What's the best PDF editor for Mac and Windows?

The “best” PDF editor depends on what you need, but if you want one that works well on both Mac and Windows, these are the top choices:

Best overall: Adobe Acrobat Pro

• Why: Most complete feature set, industry standard
• Best for: Editing text/images, OCR, form creation, e-signatures, comments, redaction, converting PDFs
• Downside: Expensive subscription

Best value: Foxit PDF Editor

• Why: Strong feature set at a lower price than Adobe
• Best for: General editing, annotations, forms, security tools, OCR
• Downside: Interface can feel less polished than Adobe

Best for simplicity: PDF-XChange Editor (Windows-focused)

• Why: Lightweight, fast, powerful for the price
• Best for: Editing, annotations, OCR
• Downside: Best experience is on Windows; Mac support is not as strong

Best for Mac users who want a native-feeling app: PDFelement

• Why: Good balance of editing tools and usability
• Best for: Everyday PDF editing on both Mac and Windows
• Downside: Not as robust as Acrobat for advanced/pro workflows

Quick recommendation

• Need the most powerful tool? Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Want a cheaper alternative? Foxit PDF Editor
• Need a simpler app for everyday use? PDFelement
• Mostly on Windows and want speed/value? PDF-XChange Editor

If you tell me your main use case — like editing text, signing forms, OCR/scanning, or just annotating — I can recommend the best one for your budget.