Comparison

PDF Highlighter vs PDFelement

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

Head to head
About

PDF Highlighter

Easily edit and highlight text, photos, and documents directly on your phone. This app provides realistic highlighting tools and drawing functions to mark important sections of PDFs and images, allowing you to save and share your annotated files.

Highlights
  • Edit and highlight PDF files and photos
  • Use realistic highlighter pen tool
  • Freehand drawing with pen, line, arrow, rectangle, and circle tools
  • Change drawing tool colors and sizes
  • Zoom in/out PDF pages
  • Export highlighted PDFs and photos
  • Add, delete, or edit PDF pages
Features
Read full description

PDF Highlighter, Now easy to highlight important text, add notes, and annotate PDFs with ease. Customize documents using text, signatures, arrows, circles, lines, and colorful markup tools. Draw, edit, and organize your files with professional annotation features designed for work, study, and everyday productivity. Turn any PDF into an interactive and editable document in just a few taps. Easy to read & convert all image formats into PDF files with password security. The complete PDF toolkit for reading, editing, scanning, converting, and managing documents on your iPhone and iPad. Whether you're reviewing contracts, studying notes, filling forms, highlighting important sections, or creating PDFs from photos, PDF Highlighter - Read & Edit gives you everything you need in one powerful and easy-to-use app. Designed for students, professionals, teachers, business users, and anyone who works with documents every day. Now here you can edit PDF files and highlight the important and hide confidential text in PDF files easily. This will help you for protecting your privacy and ensuring confidential information stays hidden. Whether you need to redact personal details from a PDF files or colorise important information in PDF files. ** Key Features - Powerful PDF Editor • Edit and annotate existing PDF documents • Add images to PDF pages or scan to generate PDF files • Save changes as a new copy or replace the original file • Create professional documents on the go - Advanced PDF Highlighter & Annotation Tools • Highlight important text with multiple colors • Add notes and comments • Draw directly on PDF pages • Add custom text anywhere in the document • Insert signatures and initials • Undo and redo changes instantly - Smart PDF Reader • Open and read PDF files quickly • Smooth scrolling and fast page navigation • Search text inside PDFs • Jump directly to any page • Zoom in and out with ease • Recent files for quick access • Open PDF files from other apps • List and Grid view modes • Organize files by folders - Professional Markup Tools • Pen and freehand drawing tools • Multiple pen styles and colors • Adjustable font styles and sizes • Arrow tool • Line tool • Circle and filled circle tools • Shape drawing support • Precision editing with zoom controls • Blur or hide important text information - Scan to PDF • Scan documents using your camera • Create high-quality PDFs from images • Automatic document detection • Save scans in portrait or landscape mode • Perfect for receipts, notes, contracts, invoices, and forms - Image to PDF Converter • Convert photos into PDF documents • Combine multiple images into a single PDF • Rearrange pages before creating PDF • Create professional PDF files in seconds - PDF Conversion Tools • PDF to Word • Word to PDF • Image to PDF • Scan to PDF • PDF to ZIP • Fast and reliable document conversion - PDF Management Tools • Merge multiple PDF files • Compress PDF files to reduce size • Batch compress multiple PDFs • Organize and manage documents easily • Rename, move, and share files - Privacy & Security • Lock PDF files with passwords • Protect sensitive documents • Secure file management • Keep your important files private - Save & Share Anywhere • Export and share PDFs instantly • Share files via email, messaging apps, and more • Print PDF documents directly from your device - Why Choose PDF Highlighter - Read & Edit? • Fast and lightweight • Professional PDF editing tools • Powerful highlighter and annotation features • Complete document management solution • Easy-to-use interface • Perfect for work, study, business, and personal use Download now and take full control of your PDF documents anytime, anywhere. Privacy Policy: https://shadowphotovideoeditorzoneappspolicy.blogspot.com/2024/02/shadow-photo-video-editor-zone-privacy.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

PDFelement

This application offers comprehensive PDF management, including advanced editing, AI-powered summarization and translation, and efficient scanning with OCR. It helps organize, convert, and secure documents for work, study, and personal use.

Highlights
  • AI Chat with PDF
  • Scan and OCR
  • PDF to Office Conversion
  • Edit PDF like Word
  • Password Protection
  • Compress PDF
Features
Read full description

