Some popular Foxit alternatives include pdf.net, PDF-XChange Editor, Adobe Acrobat, Wondershare PDFelement, and more. 

While Foxit PDF Editor offers a range of tools for editing and managing PDFs, it’s not the best fit for every user. Alternatives such as pdf.net, PDF-XChange Editor, and Adobe Acrobat are often considered by users looking for different pricing or simpler interfaces, along with Wondershare PDFelement, Nitro PDF, and Smallpdf.

In this guide, we will look at the pros and cons of all these Foxit alternatives so you can determine which option works best for your workflow.

You may want to look for a Foxit alternative because of pricing concerns, feature limitations, compatibility issues, or workflow preferences.

The best option that works across different devices, as long as you have an Internet connection, is pdf.net, since it runs in your browser and requires no downloads.

Other comparable Foxit alternatives include PDF-XChange Editor, Adobe Acrobat, Wondershare PDFelement, and Nitro PDF.

To choose the right one for your needs, think about how you use PDFs, which features you require, and how much you are willing to spend.

You may want to look for a Foxit alternative because:

It may cost more than your workflow justifies.

 While Foxit is often marketed as an affordable 

, many of its useful features sit behind paid tiers and add-ons. If you only edit PDFs occasionally, paying $129.99 (Foxit Editor) or $159.99 (Foxit Editor+) may feel unnecessary.

It may include features you rarely use but still pay for.

 Foxit offers a wide range of tools, but you might not use all of them. For example, you may only need to merge files, add comments, or convert documents every now and then. In these cases, a simpler tool can often handle the same tasks without the extra complexity.

 If you need multiple licenses for a small business, subscription fees can become a noticeable expense.

Because Foxit includes many tools in one platform, the interface can appear crowded at first. If you mainly work with straightforward documents, navigating menus and toolbars may slow down tasks that should be simple.

You may need better compatibility with the tools you already use.

 Do you regularly store files in Google Drive, collaborate through Microsoft Office, or switch between devices? If Foxit does not connect easily with the platforms in your workflow, finding an alternative can make sharing, editing, and managing PDFs much more convenient.

Best 6 Foxit Alternatives for Small Businesses

Small businesses often need PDF tools that are 

easy to adopt, affordable, and practical for daily document tasks

. The best Foxit alternatives typically combine essential features like editing, e-signatures, file merging, and document conversion with integrations.

 are another plus, especially for businesses handling contracts, invoices, or sensitive files. Below are six options that balance usability, functionality, and cost efficiency for small business workflows.

best PDF editor for small businesses, freelancers, students, and everyday users

. It is fully browser-based, so you won’t have to worry about installing anything.

, including smartphones and tablets, as long as you have a reliable Internet connection. This means it’s handy even when you are out of the office and need to polish a 

Convert PDFs to and from different file formats, such as .DOCx, JPG, and PNG

Edit PDFs by adding annotations, highlighting, applying signatures, 

There are three pricing plans for you to choose from with pdf.net:

With this in mind, it is safe to say that pdf.net is the 

best Foxit alternative for those on a tighter budget

. You might handle fewer PDFs or handle them only occasionally; in these cases, it is hard to justify paying higher subscription prices.

 and see how simple PDF editing can be; all you need to do is open your browser, upload your file, and get your document ready to send in minutes!

This is an excellent PDF software like Foxit, with pricing starting at $62. It has 

, and you can use these to create documents that conform to 

This Foxit alternative supports all current versions of MS Windows operating systems, which makes it well-suited for 

businesses and teams that rely on a Windows-based workflow

. However, it is not the most flexible option if your team uses different operating systems. Since it only supports Windows, Mac and mobile users will need to look for another solution.

Adobe Acrobat offers a comprehensive set of tools for creating, editing, signing, and sharing PDFs, so it is a 

strong option for businesses and professionals

 who work with high volumes of documents regularly.

