The best PDF editors for Mac include Adobe Acrobat Pro, PDF Expert, PDF.net, Foxit PDF Editor, Nitro PDF Pro, Preview, and Wondershare PDFelement. These make it easy to create, convert, edit, e-sign, and organize files, especially within business, academic, or creative workflows.
Follow along as we evaluate each editor based on six criteria to help you find the right fit. You will get a clear picture of what each editor does best and which one delivers the most value for your money.
Key Takeaways
- PDF editors are typically evaluated based on their pricing, features for editing, annotating, converting, and compressing PDFs, macOS compatibility, security, privacy, and accessibility.
- Adobe Acrobat Pro is a solid option if you want advanced features, while PDF Expert is preferable if you don’t want to spend too much time learning how to use the platform.
- PDF.net is an affordable, browser-based option that you can use without installing anything.
- Foxit PDF Editor, Nitro PDF Pro, and Wondershare PDFelement are all popular alternatives to Adobe Acrobat with comparable features.
- For simple editing or viewing, Preview is a great free PDF editor for Mac users.
How We Evaluated the Best PDF Editors for Mac
We evaluated the best PDF editors for Mac based on their:
- Pricing. It’s always worth considering whether a free or trial version is available for testing, as well as how well the paid plans justify their cost through included features.
- Features for editing and annotating PDFs. We checked each PDF editor to see if it can reliably perform basic tasks, including editing, commenting, highlighting, form filling, and inserting images. In addition, we took note of how easy it was to use these features.
- Features for converting and compressing PDFs. It’s also necessary to analyze each editor’s tools for converting from the PDF format to other formats. We also checked if they could compress documents of various lengths without compromising quality.
- macOS compatibility. We evaluated using each PDF editor on a Mac device to check whether it entailed any problems, like crashing, lagging, or missing text.
- Security and privacy. Security and privacy are often evaluated through password protection, encryption, and redaction features, along with an assessment of each editor’s privacy policy.
- Accessibility. We considered whether the PDF editors can be used without an Internet connection and whether it’s easy to integrate documents with cloud platforms. Additionally, we checked their compatibility with assistive technologies for accessible PDFs.
It’s also rather important to note that our PDF editor comparison is based on publicly available information.
Top 7 PDF Editors for Mac in 2025
Below are the top seven PDF editors for Mac users in 2025:
#1. Adobe Acrobat Pro
Adobe Acrobat Pro remains one of the best PDF editors for Mac, with strong tools for PDF markup, commenting, collaborating, and enterprise-level security standards.
It has a polished interface and integrates smoothly with Adobe’s cloud ecosystem for easy access across devices. Due to this, it is an especially great choice for larger teams or businesses.
Adobe Acrobat Pro’s key features include:
- 7-day trial version
- 70+ features for creating, editing, and e-signing PDFs
- OCR technology for scanned PDFs
- Syncing with Adobe Document Cloud (100GB)
Let’s take a closer look at its pros and cons:
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As previously mentioned, this program is not the most budget-friendly option, but it is justifiable and suitable for Mac users who need advanced PDF capabilities.
#2. PDF Expert (Readdle)
PDF Expert (Readdle) is another popular PDF editor for Mac users, which loads quickly, has an intuitive workflow, and is incredibly easy to use, even if you are not tech-savvy.
Its key features include:
- Full suite of tools, including PDF signing and form filling
- Option for one-time purchase
- 30-day back guarantee
- Day, night, and sepia themes for enhanced comfort when reading
Here is a breakdown of its pros and cons:
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PDF Expert is a nice option for Mac users who don’t want to spend a long time learning to use the platform, as they only need it mainly for simple reading, editing, and markup tasks.
#3. PDF.net
PDF.net is a browser-based editor that is designed with simplicity in mind. You will love it if you prefer quick edits, conversions, or annotations without any downloads. Plus, its interface is accessible from any Mac browser, including Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
PDF.net’s key features include:
- PDF conversion to many other formats (including JPG and PNG)
- Functions include compressing, merging, splitting, rearranging pages, and form filling
- Tools for adding text, changing fonts, highlighting, and including page numbers
Below are its key pros and cons:
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Casual users, students, and professionals who only need occasional edits or conversions will likely find PDF.net the best PDF editor for Mac. It is particularly handy if you work from different devices frequently because you won’t have to install anything on them.
#4. Foxit PDF Editor
Foxit is PDF editing software for Mac users who work with PDFs regularly and need advanced features without spending as much as on Adobe Acrobat. It has a clean interface based on Microsoft's ribbon-style toolbar and performs reliably across Mac devices.
Its key features include:
- A 14-day trial version
- Full-featured editing, commenting, and annotation tools
- Integration options with Google Drive, Box, SharePoint, and OneDrive
- File conversion between multiple formats
- Enterprise-level security options (SOC 2 type 2, TAA, VPAT 508, HIPAA, ADA compliant)
Here are some of its pros and cons:
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Having all this in mind, if you are a part of a small team and seeking a cost-effective Adobe Acrobat alternative, Fox PDF Editor fits the bill.
