Comparison

PDF Expert vs Forma

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

PDF Expert

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
Read full description

PDF Expert is a fast and easy PDF app to read, annotate, fill and sign PDF forms, convert files to PDF, and merge, split or compress documents – all in one intuitive app for iPhone, iPad, Mac & Vision Pro. Read PDF files with comfort, highlight and mark up text, fill out forms, sign contracts, create and convert PDFs, and summarize long documents in seconds with AI-powered tools. Unlock unlimited possibilities with PDF Expert Premium and work across all your Apple devices. "PDF Expert is one of my must-have iPad apps and a desktop-class PDF reader." – MacStories "The best app for managing, editing, and reading PDFs on your iPad." – The Sweet Setup ▶ WITH PDF EXPERT, YOU CAN: READ PDFs - PDF reader with Day, Night, and Sepia modes for comfortable reading anytime - Scroll PDFs vertically or horizontally and search text in any document - Open and view PDF files from email, web, Files, or any app via the Share menu - Read PDFs out loud with Text to Speech ANNOTATE AND MARK UP PDFs - Highlight, underline, and strike through text in your PDFs - Mark up documents with pen, shapes, text, notes, and comments - Add stamps such as Approved or Confidential - Record your voice and add audio notes to PDFs FILL AND SIGN PDF FORMS - Fill out PDF forms with text fields, checkboxes, and radio buttons - Sign PDF documents in seconds – draw your signature or add it from an image - Save your signature to sign contracts, agreements, invoices, and applications faster - Fill, sign, and send forms right from your iPhone – no printing or scanning needed - Supports all major form formats, including AcroForms and static XFA forms ***PREMIUM FEATURES*** EDIT PDFs - Edit text directly in a PDF – just as you would in a Word document - Add, replace, and resize images in your PDFs - Add links to other pages or websites - Add outlines to navigate large PDFs CREATE AND CONVERT PDFs - Create PDFs from Word files, images, and other documents - Convert Word to PDF, JPG to PDF, and PNG to PDF in seconds - Convert PDF to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG, PNG, and TXT MERGE, SPLIT AND ORGANIZE PDFs - Merge and combine multiple PDF files into one - Split PDFs and extract pages into a new file - Add, delete, rotate, and reorder pages with thumbnail preview COMPRESS PDFs - Compress PDFs to reduce file size for email and sharing - Shrink large PDF files to save space on your device SUMMARIZE PDFs WITH AI – PDF COPILOT - List Main Points – get key takeaways from any PDF - Summarize – get concise summaries of entire PDFs or annotations - Ask Anything – find details with AI answers and references - Explain – get instant explanations of words or phrases PROTECT YOUR FILES - Password-protect PDF Expert - Redact – permanently black out sensitive information WORK WITH SCANNED DOCUMENTS - Open scanned PDFs to fill out, sign, annotate, and share CONSTRUCTION TOOLS - Scale and measure drawings with the Measure tab - Polygon, polyline, and redline tools MORE FEATURES - Customizable toolbar - Presentation Mode - Print and share PDFs via email or cloud ONE ACCOUNT FOR ALL YOUR APPLE DEVICES One Premium subscription covers PDF Expert on iPhone, iPad, and Mac – no need to buy versions separately. Read more about our terms and conditions here: https://pdfexpert.com/privacy https://pdfexpert.com/terms Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at http://readdle.com/contact

About

Forma

This AI-powered app allows users to edit, fill, sign, scan, and convert PDF documents. It offers features like text editing, form filling, e-signatures, OCR scanning, and file conversion. An AI assistant can summarize, rewrite, or generate content, and users can create invoices and resumes.

Highlights
  • AI-powered PDF editing
  • Fill and e-sign forms
  • Built-in OCR scanner
  • Convert PDFs to various formats
  • AI assistant for content generation
  • Create and send invoices
  • Resume builder
Features
Read full description

