Nitro PDF vs PDF Expert
Nitro PDF and PDF Expert are both PDF & document tools tools. Nitro PDF is aimed at small businesses and enterprise, while PDF Expert is aimed at freelancers and small businesses. Only PDF Expert has a free plan.
PDF editor and e-signature suite positioned against Adobe Acrobat
Readdle's PDF editor for Mac, iPhone and iPad with AI tools
| Pricing | Paid · $15 | Freemium |
| Starting price | $15/mo | Not published |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Free trial | 14 days | — |
| Built for | Small businesses, Enterprise, Freelancers | Freelancers, Small businesses |
| Platforms | windows, macos, web, ios | macos, ios |
| Country | US · 2005 | UA · 2010 |
| Rating | — | — |
Choose Nitro PDF if
Mid-size and large organizations that want an Acrobat-class PDF editor and e-signature tool with central admin at a lower per-seat cost.
- Noticeably cheaper per seat than Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Familiar Microsoft Office-like interface shortens training
- PDF editing and e-signature from one vendor
Look elsewhere if: Occasional users who only merge or compress files, or teams with complex signing workflows (Smallpdf, iLovePDF, DocuSign).
Choose PDF Expert if
Mac, iPhone and iPad users who want a fast, affordable PDF editor with AI summaries.
- Fast, native Apple app that feels lighter than Acrobat
- One subscription covers Mac, iPhone and iPad
- Free version already handles reading, annotation, forms and signing
Look elsewhere if: Mixed Windows teams or organizations that need admin controls and signature workflows (Adobe Acrobat, Foxit, Nitro PDF).
Nitro PDF vs PDF Expert pricing
Nitro PDF
- PDF Standard$15/user/moBilled annually ($180/user/yr); Windows, Mac and web
- PDF PlusCustomAdds SSO, domain control, analytics; contact sales
- PDF ClassicCustomPrice at checkout; one-time payment for 3 years, Windows only
- Sign Standard$15/user/moBilled annually; send documents for signature with audit log
- Sign EnterpriseCustomAPI, eIDAS AES/QES and ZertES signatures
PDF Expert
- Free$0Read, annotate, fill forms and sign
- Premium$79.99/yrUS price; Mac, iPhone and iPad; editing, OCR, convert, AI
- Lifetime (Mac)$139.99One-time; Mac only; AI and translation need a subscription
Nitro PDF · Key features
- Edit text and images in PDFs with an Office-style ribbon interface
- Convert PDFs to and from Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- OCR to make scanned documents searchable and editable
- Nitro Sign e-signatures with audit trails, reminders and envelopes
- AI Smart Redact detects sensitive data before permanent removal
- Smart Form and Table Extract pull data into Excel-ready output
Cons
- Plus and Enterprise pricing is only available through sales
- Classic license is Windows only and limited to a three-year term
- No Android or Linux apps
PDF Expert · Key features
- Edit text, images and links directly inside existing PDFs
- OCR that makes scanned documents searchable and copyable
- Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and JPG
- PDF Copilot AI to summarize, explain and answer questions with references
- Redaction, password protection, merging, splitting and compression
- Form filling, including checklists with calculated fields, plus signatures
Cons
- No Windows, Android or web version
- Lifetime Mac license excludes AI and translation features
- No team admin console or signature request workflows
Nitro PDF vs PDF Expert: FAQ
Do Nitro PDF and PDF Expert have a free plan?
Nitro PDF has no free plan, a 14-day free trial. PDF Expert has a free plan.