, comment, share, secure, organize, convert, and scan PDF documents. One of the best features of Foxit is its international capability. Foxit supports 41 different languages for using the software.

Pros

Supports 41 languages

Wide range of features

Great for collaboration

Cons

Difficulty working on 2 PDF documents at the same time

Lacks OCR

Free Download Foxit PhantomPDF >>

7. PDF Reader Premium for Mac

If you are all about iCloud integration, PDF Reader Premium might be the best option for you. The integration to the cloud is one of the best features. You can easily back up and access saved documents on any device.

Edit PDF files by adding free hand writing, sticky notes, annotations, and more. Another cool feature is the ability to tag files by colorcoding or tags. The history feature, on the other hand, keeps track of all your saved files.

pdf reader premium for soda pdf alternative

Pros

iCloud integration

Tagging files

Cons

No OCR technology

Too basic features

Works slow at times

Free Download PDF Reader Premium >>

8. Skim for Mac

If you need a free program that you can use to edit and add notes to a PDF file, Skim is the one for you. Skim has been improved vastly over the years, to the point it is now a viable PDF tool for Mac. Shines as an annotation software you can use to place marks and notes into your PDF file. And you can save the adjustments separately.

Pros

Wide range of annotation

Simple and useful

Cons

Copy and paste could be improved

Limited note formatting

Lack advanced features

Free Download Skim for Mac >>

9. Kofax Power PDF Standard for Mac

Kofax Power PDF is one of the best in terms of offering editing and collaboration tools. You can work with other users, add comments, markup, notes, and more to the file. Whether you are a student, or operating a small business, Kofax Power PDF will help you. Designed to support specific goals. In this case, those are create, convert, edit, and share PDF files.

Pros

Delivers accurate version of documents

Great collaboration tools

Cons

High price tag

Nonintuitive features

Free Download Kofax Power PDF for Mac >>

10. Preview

Preview is the default PDF tool on Mac. Preview provides basic features for viewing, and converting documents.

Designed to allow users to annotate their documents. Sadly, there are no editing options. Therefore, if you need to make any changes to your document, you will have to look for a different software. But if you need basic features, without spending money on software, Preview gets the job done.