Comparison

PDF Reader 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

Edit, convert, and manage PDF documents on your mobile device. This app allows you to directly edit text, scan documents, fill out forms, and secure your files with passwords and watermarks. It also supports OCR to extract text from scans and convert PDFs to various formats.

Highlights
  • Edit PDF text directly
  • Convert PDF to Word, Excel, PPT, images
  • OCR for text extraction from scans
  • Fill and sign PDF forms
  • Secure PDFs with passwords and watermarks
  • Annotate PDFs with highlights and notes
  • Merge and split PDF files
Features
Read full description

KDAN PDF, formerly KDAN PDF Reader, is a mobile PDF editor and reader for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Edit text directly on your device. Then scan, organize, convert, sign, and share your PDFs in one simple and powerful app. Trusted by millions, KDAN PDF connects your workflow across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, making it easy to review, annotate, and finalize documents anywhere. Who Recommends Us? - Featured as “10 Essentials” in Utility on iTunes - Featured in “10 Best PDF Reader Apps For iPhone & iPad 2019” by FOSSBYTES - Featured as “Best Utility App” in App Store Rewind KEY FEATURES PDF EDITOR • Edit and correct any typos directly on PDFs • Merge multiple files into one PDF • Split a large PDF into several small PDFs • Rotate, delete, add, and rearrange pages • Extract pages or images from PDFs • Change PDF background color PDF CONVERTER • Online & Offline PDF converter • Convert PDF to Word, Excel, PPT & image conversions (docx, xlsx, pptx, jpg, png, gif & bmp). • Save webpages and images as PDFs OCR (Optical Character Recognition) • Recognize and extract text from scans • Export OCR results as text or searchable PDFs • Support 50+ languages SIGN, FORM FILLING, SHARE • Fill out & edit PDF forms • Sign on PDFs • Customize and manage signatures SHARE FILES • Get files from KDAN Cloud, iCloud Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, Evernote, FTP, or WebDAV client • Compress PDFs • Share flatten PDFs • Send faxes directly from within the app PDF SECURITY • Add passwords to lock PDFs • Remove passwords & restrictions from PDFs • Add & remove PDF watermarks • Validate certificates & signatures in PDF documents VIEW FILES • Supports all mainstream file formats, including Vitrium* PDF format (Like University of Phoenix Ebooks) • Text Reflow & Auto Flow • Present a PDF as a slideshow • View multiple PDFs as tabs • Dark mode supported (only for iOS13 & macOS Mojave and later) • Convert text to spoken audio (text-to-speech) ANNOTATE & REVIEW PDF • Annotate PDFs with highlights, underlines, strikeout text, shapes, sticky notes & text boxes • Add pre-designed stamps, including Approved, Sign Here, Confidential, and more • Add custom stamps with time and date information • Insert hyperlinks to external websites, target pages, and email address • Attach audio notes & insert images to PDFs • Turn handwriting into text with Scribble (Available for iPad) • Add handwritten notes to PDFs MANAGE ANNOTATIONS • Save annotations in XFDF format • Remove all annotations in one tap - Recommended by Techradar, Techworm & Softsonic UPGRADE OPTIONS DOCUMENT 365 • Try for $0.00 for 7 days • Access KDAN PDF on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and other platforms. • Annual plan: billed at USD 59.99/year after the 7-day free trial ends • Quarterly plan: billed at USD 19.99/quarter after 3-day free trial ends • Monthly plan: billed at USD 9.99/month after 3-day free trial ends Subscriptions will be charged to your Apple account upon purchase and will auto-renew 24 hours before the current period ends at the same price and duration. Cancellation during the active period is not allowed. Manage your trial and subscription in your Apple account. Terms of service: https://pdf-reader.kdandoc.com/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://pdf-reader.kdandoc.com/privacy-policy Got a question? Contact us at helpdesk@kdanmobile.com or check out https://support.kdanmobile.com

About

PDF Editor

Easily edit, merge, and convert PDF files with a comprehensive set of tools. Modify text and images, add annotations, and secure your documents with password protection and digital signatures.

