But here’s the thing. Sometimes you need more than just to open a PDF. Maybe you need to turn it into a Word doc so you can edit it, or maybe you want to extract just the text. That’s where a PDF converter comes into play.
We’ve rounded up some of the best PDF converters available today, broken down into three simple categories: daily tasks, Mac-friendly options, and free tools. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of which one fits your needs best.
Best PDF Converters for Daily Tasks
If you’re working with documents all the time, you want a PDF converter tool that’s dependable and easy to use. These three are popular choices for professionals, students, and anyone who deals with files on a daily basis.
PDF Guru
PDF Guru is one of those tools that doesn’t try to overwhelm you at all. You open it, upload your file (that you’d like to convert), pick the format you want, and boom - your file is ready! It’s especially useful if you’re juggling multiple formats like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, because it handles them without breaking a sweat.
Why do people like it? It shines when you need speed. Converting a batch of files takes minutes, and you don’t need to sit there and babysit it.
Pros:
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Converts multiple files at once like a breeze
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Interface is beginner-friendly with no complications
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Supports a variety of file formats you deal with every day
Cons:
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Editing is pretty basic for someone who needs advanced features
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No true free plan, only paid trials available
Pricing: $0.99 7-day trial (limited) or $1.99 7-day trial (full access), renews at $49.99/month, annual plan $24.95/month
Reviews: 4.1/5 on Trustpilot (33,281 reviews) for its ease of use and speed
If you’re someone who just wants to get in, convert, and get out, PDF Guru is a solid pick.
TheBestPDF
TheBestPDF goes a step further than simple conversions. It has OCR (Optical Character Recognition), which means you can take a scanned document and actually turn it into editable text. That’s a game-changer for people who handle contracts, receipts, or old records.
Pros:
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Converts with high accuracy
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OCR makes scanned files editable
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Works seamlessly across devices
Cons:
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No one-time purchase, subscription only
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Can feel slow on older laptops
Pricing: $0.95 7-day trial (basic features) or $1.95 7-day trial (full access), renews at $39.95/month, annual plan $16.58/month
Reviews: 4.4/5 on Trustpilot (19,049 reviews). Known as one of the most reliable converters for professionals.
Think about those times when someone hands you a printed form and you need to update it. Instead of retyping the whole thing, TheBestPDF can handle that with just a few clicks.
Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat is the heavyweight in this space. For many people, it’s the first name that comes to mind when talking about PDFs. And honestly, that reputation is deserved.
This isn’t just a converter. It’s a full PDF toolkit. You can convert PDF files into just about any format, edit them directly, add e-signatures, and even share them securely with others. The catch? It comes with a price tag.
Pros:
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Handles every major file format
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Accurate and clean conversions
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Fully packed with editing and collaboration features
Cons:
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Subscription costs more than most competitors
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It might feel like overkill for casual users
Pricing: Free reader, Standard from $12.99/month (Windows), Pro from $19.99/month (Win & Mac), Custom plans for Businesses
Reviews: 4.5/5 on G2 (3,734 reviews), widely used in large companies
If you’re running a business or you work with documents daily, Adobe is hard to beat. But if you only need the basics, you might find it’s more tool than you actually need.
Best PDF Converter for Mac
Mac users know the struggle. Some apps just don’t play nice with macOS. The good news is that some converters feel like they belong on a Mac. These three are the standouts.
Lumin
Lumin is all about teamwork. Since it’s cloud-based, you can share a document with coworkers or classmates and collaborate in real time. You can highlight, add comments, and keep everything synced through Google Drive.
Pros:
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Great for group projects
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Works in the browser, no downloads needed
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Syncs with Google Drive and Dropbox
Cons:
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Needs an internet connection for most features
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The free plan caps storage
Pricing: Free (3 docs/month), Starter $9/month, Pro $19/month per team, Business $99/month per team, custom pricing available for businesses
Reviews: 4.0/5 on Trustpilot (578 reviews), praised for collaboration tools
If you’re always working in teams and already live inside Google Workspace, Lumin will feel natural.
