Comparison

PDF Edit Express 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 Edit Express

Edit and annotate PDFs and TXT files with freehand drawing, text tools, and image insertion. Seamlessly sync and transfer documents across Apple devices using iCloud.

Highlights
  • Freehand drawing on PDFs
  • Text and image insertion
  • iCloud sync and HandOff
  • DOC/DOCX read support
  • Graphical file manager
  • Speech-to-text dictation
Features
Read full description

PDF Edit Express is a flexible and powerful new iCloud PDF and TXT Note Taker, Signer, Form Filler, Drawing/Diagram app, and Annotator for iOS and OS X. PDF Edit Express features freehand drawing using a native PDF Format, allowing you to use powerful note taking and annotating tools to markup PDFs instantly. Featuring iCloud Drive* and iCloud Continuity/HandOff** Support so not only are all your PDFs synced to all your devices, but you can also transfer PDFs between devices instantly. PDF Edit Express is not only the most innovative PDF apps for Mobile and Desktop, yet also the easiest to use PDF creation and markup applications in the world. And best of all, PDF Edit Express is free for iOS and only $6.99 (U.S.) for OS X! With iCloud Drive, you can take Notes on the go and have your Notes ready at your Mac or Windows PC already downloaded when you get home* And If that wasn't enough, PDFs can be transferred instantly from one device to another with iCloud HandOff so you can start working on one device, and continue on another (iPhone, iPad, and Mac)** iOS Specific Features: - Innovative Graphical File Manager with Natural Touch Gestures: Single Tap to Select a File, Double-Tap to Open a File, Two Finger "Pinch" to Zoom the File Manager, and Tap and Hold to Drag Files onto Folders - Photorealistic page swipe animations (swipe the vertical edge of a PDF page horizontally to go to the previous or next page) - Draw using Palm Rest or Magnifier Window with "Smart Shift" technology - DOC/DOCX Read Support Included Innovative Features on both iOS and OS X: - Freehand draw on PDFs with “Vector" note taking tools such as Pencil, Eraser, and Highlighter; keeping PDF file sizes small - iCloud support keeps your documents in Sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac; and with iCloud Drive, Windows PCs and well* - iCloud Continuity/HandOff lets you start work on one device and continue on another (iPhone, iPad, and Mac)** - DOC/DOCX Read support on iOS, DOC/DOCX Read/Write support on OS X - Create blank PDFs super easily and add Text, Drawings, Images, Web Pages, and more - TXT Word processing support for instances when all you need is the keyboard - Text Tool lets your Touch/Click to Type anywhere (iPad/Mac) - Cut Tool Makes it easy to reposition PDF content - Add Images, Text, and Web Pages to a PDF instantly (iPad/Mac) - Full Speech-To-Text Dictation support anywhere you can Type (Press Dictation key on keyboard on iOS, press “Fn” key twice on OS X) - Read Support for Password-Protected PDFs - iCloud is completely optional — PDF Edit Express works just as well offline as online! *iCloud Drive Support for Windows requires iCloud Drive install, iCloud Drive for Mac requires OS X 10.10 or later; iCloud Drive supports PDF/TXT/DOC/DOCX **iCloud HandOff requires both Bluetooth 4.0/LE and WiFi on and enabled

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 Edit Express4 screens
PDF Editor4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PDF Editor at 69% against PDF Edit Express's 0%. PDF Editor also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 11 months). PDF Edit Express's advantage is monetization model (free vs freemium) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. PDF Edit Express sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PDF Editor sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Edit Express ships an update every 11 months, PDF Editor every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PDF Edit Express versus PDF Editor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF Edit ExpressPDF Editor
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.7 (513 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews69.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—513 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB77 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperMach Software DesignMaxima Apps

Customer experience

PDF Edit Express

Written reviews3 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

PDF Editor

All ratings511 ratings
Positive91.8%
Neutral3.7%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews87 reviews
Positive69.0%
Neutral4.6%
Negative26.4%

Bugs and requests

PDF Edit Express

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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

1 purchases

PDF Edit Express

One-time1
  • Remove Ads2 variants$0.99
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 Edit Express free?
PDF Edit Express is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Editor free?
PDF Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PDF Edit Express or PDF Editor have ads?
Neither PDF Edit Express nor PDF Editor shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PDF Edit Express or PDF Editor?
PDF Edit Express ships an update every 11 months, and PDF Editor every 6 weeks. Most recently, PDF Edit Express was updated on October 24, 2026 and PDF Editor on October 20, 2026.

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