# PDF tools for Mac

> Edit, convert and compress PDFs when Preview isn't enough.

From dockpicks (https://dockpicks.com/), a hand-picked, independent directory of Mac apps. Web page: https://dockpicks.com/pdf/

Group: Work. 5 apps, listed best first. Prices are the vendor's wording, checked October 2026, and can change.

Built into macOS: Preview. Preview already covers most PDF chores: highlighting and notes, filling forms, adding a signature, combining files, reordering pages, password protection and shrinking file size. You probably do not need another app unless you have to edit the existing text in a PDF, convert to Word or Excel, run OCR on scans, or manage heavy annotation for research.

## 1. PDF Expert

Fast, polished PDF reader and editor

- Price: $139.99 on the Mac App Store
- Pricing model: Paid. A one-time purchase. A free trial may exist.
- Usable without paying: No
- Open source: No
- Developer: Readdle
- Website: https://pdfexpert.com/
- Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pdf-expert-edit-sign-pdfs/id1055273043
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/pdf/#pdf-expert

A PDF app for reading, annotating, signing and editing text, images and links in PDFs, with OCR, conversion to Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and an AI assistant.

Our take: The best paid pick if you edit PDFs regularly; it is quicker and nicer to use than Acrobat. Expensive if you only need it once in a while.

## 2. PDFgear

Free PDF editor with conversion, OCR and AI chat

- Price: Free
- Pricing model: Free. No payment needed for the full app.
- Usable without paying: Yes
- Open source: No
- Developer: PDF GEAR TECH PTE. LTD.
- Website: https://www.pdfgear.com/
- Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pdfgear-pdf-editor-reader/id6469021132
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/pdf/#pdfgear

A free PDF editor that edits text and images, fills and signs forms, converts to and from Word, Excel, PowerPoint and images, runs OCR in 30+ languages and includes an AI chat assistant.

Our take: The best free option when you need text editing or conversion that Preview cannot do. No account required.

## 3. Skim

PDF reader and note-taker for research papers

- Price: Free
- Pricing model: Free. No payment needed for the full app.
- Usable without paying: Yes
- Open source: Yes, BSD (https://sourceforge.net/p/skim-app/code/)
- Website: https://skim-app.sourceforge.io/
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/pdf/#skim

A free, open-source PDF reader for reading and annotating scientific papers, with notes, highlights, a notes overview and integration with LaTeX, SyncTeX and BibDesk.

Our take: A favorite of academics and LaTeX users. Looks plain and does not edit PDF content, but its annotation workflow beats Preview.

## 4. PDF Squeezer

Shrinks PDF file sizes with fine-grained control

- Price: $19.99
- Pricing model: Paid. A one-time purchase. A free trial may exist.
- Usable without paying: No
- Open source: No
- Developer: Witt Software
- Website: https://witt-software.com/pdfsqueezer/
- Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pdf-squeezer-4/id1502111349
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/pdf/#pdf-squeezer

Compresses PDFs by recompressing images and removing unneeded data such as unused font glyphs, metadata and thumbnails, with custom profiles and batch processing of files and folders.

Our take: Worth it if you often have to get PDFs under an upload or email limit and Preview's Reduce File Size filter ruins the quality. Single-purpose.

## 5. Adobe Acrobat Reader

The reference PDF reader, with paid Acrobat upgrades

- Price: Reader free; Acrobat Pro from US$19.99/month
- Pricing model: Free tier. A usable free version, with a paid upgrade for more.
- Usable without paying: Yes
- Open source: No
- Developer: Adobe
- Website: https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-reader.html
- Built-in may be enough: Preview already covers what most people use this for
- Facts checked: 2026-10-24
- On dockpicks: https://dockpicks.com/pdf/#adobe-acrobat-reader

Adobe's free PDF reader for viewing, printing, commenting on, filling out and signing PDFs. Editing and conversion require a paid Acrobat Pro or Acrobat Studio subscription.

Our take: Only needed for the occasional form that relies on Adobe-specific features, or if your workplace standardizes on Acrobat. For everything else Preview does the same job.