Comparison

PDF Hero vs eSign App

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

eSign App

Transform your device into a powerful tool for signing PDF documents and other file types. Easily import, scan, sign, and share documents locally, or send them to others for their signatures. Integrates with popular cloud services for seamless workflow.

Highlights
  • Sign documents anywhere
  • Fill and edit documents
  • Create custom e-signatures
  • Import documents
  • Send documents for signing
  • Cloud service integration
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

eSign App will turn your iPhone or iPad into a powerful instrument for e-signing PDF documents and other formats, and it also allows you to send documents for signature to another party. Quickly import or scan, add a signature, and share any document as a PDF or JPG file. You don’t need an Internet connection because all documents are stored locally on your device. FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS: — Easily Sign Documents Anywhere — Fill and Edit Documents — Create Your e-Signature — Import Your Documents — Send Documents for Signing — Invite the Other Party to Sign — Work seamlessly with cloud services thanks to integrations with iCloud, Dropbox, Evernote, Box, OneDrive, Google Drive, and others. Subscription plans: • 1-week subscription with a 3-day trial version for $4.99 • 1-month subscription for $9.99 • 12-month subscription for $49.99 Note: Prices may vary by location. Subscription auto-renewal information: — A free trial period is available. — Payment will be charged to your iTunes account upon confirmation of purchase. — Your free trial subscription will automatically renew to a paid subscription unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the free trial period. — The subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription. — The account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours before the end of the current subscription. The cost depends on the selected plan. — Users can manage their subscriptions, and auto-renewal can be turned off by going to the user’s Account Settings after purchase. — Any unused portion of the free trial will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://e-sign.co/privacy Terms of Use: https://e-sign.co/terms For any questions or inquiries, please contact us at support@e-sign.co.

Screenshots

PDF Hero4 screens
eSign App4 screens

Verdict

The call

PDF Hero and eSign App both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 85% of eSign App's written reviews are positive against 18% of PDF Hero's. PDF Hero's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ratings volume (10K vs 1.5K). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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 20 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and eSign App sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

eSign App 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 1.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 18% of PDF Hero's written reviews are positive against 85% of eSign App's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
PDF Hero versus eSign App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF HeroeSign App
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (10K ratings)4.8 (1.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews17.8% of reviews85.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings10K — better1.5K
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#190#76 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size536 MB110 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMosaic S.r.l.Municorn Limited

Customer experience

PDF Hero

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

eSign App

All ratings1,509 ratings
Positive95.2%
Neutral0.9%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews366 reviews
Positive85.0%
Neutral1.6%
Negative13.4%

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

eSign App

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 🚀 Efficient signing process
  • 🚀 Convenient for on-the-go document signing
  • 🔒 Secure document handling

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Difficulty canceling subscription
  • 🐛 Unexpected charges/subscription renewals
  • 🐛 Limited functionality in free version
  • 🐛 Unresponsive customer support

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

eSign App

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App crashes when uploading certain file types
  • Syncing issues between devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • Option to easily cancel subscription
  • More customization options for signatures
  • Ability to add dates and annotations to signed documents

In-app purchases

20 purchases

PDF Hero

Subscriptions20
  • Weekly Premium with Free Trial7 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium$2.997 Days
  • Weekly with free trial7 Days trial$3.997 Days
Show 17 more
  • Weekly Subscription$3.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium$5.997 Days
  • Weekly Premium with Free Trial7 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Weekly Sub with Free Trial7 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription$7.997 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
  • Yearly with Free Trial7 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription$69.991 Year
  • PDF Hero Premium 1 Year3 Days trial$89.991 Year
  • Yearly Bundle$99.991 Year
  • Yearly Bundle with Free Trial7 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • PDF Hero Premium 1 Year3 Days trial$99.991 Year
9 purchases

eSign App

Subscriptions9
  • Premium features3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Premium features3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Premium features$9.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • Premium features3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • Premium features$14.991 Month
  • The Documents Bundle 1 week3 Days trial$14.997 Days
  • The Documents Bundle 1 month3 Days trial$39.991 Month
  • Electronic Signature Creator$49.991 Year
  • Premium features$69.991 Year

Questions

Is PDF Hero free?
PDF Hero is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is eSign App free?
eSign App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Hero or eSign App?
eSign App is rated higher. PDF Hero averages 4.6 out of 5 from 10K ratings, while eSign App averages 4.8 from 1.5K ratings.
Do PDF Hero or eSign App have ads?
Neither PDF Hero nor eSign App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Hero or eSign App?
PDF Hero ships an update every 3 weeks, and eSign App every 3 weeks. Most recently, PDF Hero was updated on November 1, 2026 and eSign App on October 30, 2026.
Which is more popular, PDF Hero or eSign App?
PDF Hero currently peaks at #190 in the App Store charts, and eSign App at #76. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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