# HelloPDF vs PDF Hero

The clearest difference is update cadence: PDF Hero at every 3 weeks against HelloPDF's every 23 months. PDF Hero also leads on ratings volume (10K vs 18) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). HelloPDF's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. HelloPDF sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and PDF Hero sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

HelloPDF holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Hero has 10K ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two.

HelloPDF ships an update every 23 months, PDF Hero every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HelloPDF | PDF Hero |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hellopdf-pdf-converter-and-scanner/id1508862361/reviews)** | [4.6 (10K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-hero-pdf-editor-and-reader/id1512973255/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 18 | **10K** |
| Positive reviews | — | 17.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 23 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 16 MB | 536 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Shanghai Dazhuo Information Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1470341377) | [Mosaic S.r.l.](https://appshunter.io/developer/570748343) |

## What reviewers say

### HelloPDF

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hellopdf-pdf-converter-and-scanner/id1508862361)

Easily convert multiple images into PDF documents with this tool. It offers features like background cleaning, high-definition output, and customizable PDF sizes. All conversions are processed locally for speed and security.

**Highlights:** Convert multiple pictures to PDF, Clear dark background function, Create high-definition PDFs, Set any PDF size, Fast and secure offline conversion, Manage and search saved PDFs, Share and print converted documents

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $10.49 | per year |


### PDF Hero

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-hero-pdf-editor-and-reader/id1512973255)

Edit, create, and manage PDF documents on your mobile device. Annotate, fill forms, sign, and share files with ease. Offers advanced features like OCR and compression for enhanced document control.

**Highlights:** Create PDFs from scratch, Edit text and annotate documents, Fill and sign PDF forms, Convert images/documents to PDF, OCR for editable text, Compress and merge PDFs, Password-protect sensitive data

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium with Free Trial | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Premium with Free Trial | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Sub with Free Trial | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Subscription | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Yearly with Free Trial | $69.99 | per year |
| Yearly Subscription | $69.99 | per year |
| Yearly Bundle | $99.99 | per year |
| Yearly Bundle with Free Trial | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Useful PDF editing features
- 🚀 Easy to use
- 👍 Signature functionality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and malfunctions
- 🐛 Inconsistent behavior and glitches
- 🔋 High subscription cost
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription
- 👎 Poor text editing capabilities

**Reported bugs**

- Text disappearing or jumping around during editing
- Inability to save or transfer edited documents
- App crashing or freezing during use
- Incorrect rendering of PDF content

**Requested features**

- Improved text editing and manipulation
- Better file management and organization
- Seamless integration with other apps
- Clearer subscription and cancellation policies


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HelloPDF free?

HelloPDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PDF Hero free?

PDF Hero is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, HelloPDF or PDF Hero?

HelloPDF is rated higher. HelloPDF averages 4.8 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while PDF Hero averages 4.6 from 10K ratings.

### Do HelloPDF or PDF Hero have ads?

Neither HelloPDF nor PDF Hero shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HelloPDF or PDF Hero?

HelloPDF ships an update every 23 months, and PDF Hero every 3 weeks. Most recently, HelloPDF was updated on November 3, 2026 and PDF Hero on November 8, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*