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Should You Choose the PDF XChange Editor? Find the Answer Here

Last Updated on September 21, 2025 by Tina Clark

Is PDF XChange Editor a worthwhile PDF editor for Windows and Mac? It is the successor of the well-renowned PDF-Change Viewer. It retains all of the functions of its predecessor, including editing tools for highlighting, selecting, and striking out text in PDF documents. Do you need PDF XChange on your PC or Mac? Read the PDF XChange review to find out whether the software is worth the hype.

PDF XChange Editor

Part 1: The Concrete Review of PDF XChange

PDF XChange Editor is a free PDF editor and viewer, which allows you to generate, read, modify, annotate, OCR, and digitally sign PDF documents. It provides a vast majority of features for free, but you still have to upgrade to a Pro version to add bookmarks, apply overlays to documents, add clickable URL links to other PDFs, and more.

PDF-XChange Editor

Excellent Features of PDF XChange Free, Standard, and Pro

Will you choose the PDF XChange as the default PDF Editor for Windows or Mac? Here are the excellent features you should know, especially when you need to upgrade to the Standard or Pro version.

PDF XChangePDF XChange Editor FreePDF XChange Editor STDPDF XChange PRO
Price StructureFreeSingle User License starting at US$56.00Single User License starting at US$121.00
PDF Annotation FeaturesCreate custom stamps, add clickable URL links, and add shapes/objects to PDF pages.Add custom stamps, bates numbering, clickable URL links, images, and signatures to PDF files, and add shape objects.Besides the basic features for the Std version, you can also add hyperlinks to a page during conversion as well as an overlay to PDF documents.
PDF Management FeaturesAdd bookmarks and browser integration.Insert pages from one PDF to another, automatedAdd bookmarks, new pages, creation options, browser
PDF Xchange Editor

A Simple Review of PDF XChange

Just in one word, you can use the PDF XChange as the PDF viewer for your Windows and Mac. Of course, you can also get some basic editing features with the free version. As for the standard version, it only provides limited editing features and PDF management filters. When you need to explore the full functionalities, PDF XChange Pro is the all-in-one PDF editor you should choose.

Pros:

1. Provide editing features, like highlighting, selecting, and striking out text.

2. Embed new content, such as text, images, blank pages, or the entire PDFs.

3. Convert documents between PDF and Word files, including OCR algorithm.

4. Integrated Java-script engine, hyperlinks, auto-highlighting of fillable fields.

Cons:

1. Limited features and functionalities to use the PDF XChange Free version.

2. Too difficult to use the program, especially to explore the advanced filters.

3. The installer installs PUP.Optional.Spigot, which is not easy to remove.

Part 2: The Best Alternative to PDF XChange

What is the best alternative to PDF XChange? Whether you need to perform an OCR algorithm for different languages or manage the PDF document within clicks. PDFelement is a versatile PDF XChange alternative to edit, convert, manage, and perform OCR features. It also provides a 1GB free cloud service to save PDF documents. Moreover, you can also sync the PDF files between different devices easily.

bookmark creation options, PDF conversion features, rotate and crop PDF pages, and edit the PDF documents.integration, convert to all file formats, including the Raster Image Format, support MS Office Tablet of content, and other features of STD version.
Control over PDF Creation PropertiesNot available.Provide the basic settings to make PDF files.Create job profiles and save settings for subsequent use.
Apply OCR Algorithm to Extract PDFExport files and images as PDF file format, but not editable PDF files.Provide the all-in-one OCR algorithm to extract PDF to texts, images, another PDF, or even font embedding features with an additional PDF editor.Perform the OCR algorithm directly without a PDF editor. It also enables you to customize the ribbon user interface and support PDF optimization.
PDF Encryption and Security OptionsProvide the basic PDF encryption and security settings.Advanced PDF encryption and security settings to protect PDF files easily.Provide the same encryption and security settings as the Standard PDF version.
Compatible with Storage and Cloud ServicesNot available.Compatible with Google Drive, Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint, and more.The same as the Standard version.
PDFelement VersionPDFelement DesktopPDFelement Mobile
Edit PDF DocumentsAdd texts, images, watermark, link, background, header, footer, and bates number.Add texts, images, and watermark.
Annotate PDF FilesApply highlight, underline, comment, shapes, draw, eraser, notes, and stamp.The same as the desktop version.
Sign PDF and Track ProcessCreate an e-signature and sign PDF. Enable you to send and request a signature, e-sign PDF online, and track progress in real-time.Create an e-signature and sign PDF.
Manage PDF PagesCombine, split, delete, replace, insert, rotate, extract, and reorder.Combine, delete, rotate, extract, and reorder.
Convert PDF to Other FormatsImages, Word, Excel, PPT, PDF/A, TXT, EPub, HTML from or to PDF.Images, Word, Excel, PPT, PDF/A, TXT, EPub, HTML from or to PDF.
FormsFill formsFill forms
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How to Edit PDF Text with the Best PDF XChange Alternative

Step 1: Once you have installed PDFelement on your Windows or Mac, you can launch the PDF XChange alternative on your computer. Click the Open files option to choose and upload the desired PDFs, after which you can begin editing the content in the PDF document itself.

Open PDF for Conversion PDFElement

Step 2: Select the Edit button from the top menu bar to switch the symbol to complete the operation. When you use this option, you can quickly move between editing and reading modes. Just click on the text you desire to alter and begin typing to replace it with what you want.

Edit Text with PDF PDFElement

Step 3: Additional font customization options are available right from the text editing bar, including font type, size, and color. Following completion of your editing, you may quickly switch to the Read mode to continue seeing your papers in their entirety.

Tweak Parameters PDF PDFElement

Step 4: If you want to add text, click the Add Text option and drag your cursor to the desired size box. To remove text from your screen, select it and use the Backspace key or the Delete key on your keyboard. After that, you can save the PDF to the Cloud service.

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Part 3: FAQs about PDF XChange

1What is the exclusive mode in PDF XChange?
When you enable the Exclusive Mode option to prioritize the current tool over all other document content. When the appropriate tools are selected, you can use the tools normally. After that, you can edit, convert, manage, and perform the OCR algorithm with ease.
2What can licensed PDF XChange do?
The licensed PDF-XChange Editor Pro is the successor to PDF-XChange Viewer. It is a specific program for the generation of PDF files that enables users to convert scans, picture files, and even.txt or.rtf files to PDF, as well as to build their PDF documents from start.
3Is PDF XChange Editor cloud-based?
As of Build 326, the PDF-XChange Editor now integrates with SharePoint, One Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft 365, Box, and other Cloud services. Moreover, you can also continue expanding their Cloud connectors in the future.

Conclusion

According to some loyal users of PDF XChange, it is one of the best PDF editors for Windows and Mac. Others extol the virtues of the features for the price. This PDF editor is adequate, yet there was nothing revolutionary. However, that may be the goal. While nothing jumped out as outstanding, nothing stood out as intrusive or in the way either. Therefore, if you're looking for a replacement for this program, you may install the PDFelement on your device.

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