It also includes advanced features such as 

form creation, document comparison, redaction, and cloud-based collaboration

. Let’s take a quick look at its advantages and disadvantages:

Adobe Acrobat costs between $14.99 and $24.99 per month, depending on the plan. Since it is not the most affordable PDF software, 

 if you are already working within Adobe’s ecosystem.

Additionally, Adobe Document Cloud connects your PDFs with other Adobe apps and keeps everything organized and synced across devices, making it easier to store, share, and collaborate

Wondershare PDFelement is another strong Foxit alternative to consider, and it is available as software

annual subscriptions and perpetual licenses

many online PDF tools for teams and individual users

, which allows you to extract and edit text from scanned documents.

However, just like other Foxit alternatives, it has its pros and cons:

Wondershare PDFelement is a strong choice for users who want the same capabilities as Foxit but with 

. It suits freelancers and small and medium businesses (SMBs) that 

do not need the heavier enterprise features 

Nitro PDF was developed by an Australian company focused on document productivity solutions. It is a solid Foxit alternative, particularly for 

teams that prefer a familiar Microsoft Office-style interface.

The platform also places a strong emphasis on 

 help organizations meet strict data protection standards, which can be important for industries that handle sensitive documents.

Nitro PDF can work well as a Foxit alternative for small businesses, particularly if your team 

Plus, its security controls and compliance certifications can help 

if your business is in healthcare or finance.

you can consider for PDF editing. It has a free plan, which provides over 30 tools, but with 

. The $9 per month plan (Pro) and $7 per month per seat removes restrictions, so you can use the platform more freely.

Similar to the other Foxit alternatives above, we need to consider Smallpdf’s strengths and weaknesses:

, Smallpdf can be a convenient option for handling basic PDF tasks. It is particularly useful for students, freelancers, or small teams who want quick PDF tools without committing to full PDF software.

How to Choose the Right Foxit Alternative for Your Needs

To choose the right Foxit alternative for your needs, think about:

 Casual users may only need simple functions like viewing, merging, or converting PDFs. Meanwhile, businesses often require stronger editing capabilities, collaboration tools, and security controls. If you are a student, you would want to prioritize 

 and AI capabilities for reviewing academic PDFs.

 Do you mostly highlight passages, leave comments, or rearrange pages in a document? Basic editing tools may be enough. But if you regularly deal with scanned paperwork, OCR can turn those files into 

, and invoices, built-in e-signature tools are essential.

 Free tools can work well for occasional tasks, but often come with restrictions such as daily download limits. On the other hand, paid plans usually unlock more features and stronger security, but tally up over time. Reviewing pricing plans carefully can help you decide which option offers the best value for how often you will use it.

, the right choice depends on how you work with PDFs, how often you use them, and which features matter most to you.

If you only need occasional edits, a lightweight or browser-based tool may be enough. If PDFs are part of your daily workflow, it may be worth investing in software with stronger editing, security, and collaboration features. By weighing these factors, you can find a Foxit alternative that fits naturally into your workflow.

#1. Can I edit PDFs online without downloading software?

You can edit PDFs online without downloading software

. These tools are fully browser-based, so you just need a reliable Internet connection.

, but it has limited daily downloads. Certain software, like Adobe Acrobat, Wondershare, and Nitro, also offers free online PDF tools that you can consider using.

#3. Which Foxit alternative is best for business use?

The Foxit alternative that is best for business use

. For example, if you want a simple browser-based tool your team can access from anywhere, pdf.net may be a practical option for editing, signing, and managing PDFs without installing software.

6 Best Foxit Alternatives: Top PDF Editors to Consider in 2026

You can unlock a Word document via built-in settings, depending on the type of restriction applied: password protection, read-only mode, etc.

You can unlock a Word document by identifying the type of restriction applied and removing it through Microsoft Word’s built-in settings. In some cases, resaving or converting the file might also help.

Word documents can be locked with passwords, editing restrictions, protected view, or read-only settings. When this happens, you may not be able to edit content, copy text, or save updates, which can quickly become frustrating.

Below, we break down how each type of lock works and the exact steps you can take to remove restrictions.

