PDF software is no longer just for viewing documents—it’s a vital tool with features that businesses rely on daily. Among the many options available, Adobe Acrobat and Foxit are two of the most widely used.
Choosing between Adobe Acrobat and Foxit can be challenging, especially when evaluating features against price. Do you need advanced formatting controls? Is enterprise-grade security essential for your workflows? Do you prefer a Microsoft Office-like interface? Are you already invested in the Adobe ecosystem? Does your organization handle sensitive information requiring redaction? Is budget a primary concern for your PDF solution?
This 7,000-word comparison will help you navigate these questions and determine which PDF solution best fits your specific needs.
👉 Adobe Acrobat, developed by American tech giant Adobe Inc., is the industry-standard PDF powerhouse best suited for professionals who need precise control over document editing and workflows. Its comprehensive editing capabilities include extensive settings all around, advanced content manipulation tools, and granular security controls. While Acrobat excels at precision formatting and offers unparalleled feature depth, its premium pricing and steeper learning curve make it less practical for casual users or organizations with everyday PDF editing needs.
👉 Foxit PDF Editor, created by a Chinese software company based in Fuzhou, is an enterprise-focused solution with strong PDF editing controls and robust security settings. It builds on standard tools with unique features like the Link & Join Text function, which simplifies complex layout adjustments, and AI-powered Smart Redact, which automatically detects and permanently removes sensitive information. While Foxit's Microsoft Office-style interface provides a familiar experience for business users, its extensive settings and advanced tools may be overwhelming for teams seeking a simpler document-handling solution.
Both Adobe Acrobat and Foxit PDF Editor introduce unnecessary complexity and cost barriers for teams that simply need efficient, reliable document handling without specialized training. Which is why we've included Smallpdf in the comparison.
👉 Smallpdf, founded in the city of Zürich in Switzerland, was built for users who value simplicity and efficiency in PDF workflows. Its exceptionally intuitive interface delivers core functionality—merging, editing, compressing, converting, protecting, and signing—with remarkable ease of use and visual clarity. Smallpdf features impressive AI capabilities including unlimited document analysis, summarization, and translation in 24 languages—all while maintaining a strict privacy policy. Its widely adopted cloud integration, with over 4 million Google Workspace installations and 3 million Chrome extension downloads, ensures seamless PDF management. Combining a cloud-first approach, strong security certifications, and built-in Sign.com integration for e-signature tracking, Smallpdf is an ideal solution for SMBs and administrative teams needing streamlined document handling.
In this article, we'll compare Adobe vs Foxit vs Smallpdf across the following key areas:
Essential Document Handling
Usability and Learning Curve
Accessibility Across Devices
Security and Compliance
AI Capabilities
Pricing
💡 Tip: Many organizations use different PDF solutions in different departments to balance features and costs: using Smallpdf for everyday tasks, Adobe for advanced needs, and Foxit for handling sensitive documents. This hybrid approach makes sure every department has the right tools while optimizing budgets.
For a quick overview, check the comparison table below to learn about the strengths and limitations of each solution.
Adobe Acrobat
Foxit
Smallpdf
Essential Document Handling
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🏆
Comprehensive: Control every document aspect through detailed settings. Adjust formatting, compression, conversion parameters, and image and text editing capabilities through extensive technical options. Complexity can slow basic tasks, however.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Balanced: Matches functionality with usability through a familiar interface. Unique settings include selecting even/odd pages for merging, connected text editing with the Link & Join Text tool for multi-column layouts, conversion to diverse formats, and quick or advanced compression with granular settings.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Simplicity-focused:All essential PDF operations with a focus on simplicity. Offers a merge tool with color-coded page organization, basic text editing with clear editable blocks, conversion to standard formats, and compression with instant feedback on size reduction percentage and no loss in document quality. Ideal for quick, efficient document tasks.
Usability and Learning Curve
⭐⭐⭐
Complex but powerful: Navigate through feature-heavy menus with multiple levels. Master advanced capabilities through extensive documentation, tutorials, and built-in help resources.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Familiar: Access features through Microsoft Office-like interface with moderate complexity. Find guidance through integrated tooltips, "Tell me more" links, and video tutorials.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🏆
Self-explanatory: Navigate through simple, visual interfaces focused on essential functions. Master tools quickly with minimal learning curve and built-in smart tips.
