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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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Better options than

Acrobat Reader alternatives

Acrobat Reader users often seek alternatives due to high costs, frequent bugs, and slow performance. Many look for more affordable or specialized tools for PDF editing, scanning, or basic reading without subscription pressures.

Why users look for alternatives to Acrobat Reader

The alternatives

Adobe Scan
4.9★ · 1,566,765 ratings · Free

Adobe Scan is designed for scanning documents into PDF format. While no specific user reviews for Adobe Scan were provided, it is generally understood as a companion app to the Adobe ecosystem for document capture.

Better for: Users who primarily need to scan physical documents into PDFs (no specific review evidence for this alternative).

Head-to-head: Acrobat Reader vs Adobe Scan
PDF Expert
4.7★ · 215,619 ratings · Free

PDF Expert is praised for its features, with some users finding it worth paying for, even if only for a single document R55. It is a preferred app for reading and annotating PDFs for academic work . However, some users report that many features are paid R51, and there have been issues with customer service regarding restoring purchases R54R57. Recent updates have introduced issues like AI features opening automatically , problems with split-screen functionality , and articles not downloading completely .

Better for: Academic users who need to read and annotate PDFs extensively . Users who need robust features and are willing to pay for a subscription, especially for occasional, critical document work R55.

Head-to-head: Acrobat Reader vs PDF Expert
iLovePDF
4.8★ · 50,326 ratings · Free

iLovePDF offers a wide range of PDF features and is appreciated for tasks like extracting pages and converting documents to JPG . However, users are frustrated by the removal of free attempts R65 and basic features becoming premium R70. Some find the editor weak, unable to perform simple tasks like cut and paste R68, and the workflow can be frustrating, often creating new files and breaking the process R72.

Better for: Users who need to perform specific PDF manipulations like page extraction or format conversion, and are willing to navigate a potentially frustrating workflow or pay for premium features .

Head-to-head: Acrobat Reader vs iLovePDF
PDF Editor ®
4.5★ · 27,819 ratings · Free

PDF Editor ® is described as super simple and easy to use for certain tasks, like creating a resume R80. However, many users are critical of its pricing model, which often involves weekly subscriptions R81R83, and report issues with editing, such as difficulty matching fonts or inability to save changes R79R83. There are also reports of being charged for free trials or annual subscriptions without consent .

Better for: Users who need a very simple tool for basic PDF tasks and are comfortable with its pricing structure, provided they are careful with trial sign-ups R80.

Head-to-head: Acrobat Reader vs PDF Editor ®
PDF Editor ,PDF Book Reader ®
4.3★ · 22,218 ratings · Free

This app is praised for its ability to modify, secure with passwords, and search within files, including content search R97. It works well across devices like iPhone and iPad with a single purchase . However, some users report it being buggy, crashing upon opening R96, or not honoring subscriptions R93. There are also complaints about being charged for free trials R98 and limited editing capabilities, with some feeling it only allows drawing with markup in the free version .

Better for: Users who prioritize strong search functionality within PDF content and need to secure files with passwords, especially if they use both iPhone and iPad R97.

Head-to-head: Acrobat Reader vs PDF Editor ,PDF Book Reader ®
Stick with Acrobat Reader if

You find Acrobat Reader's core PDF viewing and basic editing features sufficient and are satisfied with its performance and pricing, or if your workflow is deeply integrated into the Adobe ecosystem .

Evidence note: Adobe Scan has too few reviews to judge its specific user experience, so its pitch is based on its general market understanding.

