Comparison

Smart PDF Editor vs FreePDF

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Smart PDF Editor

This app is a PDF editor designed for efficient ink annotations, especially with a stylus. It helps professionals sign and share documents, and students take notes on study materials. Organize your files with a built-in manager.

Highlights
  • Ink annotation optimized
  • Digital signature tool
  • Document review and sharing
  • Note-taking on documents
  • Built-in file manager
  • Color-coded categories
Features
Read full description

Smart PDF is a PDF editor specially optimized for ink annotations. Use it with an Apple Pencil for the ultimate ease in note taking. Great for professionals Quickly sign and send documents. Review, annotate and share files with your colleagues. Great for students If you spend a lot of time reading and studying documents on your iPad, then Smart PDF is an indispensable tool for getting the most out of your study time. Take notes on documents in class, or while studying at home. Keep all your files organized with the built-in file manager, with color-coded categories. We hope you enjoy Smart PDF! -- The App Makers @ Qrayon

About

FreePDF

This app offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing, scanning, converting, filling, and signing PDF documents. It includes features like scanning to editable PDFs, annotation, form filling, document security, and an AI assistant. It's designed for professionals, students, and anyone needing a versatile PDF solution.

Highlights
  • Scan to editable PDFs
  • PDF annotation and editing
  • Advanced signature and form filling
  • Versatile file conversion
  • Document security with passcodes
  • AI Assistant and Writing Helper
Features
Read full description

FreePDF is the perfect app for professionals, business people, students, and anyone in need of a robust, secure, and versatile PDF tool. With its comprehensive feature set and user-friendly interface, FreePDF is your go-to app for all things PDF on iOS, iPadOS and macOS. This powerful app offers a wide range of features to manage, scan, convert, fill, sign and edit PDFs directly on your device, ensuring your files remain secure and private. Now we have added an innovative AI Assistant and Writing Helper as well! Key Features: + Scan into editable PDFs: · Scan physical documents, objects, and photos using your iOS device's camera. · Edit and annotate scanned files with a full suite of editing tools. + Intuitive PDF Annotation and Editing: · Annotate, fill, sign, and highlight PDFs with ease. · Add rich text including images, tables, lists, etc. to your PDF pages. · Fully compatible with Apple Pencil for precision and natural experience. Features include tilt and pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, and more. + Advanced Signature and Form Filling: · Sign documents with personalized or predefined signatures. · Fill in PDFs using a stylus, pencil, or finger with ease. + Write and Draw Over new blank PDFs: · Highlight, mark up, and annotate directly on your own PDFs. · Includes drawing and writing features. + Versatile File Conversion: · Convert images (PNG, TIFF, JPG, SVG, HEIF, GIF) to PDF. · Transform documents (TXT, RTF, WORD, HTML, PPT, XLS, PAGES, NUMBERS, KEY) into PDFs. · Easily convert files from Microsoft Office and Apple iWork suites to PDF. + Document Security: · Safeguard your PDFs with secure passcodes. · Keep sensitive information confidential and protected. + Anywhere Access and Sharing: · Share and send PDFs from anywhere, anytime. · Integrated sharing options include iCloud, Gmail, Mail, Google Drive, Dropbox, One Drive, Box, iMessage, and Print. + Efficient Document Management: · Organize and manage PDF files effortlessly. · User-friendly interface for handling both small and large collections. · Search and find easily your files. Get FreePDF for FREE now! Privacy Policy http://www.noteswriter.com/Kairoos_Privacy_Policy.html EULA https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ This app requires users to have a subscription to unlock all the features after a 3-day risk-free trial.

Screenshots

Smart PDF Editor4 screens
FreePDF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Smart PDF Editor at 3.8 against FreePDF's 1.8. Smart PDF Editor also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (109 vs 5). FreePDF's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 7 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. FreePDF sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Smart PDF Editor asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Smart PDF Editor holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smart PDF Editor has 109 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 21% of Smart PDF Editor's written reviews are positive against 11% of FreePDF's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smart PDF Editor ships an update every 7 months, FreePDF every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Smart PDF Editor versus FreePDF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmart PDF EditorFreePDF
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (109 ratings) — better1.8 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews20.9% of reviews — better11.1% of reviews
Number of ratings109 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB317 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperQrayon, LLCKairoos Solutions SL

Customer experience

Smart PDF Editor

All ratings109 ratings
Positive67.9%
Neutral5.5%
Negative26.6%
Written reviews43 reviews
Positive20.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative79.1%

FreePDF

All ratings5 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive11.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative88.9%

In-app purchases

None

Smart PDF Editor

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

FreePDF

Subscriptions1
  • FreePDF Unlock All Features3 Days trial$2.991 Month
One-time1
  • FreePDF Lifetime Pro Unlock$3.99

Questions

Is Smart PDF Editor free?
Smart PDF Editor is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is FreePDF free?
FreePDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Smart PDF Editor or FreePDF?
Smart PDF Editor is rated higher. Smart PDF Editor averages 3.8 out of 5 from 109 ratings, while FreePDF averages 1.8 from 5 ratings.
Do Smart PDF Editor or FreePDF have ads?
Smart PDF Editor shows ads; FreePDF does not.
Which is updated more often, Smart PDF Editor or FreePDF?
Smart PDF Editor ships an update every 7 months, and FreePDF every 5 days. Most recently, Smart PDF Editor was updated on October 8, 2026 and FreePDF on September 25, 2026.

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