Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

PDF Expert vs Acrobat Reader

PDF Expert 4.7★ · Free to download 75
Winner PDF Expert
Acrobat Reader 4.7★ · Free to download 60

PDF Expert is generally preferred for its robust editing and annotation tools, despite recent complaints about subscription models and AI features, while Acrobat Reader struggles with performance issues and aggressive upselling.

Full reviews: PDF Expert · Acrobat Reader

PDF Expert offers powerful PDF editing and annotation features, making it a strong choice for academic and professional use, though its shift to a subscription model and recent bugs have frustrated some long-term users. Acrobat Reader, while widely used, is criticized for its slow performance, frequent freezes, and aggressive paywalls that limit basic functionality.

Head to head

Features and Functionality edge: PDF ExpertR7R8R10R11
PDF Expert PDF Expert is praised for its comprehensive features, including robust annotation, editing, and conversion capabilities, with users finding it highly useful for academic and professional work R8R17. However, recent updates have introduced unwanted AI features, removed previously paid-for functionalities, and caused issues with file management and split-screen mode R7R10R11R12.
Acrobat Reader Acrobat Reader is acknowledged for its core PDF reading and editing capabilities, with some users finding it a vital tool for personal and professional use . However, many users report that essential features are locked behind paywalls, and the app is criticized for aggressive upselling and intrusive AI pop-ups that hinder usability R79R88R92.
Ease of Use and User Interface edge: PDF ExpertR6R8R9R10
PDF Expert PDF Expert is generally considered easy to use with a good UI, especially for editing and annotating R17. However, some users find file management frustrating, struggle with signing in on multiple devices, and report issues with split-screen functionality and AI features cluttering the interface R6R9R10R11. There are also complaints about the lack of Apple Pencil Pro support for gestures R8.
Acrobat Reader Acrobat Reader is described as having an easy interface by some , but many users find it overly complicated and difficult to perform basic tasks R88. The app is criticized for intrusive AI pop-ups, a lack of tabbed view on iPad for multiple PDFs, and difficulty with signing in .
Reliability and Performance edge: PDF ExpertR12R13R15R17
PDF Expert PDF Expert has a history of being reliable and fast R17. However, recent reviews indicate significant issues with bugs, freezing, crashing, lost tabs, blank pages, and inflated file sizes R13R15. Some users also report that the app stops downloading full articles R12.
Acrobat Reader Acrobat Reader is frequently criticized for being slow to open documents and for freezing or crashing during use, particularly on iPad . Users also report issues with files being deleted when the app is uninstalled and problems saving files .
Price and Value tieR1R5R7R16
PDF Expert PDF Expert is free to download but many core features require a subscription, leading to frustration among users who feel previously paid-for features are now behind a paywall R1R7R16. While some find the $50 subscription worth it for extensive use R5, others are strongly against the subscription model, preferring a one-time purchase R16R55. There are also complaints about difficulty canceling subscriptions and deceptive trial practices R32R39R40R48.
Acrobat Reader Acrobat Reader is free to download, but many users feel it's a 'pay to win' app, with essential features locked behind expensive subscriptions and constant prompts to upgrade R79R88. Users report being charged without notice after trials and facing difficulties canceling subscriptions, with some losing money .
Customer Support tieR4R7R22R28
PDF Expert PDF Expert's customer service receives negative feedback, with users reporting poor support for restoring purchases, issues with login security, and unresponsiveness R4R7R22R28.
Acrobat Reader Acrobat Reader users report a complete lack of customer service, especially regarding issues with purchased services and refunds after trials .
Pick PDF Expert if

Pick PDF Expert if you need a feature-rich PDF editor for academic or professional work, are willing to pay for a subscription, and prioritize strong annotation and editing capabilities R8R17.

Pick Acrobat Reader if

Pick Acrobat Reader if your company requires its use, you primarily need basic PDF viewing, or you are already integrated into the Adobe ecosystem .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative recent reviews, primarily concerning their subscription models and perceived degradation of service. For PDF Expert, many complaints stem from features previously available for a one-time purchase now being subscription-only. For Acrobat Reader, the negativity often revolves around aggressive paywalls and performance issues.

