PDF Editor ® vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against PDF Editor ®'s closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

Core Identity
DeveloperSMM service, s.r.o.Adobe Inc.TinyWork AppsThe Grizzly LabsReaddle Technologies LimitedReaddle Technologies LimitedSavy Soda Pty LtdNotion Labs, Incorporated
CategoryBusinessBusinessBusinessBusinessBusinessProductivityBusinessProductivity
PlatformiOSiOSiOS, AndroidiOSiOSiOSiOS, AndroidAndroid, iOS
Store Metrics
Rating4.6 / 54.9 / 54.8 / 54.9 / 54.9 / 54.7 / 54.5 / 54.8 / 5
Ratings Count26,5041,540,221174,9051,324,147328,383214,4924,47082,804
PriceFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFree$4.99Free
Release DateDec 17, 2020May 31, 2017Jan 31, 2013Jun 22, 2010Oct 9, 2009Dec 3, 2013Nov 20, 2008Sep 14, 2017
Last UpdatedApr 9, 2026Mar 25, 2026May 13, 2026Apr 20, 2026Apr 24, 2026Apr 8, 2026Jan 31, 2025May 5, 2026
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentimentterriblepositivemixedexcellentmixed-mixednegative
Score15/10076/10065/10085/10075/100-55/10035/100
Praises
  • Dynamic and useful interface design provides value for beginners starting their document editing journey
  • Ease of Use
  • Image Enhancement
  • High-quality image processing and scanning capabilities provide professional results for document archival
  • Long-term reliability and consistent performance across a decade of usage
  • Advanced document processing algorithms automatically straighten and crop images into perfect rectangular digital files
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  • Mobile document editing functionality provides essential support for academic and professional tasks on the go
  • Relational database structure provides powerful organization for personal and professional knowledge management
Complaints
  • Aggressive paywall implementation prevents basic document editing functionality without an immediate subscription commitment
  • Critical failure to save document edits results in data loss and user frustration post-update
  • Deceptive free trial mechanics lead to unauthorized charges and subscription confusion for new users
  • Subscription Cost
  • Technical Reliability
  • Aggressive transition to subscription-based monetization restricts access to previously free core features
  • Subscription gating of essential features like document editing and direct printing
  • Aggressive watermark placement on documents in the free tier obscures content and limits usability
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  • Persistent configuration loops and loading failures prevent users from accessing their documents post-update
  • Frequent app crashes and UI freezing during text editing sessions on mobile devices
Requests---
  • Expanded free-tier functionality for basic document editing and resizing
  • Expanded file naming support including special characters like the dollar sign for better organization
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  • Offline document access mode requested to allow editing without constant account authentication or internet
  • Toggle switch to disable or hide AI features from the primary interface
Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Privacy-first local storage architecture reduces enterprise churn
  • Apple Pencil integration provides precision for professional annotation
  • Deep integration with Adobe Document Cloud and Acrobat
  • Advanced AI-driven cleanup tools (Magic Eraser, Straighten)
  • High brand trust and enterprise-grade security
  • High-fidelity image processing engine sustains professional archival utility
  • Cloud sync creates high switching costs for power users
  • Decade-long brand trust provides organic install velocity
  • 10-year track record of reliable image processing
  • On-device privacy architecture
  • High-fidelity distortion correction algorithms
  • Professional-grade image processing algorithms ensure high-quality output
  • Long-term utility builds deep user habits
  • Cloud-sync integration increases switching costs
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  • Cloud integration reduces file-switching friction
  • Template library provides immediate professional utility
  • Relational database engine enables complex knowledge management systems
  • Template library lowers barrier to entry for new users
Weaknesses
  • Critical save-function failures post-update
  • Aggressive paywall gates prevent basic functionality
  • High refund-request volume due to deceptive trial mechanics
  • High subscription cost ($10/mo) causing user friction
  • Technical bugs including login loops and data loss in multi-page scans
  • Lack of specialized ID/Passport scanning modes
  • Premium tier subscription gates previously free features
  • Recurring reports of document loss post-update
  • Intrusive ad frequency in the free tier
  • Subscription gating of basic editing tools
  • Recent post-update stability regressions
  • Limited free-tier functionality compared to native OS tools
  • Aggressive free-tier watermarking obscures document content
  • Recent technical regressions cause library data loss
  • File management UI is increasingly complex
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  • Mandatory internet dependency for file access
  • Persistent configuration loops post-update
  • Mobile app crashes during long editing sessions
  • Forced AI elements disrupt core UI
Pricingfreemiumfreemiumfreemiumfreemiumfreemiumfreemiumfreemiumfreemium
MomentumIntenseMaintenanceActiveActiveSteadyIntenseMaintenanceActive
Update Cadence5 versions1 versions5 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~12d avg5 versions, 3 majors/6mo, ~25d avg3 versions, ~14d avg5 versions5 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~196d avg5 versions, ~5d avg

Compare PDF Editor ® head-to-head

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by PDF Editor ®, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

Data licensed under CC-BY-NC 4.0