PDFgear
Free PDF editor for Windows and Mac with online PDF tools
- #8 of 11 in best PDF editors
- Free
- Free to use
- WindowsmacOSiOSWeb
Ranked 8 of 11 in best PDF editors
A free PDF editor for Windows, Mac and iPhone and iPad, with browser tools for common conversions and merges. For core PDF jobs it costs nothing; for heavy form work and enterprise controls, Adobe Acrobat and Foxit are the stronger choices.
Best for Free desktop PDF editing for everyday tasks
About PDFgear
PDFgear covers reading, editing, converting, merging, splitting and signing PDF files. The desktop app runs on Windows and Mac, and an iPhone and iPad app is available. A set of browser tools handles quick jobs such as PDF to Word or compressing a file. The site lists the tools by name, including Edit PDF, Merge PDF and Sign PDF.
The site says the software is free for educational and business use as well, and it explains how the company sustains that model. Its AI features are part of the desktop product. For people who need the core PDF jobs without a license fee, it is a practical pick. For heavy form work and enterprise workflows, Adobe Acrobat is the stronger reference.
Key features
- Edit, convert, merge and sign PDFs
- Browser tools for quick jobs
- AI features in the desktop app
Strengths
- Free desktop and iOS apps
- Browser tools for quick PDF tasks
Limits
- Heavy form and enterprise workflows are better served by Acrobat
Where PDFgear ranks
How PDFgear compares
| Product | Score | Price | Platforms | Free plan | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#6 PDF Expert | 84.5 | Subscription | macOSiOS, iPadOS | Free download; Premium paid | Premium subscription, billed yearly |
#7 iLovePDF | 81.5 | Free plan, paid upgrades | WebWindowsmacOSiOSAndroid | Free tier with limited processing | Freemium, Premium monthly or yearly |
| #8PDFgear | 80.5 | Free | WindowsmacOSiOSWeb | Free software and free online tools | Free |
#9 Okular | 79.5 | Free and open source | LinuxWindowsmacOSAndroid | Free | Open source |
#10 Stirling PDF | 78.5 | Free and open source | WebSelf-hosted | Free for individual use | Open source; free for individuals |
The full comparison table for best PDF editors has all 11 products.
Alternatives to PDFgear
All 10 alternatives
Adobe AcrobatAlso runs on Android.
PDF-XChange EditorWindows PDF editor with a free edition and a paid Plus edition
Foxit PDF EditorDesktop PDF editor for text, pages, conversion and signatures
SmallpdfAlso runs on Android.
SejdaAlso runs on Linux.- PDF ExpertPDF reader and editor for Mac, iPhone and iPad with annotation tools
Questions about PDFgear
- Is PDFgear free?
- PDFgear can be used without paying: Free desktop and iOS apps, plus free online PDF tools. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is PDFgear open source?
- No. PDFgear is proprietary software; its source code is not public.
- Which platforms does PDFgear support?
- PDFgear is available on: Windows, macOS, iOS, Web.
- What is PDFgear best for?
- Free desktop PDF editing for everyday tasks. In our ranking of PDF editors it is number 8 of 11 with a score of 80.5.
- What are the best alternatives to PDFgear?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Adobe Acrobat, PDF-XChange Editor, Foxit PDF Editor, Smallpdf.
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