Accessibility Across Devices
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Full-featured: Web, mobile, desktop. Full-featured mobile app with AI Assistant. Integrates with all Microsoft 365, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box for business workflows, plus a Chrome/Edge extension.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Enterprise-integrated: Web, mobile, desktop. Rich mobile app with AI features and templates. Supports enterprise integrations like Salesforce, Sharepoint, Zapier, and cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive).
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🏆
Well-connected: Web, mobile, desktop. Streamlined mobile capabilities with all the essential features. Integration via Google Drive and Dropbox, with 4M+ Google Workspace installs and a 3M-download Chrome extension.
Security and Compliance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🏆
Comprehensive protection: Secure documents through multi-layered controls, Protected View mode, and granular permissions. Remove sensitive content permanently with metadata sanitization.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🏆
Advanced protection: Protect sensitive information through AI-powered redaction, multiple encryption standards, and Protected View. Satisfy strict regulatory requirements for document handling.
⭐⭐⭐
Essential protection: Protect documents with ISO-certified security practices, standard encryption, and simple password controls. Redact sensitive information permanently through intuitive tools. All processed files auto-delete after 1 hour unless saved to a user account.
AI Capabilities
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Document intelligence: Chat with PDF, generate summaries, analyze contracts, translate whole documents in 20+ languages, identify topics, and process multiple documents at once.
⭐⭐⭐
Limited capabilities: Chat with PDFs and generate summaries through credit-based AI system. Process multiple files at once, limited by the formats. Translate content in 16 languages with 2,000 character limitations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🏆
Generous quotas: Analyze multiple documents at once through unrestricted chat, summarization, and question generation. Translate entire documents in 24 languages with side-by-side comparison view.
Pricing
⭐⭐⭐
Most complex and expensive: Free (heavily limited), Standard ($12.99-$22.99/mo), Pro ($19.99-$29.99/mo), Teams ($14.99-$22.19/mo per license). AI Assistant adds $4.99/mo.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Competitive mid-range: Free (limited by features), Editor ($10.99/mo or $129.99/yr), Editor+ ($13.99/mo or $159.99/yr). AI add-on $49.99/yr.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🏆
Simplest and most affordable: Free (limited usage), Pro ($9-$12/mo), Teams ($7-$10/mo per seat). All features included, AI is not charged extra.
Best For
Power users, professionals, and businesses already invested in the Adobe ecosystem, who need advanced PDF capabilities.
Enterprise users in heavily regulated industries, who need strong security and powerful features on a familiar interface.
Individuals, SMBs, and administrative departments, who need essential PDF functionality with maximum simplicity and affordability.
Adobe's flagship PDF solution delivers comprehensive document editing capabilities with exceptional depth and precision. The platform excels with rich formatting options including extensive font controls, alignment tools, and advanced content manipulation. Its sophisticated features extend beyond basic editing to include conversion of PDF into a wide selection of formats, detailed permission controls for security, AI-powered document analysis, and e-signature workflows with multiple authentication options.
Adobe Acrobat is the ideal solution for power users, design professionals, and users who need precise control over document appearance and workflows. While its premium pricing and steeper learning curve may deter casual users, organizations with complex document needs—particularly those already invested in the Adobe ecosystem—may find that Acrobat's unparalleled feature depth justifies the investment.
Foxit delivers robust document handling capabilities, matching advanced functionality with high security standards. Some of its unique features include Link & Join Text function for editing complex layouts, AI-powered Smart Redact that automatically identifies and removes sensitive information, and a comprehensive desktop version, suited for security-conscious environments. Foxit's Microsoft Office-style interface creates a familiar experience for business users, providing powerful controls without overwhelming complexity.
Foxit PDF Editor is particularly well-suited for organizations in regulated industries and security-sensitive sectors like banking and finance. Foxit's strategic focus on the desktop capabilities and high security needs has positioned it as the preferred choice for companies that need to keep sensitive documents within controlled networks while balancing functionality with reasonable business pricing.
Smallpdf excels with its exceptionally intuitive interface and focused approach to document handling. The platform delivers core PDF functionality—merging, editing, compressing, converting, protecting, and signing—with remarkable ease of use and visual clarity. Each tool features a straightforward progression from one step to the next, with contextual suggestions that help users discover related features organically. Smallpdf's cloud-first approach enables seamless integration with popular services like Google Drive and Dropbox, with impressive adoption statistics, including over 4 million Google Workspace installations and 3 million Chrome extension downloads.
