Master PDF Editor vs PDF-XChange Editor (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Master PDF Editor if

• Fits if you want to pay once for a PDF editor on Linux, Mac or Windows
• Works for teams that want volume prices from $59.95 a license

Look elsewhere if

• Tight if you want to try before buying, since the demo watermarks the output
• Watch out: updates and support are free for one year, then cost half price a year
• Skip it if you need refunds, as the vendor gives none unless a technical problem cannot be fixed
• Watch out: the virtual PDF printer is in the Windows version only
• Not for you if you want phone or browser editing, as it is desktop only

Pick PDF-XChange Editor if

• Fits if you are on Windows and want a one-time purchase
• Works for people who can live with the free edition for markup

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you use a Mac, Linux or a phone, as it is Windows only
• Tight if you need forms or compare, because those need Editor Plus at $79
• Watch out: licensed features add watermarks in the free version
• Watch out: updates cover 1 year, then renewals cost about 25% of the license price a year
• Not for you if you want a refund, as none is given once license keys are released

Master PDF Editor

• A license covers the version bought; free updates and support last one year, then cost half price per year.
• The vendor gives no refunds unless a technical problem cannot be resolved; the demo is the way to test first.
• The demo adds a watermark to output files.
• The virtual PDF printer is included in the Windows version only.

PDF-XChange Editor

• It runs on Windows 10 and later only; there is no Mac, Linux or browser edition.
• The vendor gives no refunds after license keys are released, so test the free version first.
• Maintenance (updates) covers 1 year; renewals within 30 days of expiry cost about 25% of the license price per year.
• Form creation, document compare and the enhanced OCR need Editor Plus, not the standard license.

Master PDF Editor

Edit text and objects

Add or change formatted text, insert images, and select, move or resize objects in a PDF.

Annotation tools

Sticky notes, measuring tools, shapes, highlight, underline and strikethrough, plus custom stamps for review status.

Forms

Create and edit interactive form fields such as buttons, text fields and checkboxes, with JavaScript calculation and validation.

OCR and scanning

Create PDFs from a scanner and run OCR so scanned pages and images become searchable and editable.

Page operations

Merge and split files, move, remove, insert and rotate pages, resize them, and manage bookmarks.

Digital signatures

Check signatures and sign documents with a digital certificate, which you must already have.

PDF-XChange Editor

Editing and markup

Edit text and images and annotate PDFs, with over 400 features in all, 145 of them licensed.

OCR

Built-in OCR makes scanned documents searchable; Editor Plus uses a more accurate engine.

Forms (Plus)

Editor Plus creates and edits fillable forms and can turn non-interactive PDFs into forms with Identify Forms.

Compare documents (Plus)

Editor Plus compares two documents and summarizes insertions, deletions, replacements and style changes.

AI Assistant

Analyzes and answers questions about PDFs using OpenAI, Anthropic or Google models; it needs your own API key.

Signing tools

The FreeSign tool adds signatures and initials, and Plus can add placeholders where signers should sign.

Master PDF Editor

• Full Version, 1-9 licenses$79.95

  one-time purchase per license

  Perpetual license for the version bought, with a year of free updates and email support.

• Full Version, 10-35 licenses$69.95

  one-time purchase per license

  Per-license price when buying 10 to 35 licenses.

• Full Version, 36-99 licenses$64.95

  one-time purchase per license

  Per-license price when buying 36 to 99 licenses.

• Full Version, 100-500 licenses$59.95

  one-time purchase per license

  Per-license price when buying 100 to 500 licenses; larger orders go through sales.

PDF-XChange Editor

• Free$0

  Free for private and commercial use; features marked as licensed add watermarks to saved output.

• Editor, single user$62

  one-time purchase per user

  Perpetual license with 1 year of maintenance; 2 or 3 years can be added at purchase.

• Editor Plus, single user$79

  one-time purchase per user

  Adds a more accurate OCR engine, form creation, document compare, Identify Forms and dynamic stamps.

• Editor, 3 user pack$168

  one-time purchase for 3 users

  Perpetual licenses for 3 users; larger packs run up to 1000 users and site licenses.

Master PDF Editor

• Other savings

  Lower per-license price for volume

  The license price falls from $79.95 each for 1 to 9 licenses to $59.95 each for 100 to 500; resellers get separate terms.

PDF-XChange Editor

• Education

  Charity and academic offers

  PDF-XChange lists a page of registered charity and academic offers; the free version may also be used in academic settings.

• Other savings

  Cheaper extended maintenance at purchase

  Adding 2 or 3 years of maintenance when buying costs less than renewing later; the pricing page shows examples.