PDFgear vs Foxit PDF Editor: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between PDFgear and Foxit PDF Editor comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: PDFgear wins this matchup. Our overall AI Assistants pick is ChatGPT. Our free AI Assistants pick is Fathom. Pick Foxit PDF Editor if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
PDFgear
Read, edit, convert, merge, and sign PDF files across devices, for completely free and without signing up.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Foxit PDF Editor requires payment)
- • You want completely free with no hidden costs or watermarks
- • You want no sign-up required for online tools
Foxit PDF Editor
Intelligent document solution to create, edit, and manage PDFs from any device.
Best for you if:
- • You want comprehensive suite of PDF editing and management tools
- • You want aI integration for enhanced productivity and document intelligence
| At a Glance | PDFgear | Foxit PDF Editor |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | Custom |
Best For | Productivity | Productivity |
Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Choose PDFgear or Foxit PDF Editor?
Choose PDFgear if
Read, edit, convert, merge, and sign PDF files across devices, for completely free and without signing up.
- You want a fully free tool (Foxit PDF Editor requires payment)
- You want completely free with no hidden costs or watermarks
- You want no sign-up required for online tools
Choose Foxit PDF Editor if
Intelligent document solution to create, edit, and manage PDFs from any device.
- You want comprehensive suite of PDF editing and management tools
- You want aI integration for enhanced productivity and document intelligence
| Feature | PDFgear | Foxit PDF Editor |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.8/5 164 reviews | ★4.5/5 5,469 reviews |
| Categories | ProductivityFile Management | ProductivityWriting & Content |
In-Depth Analysis
PDFgear
Read, edit, convert, merge, and sign PDF files across devices, for completely free and without signing up.
This pricing is exceptionally generous, offering a comprehensive suite of PDF tools completely free of charge.
Strengths
- +Completely free with no hidden costs or watermarks
- +No sign-up required for online tools
- +AI-powered features enhance productivity
- +Available across multiple platforms (desktop, mobile, web)
- +Comprehensive set of PDF editing and management tools
Weaknesses
- -Online tool has a 50 MB file size limit
- -Direct conversion of uneditable PDFs to editable PDFs is still in development (though OCR to Word/TXT is available)
- -Recent online discussions about security concerns (though officially addressed)
Key features
Foxit PDF Editor
Intelligent document solution to create, edit, and manage PDFs from any device.
It's impossible to give a fair verdict without knowing the actual price of the "Foxit PDF Editor+eSign Business" tier.
Watch out
Potential seat minimums for business tier
Strengths
- +Comprehensive suite of PDF editing and management tools
- +AI integration for enhanced productivity and document intelligence
- +Secure and legally binding eSignature solutions
- +Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android)
- +Enterprise features for license management and deployment
Weaknesses
- -AI Assistant credits are limited in the base plan and require separate purchase for full access
- -No completely free version of the PDF Editor (only a free trial and a separate free PDF Reader)
- -Pricing structure for AI Assistant and other add-ons can be complex
Key features
Pricing: PDFgear vs Foxit PDF Editor
| Plan | PDFgear | Foxit PDF Editor |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | Try Now Foxit PDF Editor+eSign Business |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on PDFgear pricing and Foxit PDF Editor pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
PDFgear is free. Foxit PDF Editor is paid.
Go with: PDFgear
Want the highest-rated option?
PDFgear: 4.8/5 (164 reviews). Foxit PDF Editor: 4.5/5 (5,469 reviews).
Go with: PDFgear
Value user reviews?
PDFgear: 164 reviews (4.8/5). Foxit PDF Editor: 5,469 reviews (4.5/5).
Go with: Foxit PDF Editor
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
PDFgear is free. Foxit PDF Editor is paid. Go with PDFgear if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are productivity tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
PDFgear is rated higher: 4.8/5 vs 4.5/5.
Key Takeaways
PDFgear
- Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 4.5/5
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Foxit PDF Editor
- Larger review base (5,469 reviews)
The Bottom Line
PDFgear wins this matchup. Our overall AI Assistants pick is ChatGPT. Our free AI Assistants pick is Fathom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PDFgear or Foxit PDF Editor better?
PDFgear is rated in our evaluation. PDFgear is free and Foxit PDF Editor is paid.
What are PDFgear and Foxit PDF Editor used for?
PDFgear: Read, edit, convert, merge, and sign PDF files across devices, for completely free and without signing up.. Foxit PDF Editor: Intelligent document solution to create, edit, and manage PDFs from any device..
What does PDFgear cost vs Foxit PDF Editor?
PDFgear is completely free. Foxit PDF Editor is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.