Smallpdf is ideally suited for small-to-medium businesses, administrative departments, and general staff members who need efficient document processing without specialized training. By focusing on delivering exceptional user experience for the most commonly used PDF functions, Smallpdf has positioned itself as the perfect choice for those seeking efficiency, ease of use, and affordability.
Adobe Acrobat and Foxit offer advanced features with complex settings and limited functionality across plans, while Smallpdf provides all the essentials across all plans with a focus on simplicity.
Adobe Acrobat
Foxit PDF Editor
Smallpdf
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Essential document handling includes the main PDF operations most users need daily: merging files, editing content, compressing documents, converting between formats, and managing e-signatures. These basic features impact how efficiently you work and are the most important part of any PDF solution.
In this article, we've covered only the most commonly used features, but each of the three tools offers a wide range of free and paid options, as shown in the table below.
Free Features
Adobe Acrobat
View and print PDFs
Annotate and comment (highlight, underline, sticky notes)
Fill and sign forms
Basic security (view protected PDFs)
Foxit
View and print PDFs
Convert PDFs to/from Word, Excel, PowerPoint, images, rich text, HTML, and other
Annotate and comment
Fill and sign forms
Request digital signatures
Compare files
AI-powered document summarization and smart search
Smallpdf
Convert PDFs to/from Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and images
Compress PDFs
Merge and split PDFs
Basic editing (add text, watermarks, and annotations)
eSign documents
Request signatures with Sign.com
PDF OCR
Protect, redact, and unlock documents
AI PDF tools
Integration with cloud storage services (Google Drive, Dropbox) + Chrome extension
Limited usage
Paid Features
Adobe Acrobat
Create, combine, split, and organize PDFs
Edit text and images
Convert PDFs to/from Word, Excel, PowerPoint, images, HTML, and other formats
Compress PDFs
Apply passwords and permissions, redact sensitive information
OCR for scanned documents
Request signatures
Compare files
AI Assistant for document summarization and content insights
Batch processing for large documents
Integration with Microsoft 365, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box
Foxit
Create and organize PDFs
Edit text and images
Compress PDFs
Advanced security (encryption, redaction, password protection)
OCR for scanned documents
Batch processing (OCR, conversion, watermarking)
Real-time collaboration tools
Integration with OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, Salesforce, Sharepoint, and Zapier
Smallpdf
No document limitations
Edit text in PDFs
Extract images
Batch processing
Strong compression
OCR for scanned documents
Smallpdf simplifies merging PDFs with a clean, visual approach. The merge tool has a navigation bar for adding multiple files, rotating pages, and viewing individual pages within each uploaded file. Smallpdf is unique because of its color-coded system for tracking documents, which makes it very easy to change and track the order they'll appear in once combined. You can also remove selected pages you don’t want in the final merged file.
Adobe Acrobat's editing tools represent the gold standard for comprehensive PDF modification. The text editing screen lets you control fonts, sizes, colors, and alignment exactly. And you can even edit images.
Foxit PDF Editor offers similarly extensive text editing and annotating tools as Acrobat, though with a more limited font selection. It also allows image editing, but mainly through basic settings rather than advanced visual enhancements. Its standout feature, Link & Join Text, lets users connect or split text blocks as needed—particularly useful for editing multi-column documents or complex layouts.
File compression with Smallpdf is effortless. The platform offers two distinct compression options: Basic (medium file size with standard resolution) and Strong (smaller file size with lower resolution), both optimized to maintain the highest possible document quality. Users get instant visual feedback—after compression, they can see exactly how much the file size has been reduced in terms of kB and percentage. The process is smooth, letting users download the compressed file, save it to cloud storage, export it in different formats, or share it through many channels.
Smallpdf document conversion is straightforward, with tools easily accessible from the main toolbar. The platform allows you to turn PDFs into other formats, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and image files, and you can also change all these formats into PDFs. The settings let you convert selectable text only or turn text in scans and images into an editable format as well. Your documents retain their structure and appearance during conversion.
Adobe Acrobat offers a free Fill&Sign feature, allowing you to fill in a form and sign using a hand drawn, text, or image-based signature. For e-signature requests there’s a separate feature, where you can set a signing order, collect signatures in bulk, and even request payments. The system supports multiple file types and offers security options like email, password, knowledge-based authentication, and phone verification. Additional controls include deadlines, automated reminders, and language settings for enterprise users.
