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Four PDF tools, read by situation

Instead of listing features, this page begins with common situations and then describes how PDF Gear, Sejda PDF, PDF24 Tools and Foxit PDF Editor are set up for each.

Three common situations

The kind of work usually matters more than the length of a feature list.

One job, once

A single file needs a single change. Tools that run in a browser and ask for no setup tend to be the relevant kind.

The same job, weekly

Recurring work, or work without a connection, points towards programs installed on the computer.

Many people, one file

When several reviewers or signers are involved, comparison, signing and permissions come into view.

The four tools

Each profile notes who the arrangement tends to suit, what it covers and what to keep in mind.

1

PDF Gear

Suits people who want one program for several jobs

Anyone who edits, converts and reads PDFs in the same sitting may find PDF Gear a natural fit for how it is arranged, since those jobs live in a single program. It is installed on a computer, and a browser version covers lighter use. Changing words or pictures inside a page, completing forms and exporting to Word or Excel are the usual reasons people open it. Scanned pages can be read through built-in recognition, and groups of files can be converted together in one run.

Covers

  • Editing of text, images and pages
  • Recognition of scanned text
  • Conversion of file groups

Keep in mind

  • The installed version requires setup
  • Some functions need an account
  • Supported formats form a fixed list
2

Sejda PDF

Suits people who arrive with one specific job

Someone who arrives with a single job, such as joining two files or covering an account number, will find Sejda PDF built around exactly that approach. The task is chosen first and the document added afterwards. It operates in a browser and as an installed program on Windows, macOS and Linux, with matching tools in both. Editing includes a whiteout option, files can be imported from Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive, and each task has daily allowances and limits on size and pages.

Covers

  • Text and image editing, whiteout
  • Joining, splitting and shrinking files
  • A redaction tool
  • Import from cloud storage

Keep in mind

  • Daily allowance per task
  • Size and page limits per task
  • Mostly one file at a time
3

PDF24 Tools

Suits people who work on Windows or offline

People working on Windows, or in places with weak connections, are the group most likely to benefit from how PDF24 Tools is arranged. Its utilities run online, and a Windows application lets the same kind of work happen offline once installed. A virtual printer driver stands out: any program with a print option can output a PDF. The wide range of separate utilities covers converting, merging, splitting and adjusting, though the long list takes a little time to browse.

Covers

  • A virtual PDF printer
  • A Windows application for offline use
  • A broad set of small utilities

Keep in mind

  • The offline version is Windows-only
  • Browsing the tool list takes time
  • Offline use needs installing first
4

Foxit PDF Editor

Suits people handling shared or reviewed documents

Teams passing documents between several people may find Foxit PDF Editor relevant, because its range reaches past editing into signing, comparison and document management. It runs on Windows, macOS and the web, with mobile and cloud apps in a separate tier. Text, image and page changes, Office format conversion, forms and character recognition are covered. Version comparison is a dedicated feature, while AI-assisted redaction is an add-on, and management tools are aimed at organisations.

Covers

  • Editing of text, images and pages
  • Office format conversion
  • Forms and signing
  • OCR and version comparison

Keep in mind

  • Mobile and cloud are a separate tier
  • AI-assisted redaction is an add-on
  • Management tools are organisation-oriented

Situation by tool

The table matches common situations with what each tool lists for them. "Limited" means the situation is covered more narrowly than by a dedicated feature.

SituationPDF GearSejda PDFPDF24 ToolsFoxit PDF Editor
A quick one-off jobBrowser interfaceOnline taskOnline utilitiesWeb version
Repeated work without uploadsInstalled versionInstalled appWindows appInstalled app
Scanned pagesBuilt-in OCRLimitedOCR listedOCR listed
Hiding private detailsLimitedDedicated toolLimitedYes, AI add-on
Comparing document versionsLimitedLimitedLimitedDedicated feature
Making PDFs from other softwareConversion toolsConversion toolsVirtual printerCreation tools

Based on each provider's published information at the time of writing.

Guides

Three guides look at making a large file smaller, handling signatures and approvals, and working with scanned pages.

Open the guides

About the information

The content reflects publicly available descriptions of what each tool generally offers. Features, platforms and limits change, so each provider's own documentation is the place to confirm current detail.