Highlights
  • Edit PDF text and images
  • Merge and split PDF files
  • Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, PPT
  • Annotate documents
  • Password protection and digital signatures
  • Real-time collaboration
Features
Read full description

Are you tired of working with static PDF files that cannot be easily edited or customized? Look no further than our PDF editor, which features an extensive set of powerful and intuitive tools to help you manage and manipulate your documents with ease. This app makes it easy to edit PDF files, acting as a powerful document editor and efficient PDF merger. You can quickly edit PDF content, combine files using the built-in PDF merger, and manage your work with a full-featured document editor. Whether you need to edit PDF pages, merge multiple files with the PDF merger, or format text using the document editor, this app has you covered. Here are some of the key features that make our PDF editor stand out: 1) Text Editing: With our PDF editor, you can easily modify text within your PDF documents, including font type, size, and color. You can also add, delete, and move text blocks within your documents. 2) Image Editing: The PDF editor also lets you manipulate images within your PDF files, allowing you to resize, crop, and rotate images, as well as adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance. 3) Annotation: With our PDF editor, you can add comments, highlight text, and create custom stamps to help you annotate and mark up your documents as needed. 4) Merge and Split: Our PDF editor also includes tools for merging multiple PDF files into a single document, as well as splitting larger files into smaller ones. 5) Convert and Export: You can also convert your PDF documents to other file formats, such as Word, Excel, and PPT, making it easy to work with your content across a variety of platforms. 6) Security: Our PDF editor also includes robust security features, including password protection and digital signature capabilities, to help you keep your documents safe and secure. 7) Collaboration: With our PDF editor, you can easily share documents with others and collaborate in real time, allowing multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously. PDF editor is designed to be both powerful and easy to use, with a sleek and intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate and access all of the tools and features you need to create and manage your PDF documents. So whether you're a business professional, student, or freelancer, our PDF editor is the perfect tool to help you work more efficiently and effectively with your documents. Privacy Policy: https://zipoapps.com/pdfexpertios/privacy Terms: https://zipoapps.com/pdfexpertios/terms/

Screenshots

PDF Reader4 screens
PDF Editor4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PDF Reader at 81% against PDF Editor's 43%. PDF Reader also leads on ratings volume (3.5K vs 189) and rating (4.5 vs 4.3). On price, update cadence, 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 Reader sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and PDF Editor sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PDF Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Reader has 3.5K ratings behind it against 189, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of PDF Reader's written reviews are positive against 43% of PDF Editor's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PDF Reader versus PDF Editor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF ReaderPDF Editor
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (3.5K ratings) — better4.3 (189 ratings)
Positive reviews80.9% of reviews — better43.2% of reviews
Number of ratings3.5K — better189
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size190 MB121 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKdan Mobile Software LTDZipoApps

Customer experience

PDF Reader

All ratings3,542 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral2.7%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews2,194 reviews
Positive80.9%
Neutral4.8%
Negative14.3%

PDF Editor

All ratings189 ratings
Positive83.1%
Neutral2.6%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews44 reviews
Positive43.2%
Neutral4.5%
Negative52.3%

Bugs and requests

PDF Reader

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Unable to open or access saved files
  • Syncing and backup issues
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved file management and organization
  • Better integration with cloud storage services
  • More customization options
  • Enhanced accessibility features

PDF Editor

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

PDF Reader

Subscriptions9
  • KDAN Cloud$2.991 Month
  • Deluxe Business Pack$5.991 Month
  • Creativity 3653 Days trial$9.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • Document 365 (Month)3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Deluxe PDF Pack for iPhone$12.993 Months
  • Creativity 365 - 3 Months3 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • Document 365 (Quarter)3 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • Deluxe PDF Pack for iPhone$39.991 Year
  • Document 3657 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Upgrade to Premium$2.99
16 purchases

PDF Editor

Subscriptions15
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial$1.997 Days
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial$2.997 Days
Show 12 more
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Remove Ads & Sign + Compress3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Remove Ads & Sign + Compress3 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial$8.997 Days
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial2 variants$19.991 Year
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial2 variants$29.991 Year
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Unlimited access3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Remove Ads + Sign & Compress$19.99

Questions

Is PDF Reader free?
PDF Reader 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 Reader or PDF Editor?
PDF Reader is rated higher. PDF Reader averages 4.5 out of 5 from 3.5K ratings, while PDF Editor averages 4.3 from 189 ratings.
Do PDF Reader or PDF Editor have ads?
Neither PDF Reader nor PDF Editor shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Reader or PDF Editor?
PDF Reader ships an update every 2 months, and PDF Editor every 2 months. Most recently, PDF Reader was updated on September 24, 2026 and PDF Editor on September 20, 2026.

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