The best PDF editor for most people is UPDF. It lets you edit, annotate, convert and sign PDFs on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android, and it has an AI Assistant built in. If you'd rather pay once and be done, choose PDF Agile for its Lifetime Plan with free lifetime upgrades. If you need to turn scans into editable text, ABBYY FineReader PDF is the one to get.
Our picks link to the brands through their affiliate programmes. Buy through them and we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Our picks are our own: no brand pays to be listed. How this works
turning scans into editable textTurns scans and photos into text you can edit
Turns scans and photos into text you can edit
This guide is for UK office workers, students and small businesses who handle PDFs every week. Start with the devices you work on and the jobs you do most: editing, signing, converting or reading scans. Then pick how you want to pay: a yearly plan or a pay-once licence. Check the free trial or free version before you buy.
Pick 1 · UPDFUPDF
UPDF
Best for an all-round PDF editor
UPDF is an AI-powered PDF editor that lets you edit, annotate, convert and sign PDFs. It works on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android, so your files go wherever you go.
Who it's for: It suits anyone who works across a laptop, a phone and a tablet and wants one tool for all of them.
The facts that matter
UPDF is an AI-powered PDF editor for Windows, Mac, iPhone/iPad and Android, so you can edit, annotate, convert and sign PDFs on the device you use.
One payment covers 4 devices on all platforms, and you can choose a yearly plan or a pay-once lifetime licence.
The UPDF AI Assistant comes with a 7-day free trial, and paid plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why it made the list: One payment covers 4 devices on all platforms, so you don't need a separate licence for each one. You choose a yearly plan or a pay-once lifetime licence. The UPDF AI Assistant comes with a 7-day free trial, but it renews automatically afterwards, so cancel before the trial ends if you don't want it.
Worth knowing: The UPDF AI Assistant auto-renews after its 7-day trial, and refunds on the main plans are at UPDF's discretion.
The deal: Download UPDF free, then get 43% off the paid plan in UPDF's own Q4 promotion, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.As shown on the brand's site on 16 October 2026. Offers change: check the final price before you pay.
PDF Agile is an all-in-one PDF editor, converter and viewer for Windows and Mac. You get the everyday tools in one app, with no yearly plan to keep track of.
Who it's for: It's for anyone who hates subscriptions and wants a PDF editor they buy once and keep.
The facts that matter
PDF Agile is an all-in-one PDF editor, converter and viewer for Windows and Mac.
It includes OCR, eSigning, compress, merge and protect tools, sold as one-time plans.
The Lifetime Plan comes with free lifetime upgrades, and there is a free version with conversion limited to 2 pages and 5 tasks.
Why it made the list: It includes OCR (optical character recognition, which turns a scanned page into text), eSigning, plus tools to compress, merge and password-protect PDFs. It's sold as one-time plans, and the Lifetime Plan comes with free lifetime upgrades. There's a free version to try first, but conversion is limited to 2 pages and 5 tasks. Prices are shown only in US dollars, so your bank may add a currency conversion charge.
Worth knowing: Prices are shown in US dollars only, so your bank may add currency conversion charges.
The deal: Lifetime Plan 60% off: US$119 once, down from US$295, with no code needed. The sale runs to 19 December 2026.As shown on the brand's site on 16 October 2026. Offers change: check the final price before you pay.
ABBYY FineReader PDF uses AI-based OCR to turn scans and photos into searchable, editable text. It also edits, converts, signs and compares PDFs.
Who it's for: It's for anyone who deals with paper: scanned contracts, old letters, receipts or printed reports.
The facts that matter
ABBYY FineReader PDF uses AI-based OCR to turn scans and photos into searchable, editable text.
It edits, converts, signs and compares PDFs, and exports to Word or Excel.
The site lists 198 recognition languages, with a Windows edition and a Mac edition.
Why it made the list: You can search and edit a scan as if it had been typed, then export it to Word or Excel. The site lists 198 recognition languages, and there's a Windows edition and a Mac edition. Subscriptions renew automatically, and the pricing page lists no refund or money-back policy, so use the free trial to decide.
Worth knowing: Subscriptions renew automatically, and the pricing page lists no refund or money-back policy.
The deal: Try ABBYY FineReader PDF free for 7 days, no payment needed. Paid plans start at £59 a year for Mac and £84 a year for Windows.As shown on the brand's site on 16 October 2026. Offers change: check the final price before you pay.
We shortlisted the PDF editors UK readers search for most. Then we compared each brand's own published features, plans and terms, as listed on the update date. We didn't test these apps. We picked them from what each brand publishes, and each pick comes with one honest catch.
We looked for a top all-rounder, a pay-once option and a specialist for scans. Before you buy, check:
Devices: does it run on Windows, Mac, phone or tablet, and how many devices one licence covers?
Payment: a yearly plan that renews automatically, or a one-time licence?
OCR: do you need to turn scans into editable text?
Trial and refunds: what the free trial or free version includes, and the brand's refund terms.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best PDF editor for Windows and Mac?
UPDF is our best PDF editor overall. It runs on Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android, and one payment covers 4 devices on all platforms.
Is there a PDF editor I can buy once instead of paying every year?
Yes. PDF Agile is sold as one-time plans, and its Lifetime Plan comes with free lifetime upgrades. UPDF also offers a pay-once lifetime licence as well as a yearly plan.
Which PDF editor can turn a scanned document into Word?
ABBYY FineReader PDF. Its AI-based OCR turns scans and photos into searchable, editable text, and you can export the result to Word or Excel.
Can I try a PDF editor for free first?
Yes. PDF Agile has a free version, with conversion limited to 2 pages and 5 tasks. ABBYY FineReader PDF and the UPDF AI Assistant both come with a 7-day free trial.
Can I sign PDFs with these editors?
Yes, all three let you sign PDFs. UPDF signs on your phone or tablet too, PDF Agile includes eSigning, and ABBYY FineReader PDF signs and compares PDFs.
Which PDF editor works in other languages?
ABBYY FineReader PDF is the strongest pick for this. Its site lists 198 recognition languages for turning scans into text.