Comparison

PDF Hero vs PDF Editor

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

Head to head
About

PDF Hero

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
Read full description

Looking for a convenient and easy-to-use PDF editor? View and edit PDF files on the go with PDF Hero! The app works on iPhone and iPad. PDF Hero helps you take control of your papers and run your business in the ever-changing digital world. Create and read PDFs, then annotate, edit, fill and sign forms, or share files. Manage paperwork hassle-free from anywhere – the office, remotely, or from home. There’s no need for printed copies when you can access and edit the docs you need, on the go – all in an app. Stay one step ahead when it comes to document management. CREATE & VIEW - Create PDFs from scratch. - Open and view any PDF file. - Zoom in and out while reading. - Search to find the necessary information using text search. - Read PDFs easier with Read Mode by creating bookmarks and navigating conveniently. EDIT & ANNOTATE - Edit text in your PDF files, fix typos, and correct paragraphs. - Add comments and annotations using text notes. - Write on PDFs with your finger or stylus. - Fill PDF forms. - Highlight key ideas and add shapes. - Insert images, crop, resize, or change the angle if necessary. MANAGE & STORE - Import files from your device or online storage services like iCloud and Dropbox. - Delete pages from a multi-page PDF document. - Share PDF files with or without annotations for further reading and commenting. - Print files right from your device. Level up with Premium features! PRO EDITING - Convert images and documents to PDF files. - Sign docs right on the screen of your device. - Add stamps to PDF documents. - Transform PDF files into editable text with OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology. PRO MANAGEMENT - Compress PDFs and share them as ZIP files. - Manage PDF pages: add pages, rotate, and reorder them. - Share selected pages of a multi-page PDF file. - Merge two or more PDF pages into a single document. - Password-protect sensitive data. *To digitize printed copies and transform them into editable PDF scans, try our Scan Hero app! Subscription payments will be charged to your App Store account at confirmation of your purchase. Subscriptions will automatically renew and you will be charged unless auto-renew is turned off or unless you cancel at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current subscription or trial period. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a premium subscription during the free trial period. The cost of renewal depends on the Subscription Plan you choose. Subscriptions and auto-renewal may be managed by going to Account Settings after purchase or by contacting Customer Support. Privacy Policy: https://support.bendingspoons.com/privacy.html?app=1512973255 Terms of Service: https://support.bendingspoons.com/tos.html?app=1512973255 Got questions or suggestions? Please don’t hesitate to email us at pdfhero@bendingspoons.com

About

PDF Editor

Edit, read, scan, and convert PDF documents with a comprehensive suite of tools. Annotate, draw, and sign your files with ease. This app offers offline functionality and supports collaboration.

Highlights
  • Edit and annotate PDF documents
  • Scan physical documents to PDF
  • Convert various file types to PDF
  • Convert PDF to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Sign documents electronically
  • Collaborate by sharing PDF files
  • Work offline
Features
Read full description

Edit, Read, Scan, Convert, Annotate & Sign Your PDF Documents With A1 PDF EDITOR! A1 PDF EDITOR is your all-in-one PDF converter, reader and editor app. It allows you to view, scan, edit, annotate, convert, draw and sign PDFs, allowing you to handle your important documents in an easy, breezy and safe way! KEY FEATURES: → PDF EDITOR: Edit & Annotate Documents Easily: • Edit PDF, write, annotate and leave comments easily on your doc with our customizable sticky notes and intuitive drawing tools. • Highlight key passages, add text boxes for in-depth comments, and respond to existing annotations. (Apple Pencil support on iPad Pro for enhanced precision). → PDF READER: View & Read PDF Documents: • Received a document you need to view and read? Our app lets you view any type of document which is easy to read with our high quality PDF opener app. → PDF SCANNER: Scan Physical Documents: • Scan your physical documents and convert them into universally readable documents using your phone’s camera. • Our advanced scanning technology ensures your scanned PDFs look professional with automatic perspective correction, color adjustments, and intelligent cropping tools. → PDF CONVERTER: Convert to PDF from different Documents: • Word Document → PDF • Excel Spreadsheets → PDF • Presentations → PDF • Images (JPG, PNG) → PDF • Plain Text (TXT) → PDF → PDF to FILES: Convert PDF to any document easily: • PDF → Word Document • PDF → Excel Spreadsheets • PDF → Presentations → PDF SIGNATURE: Sign Documents Without Hassle: • Fill out your forms and sign without any hassle using your finger or Apple pencil. • Our electronic signature system makes sure your original signatures look just as good and accurate on your PDF documents. → SHARE & EXPORT & COLLABORATE: • Invite colleagues or clients to collaborate by effortlessly sharing PDF files via email, link, or text message. • Set permission levels for recipients, allowing them to view, edit, or sign the PDF document according to your needs. • Print, fax, or convert any doc to PDF - Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats for maximum flexibility → MORE TOOLS: • Insert Images & Draw Effortlessly • Unleash your creative side by inserting images, editing images and using our multiple PDF tools to draw and beautify your documents. Why Should You Choose A1 PDF EDITOR? • Compatible With All Apple Devices - iPhone (iOS 15.0 or later), iPad (iPadOS 15.0 or later), Mac (macOS 12.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later) • All In One PDF App - No need to download multiple apps to scan, edit, convert, or annotate docs; this one app allows you to do it all effortlessly! • Work Offline - Fluctuating internet? No need to panic! Work offline and the changes will be synced as soon as you are back online :D • Free Premium Trial - Unlock the Full Potential with a Free Trial. Experience all the premium features of A1 PDF EDITOR free for 3 days! Choose a subscription plan that best suits your needs and cancel anytime without obligation. Please note: Subscriptions are charged through your App Store account. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage your subscription through your App Store account settings after purchase. What are you waiting for? No need to download multiple PDF apps. Make your life easier with the A1 PDF EDITOR today! Terms of use - https://blog.a1apps.co/terms-of-use-a1-pdf-editor/ Privacy Policy - https://a1office.co/ios-privacy-policy/

