Top 5 Adobe Acrobat Alternatives for Small Businesses in 2025

The best Adobe Acrobat alternatives offer several powerful features, such as PDF editing, signing, and sharing tools, but without the high cost or complexity. While Adobe Acrobat remains the industry standard, small businesses often don’t need such advanced features that come with too steep subscription fees.

For smaller businesses, managing documents should not feel like managing an entire software suite. Therefore, we evaluated several affordable alternatives in 2025 that make PDF handling easier without sacrificing quality or functionality. Follow along as we explore the top five Adobe Acrobat alternatives in detail to help you choose the best one for your needs.

Key Takeaways

• The best affordable Adobe Acrobat alternatives are Foxit PDF editor, PDF.net, Nitro PDF Pro, Wondershare PDF Element, and Smallpdf.
• Adobe Acrobat alternatives are handy for small businesses, as they are more affordable, and still offer the essential PDF tools like editing, signing, converting, etc.
• Think about what tasks you usually need to complete with PDFs and the number of PDFs you often handle to pick the best Adobe Acrobat alternative.

Why Look for an Adobe Acrobat Alternative?

If your small business handles PDF invoices, contracts, forms, or documents often, but you find it difficult to justify Adobe Acrobat's high subscription costs, it’s time to consider an alternative. These licensing fees can quickly add up, especially if you only need basic editing or signing tools rather than a full enterprise package.

Also, it’s a good idea to think of an alternative if your tasks are frequently slowed down because of Adobe Acrobat’s complex interface. Most alternatives are browser-based and let you edit, sign, and share PDFs in just a few clicks. They often include simpler dashboards, faster load times, and better web access, which makes them ideal if you need to get things done without technical hurdles.

Furthermore, many modern Adobe Acrobat alternatives include tools designed with small businesses in mind, such as cloud storage, AI automation, and AI-assisted form filling to make everyday PDF handling faster and easier. So, you won’t have to worry about overcoming a steep learning curve or spending a lot of money on features you don’t necessarily need.

Best 5 Adobe Acrobat Alternatives for Small Businesses

Below are the five best Adobe Acrobat alternatives for small businesses. Each of these tools combines essential PDF features like typing text, e-signing, merging, converting, and secure sharing with a simpler, more user-friendly experience.

They are easy to set up, far more affordable, and enable streamlined collaboration. Moreover, most of them work smoothly with Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft Office. Let’s take a closer look at each of the alternatives.

#1. Foxit PDF Editor

At $129.99 per year, Foxit PDF Editor is a well-trusted alternative to Adobe Acrobat that offers all the tools a small business would need when handling PDFs, such as editing, commenting, signing, and sharing.

One key advantage Foxit PDF Editor has over Adobe Acrobat is user-friendliness. It features a ribbon-style toolbar that makes editing and navigating much simpler, especially for teams without technical expertise. The editor supports easy sharing and syncing and offers integration with Google Drive, Box, SharePoint, and OneDrive.

Moreover, Foxit PDF Editor includes advanced AI tools such as PDF AI Assistant, Chat with PDF, a PDF summarizer, Chat with image, and Smart Redact, that makes tasks more streamlined. Its security is also strong, meeting SOC 2 Type 2, TAA, VPAT508, HIPAA, and ADA compliance.

Like any Adobe Acrobat alternative, Foxit has its pros and cons. Let’s take a look at both:

This affordable PDF software is a great choice if you work with documents on a day-to-day basis and need a dependable tool without breaking the budget.

If your small business values speed, security, and professional results and doesn’t need many advanced features, Foxit PDF Editor offers the right balance of functionality and affordability.

#2. PDF.net

PDF.net is a browser-based PDF platform known for its speed and simplicity. Unlike Adobe Acrobat, you can edit, sign, convert, compress, and merge PDFs on this PDF editor without having to watch any tutorial videos.

There is no software to install, and you can start working from any device right away. It works on Mac, Windows, and mobile. PDF.net uses HTTPS, so all uploads, edits, and downloads are encrypted during transfer. Also, it automatically deletes your documents after processing to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.

PDF.net includes AI functions like Chat PDF, Translate PDF, and Summarize PDF that make working with documents faster and more intuitive. Overall, it delivers the essential functions most small businesses rely on with pricing plans starting from $1.45 for a 7-day limited access.

However, as with any other tool, we need consider the pros and cons:

If you want a fast, no-fuss Adobe Acrobat alternative, PDF.net is the ideal option. Even if you are on a tight budget, you can enjoy PDF.net’s efficiency and accessibility. Create an account in just a few minutes and give it a try.

#3. Nitro PDF Pro

This is another PDF software like Adobe Acrobat. Its comprehensive capabilities include creating, converting, editing, signing, and securing PDF documents. It has strong e-signature capabilities that are handy for small businesses that work with contracts and agreements frequently.

Nitro PDF Pro pricing plans range between $15 - $270. Unlike Acrobat, Nitro integrates seamlessly with Office 365, Sharepoint 365, OneDrive for Business, Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, allowing you to work and collaborate without switching tools.

It also provides features like Nitro AI Document Assistant, Nitro Table & Form Extract, and Nitro AI Knowledge Assistant, while maintaining enterprise-grade security standards, such as SOC 2 Type 2, HIPAA, and GDPR compliance.

