Adobe Acrobat
Industry-leading PDF editor and e-signature solution that enables users to creat...
Foxit PDF Editor
Professional PDF editing software that serves as a comprehensive alternative to ...
Adobe Acrobat vs Foxit PDF Editor: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of Adobe Acrobat and Foxit PDF Editor covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
Adobe Acrobat vs Foxit PDF Editor: Overview
Choosing between Adobe Acrobat and Foxit PDF Editor is a common dilemma for pdf tools users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
Adobe Acrobat offers a free tier and starts at $14.99/monthly, while Foxit PDF Editor begins at $10.99/monthly. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
Adobe Acrobat is best known for industry standard with comprehensive features, whereas Foxit PDF Editor stands out for significantly cheaper than adobe acrobat. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
Adobe Acrobat
- Best for: Legal professionals, Enterprise document workflows
- Starting price: Free
- Category: pdf tools
- Founded: 1993
Foxit PDF Editor
- Best for: Businesses needing Adobe Acrobat alternative, Legal teams requiring document redaction
- Starting price: $10.99/mo
- Category: pdf tools
- Founded: 2001
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Adobe Acrobat and Foxit PDF Editor.
| Feature | Ac Adobe Acrobat | Fx Foxit PDF Editor |
|---|---|---|
| PDF Creation & Editing | Create and edit PDFs from multiple file formats | |
| E-signatures | Digital signatures with tracking and authentication | |
| OCR Text Recognition | Pro and Studio plans only | |
| Document Comparison | Pro and Studio plans only | Compare two PDF versions to identify differences |
| Redaction Tools | Pro and Studio plans only | |
| AI Assistant | Studio plan only | Document summarization, translation, and Q&A capabilities |
| Cloud Storage | 5GB free, 100GB with paid plans | |
| Mobile Apps | Cross-device synchronization | |
| Batch Processing | Pro and Studio plans only | |
| Advanced Security | Password protection and permissions | |
| PDF Creation and Editing | Create, merge, split, and edit PDF documents | |
| OCR Technology | Convert scanned documents to searchable, editable PDFs | |
| Smart Redaction | AI-powered PII identification and removal (PDF Editor+ only) | |
| E-signature Tools | Digital signing and signature request workflows | |
| Mobile App | iOS and Android apps (PDF Editor+ only) | |
| Format Conversion | Convert PDFs to/from Word, Excel, PowerPoint formats | |
| Security Features | Password protection and encryption capabilities | |
| Collaboration Tools | Comments, annotations, and team sharing features |
Features Deep Dive
Both Adobe Acrobat and Foxit PDF Editor offer core pdf tools functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Document Comparison, AI Assistant.
Adobe Acrobat unique strengths: PDF Creation & Editing, E-signatures, OCR Text Recognition. This makes it ideal for legal professionals.
Foxit PDF Editor unique strengths: PDF Creation and Editing, OCR Technology, Smart Redaction. This makes it better suited for businesses needing adobe acrobat alternative.
Adobe Acrobat offers 10 core features with 7 integrations, while Foxit PDF Editor provides 10 features and 4 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Foxit PDF Editor edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Foxit PDF Editor offers better overall user satisfaction. Adobe Acrobat remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize legal professionals.
Foxit PDF Editor
Best for Businesses needing Adobe Acrobat alternative and Legal teams requiring document redaction. Significantly cheaper than Adobe Acrobat.
Try Foxit PDF EditorAdobe Acrobat
Best for Legal professionals and Enterprise document workflows. Industry standard with comprehensive features.
Try Adobe AcrobatPros & Cons
Adobe Acrobat Pros & Cons
Pros
- Industry standard with comprehensive features
- Excellent cross-platform compatibility
- Advanced OCR and text recognition
- Strong security and compliance features
- Seamless cloud integration
Cons
- Expensive compared to alternatives
- Subscription-only model
- Can be slow and resource-heavy
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
Foxit PDF Editor Pros & Cons
Pros
- Significantly cheaper than Adobe Acrobat
- Excellent text editing with linked text boxes
- Powerful OCR and redaction capabilities
- Multi-platform support (Windows, Mac, mobile)
- AI-powered features included
Cons
- Web-to-PDF conversion can be glitchy
- AI responses occasionally inconsistent
- No completely free version available
- May be overkill for casual users
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
Adobe Acrobat
subscription- View PDFs
- Basic annotations
- Fill & sign forms
- Edit PDFs
- Convert documents
- E-signatures
- Advanced editing
- OCR text recognition
- Compare PDFs
- Everything in Pro
- AI Assistant
- PDF Spaces collaboration
Foxit PDF Editor
subscription- Create and edit PDFs
- Convert to Word/Excel/PowerPoint
- OCR scanning
- All PDF Editor features
- Mobile app access
- E-signature capabilities
- 150 envelopes/year
- Payment collection
- Basic templates
- Unlimited envelopes
- Advanced integrations
- Team management
Pricing Comparison Analysis
Adobe Acrobat Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $14.99/monthly. 4 plans available: Acrobat Reader, Acrobat Standard, Acrobat Pro, Acrobat Studio.