PDF Expert
PDF Expert is the Mac favorite. The design is clean, the tools feel intuitive, and everything runs smoothly on Apple hardware. That’s what you need, right? It’s built to blend in with macOS. That means if you’re used to Apple’s design style, you’ll feel right at home.
Pros:
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Optimized for the ultimate Mac performance
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Handles big files quickly – no fuss
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Clean design with an Apple-like feel
Cons:
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Free version is limited
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One-time license is pricey for casual users
Pricing: Free trial is available with basic features, Pro $79.99/year, One-time license $139.99 (macOS only)
Reviews: 4.7/5 on Mac App Store, 4.7/5 on G2 (29 reviews)
If you’re a Mac user who values design and speed, PDF Expert is probably the smoothest option on this list. Guess what? It works like a charm!
Soda PDF
Soda PDF gives you flexibility. You can install it on your computer or use it right in your browser – the choice is all yours! It covers all the basics such as converting, merging, and splitting files.
Pros:
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Works on both Mac and Windows
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Supports lots of file types
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Offers both desktop and online versions
Cons:
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Interface could use a refresh
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Limited free features
Pricing: Free plan available with basic features, Standard $6.75/month, Pro $10.50/month, Custom business plans
Reviews: 4.0/5 on Trustpilot (1,348 reviews). Folks like it for being an inclusive PDF solution
If you want a tool that’s simple and cross-platform, Soda PDF is worth checking out.
Best Free PDF Converter
Trust me, not everyone likes a paid subscription. And honestly, you don’t always need one. These free tools might not have every advanced feature, but they’re perfect for light use or occasional everyday tasks related to PDFs.
PDF24
PDF24 is completely free, with no hidden catches. It’s also one of the few tools that works offline, which makes it handy if you don’t always have internet access.
Pros:
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Free forever, no price commitments
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Works both online and offline (that’s a rare feature)
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Includes a ton of bonus tools (compress, merge, split)
Cons:
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A little outdated interface
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Limited customer support
Reviews: Loved by budget users across Europe, reliable for everyday needs
For students, freelancers, or anyone who just wants a no-cost solution, PDF24 is a no-brainer.
PDF Gear
PDF Gear is another solid free option. It’s lightweight, fast, and best of all, it doesn’t slap watermarks on your documents like many free tools do.
Pros:
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It’s 100% free
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Quick and responsive
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No watermarks or hidden fees
Cons:
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No OCR available
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Doesn’t support batch conversions
Reviews: Highly rated in online communities, averaging 4.5/5
If you only convert documents occasionally and want a simple, straightforward experience, PDF Gear fits the bill.
SmallPDF
SmallPDF has been around for years and has built a big fanbase. It’s cloud-based, super easy to use, and supports over 20 different file types. The drag-and-drop setup is especially beginner-friendly.
Pros:
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Simple drag-and-drop
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Works on any device
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Covers a wide range of formats
Cons:
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Free plan limits you to two tasks a day
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Requires internet connection
Pricing: Free plan available; Pro starts at $9/month
Reviews: 3.5/5 on Trustpilot (1,665 reviews) with millions of users worldwide
If you only need to convert files every once in a while, SmallPDF’s free plan is probably enough. But heavy users will want to upgrade.
Final Words
There’s no one size fits all solution. The best PDF converter for you depends on what you need most.
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Want a powerful, all-in-one solution? Go with Adobe Acrobat.
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Love clean Mac apps? PDF Expert is a strong bet.
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Need simplicity and speed together? PDF Guru is there for you!
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Don’t want to spend a dime? PDF24 and SmallPDF have you covered.
Think about how often you’ll actually use the tool and what features you can’t live without. Some people care about batch conversions. Others just want to turn a PDF into a Word doc once a month.
The good news is you don’t have to guess. Most of these tools offer free trials or free plans, so you can test them out before making a decision. In short, the best online PDF Converter helps you make your life easier than ever by streamlining the process of PDF conversions.