Smallpdf features a simple, easy-to-use interface, Foxit offers a familiar design with moderate complexity, and Adobe Acrobat has the most complex interface with the steepest learning curve.
Adobe Acrobat
Foxit PDF Editor
Smallpdf
⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
How easy a tool is to use and learn greatly affects productivity, especially for teams with different tech skills. A PDF tool's design, menu system, and approach to everyday tasks can mean the difference between working fast and wasting time.
Smallpdf follows the "less is more" philosophy with a very clean, focused interface that puts ease of use first. When users log into Smallpdf, they see a home page that shows the most popular PDF tools along with a big upload button for adding documents. The left sidebar shows the main features in a clear, logical order: Compress, Convert, Organize, Edit, Sign, AI PDF, More, and Documents. This simple layout helps users quickly find the tool they need without searching through complex menus or ribbons.
Foxit PDF Editor takes a middle path for its design, making features easy to access while having some complexity. The menu bars at the top are organized like in Microsoft Office, with tabs for main features and toolbars below for each chosen feature. A new Format toolbar opens when you try to edit any of the added elements. This familiar layout helps users who know Office tools to quickly learn Foxit.
Smallpdf's approach to help materials shows its focus on simplicity and ease of use. The program is built to reduce the need for long manuals or training by making interfaces user-friendly and workflows simple to follow.
For users who need help, Smallpdf offers guidance with clear tool descriptions, smart tips, and helpful messages across the interface. You can also find some very useful guides on the blog. The customer support mostly handles account issues rather than questions about using the program, which shows the design is so clear that users rarely need help with the features.
All three tools offer high accessibility across devices; however, Smallpdf shines with its cloud integration adoption rates, Acrobat with its full-featured mobile app, and Foxit with its enterprise-level integrations.
Adobe Acrobat
Foxit PDF Editor
Smallpdf
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Accessibility in PDF software refers to how easily users can access, share, and work with documents across desktop, web, and mobile platforms. This includes integrations for easy file access, mobile capabilities for on-the-go productivity, and flexibility in working both online and offline.
All three tools provide web, desktop, and mobile versions, ensuring flexibility across devices. The desktop versions allow offline functionality, making it possible to work without an internet connection. Since we've covered web and desktop functionalities throughout this article, this section focuses on mobile.
Smallpdf's mobile app has a clean design, including the most important PDF tools for use away from your desk: compress, merge, organize, delete, rotate, convert, edit, and sign. A top feature of the Smallpdf mobile app is its built-in document scanning, which helps users take pictures of paper documents and make them into PDFs right away. This function is particularly valuable in industries and regions where paper documents are still common.
Smallpdf's integration is a key part of how people use it. The platform connects easily to popular cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox so users can access and save files directly without downloading and re-uploading.
What sets Smallpdf's cloud integration apart is its high adoption rates. Smallpdf has over 4 million installations on Google Workspace, with more than half of those installed by administrators for entire organizations. The platform's Chrome extension, with 3 million downloads, further improves cloud accessibility by letting users work with PDFs directly in the browser.
Adobe Acrobat gives solid cloud integration designed for business needs. The platform connects with major cloud storage services, including Microsoft 365, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box, enabling document access across company networks. It also offers a Chrome and Edge extension.
Foxit provides good cloud integration with major platforms, presenting its abilities as part of a bigger business system ecosystem. The software connects with Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, and Box to help document workflows. Additionally, it provides Salesforce, Sharepoint, and Zapier integrations.
Foxit prioritizes full business system integration, making it ideal for organizations needing PDF tools within automated workflows or content management systems.
Verdict: Smallpdf is the best for simple, streamlined PDF tasks with strong cloud integration, ideal for individuals, small businesses, and casual users. Adobe Acrobat balances advanced mobile features, AI tools, and business-friendly cloud connectivity, making it perfect for professionals, teams, and businesses needing powerful cross-device collaboration. Foxit PDF Editor excels in enterprise integration with a feature-rich mobile app, suited for enterprises and power users who require extensive customization, security, and workflow automation.
Adobe Acrobat provides the most advanced security tools with detailed permissions and encryption, Foxit excels in AI-powered redaction and business security, and Smallpdf offers essential protection with a user-friendly approach.
Adobe Acrobat
Foxit PDF Editor
Smallpdf
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐
Security and compliance are key factors when picking a PDF solution, especially for companies dealing with private information. Good document encryption, protection tools, and redaction features can be the difference between safe data and expensive leaks.