PDFelement is optimized for the latest Liquid Glass experience, with a more refined interface, clearer navigation, and smoother interactions for your PDF workflow. AI PDF Editor, PDF Reader, PDF Scanner, PDF Converter, PDF Signer. One app for work, study, and everyday life. Customize Your Toolbar Arrange your PDF tools the way you work. Reorder, show, or hide toolbar items to keep your favorite actions within easy reach and create a cleaner, faster, and more efficient workspace. AI PDF • Chat with PDF: Ask questions and get instant, accurate answers from your PDFs. • AI Summarize PDF: Turn lengthy contracts, reports, and documents into concise key points. • AI Translate: Translate selected text instantly across 60+ languages. • Generate Mind Map: Transform PDF content into clear visual mind maps. • AI Record: Record, transcribe, and convert voice notes into editable text for efficient note-taking. Edit PDF Like Word • Edit PDF: Edit PDF text, images, links, and watermarks with ease. • Font Editing: Keep the original font, erase content, and adjust font size, spacing, and formatting effortlessly. Professional PDF Reader • Liquid Mode: Optimize PDFs for comfortable reading on any screen. • Bookmarks: Save and jump to important pages instantly. • Read Aloud: Listen to PDFs with your preferred voice and playback speed. Scan & OCR • PDF Scanner: Scan receipts, invoices, contracts, IDs, and certificates into high-quality PDFs. • OCR: Extract editable text from scanned documents and images. • Multi-Page Scan: Combine multiple scans into a single PDF. PDF Converter • PDF to Word, Excel, PowerPoint & Images: Convert PDFs into editable Office files or JPG, PNG, and more. • Create PDF: Convert Microsoft Office documents and images into PDFs. Annotate PDF • Markup & Notes: Highlight, underline, draw, and add sticky notes. • Comments: Review documents with professional commenting tools. • Measure: Measure distance, perimeter, and area directly inside PDFs. Create PDF • Blank PDF: Start with customizable paper templates. • Image to PDF: Create PDFs from photos or camera scans. Manage PDF • Compress PDF: Reduce file size while maintaining quality. • Merge PDF: Combine multiple PDFs into one document. • Organize Pages: Add, delete, rotate, extract, split, and rearrange PDF pages. Fill & Sign • Fill PDF Forms: Complete interactive PDF forms quickly and accurately. • E-Sign PDF: Add typed or handwritten signatures. • Custom Stamps: Create reusable stamps with text, drawings, or images. Store & Share PDF • PDFelement Cloud: Access your PDFs anytime, anywhere across your devices. • Protect PDF: Secure sensitive files with passwords and encryption. • Share PDF: Share documents via links, email, AirDrop, or social apps. PDF Templates • Professional Templates: Browse resumes, invoices, planners, contracts, invitations, and more. • Easy Customization: Personalize colors, fonts, and layouts in seconds. • Business & Education Ready: Create polished documents for work, school, and everyday use. MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account upon confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://www.wondershare.com/company/terms_conditions.html Privacy Policy: https://www.wondershare.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

PDF Highlighter4 screens
PDFelement4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PDFelement at 76% against PDF Highlighter's 0%. PDFelement also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.0) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 95 months). PDF Highlighter's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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. PDF Highlighter sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and PDFelement sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PDFelement holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDFelement has 7.6K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of PDF Highlighter's written reviews are positive against 76% of PDFelement's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Highlighter ships an update every 95 months, PDFelement every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
PDF Highlighter versus PDFelement: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF HighlighterPDFelement
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (1 ratings)4.6 (7.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews76.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings17.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 95 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB199 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperJaydeep DhameliyaWondershare Technology Group Co.,LTD

Customer experience

PDF Highlighter

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative75.0%

PDFelement

All ratings7,578 ratings
Positive90.7%
Neutral2.3%
Negative6.9%
Written reviews840 reviews
Positive76.1%
Neutral3.6%
Negative20.4%

Bugs and requests

PDF Highlighter

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

PDFelement

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login issues and inability to restore purchases
  • Corrupted scanned files or loss of progress
  • Inconsistent behavior when editing PDF text
  • Compatibility problems with older devices or OS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add dark mode option
  • Improve cloud integration and file management
  • Enhance OCR accuracy and capabilities
  • Introduce multi-tab support for better workflow
  • Add more customization options for toolbars and UI

In-app purchases

3 purchases

PDF Highlighter

Subscriptions3
  • PDF Highlighter Purchase Week$2.997 Days
  • PDF Highlighter Purchase Month$9.991 Month
  • PDF Highlighter Purchase Year$110.991 Year
18 purchases

PDFelement

Subscriptions16
  • Monthly Subscription (AI)$3.991 Month
  • PDF Editor& Converter& Scanner$6.991 Month
  • PDF Editor & Scanner Pro(iOS)$6.991 Month
Show 13 more
  • Weekly Subscription (iOS)$6.997 Days
  • Quarterly Subscription (iOS)$9.993 Months
  • Weekly Subscription (iOS)7 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription (iOS)$9.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription (All)$19.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription (iOS)$24.991 Year
  • PDF Editor & Scanner Pro7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription (iOS)2 variants$29.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription (iOS)3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Quarterly Subscription (All)$39.993 Months
  • Annual Subscription (iOS+Win)$99.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription (iOS+Mac)$99.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription (All)$109.991 Year
One-time2
  • PDF Editor & Scanner Pro$39.99
  • iOS$39.99

Questions

Is PDF Highlighter free?
PDF Highlighter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDFelement free?
PDFelement is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Highlighter or PDFelement?
PDFelement is rated higher. PDF Highlighter averages 3.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while PDFelement averages 4.6 from 7.6K ratings.
Do PDF Highlighter or PDFelement have ads?
PDFelement shows ads; PDF Highlighter does not.
Which is updated more often, PDF Highlighter or PDFelement?
PDF Highlighter ships an update every 95 months, and PDFelement every 10 days. Most recently, PDF Highlighter was updated on October 24, 2026 and PDFelement on November 1, 2026.

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