Screenshots

PDF Hero4 screens
PDF Editor4 screens

Verdict

The call

PDF Hero and PDF Editor both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 39% of PDF Editor's written reviews are positive against 18% of PDF Hero's. PDF Editor also leads on chart position (#35 vs #200). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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 Hero sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days and PDF Editor sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for PDF Hero against 4.7 for PDF Editor. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10K and 7.8K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 18% of PDF Hero's written reviews are positive against 39% of PDF Editor's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Hero ships an update every 3 weeks, PDF Editor fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
PDF Hero versus PDF Editor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF HeroPDF Editor
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (10K ratings)4.7 (7.8K ratings) — better
Positive reviews17.8% of reviews39.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings10K — better7.8K
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#200#35 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size536 MB217 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMosaic S.r.l.Rhophi Analytics LLP

Customer experience

PDF Hero

All ratings10,328 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral2.4%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews247 reviews
Positive17.8%
Neutral5.3%
Negative76.9%

PDF Editor

All ratings7,772 ratings
Positive91.5%
Neutral2.3%
Negative6.2%
Written reviews136 reviews
Positive39.0%
Neutral1.5%
Negative59.6%

User reviews

PDF Hero

From 10K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

PDF Editor

From 7.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use interface
  • 📚 Comprehensive PDF editing tools
  • 🚀 Reliable performance

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🙄 Intrusive ads and feedback popups
  • 📁 Limited functionality in free version

Bugs and requests

PDF Hero

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

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

PDF Editor

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Unable to save or export PDFs
  • Editing tools not working as expected
  • Subscription issues and billing problems

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add option to delete pages
  • Improve save/export functionality
  • Introduce a one-time purchase option

In-app purchases

12 purchases

PDF Hero

Subscriptions12
  • Weekly with free trial7 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription$3.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium$5.997 Days
Show 9 more
  • Weekly Premium with Free Trial7 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • PDF Hero Premium 1 Month$9.991 Month
  • PDF Hero Premium 1 Month3 Days trial$10.991 Month
  • PDF Hero Premium 1 Month3 Days trial2 variants$11.991 Month
  • Convert & Merge PDF Documents3 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • PDF Hero Premium 3 Months3 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • PDF Hero Premium 1 Year3 Days trial$34.991 Year
  • PDF Hero Premium 1 Year3 Days trial$89.991 Year
  • PDF Hero Premium 1 Year3 Days trial$99.991 Year
15 purchases

PDF Editor

Subscriptions14
  • Premium Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Premium Weekly$9.997 Days
Show 11 more
  • Pro Weekly Plan3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Pro Weekly Plan7 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Pro Weekly Plan7 Days trial2 variants$11.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly3 Days trial$11.991 Month
  • Pro Weekly Plan3 Days trial$12.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly$12.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly$16.991 Month
  • Black Friday Premium Sale3 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • Pro Yearly3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is PDF Hero free?
PDF Hero is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Editor free?
PDF Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Hero or PDF Editor?
PDF Editor is rated higher. PDF Hero averages 4.6 out of 5 from 10K ratings, while PDF Editor averages 4.7 from 7.8K ratings.
Do PDF Hero or PDF Editor have ads?
Neither PDF Hero nor PDF Editor shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Hero or PDF Editor?
PDF Hero ships an update every 3 weeks, and PDF Editor fortnightly. Most recently, PDF Hero was updated on September 25, 2026 and PDF Editor on September 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, PDF Hero or PDF Editor?
PDF Hero currently peaks at #200 in the App Store charts, and PDF Editor at #35. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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