Smallpdf has a direct, open way of protecting data, clearly showing its security strengths. The service uses safe 128-bit AES encryption to keep data secure always, from when a file is sent to the servers until it's received by users.
What makes Smallpdf's security special is its official certifications and how it follows worldwide rules. The software has ISO/IEC 27001 certification, which means it follows strong information security practices. Smallpdf also follows big privacy rules like GDPR, CCPA, and nFADP.
Adobe Acrobat has complete security tools with a focus on strong protection methods. The software uses 256-bit AES encryption, giving standard protection for private document information.
One of Adobe's special security tools is Protected View, which opens PDFs in a limited, read-only mode that works like a safe testing area. This protection stops harmful files from hurting the user's computer, a key safety measure when opening files from sources you don't know.
Foxit PDF Editor aims at business security, with many protection features for companies that care about security. Foxit uses strong encryption standards, including 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), 128-bit AES, and 128-bit ARC-FOUR, which you can choose between.
Foxit has a Protected View feature like Adobe's, making a limited space for opening possibly unsafe documents. The software's security features are especially attractive to rule-following industries and government offices. Foxit is often picked for highly sensitive departments because of its strong security tools.
Adobe Acrobat leads in document protection and permission handling, providing very thorough control over document access and use. The software lets users enforce using certificates and lock documents with passwords, making multi-level security that fits various situations.
The permission controls in Adobe are very detailed, allowing limits on exact actions like printing, copying, editing, changing, and screen reader use. This detailed control helps companies create exact security rules based on user jobs and document privacy needs.
Foxit PDF Editor’s redaction capabilities are completely unique thanks to its AI-powered Smart Redact feature, which automatically finds and removes private information from PDF documents. This tool greatly speeds up the redaction process, especially for many documents. However, to avoid any potential security risks, users may want to consider how their data is processed, since Smart Redact uses AI to analyze document content, and review Foxit's security measures before use.
Foxit's redaction method makes sure that private information is fully removed from the document, not just hidden from view. For big documents, Foxit's Search and Redact tool is really useful, as it allows users to find specific information like names or social security numbers and hide them all at once. You can also completely customize the redaction properties.
All three tools offer similar AI capabilities, but Smallpdf stands out with extensive translation features, no limitations, and inclusion in every plan.
Adobe Acrobat
Foxit PDF Editor
Smallpdf
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
AI features are changing how users work with and get value from PDF documents. These smart features can do tasks that take a lot of time like summarizing, translating, and analyzing content, which greatly boosts productivity.
Note: As awareness of AI-related privacy practices grows, we examined Adobe, Foxit, and Smallpdf’s policies on using user documents for AI training. While all three state that user documents are not used for AI training, the approaches to this policy vary. Adobe states that content isn’t used without consent, Foxit temporarily stores inputs for performance but doesn’t train AI with them, and Smallpdf maintains a strict no-AI-training policy.
Adobe Acrobat's AI Assistant offers document analysis features like chatting with PDFs, generating summaries, and extracting key takeaways. It works on desktop, web, and mobile, supporting documents up to 100MB, 600 pages, and various formats. It can analyze up to 10 documents at once, identifying key themes and connections. For contract analysis, it simplifies legal language, highlights key terms, and compares agreement versions. Access to the AI Assistant requires an additional subscription.
Smallpdf's AI translation capabilities are the most extensive among the three tools, supporting 24 languages—the highest of any platform. Additionally, it offers two translation options: a summarized translation for quick understanding or a full document translation. This flexibility allows users to choose based on their needs. The translated document appears in a convenient side-by-side view with the original, making it easy to compare the original document with the translated one.
Foxit PDF Editor's AI has translation features that work with 16 languages including Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, Filipino, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese. However, it limits translations to 2,000 characters and does not support full document translation.
Verdict: Adobe Acrobat provides advanced AI features for document analysis, summarization, and contract review, making it ideal for professionals who need deep insights and structured content extraction. Foxit PDF Editor offers strong AI features with a focus on summarization and writing enhancements, making it a great fit for business users who need to refine and clarify documents efficiently. Smallpdf excels in user-friendly AI features for quick document processing, especially in translation with 24 languages, making it perfect for international teams that prioritize multilingual communication and ease of use.
Smallpdf offers the simplest, most affordable pricing with all features included, Foxit provides competitive pricing with feature distinctions, and Adobe has the most complex and expensive plans.
