Foxit PDF Editor

4.4 (2.5k reviews)

Professional PDF editing software that serves as a comprehensive alternative to ...

VS 2026

Adobe Acrobat

4.2 (15.0k reviews)

Industry-leading PDF editor and e-signature solution that enables users to creat...

Foxit PDF Editor vs Adobe Acrobat: Which Is Better in 2026?

Comprehensive comparison of Foxit PDF Editor and Adobe Acrobat covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.

Foxit PDF Editor vs Adobe Acrobat: Overview

Choosing between Foxit PDF Editor and Adobe Acrobat is a common dilemma for pdf tools users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.

Foxit PDF Editor starts at $10.99/monthly, while Adobe Acrobat also has a free option and begins at $14.99/monthly. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.

Foxit PDF Editor is best known for significantly cheaper than adobe acrobat, whereas Adobe Acrobat stands out for industry standard with comprehensive features. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.

Quick Overview

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
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Adobe Acrobat

  • Best for: Legal professionals, Enterprise document workflows
  • Starting price: Free
  • Category: pdf tools
  • Founded: 1993
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Feature Comparison

Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between Foxit PDF Editor and Adobe Acrobat.

Feature
Foxit PDF Editor
Adobe Acrobat
PDF Creation and Editing Create, merge, split, and edit PDF documents
OCR Technology Convert scanned documents to searchable, editable PDFs
AI Assistant Document summarization, translation, and Q&A capabilities Studio plan only
Smart Redaction AI-powered PII identification and removal (PDF Editor+ only)
E-signature Tools Digital signing and signature request workflows
Document Comparison Compare two PDF versions to identify differences Pro and Studio plans only
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
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
Redaction Tools Pro and Studio plans only
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

Features Deep Dive

Both Foxit PDF Editor and Adobe Acrobat offer core pdf tools functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.

Shared features: AI Assistant, Document Comparison.

Foxit PDF Editor unique strengths: PDF Creation and Editing, OCR Technology, Smart Redaction. This makes it ideal for businesses needing adobe acrobat alternative.

Adobe Acrobat unique strengths: PDF Creation & Editing, E-signatures, OCR Text Recognition. This makes it better suited for legal professionals.

Foxit PDF Editor offers 10 core features with 4 integrations, while Adobe Acrobat provides 10 features and 7 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.

Winner

Foxit PDF Editor

Best for Businesses needing Adobe Acrobat alternative and Legal teams requiring document redaction. Significantly cheaper than Adobe Acrobat.

Try Foxit PDF Editor
Alternative

Adobe Acrobat

Best for Legal professionals and Enterprise document workflows. Industry standard with comprehensive features.

Try Adobe Acrobat

Pros & Cons

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

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

Pricing Comparison

Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.

Foxit PDF Editor

subscription
Starting from $11 /mo
PDF Editor $11 /mo
  • Create and edit PDFs
  • Convert to Word/Excel/PowerPoint
  • OCR scanning
eSign Essentials $10 /mo
  • 150 envelopes/year
  • Payment collection
  • Basic templates
eSign Business $25 /mo
  • Unlimited envelopes
  • Advanced integrations
  • Team management

Adobe Acrobat

subscription
Starting from $15 /mo
Free tier available
Acrobat Reader Free
  • View PDFs
  • Basic annotations
  • Fill & sign forms
Acrobat Standard $15 /mo
  • Edit PDFs
  • Convert documents
  • E-signatures
Acrobat Studio $25 /mo
  • Everything in Pro
  • AI Assistant
  • PDF Spaces collaboration

Pricing Comparison Analysis

Foxit PDF Editor Pricing: Paid plans start at $10.99/monthly. 4 plans available: PDF Editor, PDF Editor+, eSign Essentials, eSign Business.

Adobe Acrobat Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $14.99/monthly. 4 plans available: Acrobat Reader, Acrobat Standard, Acrobat Pro, Acrobat Studio.

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 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
Try Foxit PDF Editor Free

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
Try Adobe Acrobat Free

Final Verdict

Choose Foxit PDF Editor if: You need businesses needing adobe acrobat alternative or legal teams requiring document redaction. It excels at significantly cheaper than adobe acrobat and excellent text editing with linked text boxes.

Choose Adobe Acrobat if: You prioritize legal professionals or enterprise document workflows. It's particularly strong for industry standard with comprehensive features and excellent cross-platform compatibility.

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.

Foxit PDF Editor vs Adobe Acrobat FAQ

What are the main differences between Foxit PDF Editor and Adobe Acrobat?

Foxit PDF Editor focuses on businesses needing adobe acrobat alternative with significantly cheaper than adobe acrobat, while Adobe Acrobat excels at legal professionals with industry standard with comprehensive features. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.

Is Foxit PDF Editor or Adobe Acrobat 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 Foxit PDF Editor and Adobe Acrobat?

Foxit PDF Editor starts at $10.99/month, while Adobe Acrobat starts at $14.99/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.

Can Foxit PDF Editor integrate with Adobe Acrobat?

While direct integration may vary, both Foxit PDF Editor and Adobe Acrobat support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. Foxit PDF Editor integrates with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, while Adobe Acrobat works with Microsoft 365, Google Drive, OneDrive.

Which tool is easier to use, Foxit PDF Editor or Adobe Acrobat?

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. Foxit PDF Editor is known for excellent text editing with linked text boxes.

Does Foxit PDF Editor or Adobe Acrobat offer better customer support?

Both Foxit PDF Editor and Adobe Acrobat provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. Foxit PDF Editor offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.

What are the pros of Foxit PDF Editor compared to Adobe Acrobat?

Foxit PDF Editor's main advantages include: Significantly cheaper than Adobe Acrobat, Excellent text editing with linked text boxes, Powerful OCR and redaction capabilities. Compared to Adobe Acrobat, it's particularly strong for businesses needing adobe acrobat alternative.

What are the cons of Foxit PDF Editor compared to Adobe Acrobat?

Foxit PDF Editor's potential drawbacks include: Web-to-PDF conversion can be glitchy, AI responses occasionally inconsistent. Adobe Acrobat may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.

Should I switch from Foxit PDF Editor to Adobe Acrobat 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. Foxit PDF Editor excels for businesses needing adobe acrobat alternative, while Adobe Acrobat is ideal for legal professionals.

Written by

AM
Alex Morgan Senior SaaS Analyst

Alex has spent over 8 years analyzing and comparing business software solutions. With a background in enterprise software sales and product management, he brings hands-on experience to every review. Alex specializes in CRM, marketing automation, and sales enablement tools.

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