Frequently asked

Why do people complain about Acrobat Reader's pricing?
Users complain about Acrobat Reader's pricing because many essential features are locked behind a paywall, requiring upgrades for tasks like exporting to Word or using half the functionality R38R46. They find the monthly fees, such as $14, too expensive for simple tasks like viewing and saving a single document R24R50.
Does Acrobat Reader have performance issues?
Yes, Acrobat Reader has performance issues, with users reporting that the app is slow to open documents, taking 20+ seconds for small PDFs R9. It also frequently freezes on devices like the iPad Pro M4, forcing users to close and reopen the app multiple times a day R48.
Are there issues with Acrobat Reader subscriptions and billing?
Yes, there are significant issues with Acrobat Reader subscriptions and billing, as users report being charged after canceling subscriptions or for free trials R7R16. Some were charged $29.99 after canceling R7 or $14.99 after canceling a 7-day free trial R16, leading to complaints about deceptive practices and poor customer service R16R19.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 106 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R7] Acrobat Reader 1/5 · US Charged after Canceling subscription: I canceled 2 months after that the company charged me $29.99… I didn’t find some mail to write message to them. Thank you.
  2. [R16] Acrobat Reader 2/5 · US Billing Scam: I signed up for a 7 day free trial and cancelled it the same day (I have proof) and was still charged $14.99. After speaking with Apple, they said that I may have had a subscription in the past which is definitely not the case. Presenting consumers with a trial that is not honored is a deceptive practice.
  3. [R19] Acrobat Reader 1/5 · US Tries to temporarily cancel: It would be hard to put into words the dissatisfaction in my experience with customer service for this product. I intended to shut it off temporarily, but, now, I will not go back and I will do my best to avoid Adobe products of any kind in the future.
  4. [R44] Acrobat Reader 1/5 · US Don’t buy: Purchased service so I could use decent voices. Still unable to get access to that service. Absolutely no customer service. Complete waste of money.
  5. [R9] Acrobat Reader 3/5 · GB Soooo slow!: App itself is fine and works well, but takes an age to open (like 20+ seconds to open a small sized standard PDF document). Seriously, what is the app doing to take so long to load - I can open the same documents in other PDF reader apps virtually instantly…
  6. [R10] Acrobat Reader 1/5 · US Slow and hard to use: This app is slow, often glitches and is not user friendly
  7. [R12] Acrobat Reader 3/5 · GB Acrobat: The app is great but it keep freezes and unable to type and get you out of the app and won’t save your files it is a shame been using this app for years for my work , the app has soo many bugs that need fixing .
  8. [R48] Acrobat Reader 2/5 · US Keep Freezing During Use.: Adobe Acrobat frequently freezes on my iPad Pro M4 while reading PDFs, forcing me to close and reopen the app multiple times a day. I also couldn’t reliably use my trackpad to add comments to PDF documents. Disappointing performance and poor iPad compatibility for an app that’s supposed to be a productivity tool.
  9. [R13] Acrobat Reader 1/5 · US Traps People: Adobe traps you into their universe so they can charge a bunch of money. Not cool.
  10. [R18] Acrobat Reader 3/5 · GB Ai and paid: The ai features aren’t good and you have to pay for most of the good features. There are better alternatives.
  11. [R24] Acrobat Reader 1/5 · US Money !?: I just don’t have $14 to view and save one document that I need to rent an apartment. If I ran a business or was a regular writer I could justify $14 a month, but that’s a lot outa small pocket
  12. [R38] Acrobat Reader 1/5 · US Great, if you want to spend $$$: You immediately are bombarded with “opportunities” to upgrade, upgrade, upgrade. You have options to export to Word…but, wait! That requires upgrade for $$$$. You can’t use half the functionality without (wait for it!) upgrade $$$$. If you are reminiscent of hucksters at carnivals and circuses, offering one thing and then fleecing you out of your money, then this i
  13. [R15] Acrobat Reader 3/5 · GB Cannot Disable GenAI Popup: No option to disable the GenAI header that opens on every document I open. Why? Just why, Adobe?