Adobe Acrobat
Foxit PDF Editor
Smallpdf
⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pricing and licensing models have a big effect on the total cost of ownership and return on investment for PDF software. Besides the main subscription cost, organizations must think about usage limits, feature availability across tiers, and the structure of team licensing.
Smallpdf stands out with a clear, simple pricing structure, available as a monthly or yearly subscription. It offers three tiers: Free, Pro (individual), and Pro for Teams (business). The free version gives access to all tools but with usage limits.
Free
Pro
Pro for Teams
Price
$0/month
$15/month
$10/month per year
$10/month per seat
$7/month per seat per year (minimum 2 seats)
Description
All your basic document management needs met in one place.
Take your productivity to the next level with unlimited downloads and access to all Pro features.
For teams of two or more looking for extra savings and priority support.
Key Features
30+ document management tools
Mobile app access
Limited usage
Pro features (strong compression, OCR, etc.)
Unlimited downloads
Unlimited access to 30+ tools
Unlimited mobile app access
Everything in Pro
Special discounted pricing
Priority support
Centralized billing
Member management
Note: eSign and Sign.com features are included in the Pro plan, while Sign.com also exists as a standalone product with its own pricing and a free plan.
Foxit PDF Editor offers competitive mid-range pricing with clear distinctions between its two main tiers: Foxit PDF Editor and Foxit PDF Editor+. It only provides yearly plans, though billing can be monthly. A feature-limited free version is also available.
Foxit PDF Reader
Foxit PDF Editor
Foxit PDF Editor+
Price
$0/month
$10.99/month per user or $129.99/year per user
$13.99/month per user or $159.99/year per user
Key Features
View, print, and annotate PDFs
Convert
Fill and sign forms
Request a signature with eSign
Basic PDF security features
No editing§ or merging tools
Mobile app
Create, edit, and convert PDFs
Edit text and images
Create, fill, sign, and send forms
OCR for scanned documents
Compare two versions of a PDF
Add security and password-protect PDFs
Mobile app- 20GB of cloud storage
Everything in Foxit PDF Editor
Legally binding eSignatures
AI-powered Smart Redact to identify and remove sensitive information
Mobile app
150GB of cloud storage
Note: Foxit eSign product for requesting and tracking e-signatures can be bought separately. AI Assistant is an optional add-on at $49.99/year or $4.99/month.
Adobe Acrobat has the most complicated pricing structure, with multiple tiers and options for different user types. Its free Adobe Reader plan has very limited functionality.
Individual
Acrobat Reader
Acrobat Standard
Acrobat Pro
Price
$0/month
$12.99/month per year or $155.88/year, prepaid or $22.99/month per monthly payments
$19.99/month per year or $239.88/year, prepaid or $29.99/month per monthly payments
Key Features
View, print, and annotate PDFs
Fill and sign forms
Comment and highlight text
Basic PDF security (view protected PDFs)
Limited cloud storage access
Works across desktop, web, and mobile
Create, edit, and convert PDFs
Fill, sign, and send forms
Basic e-signature capabilities
Password-protect PDF files
Everything in Standard
Advanced editing and conversion
Compare two versions of a PDF
Validate PDFs for ISO and accessibility standards
Redact sensitive information
Team
Acrobat Reader
Acrobat Standard
Acrobat Pro
Price
/
14.99/month per license or $179.88/year per license
$22.19/month per license or $266.28/year per license
Key Features
/
All features in Acrobat Standard
Admin console for license management
Advanced 24/7 tech support
Integration with Microsoft 365 and other enterprise apps
Everything in Standard for Teams
Advanced e-signature features
Microsoft 365 and enterprise integration
Volume discounts for 10+ licenses
Adobe's pricing structure has big price increases for monthly versus annual billing—for individual plans, monthly billing costs 77% more for Standard and 50% more for Pro compared to the annual rate.
Note: The AI Assistant tool costs extra: $4.99/month or $59.88/year for individual and business users.
Verdict: Smallpdf gives great value with the lowest pricing and simple structure, making it ideal for small businesses, administrative departments, and cost-conscious organizations that need essential PDF capabilities without premium pricing. Foxit PDF Editor gives good mid-range value with many features and flexible choices, great for businesses that need more advanced features than Smallpdf but find Adobe's pricing difficult to justify. Adobe Acrobat costs more but offers the best value for expert users who make full use of its advanced tools, particularly design professionals, legal departments, and organizations already invested in the Adobe ecosystem.