Like the Adobe Acrobat alternatives above, Nitro PDF Pro has its strengths and limitations:

Nitro PDF Pro suits small businesses handling many PDFs that need signatures. Also, it’s suitable for both Windows and Mac systems, and supports OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing for scanned PDFs.

#4. Wondershare PDFelement

As another Adobe Acrobat alternative, Wondershare PDFelement provides small businesses with 19 PDF tools, alongside 10+ AI-assisted features that make it easier to perform tasks like summarizing or formatting.

If you often work with paper receipts or proposals, you will also be glad to know that it includes reliable OCR technology that can turn scanned PDFs into editable, searchable documents with ease. Plus, the pricing, ranging from free to $139.99, is rather appealing if you're on a budget.

Unlike Adobe Acrobat, which takes time getting used to, Wondershare PDFelement is incredibly intuitive. Its collaboration tools are designed for small businesses, and PDFelement Cloud offers free storage with upgrade options up to 100GB for easy sharing and syncing. For security, you can avail of its password protection, redaction, and encryption options.

Now, let’s take a closer look at Wondershare PDFelement’s pros and cons:

If you want comprehensive tools but don’t want to pay enterprise-level prices, Wondershare PDFelement is one of the best Adobe Acrobat alternatives. You can use it to handle scanned contracts, invoices, and reports efficiently and still maintain strong security standards.

#5. Smallpdf

This Adobe Acrobat alternative is a browser-based platform that makes editing and managing PDFs incredibly simple. It offers 30+ tools for every important PDF task, from compression and conversion to editing and e-signing.

Smallpdf’s intuitive interface makes it easy to use and also less time-consuming, so it is often the go-to option for small businesses that are already stretched thin. The platform also offers flexible pricing, with a free plan for basic tasks and paid options starting at $9 per month for individual users or $7 per month for teams of up to 100 people.

Smallpdf integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace and Dropbox, which means you can manage documents directly from the platforms you already use daily. Smallpdf's security is another strong point, with 256-bit TLS encryption and ISO/IEC 27001 certification, ensuring full compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and nFADP standards to protect your information.

Here’s a quick breakdown of Smallpdf’s pros and cons:

Smallpdf is ideal for small businesses that want quick processing rather than complex editing capabilities; for example, startups and creative agencies that work primarily in the cloud and need occasional PDF tasks completed quickly.

How to Choose the Right PDF Tool for Your Business?

To choose the right PDF tool for your business, keep these three tips in mind:

1. Assess business size and document volume. A small team with light documents might just need a simple, browser-based solution that gets things done. On the other hand, a larger team will do better with a tool that offers advanced features and automation.
2. Prioritize security and team collaboration. Tools that come with encryption options, role-based permissions, and real-time sharing will allow your team to work together more smoothly. At the same time, it won’t compromise your documents’ safety.
3. Compare long-term costs and updates. Most PDF tools have subscription models that can add up in the long run. If you want the best value for your money, it is important to choose a tool that updates regularly and offers new features often to grow with you.

Many small businesses have found that a platform like PDF.net hits the right balance between affordability, security, and ease of use. It provides all the necessary tools to handle PDFs without slowing down or overwhelming workflows; if this is what your team needs, it is easy to create an account and start using it right away!

Final Thoughts

Although Adobe Acrobat is a popular PDF tool, it is not always the most practical choice for small businesses. Foxit PDF editor, PDF.net, Nitro PDF Pro, Wondershare PDF Element, and Smallpdf are all alternatives that offer comparable features without the premium price tag or steep learning curve.

To choose the best PDF editor, consider your business needs, security and collaboration features, as well as your budget. Weigh in all the pros and cons before you make a final decision.

Adobe Acrobat Alternative FAQs

#1. What is the best free Adobe Acrobat alternative?

The best free Adobe Acrobat alternative depends on the size of your business, your needs, and typical workflows. However, some of the most affordable options include Foxit PDF Editor, PDF.net, Nitro PDF Pro, Wondershare PDF Element, and Smallpdf.

#2. Which PDF editor is most affordable for small businesses?

The PDF editor that is most affordable for small businesses is PDF.net. It offers essential editing, signing, and collaboration tools without steep subscription costs. You can choose from three pricing plans: $1.45 for 7-day limited access, $1.95 for 7-day full access, and $19.95 per month for the annual plan.

#3. Is PDF.net secure for handling sensitive documents?

Yes, PDF.net is secure for handling sensitive documents. This is one of the few online PDF tools for teams with HTTPS connections, which ensure that any PDF you upload, edit, and download stays private and protected from unauthorized access.

#4. What features should I look for in a PDF editor in 2025?

You should look for advanced collaboration tools, secure cloud storage, and AI or automated features as a small business. These features will help you and your team handle digital records faster and more safely.

#5. Can I edit and sign PDFs online without Adobe Acrobat?

Yes, you can edit and sign PDFs online without Adobe Acrobat. All the alternatives above—Foxit PDF editor, PDF.net, Nitro PDF Pro, Wondershare PDF Element, and Smallpdf—offer these capabilities.