PDF-XChange Editor [1]

Our Review:

The developer has replaced PDF-XChange Viewer with PDF-XChange Editor, which serves as a PDF viewer plus basic editing requirements in the free version.

This workhorse remains the top choice in this category. It was able to quickly open and accurately render all of the files in my test set of PDF files. Pages can be zoomed or rotated and can be exported in various image formats.

Beyond its viewing capabilities, PDF-XChange has an extensive suite of tools for form annotating and bookmarking PDF documents. This extensive commenting capability includes many drawing tools, including the option to add a grid for precision. Comments can also be hidden, exported or imported. PDF-XChange has the ability to encrypt documents as well as managing document security and properties. Controls are easily accessible and easy to use.

An important part of the reading experience for me is the ability to search the text contained in the file. As a result, the one feature that makes PDF-XChange stand out from the other PDF readers is its ability to convert and save a scanned or imaged PDF document to one containing searchable text via the OCR process.

With all of its solid qualities this proven software seems to be too sophisticated if all you need is just a reader. It contains quite a number of non-free pro features, such as page modification, digital signatures, etc., for demo purpose. If you use such features in the free version, your PDF files will be watermarked.