Comparison

PDF Reader Pro Edition® 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 Reader Pro Edition®

This powerful application allows users to read, manage, edit, and annotate PDF files on iOS devices. It offers real-time online collaboration, form filling, and advanced annotation tools. Create, organize, and secure your PDF documents with ease.

Highlights
  • Real-time online collaboration and chat
  • Fillable PDF forms
  • Extensive annotation tools (highlight, notes, signature)
  • EasyReview mode for text markup
  • Create new PDF files
  • Secure Vault folder
  • Built-in scanner
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

**Winner of the Tabby Awards for best iPad- Productivity/Documents App** PDF Reader Pro Edition is the best app to read, manage and annotate PDF files and it works beautifully on iOS 12. The most powerful PDF reader, carefully designed and optimized specially for the iPhone & iPad. The best mobile PDF reader for your iPad Pro and Apple Pencil. Part of the @work campaign by Apple. Some of the great features of PDF Reader Pro Edition are: • Real-time online collaboration & chat Now you can collaborate and add annotations with other users on the same file over the internet in real time and you can chat about your progress simultaneously. They will be able to see what changes you are making as you make them all in real time. • PDF forms support 
Now you can fill out PDF forms directly on your iPad/iPhone. • Full Annotations/highlight support
 Now you can add notes directly from your iPad anywhere on the document. Highlighter, stamps, sticky notes, text boxes, underlines, strikeout, dynamic stamps (with date & time), freehand drawing, signature, free highlight, lines, arrows, rectangles and ovals, fully compatible with Apple Preview and Adobe Acrobat. • New EasyReview mode With this new amazing feature you are able to mark up PDF documents faster and easier than ever before. Just tap on the part of text where you need to make changes and correct it in the text editor (similar to Word). The text will be marked as removed and the new text will have a different color so you can easily identify it. When you save the PDF file all the modifications will appear as standard annotations (replace text and insert text annotations). • Fresh new user interface specially design to merge beautifully with iOS 12. • Create new PDF files Extract and email pages from a PDF file or create a new document using pages from an existing file. • Share & collaborate Connect with all your colleagues and friend to share and collaborate your PDF files and annotations in real time. • Rotate function You can rotate a single page or the whole document. • Vault folder Securely store your important PDF files. • Bookmarks/Outlines Bookmark pages on your PDF files. Add outlines to create or modify a table of contents for your document directly from your iPad. • Reflow mode • Full Web browser to download PDF files from the web • Scanner Create multipage documents in PDF format. • Document manager Copy, cut, paste and delete your documents. Organize your PDFs into folders. • PDF hyperlinks support Jump back and forth within the document. Jump back button to quickly go back to the page you came from. • Text search Easily find any word on your PDF file. • Save email attachments Open attachments directly from the Mail app, you can also open PDF files from any other application using the Open in function. • Download PDF files from Safari Use the Open in function to download a PDF file from Safari to PDF Reader Pro Edition. • Transfer files You can easily and securely copy your PDF files from your Mac or PC using Airdrop, the USB or WiFi sharing feature. • Print Print your PDF files and annotations directly from the app. • Email your files Email your PDF files directly from the app, you can email the entire document with all annotations or you can also email specific pages from a PDF file. You can also email a flatten copy of a PDF file, this option will compress and flatten your annotations onto the document to prevent them from being modified. • Cloud support Download/upload your PDF files to iCloud, Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, SugarSync & OneDrive. • Great for presentations Use Airplay or an HDMI cable to show your documents on an external display while you annotate them in real time. • The only mobile PDF Reader application that supports Vitrium* protected PDF files (Like University of Phoenix ebooks) Join the hundred of thousands users already enjoying all the great features of PDF Reader Pro Edition. More amazing features coming soon!

About

PDF Editor

Easily edit, sign, and convert PDF documents. This app allows you to import files from various sources, add signatures, text, and annotations, and even convert documents to speech. It offers a comprehensive solution for managing and sharing your PDFs.

Highlights
  • Import files from multiple sources
  • Sign, edit, and annotate PDFs
  • Live text scanning and image text import
  • Merge multiple files
  • Convert text to speech
  • Save and manage signatures
Features
Read full description