#5. Nitro PDF Pro
Nitro PDF Pro was originally PDFpenPro, developed by Smile Software, but is now part of the Nitro family. It integrates seamlessly with Office 365, SharePoint 365, OneDrive for Business, Dropbox, Box, and Google Drive.
Its features are not overwhelming thanks to an easy-to-use interface. Plus, for Mac users’ peace of mind, it also maintains HIPAA and SOC 2 compliance.
Nitro PDF Pro’s key features include:
- 14-day trial version
- Comprehensive editing, annotation, and form-filling tools
- Familiar, office-like interface
- Easy sharing, commenting, and tracking
- Batch processing and merging for efficient workflows
Let’s now look at its advantages and disadvantages:
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Nitro PDF Pro is best for business users who need to edit PDFs on Mac while working in a Microsoft or cloud-based system. Its comprehensive integration options make it ideal for organizations that collaborate across multiple platforms.
#6. Preview (macOS Built-In Tool)
Preview is pre-installed on every Mac and is often considered the best free PDF editor for Mac. While it does not offer the same advanced editing features as paid software, it handles essential tasks, such as viewing, annotating, and signing PDFs well.
Its key features include:
- Viewing, annotating, signing, and merging PDF files
- Adding text boxes, shapes, and signatures
- Quick export options
- Full offline access with automatic iCloud syncing
Below are Preview’s pros and cons:
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For everyday Mac users, Preview is a reliable PDF editor for viewing and making simple changes. It is not meant for complex workflows, but its simplicity, speed, and built-in nature make it great for quick tasks.
#7. Wondershare PDFelement
Wondershare PDFelement is designed for individuals and businesses that want to edit PDFs without Adobe. In addition to a user-friendly interface, it offers professional-grade features at a more affordable price ($89.99–$139.99 per year).
Wondershare PDFelement’s key features include:
- 7-day trial version
- Built-in OCR technology for scanned PDFs
- 10 built-in AI tools that simplify its use
- Advanced protection with password and PDF permission controls
Its pros and cons:
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Therefore, if you don’t want a PDF editor that is too costly but still want professional tools to handle your PDFs, you should give Wondershare PDFelement a chance.
How to Choose the Best PDF Editor for Your Mac?
To choose the best PDF editor for your Mac, consider the following:
- Pricing. You should compare free versions, one-time licenses, and subscriptions to find the option that matches your budget. If you don’t need continuous updates, you might be better off with one-time purchases like Nitro PDF Pro.
- Ease of use. This will directly affect your workflow, so don't overlook it. It is best to choose the interface that feels intuitive and works seamlessly with your Mac. Test how easy it is to open, install, and navigate.
- Editing depth. Larger teams might want advanced automation features, while smaller teams might find them a waste of money. This depends on your specific needs, so consider these carefully; for example, if you work with scanned documents often, OCR functionality is important.
- Integrations. Check if the PDF editor connects smoothly with Office 365, Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive. Integrations can help you automate workflows, share files, and collaborate with others in real time. This is especially crucial if you are part of a team that regularly handles PDFs.
- Security and compliance. You should choose PDF editors that support password encryption and redaction. Compliance with HIPAA or SOC 2 is also necessary if you are in regulated businesses or industries.
- Performance. A good PDF editor should run efficiently on Mac without draining the battery, lagging, or crashing. So, take time to test how it performs with large PDFs or while using other software at the same time.
- Accessibility. This is important if you frequently travel and need to work on PDFs offline or with different devices. An online editor like PDF.net provides fast, browser-based functionality in this case. However, in other cases, a desktop editor is the safer choice, especially if your PDFs are typically confidential or complex.
Final Thoughts
The choice of the best PDF editor for Mac depends on what you need to use it for and how often you will use it. Some are built for advanced workflows, while others are designed for everyday tasks.
A solid editor should deliver all the core features you need (editing, signing, converting, and sharing) without the hassle of use difficulties. The only way to pick the best one for your needs is to consider the criteria from this guide, and we hope it helps you make the right decision more easily!
Best PDF Editor for Mac FAQs
#1. What is the best free PDF editor for Mac?
The best free PDF editor for Mac is PDF.net if you want quick online edits without installation. It comes with a full suite of tools for converting, editing, organizing, and optimizing PDFs, as well as an incredibly intuitive interface. Additionally, Adobe Acrobat Pro, Foxit PDF Editor, or Wondershare PDFelement are also rather solid options, depending on your needs.
#2. Can I edit a PDF on Mac without installing software?
Yes, you can edit a PDF on a Mac without installing software by using PDF.net. Our tool lets you upload the PDF and then edit it using a full suite of tools, after which you can download the new version with a click.
#3. Which PDF editors are compatible with macOS Sonoma or Ventura?
Most of the PDF editors mentioned are compatible with macOS Sonoma and Ventura. However, your best choice is Preview, which is built into Mac and naturally remains compatible as Apple updates.