# PDF Expert vs PDF Unlock

PDF Expert and PDF Unlock both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 90% of PDF Unlock's written reviews are positive against 45% of PDF Expert's. PDF Unlock also leads on device support (4 vs 2). PDF Expert's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ratings volume (216K vs 2). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PDF Expert sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and PDF Unlock sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 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 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 45% of PDF Expert's written reviews are positive against 90% of PDF Unlock's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

PDF Expert ships an update fortnightly, PDF Unlock every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Expert | PDF Unlock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (216K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-expert-editor-and-reader/id743974925/reviews)** | [4.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-unlock-offline-pdf-tools/id6743647020/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **216K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 45.4% of reviews | **90.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#77** | — |
| Size | 301 MB | 79 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Readdle Technologies Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/285035419) | [Dipak Chhag](https://appshunter.io/developer/1803769062) |

## What reviewers say

### PDF Expert

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

**Currently charting:** #77 Top Grossing · 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


### PDF Unlock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-unlock-offline-pdf-tools/id6743647020)

Manage PDF security and convert documents offline. This tool allows you to unlock, lock, and scan PDFs without an internet connection. It also converts images to secure, password-protected PDFs.

**Highlights:** Offline PDF unlocking and locking, Password removal and auto-unlock, Image to PDF conversion, Document scanning to PDF, Secure PDF password management, Multi-language support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PDF Unlock:Offline PDF Tool-Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| PDF Unlock Genie - Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| PDF Unlock:Offline PDF Tool-Annual | $6.99 | per year |
| PDF Unlock Genie - Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| PDF Unlock Genie - Lifetime | $14.99 | one-time |
| PDF Unlock Genie - Lifetime | $39.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PDF Expert free?

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

### Is PDF Unlock free?

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

### Which has better reviews, PDF Expert or PDF Unlock?

PDF Expert is rated higher. PDF Expert averages 4.7 out of 5 from 216K ratings, while PDF Unlock averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.

### Do PDF Expert or PDF Unlock have ads?

Neither PDF Expert nor PDF Unlock shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PDF Expert or PDF Unlock?

PDF Expert ships an update fortnightly, and PDF Unlock every 8 days. Most recently, PDF Expert was updated on October 26, 2026 and PDF Unlock on October 24, 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.*