Foxit PDF Editor Pricing: Paid plans start at $10.99/monthly. 4 plans available: PDF Editor, PDF Editor+, eSign Essentials, eSign Business.
Verdict: Foxit PDF Editor is more affordable at the entry level. However, Adobe Acrobat may offer better value at scale with Industry standard with comprehensive features.
For budget-conscious teams, Foxit PDF Editor is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing legal professionals, Adobe Acrobat's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose Adobe Acrobat if you need:
- Legal professionals
- Enterprise document workflows
- Teams requiring advanced collaboration
- Organizations needing compliance features
- Industry standard with comprehensive features
- Excellent cross-platform compatibility
Choose Foxit PDF Editor if you need:
- Businesses needing Adobe Acrobat alternative
- Legal teams requiring document redaction
- Educational institutions with PDF workflows
- Remote teams collaborating on documents
- Significantly cheaper than Adobe Acrobat
- Excellent text editing with linked text boxes
Final Verdict
Choose Adobe Acrobat if: You need legal professionals or enterprise document workflows. It excels at industry standard with comprehensive features and excellent cross-platform compatibility.
Choose Foxit PDF Editor if: You prioritize businesses needing adobe acrobat alternative or legal teams requiring document redaction. It's particularly strong for significantly cheaper than adobe acrobat and excellent text editing with linked text boxes.
Overall: Foxit PDF Editor has a slight edge with a 4.4/5 rating from 2,500 reviews. However, Adobe Acrobat has a larger user base with 15,000 reviews, suggesting broader market validation.
Both tools are solid choices in the pdf tools space. Your decision should ultimately depend on your specific requirements, team size, and budget.
Adobe Acrobat vs Foxit PDF Editor FAQ
What are the main differences between Adobe Acrobat and Foxit PDF Editor?
Adobe Acrobat focuses on legal professionals with industry standard with comprehensive features, while Foxit PDF Editor excels at businesses needing adobe acrobat alternative with significantly cheaper than adobe acrobat. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is Adobe Acrobat or Foxit PDF Editor better for small businesses?
Adobe Acrobat offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers Foxit PDF Editor's lower starting price of $10.99/month.
What is the pricing difference between Adobe Acrobat and Foxit PDF Editor?
Adobe Acrobat starts at $14.99/month with a free tier available, while Foxit PDF Editor starts at $10.99/month. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can Adobe Acrobat integrate with Foxit PDF Editor?
While direct integration may vary, both Adobe Acrobat and Foxit PDF Editor support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Adobe Acrobat integrates with Microsoft 365, Google Drive, OneDrive, while Foxit PDF Editor works with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive.
Which tool is easier to use, Adobe Acrobat or Foxit PDF Editor?
Based on user reviews, Foxit PDF Editor generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.4 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. Adobe Acrobat is known for excellent cross-platform compatibility.
Does Adobe Acrobat or Foxit PDF Editor offer better customer support?
Both Adobe Acrobat and Foxit PDF Editor provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Adobe Acrobat offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of Adobe Acrobat compared to Foxit PDF Editor?
Adobe Acrobat's main advantages include: Industry standard with comprehensive features, Excellent cross-platform compatibility, Advanced OCR and text recognition. Compared to Foxit PDF Editor, it's particularly strong for legal professionals.
What are the cons of Adobe Acrobat compared to Foxit PDF Editor?
Adobe Acrobat's potential drawbacks include: Expensive compared to alternatives, Subscription-only model. Foxit PDF Editor may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from Adobe Acrobat to Foxit PDF Editor or vice versa?
Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.
Which tool is best for pdf tools in 2026?
In 2026, Foxit PDF Editor leads in this comparison with a 4.4 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. Adobe Acrobat excels for legal professionals, while Foxit PDF Editor is ideal for businesses needing adobe acrobat alternative.