You might not be able to access or edit a Word document if it has a password or editing restrictions, or if it is opened in restrictive modes: 

If you are the file owner or have the password, you can remove protection settings in Word, including those placed on viewing modes.

However, if you don’t have the password, your options are limited (e.g., reviewing version history and restoring an earlier copy if the file is stored in OneDrive, SharePoint, or a company network).

6 Reasons Why a Word Document Might Be Locked

Let’s start by exploring the most common reasons a 

, the file owner may set a password to prevent unauthorized users from opening or modifying the Word document. You can set one or both types of passwords.

If an ‘opening password’ is applied, 

In case only an ‘editing password’ is set, others may read the document, 

 is commonly used for contracts, financial records, legal agreements, and confidential business files. It helps control access, reduce the risk of unauthorized edits, and protect sensitive information from being shared or altered without permission.

Editing restrictions allow the document owner to control how others interact with the file without fully locking it. They work similarly to 

; instead of blocking access entirely, Word can limit specific actions, such as:

, including fonts, styles, spacing, colors, or layout settings

 by allowing only tracked changes that must be approved

Modifying content outside designated areas

 by restricting users to filling in form fields only

You may apply these restrictions to templates, agreements, 

, company policies, and shared documents that require controlled editing.

Protected view is a built-in security feature that 

opens certain Word documents in a restricted, read-only mode.

 This typically happens when you download a file from the internet, receive it as an email attachment, or open it from an unfamiliar location.

Word does this to reduce potential security risks, such as 

, viruses, and worms. When a document opens in a protected view, 

 a warning message appears at the top of the screen with an option to enable editing in Word. Once you confirm the file is safe, you can click to unlock it and begin making changes.

Word’s read-only mode allows you to open and view a document but

. You might encounter it when accessing files from a shared network, external drive, or email attachment.

Sharing a finalized report that others need to review only

Sending a reference document that should remain unchanged

Distributing policies, guidelines, or instructions to a team

#5. File Locked by Another User or Background Word Process

A Word document may be locked because it is 

currently open in edit mode by someone else. 

This commonly happens with files stored on shared drives, OneDrive, or SharePoint. Word prevents simultaneous conflicting edits by locking the file for exclusive use.

Sometimes the shared document remains locked even though no one appears to be using it. This can happen if 

Word crashed or did not shut down correctly, 

leaving a background process that still holds the file open.

When a Word document is marked as final, Word sets the file to a read-only state to indicate that it is complete. This feature is used to

 discourage further edits once the content has been finalized 

You might get a notification bar at the top of the document stating that it has been marked as final. Editing commands may appear disabled, and the document opens in view-only mode.

Here are five ways you can unlock a Word document for editing:

#1. Unlock a Word Document Using Microsoft Word

If you are the owner and need to unlock a protected Word document, you can check the built-in settings:

After removing Word protection, you can edit your document as usual. If you don’t see the 

 option, a workaround is to manually revert your settings:

Remove the password(s) you have entered into the input field(s).

Alternatively, you can remove a Word document password by:

Saving the file and reopening it to check that a password is no longer required.

#2. Remove Read-Only or Protected View Restrictions

The protected view Word fix depends on whether you encounter a yellow or red warning bar:

and you should be able to edit the Word document as normal; all in all, both options will unlock your Word document for editing.

After enabling editing in Word, you can still change your 

settings if you want, in the following way:

As for the Word document read-only fix, the process differs for Windows and Mac users:

Another option is to open the file and save it as a new file without the read-only mode applied. 

#3. Unlock a Word Document by Converting the File

Converting the file may help remove certain non-password restrictions. It works best when the issue is caused by minor compatibility settings, not encryption. To try this and edit a locked Word file, you should:

Save the file with a new name, close it, then reopen the converted version.

 file after confirming it opens normally.

As mentioned above, if a Word document is stored on a shared drive, OneDrive, or SharePoint, it may be locked because another user currently has it open in edit mode. You can 

In some cases, Word creates a temporary lock file when a previous session does not close properly. If this appears to be the cause of your locked Word file, 

completely exit all Office applications first.

 and look for any Microsoft Word processes still running in the background. 

