PDF editors, both free and paid, have become increasingly essential for many people. While paid PDF editors are widely available and offer extensive features, free editor alternatives are also on the rise. So how do you choose between them? To save you from the nerve-wracking task of finding the best one, you need to know both their advantages and disadvantages.
In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of free versus paid PDF editors. We will examine the features of each option and their differences and highlight the benefits and drawbacks of each. We will also provide insights on how to select the most suitable PDF editor for your specific needs based on your budget, objectives, and requirements. Let’s dive in…
Pros and cons of free PDF editors
Free PDF editors are a convenient and affordable option for editing files online. However, it’s important to closely evaluate the pros and cons before opting for one. Here are the pros of free editors:
Pros:
- Basic editing tools: They generally come with essential tools to edit PDF, such as adding text, images, and shapes, making them suitable for basic users.
- No subscriptions: Unlike paid programs, free versions do not require a subscription, which means users can download and use the software without any additional charges or obligations.
- Ideal for small or quick projects: Students, freelancers, and anyone who only needs to occasionally edit PDFs will find the free versions a great choice.
- Simple to use: Free tools are usually easy to use, have a simple interface, and are easy to navigate, even for beginners.
Cons:
Here are the cons of free PDF editors:
- Restricted functions: Some free programs lack essential features like OCR, which may be crucial for certain tasks.
- Potential security risks: Using a free PDF text editor from an unknown source can pose security risks, as they may contain malware or adware that could harm your device.
- Inconvenient ads: Some unpaid tools may contain intrusive ads that disrupt your workflow or distract you from your tasks.
- Limitations on file size: With unpaid editors, you may be limited to the number or size of files you can edit, convert, or download.
- The tool’s watermark or stamp on your document: Using free tools might often mean having the program’s watermarks or stamp on your converted or downloaded file, which is not ideal for professional work.
- Limited customer support: An online PDF editor typically has no or very limited customer support compared to paid versions, which could be problematic if you encounter technical issues.
- Hidden costs: Some free programs come with hidden costs, such as having to pay for additional features or access to advanced tools.
Pros and cons of paid PDF editors
Paid editors offer a number of top-level features and functionalities, but they may also come with their own set of drawbacks. Here are the common advantages and disadvantages of using subscription-based editors.
Pros:
- Advanced editing features: Paid editors often offer advanced editing features such as OCR, PDF change page order, form creation, and redaction that may not be available in free alternatives.
- Split or merge PDF: Users can combine several PDF documents into one master copy or split a large document into smaller files. The ability to expand or compress PDF this way can be helpful to reduce PDF size, besides organizing and managing a large set of documents.
- Automated time-saving process: Automation features such as batch processing or automatic form filling in paid editors help users save significant time.
- Enhanced security options: Some paid tools provide additional security options such as password protection, digital signatures, and document encryption, which can be valuable for sensitive documents.
- No ads or watermarks: Unlike many free versions, paid options typically do not include ads or watermarks in your edited documents, which can make for a more professional appearance.
- Better customer support: Paid online editors usually provide better customer support than free software, which can be helpful when encountering issues or needing guidance on how to use certain features.
Keep in mind that while popular options like Lumin PDF editor may offer these advanced features, there is no guarantee that all paid options will provide these advanced functionalities. The features will, therefore, vary in terms of the specific features and benefits they offer, depending on your selected tool.
Cons:
- Cost: Paid editors can be expensive, so if you want only basic edit functionalities, the investment may not be worth it.
- Learning curve: Some paid tools have complex interfaces that can be difficult to navigate and require a significant amount of time to learn.
- Compatibility issues: Some programs may not be compatible with all operating systems or devices, which can limit their usability.
- Subscriptions and upgrades: To access certain features, some tools require users to purchase upgrades or subscribe to a service, which can raise the cost.
- Privacy and security: Subscribing to a paid PDF editor could also mean entrusting your sensitive documents to a third-party software company. Unless the company is credible, this might pose a privacy issue or security risk.
Features of free PDF editors
- Basic editing tools: Free online editors typically offer basic tools for editing text, images, and pages, such as adding or deleting pages, highlighting text, or cropping images. However, some may not support certain fonts or may have limited formatting options.
- Annotations and commenting: You may be able to highlight PDF, as well as underline and strikethrough text, add comments, and draw shapes or lines. They, however, typically don’t have advanced annotation tools, such as adding stamps or custom shapes.
- Convert and export: Free versions often convert PDFs to other formats, such as Word or Excel, or export PDFs as image files. However, they may have limitations on the number of conversions or exports allowed.
Features of paid PDF editors
- Advanced editing capabilities: Paid PDF editors often offer advanced editing tools, such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition), as well as split or combine PDF features. They also allow you to redact PDF and create forms, which are not often available in free editors. These tools can save time and effort for users who require them.
- Better collaboration tools: They typically come with collaboration features that allow multiple users to work on a document simultaneously. They also offer more secure sharing options to protect sensitive information.
- Enhanced document security: They offer encryption and password protection options to secure sensitive information. They also allow you to digitally sign PDF documents and provide permissions management to control who can access and edit secured PDF files.
- Batch processing: With this feature, users can edit or convert multiple PDFs at once, which improves processing speed, unlike a free editor that limits you to one file at a time.
- Customer support: Customers can address issues and ask questions through live chat and phone support provided by paid PDF editors.
- Easy integration with third-party tools: With paid PDF editors, you can streamline workflows and increase productivity by integrating them with other software, including cloud storage, document management, and workflow automation.
Final thoughts
When it comes down to it, it’s imperative to compare the advantages and disadvantages of both free and paid PDF editors and choose the one that works best for your budget, workflow, and outcome. It is always a good idea to do your research and try out different options before selecting an option that works best for you.