Adobe Acrobat Pros
Adobe Acrobat Cons
✅ Provides comprehensive PDF editing with advanced formatting and customization options
❌ Features complex interface with multi-level menus that complicate basic tasks
✅ Supports merging multiple file types (PDFs, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, audio, video)
❌ Requires some training with steepest learning curve among PDF tools
✅ Offers granular security controls with detailed permissions management
❌ Costs significantly more with monthly billing (77% higher for Standard, 50% for Pro)
✅ Includes thorough redaction tools that remove metadata and hidden information
❌ Requires separate subscriptions for AI Assistant ($4.99/month)
✅ Integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box
❌ Segments scanning and signing features into separate apps
✅ Delivers AI-powered document analysis for comprehensive content insights
❌ Requires technical knowledge for compression with no visual size reduction feedback
Foxit Pros
Foxit Cons
✅ Offers Microsoft Office-like interface reducing learning curve for Office users
❌ Provides only yearly subscription plans (though with monthly billing option)
✅ Features AI-powered Smart Redact for automatic sensitive information removal
❌ Requires separate AI Assistant subscription at $49.99/year
✅ Provides enterprise-level integrations with Salesforce, SharePoint, and Zapier
❌ Limits AI translation to 2,000 characters with no full document translation
✅ Delivers advanced security with multiple encryption standards (256-bit AES, 128-bit AES)
❌ Compression feature has no immediate file size reduction feedback
✅ Includes unique Link & Join feature for editing complex multi-column layouts
❌ Presents feature-dense interface that can feel overwhelming
✅ Contains feature-rich mobile app with extensive pre-made templates
❌ Restricts free version with limited functionality for basic PDF tasks
Smallpdf Pros
Smallpdf Cons
✅ Provides all features across all pricing plans
❌ Limited usage on the free version
✅ Delivers intuitive, clean interface with minimal learning curve
❌ Provides limited security features focused on password protection
✅ Shows instant visual feedback on file size during compression
✅ Supports most extensive AI translation with 24 languages and no character limits
✅ Includes AI features in all pricing plans without additional subscriptions
✅ Integrates seamlessly with cloud services (4M+ Google Workspace installations)
Adobe Acrobat
Foxit
Smallpdf
Best for:
Professionals and existing Adobe suite users requiring advanced PDF manipulation, extensive formatting controls, and detailed permissions management within larger organizations.
Best for:
Security-conscious enterprises in regulated industries needing robust document protection, automated redaction capabilities, and seamless integration with existing business systems.
Best for:
Small-to-medium businesses, administrative departments, and international teams seeking an intuitive, affordable PDF solution that handles essential tasks efficiently across all devices.
Here’s our final verdict: The best PDF editor is the right PDF editor for your needs. Power users will thrive with Adobe Acrobat, security-conscious enterprises will benefit from Foxit, while teams valuing simplicity and efficiency will excel with Smallpdf.
Many organizations strategically deploy multiple PDF solutions to balance feature needs against budget constraints—using Smallpdf for general staff who need quick, intuitive document handling while reserving Adobe licenses for specialized departments requiring advanced capabilities or Foxit for teams handling highly sensitive information. This hybrid approach optimizes costs while ensuring every department has appropriate tools, for more complex and for everyday document workflows alike.
Use Adobe Acrobat if:
You need precise control over document formatting with advanced text and image editing capabilities
You require complex permission settings and detailed security protocols for regulatory compliance
You work with specialized document formats beyond standard conversions and need extensive customization options
You're already invested in the Adobe ecosystem and want seamless integration with other Creative Cloud applications
Click here to get started with Adobe Acrobat!
Use Foxit if:
You require advanced security features with strict permission controls for sensitive documents
You work in an environment where automated redaction of sensitive information is critical
You need PDF tools that integrate with enterprise systems like Salesforce, SharePoint, and Zapier
You prefer a familiar Microsoft Office-like interface with robust editing capabilities
Click here to get started with Foxit PDF Editor!
Use Smallpdf if:
You need essential PDF functionality with maximum simplicity and affordability
You value intuitive interfaces and need to minimize training time for your team
You work with international clients and require comprehensive document translation across 24 languages
You need affordable, transparent pricing with all essential PDF features available across all plans
You prioritize cloud integration and cross-device accessibility for flexible document workflows