  14. [R21] Acrobat Reader 3/5 · GB It’s not keeping up with the AI world: Every time I download bank statement or a document I don’t find it at all it takes me forever to search for it on my iPhone or tablet it really needs to be very robust very flexible. Extremely disappointed.
  15. [R22] Acrobat Reader 1/5 · US How to use: Instructions on how to install acrobat app on PC laptop and use the product are very poor
  16. [R26] Acrobat Reader 1/5 · US They make it hard to sign in: They don’t seem to care about productivity
  17. [R30] Acrobat Reader 1/5 · US Files Deleted: When the app is deleted, all your associated pdfs go with it and there is no way to recover them.
  18. [R51] PDF Expert 1/5 · US Everything is paid: Everything is paid, the free features are reading a PDF and leaving a note on it. · translated
  19. [R54] PDF Expert 1/5 · US Poor customer service: I have purchased this software multiple times because no one will help me restore the purchase. Buyer beware
  20. [R55] PDF Expert 5/5 · US Wow just wow: I usually don’t care for paying for subscriptions to anything so I canceled this after seven days however, this thing is definitely worth it I just needed it from one document, but I would definitely buy it if I needed it.
  21. [R57] PDF Expert 1/5 · US Same paid features removed again with no permanent fix: I bought PDF Converter separately in 2018 for $4.99, entitling me to permanent conversion access under the terms sold at the time. This is the second time Readdle has revoked that access, first in 2025, now again in June 2026, both times forcing me to argue with support and provide old receipts just to get back something I already paid for.
  22. [R65] iLovePDF 1/5 · US Why did you remove the free trials??????? · translated
  23. [R68] iLovePDF 2/5 · US Weak Editor: Couldn’t do simple tasks like cut and paste and color picker picked different colors!
  24. [R70] iLovePDF 1/5 · US Can’t use basic features anymore after they added premium subscription.: Devs sold out
  25. [R72] iLovePDF 1/5 · US Won’t refund an Annual Sub after 1 day.: I signed up for iLovePDF Premium expecting a streamlined PDF workflow, but the product is surprisingly frustrating to use. Almost every action exports a new file, forces you into a new folder, and breaks your workflow by opening new tabs and restarting the process. Instead of allowing compound actions or efficient editing, it constantly generates multiple v
  26. [R79] PDF Editor ® 1/5 · US Trash: The text editor is total trash, it doesn’t automatically match your old font you have to search for matching fonts and when you do it won’t let you use it keeps changing to Arial fonts
  27. [R80] PDF Editor ® 5/5 · US Super simple: Was super easy to use, made a process that was supposed to be difficult and made it simple.
  28. [R81] PDF Editor ® 1/5 · US what is the point: whats the point of a pdf app that blocks half the settings if you dont pay for it???? and why is it weekly instead of a one time payment? greedy useless app
  29. [R83] PDF Editor ® 1/5 · US Editing Problems: I downloaded this app just to fix one date on my resume and it wouldn’t let me save the changes. Also $7 a WEEK is ridiculous for an app unless you’re always editing documents from your phone
  30. [R93] PDF Editor ,PDF Book Reader ® 1/5 · US Buggy: Paid for a yearly subscription, and it worked fine. Ended the subscription before the year was over, and app won’t honor my subscription anymore. Tried ‘Contact Us’ and ‘Restore Purchase’ (my subscription ends Dec 30th of this year) but nothing happens.
  31. [R96] PDF Editor ,PDF Book Reader ® 1/5 · US Crashed upon opening!: Literally crashed upon opening!
  32. [R97] PDF Editor ,PDF Book Reader ® 5/5 · US A excellent pdf app for the documents and the files: PDF editor , ebook reader helps me to modify my files and kept safe with passwords
  33. [R98] PDF Editor ,PDF Book Reader ® 1/5 · US Don't get the free trial: Got the 3 day FREE trial, canceled it within 30 minutes, but then they charged me the annual fee. App isn't great either.
  34. [R46] Acrobat Reader 1/5 · US Overly Complicated: Absolutely horrible experience trying to get a simple task done. They also have the audacity to charge for every single extension, tool, or service within the app it’s self because paying a monthly fee isn’t enough for them!
  35. [R50] Acrobat Reader 1/5 · US Garbage: You have to pay to do simple tasks

Synthesized from 106 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store