Frequently asked

Is PDF Expert truly free?
PDF Expert is free to download, but most advanced features, including editing and conversion, require a paid subscription R1R25R31R36. Some basic functionalities like reading PDFs and leaving notes are available for free R1.
Can I use PDF Expert on multiple devices with one purchase?
Users report issues with using a single purchase across multiple devices like Mac, iPhone, and iPad, with some needing to purchase plans again or finding no way to purchase for other devices outside of a subscription R9R45R55R56.
Does Acrobat Reader have a free version?
Acrobat Reader is free to download and allows for basic PDF viewing, but many advanced features like editing, exporting, and converting are locked behind paid subscriptions R79R88R92R120.
Are there issues with canceling subscriptions for these apps?
Both apps have users reporting significant difficulty in canceling subscriptions, with complaints about hidden cancellation links, charges without notice after trials, and inability to get refunds R32R39R40R48.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 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] 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.
  2. [R8] PDF Expert 4/5 · US Great app, but would be better with Apple Pencil Pro support: This is my preferred app for reading and annotating pdfs for academic work. My only gripe is that it doesnt support the Apple Pencil Pro. I’d love to be able to hide the toolbar and change tools via the squeeze gesture, which would allow me to work in truly full screen mode.
  3. [R10] PDF Expert 2/5 · US AI made it worse: No matter how many times you check the box to not open copilot automatically it still opens. It also seems to forget what document I had open now. Great app that is going downhill fast.
  4. [R11] PDF Expert 4/5 · US Mr D: Love this app. The only critique I have is that after a recent IOS upgrade, the split screen feature is not the same and much more wonky to use. Please bring that back!
  5. [R6] PDF Expert 3/5 · US Sign in is useless for me: When attempting to sign in, it forces you to open you email on the same device your signing in on. I don’t have that email on the device. So I cannot sign in. Making the app useless for me.
  6. [R9] PDF Expert 3/5 · US Can't open account on 2nd device: Also, the payment process is inscrutable.
  7. [R12] PDF Expert 3/5 · US Use to be better😞: I’m not sure why, but this app has stopped downloading parts of the articles I’m trying to save and annotate. The first year, the app downloaded the articles completely but the second year- it only downloads parts of the articles. Additionally, if you change the article to a PDF- there is some weird formatting. Disappointing.
  8. [R13] PDF Expert 2/5 · US Use to be good: All my tabs are blank, the files are there, but have to open each one to see which one it is, as all the tabs show no title. PLEASE FIX!!!
  9. [R15] PDF Expert 3/5 · US good but its bugging and freezing for me right now and sometimes i lose all my tabs: and the pages can be blank for a while, and clicking tools can sometimes result in crashes. another annoying thing that can happen is that i can lose all my pdf tabs when exiting the app entirely or opening a new pdf.
  10. [R17] PDF Expert 5/5 · US Love it since 2017: PDF Expert has been outstanding since I bought it in 2017. Reliable, fast, and packed with powerful features through years of updates I’ve never lost the tools I rely on. Excellent UI, smooth syncing, and top-notch PDF editing. Highly recommended.
  11. [R1] PDF Expert 1/5 · US Everything is paid: Everything is paid; the only free features are reading a PDF and leaving a note on it. · translated
  12. [R5] 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.
  13. [R16] PDF Expert 2/5 · US No-go on the endless subscription fee.: This is an excellent app, especially the fully featured pro version. Well worth a reasonable one time cost, with possible future functionality upgrades that could be available for an additional cost. I know developing software isn’t cheap. Except that everyone used to sell software for a fixed price and now everyone (almost) has gone to a subscription model
  14. [R4] 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
  15. [R22] PDF Expert 1/5 · US The software is horrible and their Customer Service is worse!: The software is horrible and there’s too many issues with logging in and the security they use with their server constantly logs you out and you have to contact customer support to get it working again and 2 to 3 weeks later it’ll work for a little while and then it logs you out again and removes your services. The software makes using
  16. [R28] PDF Expert 2/5 · US Used to be a great product. What happened?: UPDATE: With months of emails to PDF Expert complaining of constant freezing and crashing while always referencing my purchase of their original grandfathered one-time fee app, PDF Expert just completely severed my original features that were purchased years ago before they converted to a subscription service and now challenges whether my purchase ever e
  17. [R25] PDF Expert 1/5 · US Previously Available Features Removed: I purchased pdf expert for iPhone iPad & Mac. The version I purchased used to have the ability to fill and sign, annotate and edit pdfs. I also was able to open files from other apps and it would convert them allowing me to annotate or edit them. Now those features have been removed and you have to pay for a subscription to use features that were previously
  18. [R31] PDF Expert 1/5 · US Not free: It's listed among free apps but it's not free. They ask you to log in and get your information. It's an era of selling user data, and I, in turn, ask users to rate the app one star. They could have listed the app among paid apps or told us it wasn't free, but only after registration! They tell us it's not entirely free. · translated
  19. [R36] PDF Expert 3/5 · US Features buried in subscription now: Paid for app initially, but now suddenly I have to have a subscription to be able to do very much with it. Every edit just wants to me trial the subscription (can’t even do a simple rotate of pages anymore). Really liked its functionality but I am not interested in a subscription model and feel like I lost out on what I paid for in the first place by purchasing
  20. [R45] PDF Expert 3/5 · GB Only for one device？: I purchased this app on my Mac on 23rd October for £129.99, but I cannot find the purchase record on my mobile. Do I need to purchase the plan again? Wasn't it supposed to be usable simultaneously on iPhone, iPad, and Mac?
  21. [R55] PDF Expert 2/5 · US Disappointed in subscription: I just purchased a lifetime license for my Mac, and am so frustrated to find out there’s no way to actually purchase the app for my iPhone. Subscription models are just really getting on my nerves. I love Readdle’s products and use several of them, they are always very well made. But I definitely won’t be subscribing for this.
  22. [R56] PDF Expert 4/5 · US iOS so-so: Using a doc an hour on my iPhone & can’t find on iPad
  23. [R79] 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
  24. [R88] 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!
  25. [R92] Acrobat Reader 1/5 · US Garbage: You have to pay to do simple tasks
  26. [R120] Acrobat Reader 1/5 · US Waste of your time!!!: Ever since they deleted flash, it’s been trash. Just like any other app, it’s pay to win constantly. Do not get!!!
  27. [R32] PDF Expert 4/5 · US Dysfunctional app, absent customer service, deceptive trial: There is no reason to give this app a chance, they’ll charge you $80 without notice, ignore your emails, and leave you dry with an app that functions worse than the free functions a simple browser can provide. I fell into this trap not realizing that I can simply get on my computer and use my email app to edit PDFs. Lo and behold, I reac
  28. [R39] PDF Expert 3/5 · US Too hard to Cancel Subscription: I can’t seem to cancle Scbscription
  29. [R40] PDF Expert 1/5 · US Watch out they’ll charge you weekly with no option to cancel: The product itself is okay, there are plenty of free websites that do what this does. Somehow the started charging me weekly ($4.99). It's not in the Apple subscription so you can't cancel the normal way. I then went there website and found that they sell an add-on account for Mac, iPhone, and iPads. It says cancel anytime, but they t
  30. [R48] PDF Expert 3/5 · GB Impossible to cancel subscriptions: Just try and cancel the subscriptions and it is impossible to find the link

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store