If a Word document is locked because it was marked as final, you can unlock it directly in Microsoft Word. Open the file, look for a notification bar near the top stating that the document has been marked as final, and click

You can also remove this status manually by:

If you forgot the password to open or edit a Word document, 

, which means even Microsoft cannot retrieve the password for you.

 with you. The original owner may still have the password or an unprotected copy. If the file is stored in OneDrive, SharePoint, or a company network, review earlier versions. You may be able to 

 that was saved before password protection was applied.

How to Unlock a Locked Word Document in Minutes: 5 Methods

There are three ways to edit a PDF on Mac: you can use the built-in Preview app, an online PDF editor, or a dedicated desktop PDF app. 

, an online PDF editor, or a dedicated desktop PDF app. Through these programs, it is possible to annotate, add signatures, rearrange pages, convert file formats, and make deeper content changes depending on the tool you choose.

This guide will walk you through all three options, so you can choose the one that fits you best. We will also explain the common types of PDF edits that are possible on Mac and provide practical tips for professional editing.

 app lets you add text boxes, highlights, shapes, and signatures to PDFs; you can also sign documents with it.

Other options to edit PDFs on a Mac include using online tools like pdf.net or dedicated desktop solutions.

Mac users can annotate, insert images or shapes, fill forms, apply signatures, convert file formats, merge, split, rearrange pages, and compress PDFs.

To ensure a polished final file, you should avoid overlaying text boxes, pay attention to the formatting to keep everything consistent, and preview your PDF carefully before downloading or sharing it.

Below are three common ways to edit PDFs on Mac, along with step-by-step instructions for each:

 pre-installed, and this app will let you 

. For example, you can add text boxes, highlight certain sentences, insert shapes,

, and rearrange pages. Although it doesn’t allow full paragraph rewrites like a Word document, it works well for quick and practical edits.

Here is how you can edit a PDF with Mac’s 

 is already your default PDF viewer, double-clicking the file will open it automatically.

 tool indicated as a text box with an 'A’ inside. 

Select the Text tool indicated as a text box with an 'A’ inside

Confirm that a text box has appeared on your PDF’s page. 

Confirm that a text box has appeared on your PDF’s page

Click on it to drag it to the correct location.

Resize the text box by dragging its corners if needed

Adjust the font size, color, and alignment from the formatting bar. 

If you want to review or mark up your PDF, these are the steps to take:

Select the text that you want to modify. 

You can also insert shapes, arrows, or comments from the 

 menu, as this helps emphasize important sections or provide feedback.

The free Mac PDF editor will also let you apply signatures to documents, and you can do it in this way:

Create a signature using your trackpad, cursor, or connected stylus. 

Create a signature using your trackpad, cursor, or connected stylus

Drag the inserted signature and resize it into position. 

, handling contracts, agreements, consent forms, or invoices becomes much easier.

For rearranging or removing pages, you can follow these instructions:

This is useful when reorganizing study notes into a clearer order, removing unnecessary pages from a report, or adjusting the flow of a longer document before sharing or 

Another way to edit PDFs on MacBooks and iMacs is by using online PDF editors, which sometimes offer more advanced editing features that can be accessed directly in your browser.

Depending on the platform, you may be able to:

Modify existing text instead of only adding text boxes

Compress large PDFs for easy sharing and storing

Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, or other formats

One PDF platform lets you do all of the above, and it’s 

meaning you won’t need to install anything. As long as you have a reliable Internet connection, you can prepare and polish your PDFs on any device, including Macs.

Here is how you can access our full suite of tools to modify PDFs on Macs:

Upload your PDF file by dragging and dropping it into the

box or selecting it from your Mac via the 

Upload your PDF file by dragging and dropping it into the Drop file here to start box or selecting it from your Mac via the Choose file button.

Wait for the document to load in the editor. 

Wait for the document to load in the editor

Choose the tool you need at the top of the page: edit text, merge, split, sign, annotate, rearrange pages, or convert. You can also hover over 

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