Editing PDF files on Mac OS X can be a hassle, especially if you don’t want to pay for expensive software like Adobe Acrobat. Fortunately, there are some free alternatives that can help you modify, annotate, and convert PDF files without breaking the bank. In this article, you will learn about some of the best free PDF editors for Mac OS X, and how to use them to edit your PDF files with ease.
PDF files are not easy to edit, as they are designed to be read-only. To edit a PDF file, you need a PDF editor that can modify the content, structure, and appearance of the document. There are many PDF editors available, but most of them are not free, and some of them are not compatible with Mac OS X.
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How to Choose a Free PDF Editor for Mac OS X
There are some factors that you should consider when choosing a free PDF editor for Mac OS X, such as:
- Compatibility: The PDF editor should be able to run on your Mac OS X version, and support the PDF file format that you want to edit.
- Functionality: The PDF editor should have the features that you need, such as adding text, images, annotations, signatures, etc. It should also be able to convert PDF files to other formats, such as Word, Excel, HTML, etc.
- Ease of use: The PDF editor should have a user-friendly interface, and be easy to navigate and operate. It should also have a good performance, and not crash or freeze frequently.
- Security: The PDF editor should not compromise the security of your PDF files, and should not collect or share your personal data without your consent. It should also not add any watermarks or advertisements to your PDF files.
Best Free PDF Editors for Mac OS X
Based on the above criteria, here are some of the best free PDF editors for Mac OS X that you can try:
Preview
Preview is the default PDF viewer and editor for Mac OS X, and it is already installed on your Mac. Preview can help you perform basic PDF editing tasks, such as:
- Viewing and printing PDF files
- Adding, deleting, and rearranging PDF pages
- Cropping, rotating, and resizing PDF pages
- Filling out and signing PDF forms
- Highlighting, underlining, and strikethroughing PDF text
- Adding notes, comments, and shapes to PDF files
- Extracting images and text from PDF files
To edit a PDF file with Preview, you just need to open the file with Preview, and use the tools in the toolbar and the menu bar. You can also use keyboard shortcuts to perform some actions, such as Command + C to copy, Command + V to paste, Command + Z to undo, etc.
Preview is a simple and convenient PDF editor for Mac OS X, but it has some limitations, such as:
- It cannot edit the original PDF text, only add new text on top of it
- It cannot add hyperlinks, headers, footers, or page numbers to PDF files
- It cannot convert PDF files to other formats, such as Word, Excel, HTML, etc.
- It cannot perform advanced PDF editing tasks, such as OCR, redaction, encryption, compression, etc.
PDF Reader Pro
PDF Reader Pro is a free lightweight PDF reader and editor with AI built in, and it is the most downloaded PDF app in Mac App Store. PDF Reader Pro can help you perform more advanced PDF editing tasks than Preview, such as:
- Editing and replacing any text in your PDF document without changing layout
- Annotating PDF files with digital signature, notes, watermark, text box, shapes, underline or strikethrough
- Manipulating PDF pages with rotate, move, delete, insert, crop, and merge functions
- Converting native PDF files to 15+ formats, such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Images, HTML, EPUB, PDF/A, etc.
- Creating PDF files from Word, PowerPoint, EPUB, CHM and 40+ popular formats
- Using OCR to recognize and edit scanned PDF files
- Encrypting, decrypting, compressing, and splitting PDF files
- Adding bookmarks, outlines, and bates numbers to PDF files
To edit a PDF file with PDF Reader Pro, you just need to download and install the app from Mac App Store, and open the file with PDF Reader Pro. You can use the tools in the sidebar and the menu bar to edit your PDF file as you wish. You can also use the AI feature to extract data, summarize text, translate languages, and generate questions from your PDF file.
PDF Reader Pro is a powerful and versatile PDF editor for Mac OS X, but it also has some drawbacks, such as:
- It adds a watermark to the edited PDF files, unless you upgrade to the premium version
- It has a limit on the file size and the number of pages that you can edit for free
- It has some bugs and glitches that may affect the user experience
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat Reader is the official PDF viewer and editor from Adobe, the creator of the PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader can help you perform comprehensive PDF editing tasks, such as:
- Viewing, printing, and signing PDF files
- Adding comments, feedback, and annotations to PDF files
- Filling out and creating PDF forms
- Editing PDF text, images, and links
- Converting PDF files to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other formats
- Creating and combining PDF files from various sources
- Using OCR to edit scanned PDF files
- Protecting, optimizing, and organizing PDF files
To edit a PDF file with Adobe Acrobat Reader, you need to download and install the app from Adobe website, and open the file with Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can use the tools in the right pane and the top bar to edit your PDF file as you want. You can also use the cloud services and the mobile app to access and edit your PDF files from anywhere.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is the most professional and reliable PDF editor for Mac OS X, but it also has some disadvantages, such as:
- It requires a subscription to unlock all the features and functions
- It is expensive compared to other PDF editors
- It is heavy and slow, and may consume a lot of resources
Conclusion
Editing PDF files on Mac OS X can be easy and free, if you choose the right PDF editor for your needs. In this article, you have learned about some of the best free PDF editors for Mac OS X, and how to use them to edit your PDF files with ease.
You can compare their features, pros, and cons, and decide which one suits you the best. Alternatively, you can also try some online PDF editors, such as PDFescape, Smallpdf, or PDFelement, which can help you edit PDF files without downloading or installing any software. However, online PDF editors may have some risks, such as privacy, security, and quality issues, so you should use them with caution.