Comparison

ApowerPDF Editor vs PDFelement

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

Head to head
About

ApowerPDF Editor

Easily modify PDF documents on your mobile device. Edit text, change fonts, manage images, and organize pages. Save your work to the cloud for access across devices.

Highlights
  • Edit PDF text and fonts
  • Add, rotate, and resize images
  • Manage PDF pages (add, delete, reorder)
  • Save documents to cloud storage
  • View PDF content with thumbnail navigation
Features
Read full description

ApowerPDF Editor is exactly what you need to modify PDF documents on the go and improve productivity for your study and work. With ApowerPDF Editor you can: Modify PDF without Hassle - Tap anywhere to edit PDF text. - Change PDF font and color. - Cut, copy, paste and delete text in a PDF. - Add, rotate, replace, and delete PDF images. - Adjust PDF image size with pinch-to-zoom gesture. Manage PDF Pages with One Tap - Add blank PDF pages to a PDF document. - Rotate and delete PDF pages. - Drag and drop to move PDF pages. Save PDF to Cloud With this PDF editor’s VIP account, you can not only save the document to your iOS devices, but also store it to our cloud service. It allows you to log in to your account on any mobile device to get the saved document and continue to work on it. View PDF Content Using this PDF reader, you can browse through your PDF documents, and also jump to a specified page by tapping the thumbnail. This PDF editor currently only supports editing native PDF documents, so if your files are scanned PDF or created from images, the content in the PDF cannot be modified. Thank you! If you need any help or have any advice for us, please contact us! We'll feedback to you ASAP. Support: https://www.apowersoft.com/support/ Forum: https://www.apowersoft.com/community/ Feedback: https://www.apowersoft.com/support/submit-ticket/ Terms of Use: https://www.apowersoft.com/terms If you think this app helps you, your positive a review would be much appreciated. Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/apowersoft Twitter: https://twitter.com/apowersoft YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCokXyc9VxEx1KvbJlrcp6zw

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

ApowerPDF Editor4 screens
PDFelement4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PDFelement at 76% against ApowerPDF Editor's 31%. PDFelement also leads on rating (4.6 vs 1.8) and ratings volume (7.6K vs 5). ApowerPDF Editor's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. ApowerPDF Editor sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month 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 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDFelement has 7.6K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 31% of ApowerPDF Editor's written reviews are positive against 76% of PDFelement's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ApowerPDF Editor ships an update every 4 weeks, PDFelement every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
ApowerPDF Editor versus PDFelement: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterApowerPDF EditorPDFelement
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.8 (5 ratings)4.6 (7.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews31.3% of reviews75.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings57.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size82 MB196 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperWangxu Technology Co., LtdWondershare Technology Group Co.,LTD

Customer experience

ApowerPDF Editor

All ratings5 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive31.3%
Neutral9.4%
Negative59.4%

PDFelement

All ratings7,566 ratings
Positive90.7%
Neutral2.4%
Negative6.9%
Written reviews827 reviews
Positive75.9%
Neutral3.6%
Negative20.4%

Bugs and requests

ApowerPDF Editor

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

4 purchases

ApowerPDF Editor

Subscriptions2
  • PDF Editor Monthly Bundle Plan$2.991 Month
  • PDF Editor Yearly Bundle Plan$6.991 Year
One-time2
  • PDF Editor (Monthly)$3.99
  • PDF Editor (Yearly)$9.99
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 ApowerPDF Editor free?
ApowerPDF Editor 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, ApowerPDF Editor or PDFelement?
PDFelement is rated higher. ApowerPDF Editor averages 1.8 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while PDFelement averages 4.6 from 7.6K ratings.
Do ApowerPDF Editor or PDFelement have ads?
PDFelement shows ads; ApowerPDF Editor does not.
Which is updated more often, ApowerPDF Editor or PDFelement?
ApowerPDF Editor ships an update every 4 weeks, and PDFelement every 10 days. Most recently, ApowerPDF Editor was updated on September 19, 2026 and PDFelement on September 25, 2026.

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