PDF Editor: Scan, Convert & Sign Documents Working with PDFs should feel simple and efficient. PDF Editor helps you scan documents, edit PDFs, convert files, and sign documents—all in one easy-to-use app. Whether you're managing work files, study materials, or personal documents, everything stays organized and accessible. All-in-One PDF Editor & Scanner Edit, merge, convert, and manage your PDFs with a smooth workflow designed for everyday use. Edit, Merge & Organize PDFs Stay in control of your files with powerful editing tools: • Add text and annotations to PDFs • Merge multiple PDFs into one file • Split large PDFs into smaller sections • Reorder, rotate, or delete pages • Manage pages with simple controls Perfect for organizing documents, notes, and reports. Sign & Protect Documents Handle important files securely: • Add signatures to forms and documents • Set passwords to protect sensitive PDFs • Open password-protected files Convert Files to PDF Use a fast PDF converter while keeping formatting consistent: • Image to PDF • Text to PDF • Word to PDF • Excel to PDF Scan Documents Anytime Turn your device into a portable PDF scanner: • Scan receipts, notes, and documents • Automatic edge detection for clear scans • Adjust, crop, and enhance scans • Save instantly as PDF files Import Files from Multiple Sources Access your documents easily: • Files app • Photos • iCloud Drive • Dropbox • Import via URL (Third-party services are supported for import functionality only. This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by these services.) Read or Listen to PDFs Review documents your way: • Smooth PDF reader with zoom and navigation • Listen with built-in text-to-speech Organize Your Files Efficiently Keep everything structured: • Rename, move, or duplicate files • Create folders • Search by file name or type Share & Print Easily • Share via Mail, AirDrop, or other apps • Print documents directly Privacy-Focused Experience Your documents are handled with care, focusing on reliable performance and respecting your privacy. Privacy Policy: https://maximaapps.com/policy/privacy_policy.html Terms of Use: https://maximaapps.com/policy/terms_of_use.html

Screenshots

PDF Reader Pro Edition®4 screens
PDF Editor4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PDF Editor at Free against PDF Reader Pro Edition®'s $1.99. PDF Editor also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (69% vs 54%). PDF Reader Pro Edition®'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and chart position (#124 vs unranked). On ads 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

PDF Editor is free to download; PDF Reader Pro Edition® costs $1.99 up front. PDF Editor sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. PDF Reader Pro Edition® asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PDF Editor holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.7K and 507 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of PDF Reader Pro Edition®'s written reviews are positive against 69% of PDF Editor's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Reader Pro Edition® ships an update every 4 months, PDF Editor every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
PDF Reader Pro Edition® versus PDF Editor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF Reader Pro Edition®PDF Editor
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.4 (1.7K ratings)4.7 (507 ratings) — better
Positive reviews54.3% of reviews68.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.7K — better507
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
Best chart rank#124 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS10.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size66 MB75 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperiTECH DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS INC.Maxima Apps

Customer experience

PDF Reader Pro Edition®

All ratings1,730 ratings
Positive84.9%
Neutral3.2%
Negative11.8%
Written reviews516 reviews
Positive54.3%
Neutral8.5%
Negative37.2%

PDF Editor

All ratings507 ratings
Positive92.1%
Neutral3.6%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews86 reviews
Positive68.6%
Neutral4.7%
Negative26.7%

User reviews

PDF Reader Pro Edition®

From 1.7K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and easy to use
  • 📁 Good file organization and management
  • ✍️ Useful annotation and highlighting tools
  • 🔒 Secure document storage

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
  • 🔍 Poor search functionality
  • 📤 Difficulty sharing/exporting annotated files
  • 🤔 Unintuitive user interface

PDF Editor

From 507 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 User-friendly
  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 💡 Useful features
  • 🚀 Efficient
  • 👍 Simple

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Doesn't work properly
  • 🐛 Glitchy
  • 🐛 Deletes user's work
  • 🐛 Incompatible with older devices

Bugs and requests

PDF Reader Pro Edition®

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes when opening certain PDF files
  • Annotations disappear or fail to save
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • Slow performance on older iPad models

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for password-protected PDFs
  • Improve annotation tools with better undo/redo
  • Implement cloud storage integration (Dropbox, iCloud, etc.)
  • Add ability to insert, delete, and rearrange PDF pages

PDF Editor

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login screen freezes
  • Crashes when merging documents
  • Unable to view PDF content
  • Adds unwanted elements to documents

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to upload/import from other apps
  • Ability to change font color
  • Ability to print manuals

In-app purchases

None

PDF Reader Pro Edition®

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

PDF Editor

Subscriptions8
  • PDF Editor Monthly Pro$4.991 Month
  • PDF Editor Monthly Plus Offer3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • PDF Editor Monthly Offer Plus1 Month trial$9.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • PDF Editor Weekly7 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • PDF Editor Monthly$12.991 Month
  • PDF Editor Yearly Pro$29.991 Year
  • PDF Editor Yearly Offer Plus1 Year trial$49.991 Year
  • PDF Editor Yearly Plus Offer3 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is PDF Reader Pro Edition® free?
PDF Reader Pro Edition® costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is PDF Editor free?
PDF Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Reader Pro Edition® or PDF Editor?
PDF Editor is rated higher. PDF Reader Pro Edition® averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while PDF Editor averages 4.7 from 507 ratings.
Do PDF Reader Pro Edition® or PDF Editor have ads?
Neither PDF Reader Pro Edition® nor PDF Editor shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Reader Pro Edition® or PDF Editor?
PDF Reader Pro Edition® ships an update every 4 months, and PDF Editor every 6 weeks. Most recently, PDF Reader Pro Edition® was updated on September 24, 2026 and PDF Editor on September 21, 2026.

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