Whenever you are sent an important document by email, perhaps a contract or an invoice, it is likely to be in PDF format. Adobe invented the PDF in 1993, so it is not only one of the most used files, but also a veteran file format.
The main objective of the PDF (Portable Document Format) is to send important information to another person. quickly and easily Although this type of file is so old, its capabilities have not changed much over the years. It is still a very versatile way to combine text and multimedia within a document.
Another reason why PDF files have become common in the interconnected world of today is that they work with almost all applications, hardware and operating systems. These documents use the PostScript language, which allows you to view a range of text sources, graphics and other media in a single universal file.
Of course, while virtually all operating systems support PDF files, that does not mean that they can handle everything that belongs to this file format. When you receive a PDF, you should be able to see it in your browser without any problem, but what happens if you want to print the file, for example? The fonts or other format may not be entirely correct, and these elements are not easily adjusted from the operating system level.
However, that is why there are PDF readers: these applications not only allow you to easily view and print PDF files, but often give you tools to perform more advanced tricks such as editing, converting or sharing these documents with ease. In this article, we selected five of the best PDF reader applications for Mac users.
1. PDF Reader Premium
An easy-to-use PDF management tool
Easy-to-use interface
Extensive editing options
Cloud integration
Available for download directly from the Mac App Store, PDF Reader Premium from Kdan Software is one of the most powerful and popular PDF management tools for Apple computers. It works as a file manager, file converter and page editor.
With the software, you can easily edit PDF files by adding freehand writing, text boxes, sticky notes, hyperlinks and annotations. And to make sure important documents do not mix, you can label them by adding labels and color codes. In addition, to keep track of all your saved files, you can use an import history function.
The application also works with iCloud, which means you can back up and access documents stored on an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. There is even compatibility with Dropbox, so you can import documents easily from devices that run on other operating systems.
In general, you should find the application easy and fast to use. It is driven by a patented representation engine, which aims to ensure that large files are processed and loaded without delay. Currently, the application costs $ 59.99 (£ 42), although there is a free version that you can try before you buy.
2. iSkysoft PDF Editor
A trusted PDF solution for major companies
Diverse range of features
Capabilities OCR
Security is a priority, too
Not cheap
If you are looking for a powerful A business-oriented document management tool for Mac, then it's definitely worth checking iSkysoft PDF Editor. The software facilitates the creation, edition, conversion, signature and watermark of PDF documents.
Used by companies such as IBM, Pfizer, Colliers International and Nike, the application is one of the most versatile PDF management tools on the market. It offers some ingenious time-saving capabilities such as batch processing, which is useful if you have a large number of documents that need to be loaded and edited at the same time. So, for example, you can convert, number and filter hundreds of identical PDFs.
You also get optical character recognition (OCR) here, which allows you to scan and convert PDF documents into editable and searchable files. In addition, you can add signatures to electronic documents, which is useful in many business areas.
And if you are working with documents that contain sensitive data, as is likely, you will appreciate the security features that iSkysoft has implemented, including the ability to password protect documents. An individual license costs $ 99.95 (£ 72), but there is a free trial version available to go around the product first.
3. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
Adobe own heavy offer
Very powerful features
Convert to Microsoft Office file formats
Follow changes to a PDF
Adobe not only invented the trustworthy PDF document in the first place, but the company has also created some top-level applications to manage them. Acrobat Pro DC is an excellent example and is compatible with Windows and Mac devices. The software allows you to create, edit and convert PDF files with ease.
Whether you are using a desktop, laptop or tablet computer, Acrobat allows you to convert any paper document into a PDF file. Just take a photo of the sheet of paper and upload it to the Adobe platform, then you can edit it. Acrobat also allows you to convert PDF files to any Microsoft Office file format, retaining all fonts and formats.
Thanks to the integration with Excel, you can even edit data in scanned tables, facilitating the editing and analysis of financial data. Like PDF Reader Premium from Kdan Software, you can track changes you and your colleagues make to PDF documents.
Acrobat is also able to detect the differences between two versions of the same PDF. You can sign up for a business plan for £ 15.17 ($ 21) per month, which gives you the option to add more team members in the future.
4. PDF Expert
A popular PDF editing set
Easy-to-use control panel
Quick search function
Works with iPad Pro and Apple Pencil
PDF Expert is a robust and easy-to-use solution use to manage business documents. And with a rating of four and a half stars in the Mac App Store, it seems to be one of the most popular options for Mac users. The software gives you the ability to read, edit and annotate PDF documents from a central panel.
One of the best things about PDF Expert is that it is fast and easy to use. Thanks to smooth scrolling and a quick search function, you can quickly find what you are looking for in multiple PDF files.
This application allows you to edit images, text and links, in addition the software can automatically detect sources, size and opacity. Additionally, if you have an iPad Pro and an Apple Pencil, you can add annotations and notes to documents while traveling. Like most PDF applications, PDF Expert includes a free download option, but the top plan costs £ 54.49 ($ 75).
5. PDFelement
A complete set of document management
Multiple editing options
Collaborative features
Extensive sources
Wondershare has developed a Mac version of the popular PDFelement application, which is positioned as a Easy way to edit PDF documents. It gives you the tools to add text, images, links, backgrounds, watermarks, headers and footers to PDF documents.
The software offers a wide selection of PDF editing options. Not only can you add text to documents, but you can also adjust the type, size and style of the font. There is also the possibility to rotate, extract, replace and crop images.
PDFelement is an excellent choice for teams in particular, with powerful collaboration capabilities, which allows you to add sticky notes, comments, text boxes and more. And you can use the tool to complete business documents, such as contracts and tax forms. The software costs $ 59.95 (£ 42), but once again, you can sign up for a free trial version.
