# PDF Splitter + PDF Merge vs PDF Expert

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PDF Splitter + PDF Merge at 88% against PDF Expert's 46%. PDF Splitter + PDF Merge also leads on device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). PDF Expert's advantage is ratings volume (216K vs 139) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PDF Splitter + PDF Merge sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and PDF Expert sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

PDF Expert holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Expert has 216K ratings behind it against 139, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 88% of PDF Splitter + PDF Merge's written reviews are positive against 46% of PDF Expert's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

PDF Splitter + PDF Merge ships an update every 3 months, PDF Expert fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Splitter + PDF Merge | PDF Expert |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (139 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-splitter-plus-pdf-merge/id651952889/reviews) | **[4.7 (216K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-expert-editor-and-reader/id743974925/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 139 | **216K** |
| Positive reviews | **88.2% of reviews** | 46.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#70** |
| Size | 4 MB | 307 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [青青 余](https://appshunter.io/developer/633344484) | [Readdle Technologies Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/285035419) |

## What reviewers say

### PDF Splitter + PDF Merge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-splitter-plus-pdf-merge/id651952889)

Easily combine multiple PDF files into a single document or extract specific pages from existing PDFs. This tool supports merging password-protected files if the password is known.

**Highlights:** Extract pages from PDF, Merge specified pages of multiple PDFs, Merge password-protected PDFs, Combine PDFs into one

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock（without restriction） | $3.99 | one-time |
| Unlock iOS without restriction | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Quick and efficient
- 🚀 Intuitive interface
- 👍 Reliable and consistent
- 👍 Excellent value for free app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Issues with sorting/reordering files
- 🐛 Limitations on number of files
- 🔧 Outdated or basic interface design
- 💰 Requests payment after trial period

**Reported bugs**

- Corrupts text in merged PDF documents
- Paid version does not work as expected

**Requested features**

- Add page preview functionality
- Allow merging of other file types (not just PDFs)
- Improve file sorting/reordering capabilities
- Provide more customization options


### PDF Expert

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-expert-editor-and-reader/id743974925)

**Currently charting:** #70 Top Grossing · Productivity, #206 Top Free · Productivity (US App Store)

This app allows you to edit, annotate, fill out forms, and convert PDF documents. It offers AI-powered summarization and analysis, along with tools to merge, sign, and protect your files. Work seamlessly across Apple devices with a user-friendly interface.

**Highlights:** Edit PDF text and images, Annotate and highlight PDFs, Fill out PDF forms, Convert files to and from PDF, AI-powered summarization and analysis, Merge and combine PDF files, Sign documents with e-signatures

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PDF Expert Premium Trial | $9.99 | per month |
| PDF Expert Premium No Trial | $9.99 | per month |
| PDF Expert for Education | $39.99 | per year |
| PDF Expert Premium | $49.99 | per year |
| PDF Expert Premium New | $49.99 | per year |
| PDF Expert Premium Existing | $49.99 | per year |
| PDF Expert – Premium Editing | $49.99 | per year |
| PDF Expert Mac & iOS Pro | $79.99 | per year |
| PDF Expert Mac & iOS | $79.99 | per year |
| PDF Expert Basic | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and responsive
- 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- 💡 Powerful annotation and editing tools
- 🔒 Seamless cloud integration
- 📚 Excellent for reading and organizing PDFs

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
- 🔒 Subscription model for advanced features
- 🔒 Inconsistent pricing and feature changes
- 🔍 Cluttered and confusing UI in latest update
- 🔍 Reduced customization options for annotations

**Reported bugs**

- Corrupted PDFs after editing
- Sync issues with cloud storage providers
- Unexpected loss of annotations and edits
- Unreliable performance on older iPad models

**Requested features**

- Improved palm rejection for Apple Pencil
- Customizable toolbar and annotation presets
- Better integration with other productivity apps
- More flexible file management and organization
- Ability to create fillable PDF forms


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PDF Splitter + PDF Merge free?

PDF Splitter + PDF Merge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PDF Expert free?

PDF Expert is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, PDF Splitter + PDF Merge or PDF Expert?

PDF Expert is rated higher. PDF Splitter + PDF Merge averages 4.5 out of 5 from 139 ratings, while PDF Expert averages 4.7 from 216K ratings.

### Do PDF Splitter + PDF Merge or PDF Expert have ads?

Neither PDF Splitter + PDF Merge nor PDF Expert shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PDF Splitter + PDF Merge or PDF Expert?

PDF Splitter + PDF Merge ships an update every 3 months, and PDF Expert fortnightly. Most recently, PDF Splitter + PDF Merge was updated on September 23, 2026 and PDF Expert on September 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*