PDF Expert: Redefine PDF Editing on Mac

We would like to start this tool with a disclaimer.

PDF Expert has been our go-to PDF editor for more than a year. We truly like this piece of software from Readdle. Compared to other PDF editors we’ve tried, PDF Expert offers more features and enhanced stability in an easy-to-use package. Although macOS (including the latest Sequoia) packs many PDF editing-focused features, they are not always enough.

So, when we heard that the developers launched a new version of PDF Expert optimized for macOS Sequoia, we were excited to give it a try.

About PDF Expert

PDF Expert is a powerful PDF editing tool developed by Readdle, designed specifically for Apple devices. Its intuitive interface and robust feature set make it an essential application for anyone who frequently works with PDFs, whether for personal use or professional tasks.

Features highlight:

• PDF Editing Tools: PDF Expert allows you to edit text, images, links, and signatures within PDF documents. You can rearrange, extract, delete, rotate pages, and merge entire documents effortlessly.
• Annotation Capabilities: The app boasts an extensive set of annotation tools, enabling you to highlight text, add comments, and insert stamps or stickers. This is particularly useful for reviewing documents or taking notes during meetings.
• Seamless Cross-Device Functionality: With a single account, you can access PDF Expert on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This cross-device compatibility ensures you can work on your PDFs from anywhere without losing functionality.
• OCR Technology: Optical Character Recognition (OCR) allows you to convert scanned documents into editable text. This feature is invaluable for digitizing old documents and improving accessibility.
• AI Chat: This feature acts as your “mini AI assistant” for working with PDFs. It can generate summaries of documents, extract key points, create keywords and hashtags, and even answer your questions directly about the content of the PDF.
• Measurement Tools: Recently added to the Mac version, these tools allow professionals—such as architects and engineers—to measure distances and areas directly within their PDFs, enhancing workflow efficiency by providing essential tools in one application.

From the owner

“The exciting thing about PDF Expert is that our AI capabilities are highly relevant to our customers’ needs. We’re on a mission to revolutionize their workflows, and AI is at the forefront of that vision. While we currently offer an AI assistant that addresses user queries, we are setting our sights on something far more transformative.” Read the full Interview with the Head of Product Design at PDF Expert.

PDF Expert: a hands-on review

Now, let’s explore how these features improve the overall editing process.

Getting started

Readdle has kept the simple installation process for PDF Expert. You can download the installation file from the official website or App Store, and complete the installation in just a few seconds. Upon opening PDF Expert, you’ll be greeted by a gorgeous user interface. We highly recommend using Dark Mode for a sleek experience.

On the main screen, you can find quick buttons for popular actions or open a PDF document using the File Browser. Alternatively, if you have previously worked with PDF documents, you can easily access them from the Recents menu.

Using PDF Expert

We can’t cover every feature in PDF Expert, but we’ll discuss the experience of using it to annotate, edit, scan & OCR, and export.

Editing PDFs

If you want to change an existing PDF document, you’ll find options for editing text, images, links, and redacting content. You can customize selected text by adjusting its font, color, and size. You can even start from scratch by removing existing content.

PDF Expert has improved flexibility in its editing features, allowing you to arrange blocks with smart grids. Once you’re satisfied, simply press the Save button to keep your changes.

Annotating PDFs

This is perhaps the most feature-rich aspect of PDF Expert. In the annotation section, you have access to various tools:

• Highlight text
• Underline text
• Strikethrough text
• Pen tool
• Eraser tool
• Text tool
• Shapes tool

Each tool comes with customization options, allowing you to adjust text color, strike-throughs, or underlines. You can add new text or shapes quickly and effectively.

Additional tools include:

• Note Tool: Place note snippets throughout the document.
• Stamp Tool: Add standard/custom stamps to the PDF.
• Sign Tool: Easily sign documents electronically.

Scan & OCR

It is one of the newly added features of PDF Expert. You get the following options:

• Enhance Scan
• Split Pages
• Crop Pages
• Clear Margins
• Recognize Text

We found all features reliable, especially Split Page and Crop Page. The OCR technology does an impressive job of recognizing handwriting and converting it into editable text. If the OCR result isn’t perfect, you can manually edit it, allowing the algorithm to learn and improve.

Measure and scale

Unique to PDF Expert, the measurement tools allow you to accurately measure distances, areas, and perimeters directly within your PDF documents. This feature is particularly useful for architects, engineers, and anyone dealing with technical drawings.

Exporting PDF

Once your edits are complete, you can convert and export your PDF document into several formats:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Text File
• Image

This functionality works seamlessly when combining multiple pages into a single document.

PDF Expert for iPad

PDF Expert is available for Mac, iPad, and iPhone. We tested the iPad version and found a more concise user interface that allows you to perform all the same tasks as the Mac version. The editing experience is enhanced by the touchscreen capabilities of the iPad.

The latest version supports Stage Manager and iPadOS 18, making it easy to insert stickers and emojis into your PDF files.

With an Apple Pencil, the experience becomes fantastic, allowing for quick annotations, edits, and signing of documents. The design is optimized to leverage the Apple Pencil’s features fully.

On iPad, PDF Expert becomes an even better PDF reader, offering features that outshine other PDF tools.

Ideal user cases

In today’s hybrid work environment, PDF Expert is invaluable for teams that need to collaborate seamlessly across different locations. It allows for real-time annotations and easy sharing of documents, ensuring everyone stays on the same page regardless of where they are. PDF Expert is ideal for:

• Business Professionals: Manage contracts, proposals, and reports with comprehensive editing and annotation tools.
• Students: Annotate lecture notes and collaborate on group projects effortlessly.
• Educators: Provide feedback to students using comments, annotations, and audio notes.
• Creative Professionals: Edit portfolios or presentations directly within PDFs while maintaining high-quality visuals.
• Construction and Engineering: Utilize measurement tools to efficiently work on floor plans or project blueprints.

Pricing and availability

PDF Expert is mostly free to try, with a 7-day free trial for premium features. After the trial, you can upgrade to the paid version for $79.99 per year, averaging less than $6.67 per month—a reasonable cost given the productivity boost.

The subscription allows access across Mac, iPad, and iPhone, keeping everything in sync. For those not in the ecosystem, a lifetime license is available for $199.99. Readdle also offers discounts for students and teachers through a special program.

Note: The company is spreading the holiday spirit with a special GIFT10 promo code, giving you 10% OFF your first annual subscription of PDF Expert.

FAQs

What features are included in the free trial?

The free trial of PDF Expert allows you to explore most premium features, including advanced editing tools, annotation capabilities, and OCR technology. After the 7-day trial period, you will need to upgrade to a paid version to continue using these features.

Can I use PDF Expert offline?

Yes, you can use PDF Expert offline, but some features, like cloud syncing, require an internet connection.

Is there a mobile version of PDF Expert?

Yes, PDF Expert is available for iPad and iPhone as well as Mac. The mobile version offers similar features optimized for touchscreen use.

What security features does PDF Expert offer?

PDF Expert includes options for password protection and encryption to secure sensitive documents. Always ensure that sensitive files are protected before sharing.

Final notes

PDF Expert stands out for its blend of powerful features and user-friendly design. With a focus on enhancing productivity and collaboration, it’s an essential tool for anyone who regularly works with PDF documents.

Explore the official PDF Expert website to learn more and download a free trial.