Comparison

PDF Hero vs FreePDF

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

FreePDF

This app offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing, scanning, converting, filling, and signing PDF documents. It includes features like scanning to editable PDFs, annotation, form filling, document security, and an AI assistant. It's designed for professionals, students, and anyone needing a versatile PDF solution.

Highlights
  • Scan to editable PDFs
  • PDF annotation and editing
  • Advanced signature and form filling
  • Versatile file conversion
  • Document security with passcodes
  • AI Assistant and Writing Helper
Features
Read full description

FreePDF is the perfect app for professionals, business people, students, and anyone in need of a robust, secure, and versatile PDF tool. With its comprehensive feature set and user-friendly interface, FreePDF is your go-to app for all things PDF on iOS, iPadOS and macOS. This powerful app offers a wide range of features to manage, scan, convert, fill, sign and edit PDFs directly on your device, ensuring your files remain secure and private. Now we have added an innovative AI Assistant and Writing Helper as well! Key Features: + Scan into editable PDFs: · Scan physical documents, objects, and photos using your iOS device's camera. · Edit and annotate scanned files with a full suite of editing tools. + Intuitive PDF Annotation and Editing: · Annotate, fill, sign, and highlight PDFs with ease. · Add rich text including images, tables, lists, etc. to your PDF pages. · Fully compatible with Apple Pencil for precision and natural experience. Features include tilt and pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, and more. + Advanced Signature and Form Filling: · Sign documents with personalized or predefined signatures. · Fill in PDFs using a stylus, pencil, or finger with ease. + Write and Draw Over new blank PDFs: · Highlight, mark up, and annotate directly on your own PDFs. · Includes drawing and writing features. + Versatile File Conversion: · Convert images (PNG, TIFF, JPG, SVG, HEIF, GIF) to PDF. · Transform documents (TXT, RTF, WORD, HTML, PPT, XLS, PAGES, NUMBERS, KEY) into PDFs. · Easily convert files from Microsoft Office and Apple iWork suites to PDF. + Document Security: · Safeguard your PDFs with secure passcodes. · Keep sensitive information confidential and protected. + Anywhere Access and Sharing: · Share and send PDFs from anywhere, anytime. · Integrated sharing options include iCloud, Gmail, Mail, Google Drive, Dropbox, One Drive, Box, iMessage, and Print. + Efficient Document Management: · Organize and manage PDF files effortlessly. · User-friendly interface for handling both small and large collections. · Search and find easily your files. Get FreePDF for FREE now! Privacy Policy http://www.noteswriter.com/Kairoos_Privacy_Policy.html EULA https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ This app requires users to have a subscription to unlock all the features after a 3-day risk-free trial.

Screenshots

PDF Hero4 screens
FreePDF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PDF Hero at 4.6 against FreePDF's 1.8. PDF Hero also leads on ratings volume (10K vs 5) and chart position (#194 vs unranked). FreePDF's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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 FreePDF sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PDF Hero holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Hero has 10K ratings behind it against 5, 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 11% of FreePDF's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Hero ships an update every 3 weeks, FreePDF every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
PDF Hero versus FreePDF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF HeroFreePDF
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (10K ratings) — better1.8 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews17.8% of reviews — better11.1% of reviews
Number of ratings10K — better5
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#194 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size536 MB317 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMosaic S.r.l.Kairoos Solutions SL

Customer experience

PDF Hero

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

FreePDF

All ratings5 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive11.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative88.9%

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

FreePDF

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
2 purchases

FreePDF

Subscriptions1
  • FreePDF Unlock All Features3 Days trial$2.991 Month
One-time1
  • FreePDF Lifetime Pro Unlock$3.99

Questions

Is PDF Hero free?
PDF Hero is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FreePDF free?
FreePDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Hero or FreePDF?
PDF Hero is rated higher. PDF Hero averages 4.6 out of 5 from 10K ratings, while FreePDF averages 1.8 from 5 ratings.
Do PDF Hero or FreePDF have ads?
Neither PDF Hero nor FreePDF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Hero or FreePDF?
PDF Hero ships an update every 3 weeks, and FreePDF every 5 days. Most recently, PDF Hero was updated on September 25, 2026 and FreePDF on August 26, 2026.

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