Meet Forma—your AI-powered PDF editor that lets you fill, sign, scan, and edit documents. Contracts to sign, forms to fill, files to convert—and no laptop in sight. With Forma, all you need is your phone: edit text, fill out forms, add your signature, scan paper, and convert between formats without disrupting the layout. When a document needs more than editing—a summary, a rewrite, a draft from scratch—the built-in AI assistant will take care of that too. From the creators of iScanner, trusted by 145M+ users. With Forma, you get: • A clean interface that keeps PDF work intuitive. • A built-in scanner with OCR that turns paper into searchable, editable files. • An AI assistant that summarizes, catches mistakes, and generates content. • Secure cloud storage synced across iPhone, iPad, and web. Here's what that looks like: EDIT PDFs WITHOUT LOSING THE LAYOUT Need to update a figure in a proposal or fix a heading before a deadline? Tap any text to edit it—Forma auto-matches fonts so the document looks untouched. You can also highlight sections, add notes, insert images, and split or merge files. VIBE EDIT PDFs WITH A TEXT OR VOICE PROMPT Instead of manually editing PDFs, let the app do the work. Tell Vibe Edit what you want to change by typing a message or recording a voice command, and get your updated PDF right away. FILL & SIGN FORMS WITHOUT PRINTING Tax form, lease, job application—complete any form right in the app. With autofill, you can speed through repetitive fields. Draw or type your electronic signature once, save it, and apply it whenever you need. TURN PAPER DOCS INTO FILES Not every document starts digital. Unlike most PDF editors, Forma has a full scanner built in—point your camera at an agreement, a receipt, or a note, and it becomes a clean, searchable PDF with OCR. CONVERT FILES BETWEEN FORMATS Client needs your PDF as a Word document? Professor wants the assignment in a different format? Convert seamlessly between PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, JPG, and TXT in both directions. LET AI DO THE HEAVY LIFTING Long contract before a meeting? Email that needs a different tone? Summarize lengthy documents, rewrite and polish text, or catch grammar and logic mistakes. Plus, generate cover letters, emails, and more with ready-made templates. CREATE AND SEND INVOICES ON THE GO Project done, time to get paid. Add line items, taxes, and terms, then share with a link or export as a PDF—built for freelancers and remote workers who invoice on the go. BUILD A RESUME THAT STANDS OUT Enter your details and career goals—the AI handles layout, formatting, and design. Whether you're a student entering the job market or making a career move, the result is a professional CV ready to send in minutes. KEEP YOUR FILES SAFE AND SYNCED Store documents securely in the cloud and access them across every Apple device. Blur confidential information before sharing, add watermarks to protect your work, and lock folders with a PIN for added peace of mind. Edit, sign, fill, scan, and convert—Forma is the PDF editor that turns your phone into a document workspace. Download it today. FAQ Q: Can I use Forma offline? A: Yes. Editing, form filling, and signing all work without a connection. Cloud sync and AI features require an internet connection. Q: Who can see my documents? A: Only you. Files are encrypted in cloud storage and never shared with third parties. Q: Can I use Forma on both iPhone and iPad? A: Yes. Your files sync automatically between devices through secure cloud storage. Forma PRO – Subscribe to get Pro access to all features. You will be charged after the purchase confirmation. – Subscriptions auto-renew 24 hours before the expiration date. You can manage them in your Account Settings on the App Store. Privacy Policy: http://bpmob.com/forma/privacy/en/ Terms of Use: http://bpmob.com/forma/terms/en/ For any questions or inquiries about Forma, our PDF reader, contact us at http://bpmob.com/forma/support.

Screenshots

PDF Expert4 screens
Forma4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PDF Expert at none against Forma's shown. PDF Expert also leads on ratings volume (216K vs 26K) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). Forma's advantage is review sentiment (69% vs 45%). On price, rating, update cadence 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 Expert sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Forma sells 17 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for PDF Expert against 4.7 for Forma. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PDF Expert has 216K ratings behind it against 26K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 45% of PDF Expert's written reviews are positive against 69% of Forma's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Expert ships an update fortnightly, Forma monthly. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
PDF Expert versus Forma: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF ExpertForma
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (216K ratings)4.7 (26K ratings)
Positive reviews45.5% of reviews69.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings216K — better26K
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
Best chart rank#73 — better#109
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size295 MB201 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperReaddle Technologies LimitedBPMobile

Customer experience

PDF Expert

All ratings216,128 ratings
Positive92.4%
Neutral2.3%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews1,166 reviews
Positive45.5%
Neutral7.5%
Negative47.0%

Forma

All ratings26,069 ratings
Positive92.1%
Neutral1.8%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews570 reviews
Positive69.3%
Neutral1.8%
Negative28.9%

User reviews

PDF Expert

From 216K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

Forma

From 26K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 💡 Useful features like autofill and cloud sync
  • 🚀 Seamless document management

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and glitches
  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription
  • 🚫 Limited editing capabilities

Bugs and requests

PDF Expert

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

5 requests
  • 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

Forma

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Incorrect document formatting after editing
  • Inability to load or edit pre-existing documents
  • Unexpected charges and billing issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Undo/redo functionality
  • Ability to edit existing text in documents
  • Support for more file formats
  • Stylus support for precise editing

In-app purchases

10 purchases

PDF Expert

Subscriptions9
  • PDF Expert Premium Trial7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • PDF Expert Premium No Trial$9.991 Month
  • PDF Expert for Education7 Days trial$39.991 Year
Show 6 more
  • PDF Expert Premium7 Days trial3 variants$49.991 Year
  • PDF Expert Premium New7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • PDF Expert Premium Existing7 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • PDF Expert – Premium Editing1 Year trial$49.991 Year
  • PDF Expert Mac & iOS Pro7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • PDF Expert Mac & iOS7 Days trial$79.991 Year
One-time1
  • PDF Expert Basic$9.99
17 purchases

Forma

Subscriptions17
  • Forma Pro3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Forma Pro$4.997 Days
  • Forma Pro3 Days trial2 variants$4.997 Days
Show 14 more
  • Forma Pro$5.997 Days
  • Forma Pro3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Forma Pro$6.997 Days
  • Forma Pro3 Days trial2 variants$6.997 Days
  • Forma Pro3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • 1 month Pro 100Gb storage3 Days trial$10.991 Month
  • 1 year Pro 10Gb storage$19.991 Year
  • Forma Pro$20.991 Year
  • 1 year Pro 100Gb storage$24.991 Year
  • Forma Pro$24.991 Year
  • Forma Pro$29.991 Year
  • Forma Pro$39.991 Year
  • Forma Pro3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Forma Pro3 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is PDF Expert free?
PDF Expert is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Forma free?
Forma is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PDF Expert or Forma?
PDF Expert and Forma are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 216K and 26K ratings respectively.
Do PDF Expert or Forma have ads?
Forma shows ads; PDF Expert does not.
Which is updated more often, PDF Expert or Forma?
PDF Expert ships an update fortnightly, and Forma monthly. Most recently, PDF Expert was updated on October 14, 2026 and Forma on October 14, 2026.
Which is more popular, PDF Expert or Forma?
PDF Expert currently peaks at #73 in the App Store charts, and Forma at #109. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

Other comparisons