Skip to content
ToolGPA

PDFgear alternatives · PDF Editors

Alternatives to PDFgear with a one-time purchase

The PDFgear listing shows no one-time purchase. 14 of the 28 other PDF editors in this directory can be bought with a one-time purchase.

PDFgear is free to use. 6 of them are free or have a free plan.

14 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 12, 2026 · Where the facts come from

The 12 closest to PDFgear

  1. UPDF

    PDF editor with AI chat, one license across desktop and mobile

    • UPDF starts at $49.99 per year (US App Store). PDFgear is free.
    • PDFgear has a free plan. UPDF does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only PDFgear lists a web app.
    • Only PDFgear lists a browser extension.
    UPDF vs PDFgearUPDF pricing and details

  2. PDFelement

    Wondershare's PDF editor, by subscription or a one-time license

    • PDFelement starts at $11.99 per quarter for one platform. PDFgear is free.
    • PDFgear has a free plan. PDFelement does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only PDFgear lists a browser extension.
    • PDFelement can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    PDFelement vs PDFgearPDFelement pricing and details

  3. PDFsam

    Split and merge PDFs offline, with paid Visual and Enhanced editions

    • PDFsam starts at $34.90 per user / year (PDFsam Visual); PDFsam Basic is free. PDFgear is free.
    • Only PDFsam lists a Linux app.
    • Only PDFgear lists a web app.
    • Only PDFgear lists iOS and Android apps.
    PDFsam vs PDFgearPDFsam pricing and details

  4. SwifDoo PDF

    PDF editor for Windows, Mac and mobile with term or lifetime licenses

    • SwifDoo PDF starts at $2.88 per month, billed every 2 years (Windows). PDFgear is free.
    • PDFgear has a free plan. SwifDoo PDF does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only PDFgear lists a web app.
    • Only PDFgear lists a browser extension.
    SwifDoo PDF vs PDFgearSwifDoo PDF pricing and details

  5. Foxit PDF Editor

    PDF editor for Windows, Mac and web, yearly or as a one-time license

    • Foxit PDF Editor starts at $129.99 per user / year. PDFgear is free.
    • PDFgear has a free plan. Foxit PDF Editor does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only PDFgear lists a browser extension.
    • Foxit PDF Editor can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Foxit PDF Editor pricing and details

  6. Xodo

    PDF tools on web, desktop and mobile, sold separately or as a suite

    • Xodo starts at $7.99 per month, billed annually ($10.99 billed monthly). PDFgear is free.
    • Only Xodo lists a Linux app.
    • Only PDFgear lists a browser extension.
    • Xodo can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Xodo pricing and details

  7. PDF Candy

    90-plus online PDF tools and a Windows app, free within limits

    • PDF Candy starts at $4 per month, billed yearly. PDFgear is free.
    • Only PDFgear lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only PDFgear lists a browser extension.
    • PDF Candy can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    PDF Candy pricing and details

  8. LightPDF

    Online PDF editor and converter with AI tools paid for in credits

    • LightPDF starts at $5.99 per month. PDFgear is free.
    • Only PDFgear lists a browser extension.
    • LightPDF can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • PDFgear also covers forms.
    LightPDF pricing and details

  9. Tungsten Power PDF

    PDF editor with an Office-style ribbon, formerly Kofax Power PDF

    • Tungsten Power PDF starts at SGD 159 per license, one-time (shown in Singapore dollars). PDFgear is free.
    • PDFgear has a free plan. Tungsten Power PDF does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only PDFgear lists a browser extension.
    • Tungsten Power PDF can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    Tungsten Power PDF pricing and details

  10. PDF-XChange Editor

    Windows PDF editor with a free edition and perpetual licenses

    • PDF-XChange Editor starts at $62 per user, one-time purchase. PDFgear is free.
    • Only PDFgear lists a web app.
    • Only PDFgear lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only PDFgear lists a browser extension.
    PDF-XChange Editor pricing and details

  11. PDF Reader Pro

    PDF viewer and editor for Mac, Windows, mobile and web

    • PDF Reader Pro starts at $59.99 per year (Standard), or $99.99 one-time. PDFgear is free.
    • Only PDFgear lists a browser extension.
    • PDF Reader Pro can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • PDF Reader Pro also covers documents.
    PDF Reader Pro pricing and details

  12. Xodo PDF Studio

    Offline PDF editor for Windows, Mac and Linux, formerly Qoppa

    • Xodo PDF Studio starts at $9.99 per month, billed annually ($19.99 billed monthly). PDFgear is free.
    • PDFgear has a free plan. Xodo PDF Studio does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Xodo PDF Studio lists a Linux app.
    • Only PDFgear lists a web app.
    Xodo PDF Studio pricing and details

2 more that can be bought with a one-time purchase

All 14 in one table

Common questions

Is there an alternative to PDFgear that you buy once?

Yes. UPDF, PDFelement, PDFsam, SwifDoo PDF, Foxit PDF Editor, Xodo, PDF Candy, LightPDF and 6 more can be bought with a one-time purchase.

Can you buy PDFgear once instead of subscribing?

The PDFgear listing shows no one-time purchase. The listing was checked on Oct 18, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these PDF editors are free?

PDFsam, Xodo, PDF Candy, LightPDF, PDF-XChange Editor and PDF Reader Pro are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 18, 2026 to Nov 12, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to PDFgear: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.