PDF-XChange Editor vs SumatraPDF (2026): which should you pick?
As of Nov 13, 2026, SumatraPDF grades higher than PDF-XChange Editor: 2.8 against 2.6 out of 4.0.
Checked Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 · graded Nov 12, 2026 and Nov 13, 2026 by ToolGPA
PDF-XChange Editor grades higher on features. SumatraPDF grades higher on the free plan and platforms. They get the same grade on value for money and ease of use.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
PDF-XChange Editor
Windows PDF editor with a free edition and perpetual licenses
Which one is for you
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
Pick SumatraPDF if
- Fits if you want a light Windows viewer for PDFs, ebooks and comics
- Works for people who keep a portable reader on a USB stick
Look elsewhere if
- Too light for editing, as the pages list no way to change text or pages
- Skip it if you use a Mac or Linux, since the FAQ says there is no version for them
- Not for you if you want phone apps, as none is listed
- Watch out: support is a GitHub discussions forum and documentation, not a help desk
How we grade them
| 2.6GPAPDF-XChange EditorGood | 2.8GPASumatraPDFGood | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A$62 one-time is under a year ($80) of the category's middle subscription, with one year of updates included. | AFree and open source, with no ads or bundled software, and anyone can download and run it. |
| Free plan and trial | BThe free version leaves about 70% of features unrestricted; licensed features add a watermark to output. | AThe whole app is free to download and use, with nothing held back. |
| Features | CEditing, markup, OCR, signing tools and an AI assistant. Form creation, compare and the enhanced OCR need Editor Plus. | DIt opens many document formats but the pages list no editing, so for a PDF editing category it covers one narrow function, viewing. |
| Ease of use | BNo rating on record; a program you install and use, with nothing to set up. | BNo store rating is on record, but you install or unzip it and open a file, with nothing to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | DWindows 10 and later only: no Mac, Linux, browser or phone version. | CA Windows desktop app in 32-bit, 64-bit and ARM64 builds, plus a browser version. There is no Mac, Linux or phone app. |
| Best for | a Windows PDF editor with a free edition | opening PDFs and ebooks quickly on Windows |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: PDF-XChange Editor and SumatraPDF. How we grade
Where they differ
- PDF-XChange Editor can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- SumatraPDF is open source, according to its own site.
- PDF-XChange Editor also covers pDF editing.
- SumatraPDF also covers documents.
At a glance
| PDF-XChange Editor | SumatraPDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan | Free |
| Starts at | $62 per user, one-time purchase | Free |
| Free plan | Free version with about 70% of features unrestricted; licensed features add watermarks to output. | Everything: the app is free and open source, with no ads or bundled software. |
| Free trial | None listed | None listed |
| Web | ||
| Windows | ||
| Made by | PDF-XChange Co Ltd | Krzysztof Kowalczyk |
| Price read from | pdf-xchange.com | sumatrapdfreader.org |
| Checked | Nov 12, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 |
Worth knowing
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.
SumatraPDF
- Windows only for the desktop app; the FAQ says there is no Mac or Linux version.
- The home page presents it as a reader; the pages read do not list editing features such as changing text or pages.
- Support is through a GitHub discussions forum and documentation.
Key features
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.
SumatraPDF
- Many document formats
- Opens PDF, EPUB, MOBI, CBZ and CBR comics, DjVu, XPS, CHM and common image formats, including JPEG XL and HEIC.
- Light and fast
- The site describes an app that opens documents instantly with minimal memory use.
- Portable option
- Can run without installation, for example from a USB drive.
- Customization
- Keyboard shortcuts, themes and the toolbar layout can be changed.
- Windows builds
- Native 32-bit, 64-bit and ARM64 builds for Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11.
- Web version
- A browser version is linked from the site's main navigation at web.sumatrapdfreader.org.
Plans
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.
SumatraPDF
Free$0
Free and open source, with no ads, bundled software or subscription.
Ways to pay less
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.
SumatraPDF
No public discounts listed.
Common questions
Which is cheaper, PDF-XChange Editor or SumatraPDF?
As of Nov 13, 2026, PDF-XChange Editor starts at $62 per user, one-time purchase, and SumatraPDF is free.
Which has a free plan, PDF-XChange Editor or SumatraPDF?
As of Nov 13, 2026, both PDF-XChange Editor and SumatraPDF have a free plan.
Which platforms do PDF-XChange Editor and SumatraPDF run on?
As of Nov 13, 2026, only SumatraPDF lists a web app. Both list a Windows app. A platform missing from a listing is one its maker's pages did not mention.
More comparisons
How this page was made
- The verdict at the top follows a fixed rule. When both tools are in the same category and either is in our top three for it, the verdict follows that ranking: the higher-placed tool is our pick. The top three weigh who each tool suits as well as its grades, so a pick can go against the GPA. Otherwise the page does not pick one and says which grades higher: the higher GPA first; on a tie, the one with a free plan, then the one that starts cheaper in dollars a month, counted the same way for both; if they are still level, what the choice depends on.
- The grades are our own, from each tool’s review or report card. The GPA is their average.
- Prices, plans and platforms come from each tool’s listing. The table above says where each price was read and when.
- The differences and the answers to the questions are worked out from those listings.