--- title: PDF-XChange Editor canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/pdf-xchange-editor/ category: PDF Editors points: 71 rank: 7 of 9 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # PDF-XChange Editor Windows PDF editor with a free version and a perpetual licence from $62, including one year of updates. 71 points out of 100. #7 of 9 PDF editors. Vendor: PDF-XChange Co Ltd. Website: https://www.pdf-xchange.com/product/pdf-xchange-editor - A single-user licence costs $62 once, is perpetual and includes one year of updates [2][4]. - The free version is free for private and commercial use, but licensed tools such as text editing add watermarks [1][3]. - OCR, password protection and digital signatures work in the free version [1]. - Comparing documents and the enhanced OCR engine need Editor Plus, at $79 once [1][2]. - It runs on Windows 10 and later only [1]. Verdict: PDF-XChange Editor suits Windows users who want to pay once: $62 buys a perpetual licence that edits text, redacts and builds forms [1][2][4]. The free version covers OCR, password protection and digital signatures without watermarks, but licensed tools stamp their output [1][3]. There are no Mac, mobile or web apps [1]. Best for: Windows users who want to pay once, or use a capable free version. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Editing | Edit existing text | Yes | 6/6 | Add/Edit Document Text is a licensed feature; the free version watermarks its output [1][3]. | | Editing | OCR | Yes | 6/6 | OCR is a free feature; Editor Plus adds an enhanced OCR engine [1]. | | Editing | True redaction | Yes | 6/6 | Redact Documents and Find and Redact are licensed features [1]. | | Editing | Create fillable forms | Yes | 6/6 | Creating and editing fillable forms is a licensed feature [1][6]. | | Editing | Compare two PDFs | Yes | 6/6 | Compare Documents shows replacements, insertions and deletions; it needs Editor Plus [1]. | | Systems | Apps | Windows | 3/15 | Supported systems are Windows 10 and later; no other system is listed [1]. | | Signing and security | Request e-signatures | Not published | 0/8 | Only a DocuSign integration is listed for sending documents to sign [1]. | | Signing and security | Password protection | Yes | 6/6 | Free feature: 128- or 256-bit AES encryption with password and permission settings [7]. | | Signing and security | Certificate-based signatures | Yes | 6/6 | Adds PAdES digital signatures and certifies documents, both free features [7]. | | Price | Free version without watermarks | Yes | 8/8 | The free version is free for private and commercial use; only licensed features add watermarks [3]. | | Price | First-year price for text editing | $62/yr | 5/7 | PDF-XChange Editor single-user licence, $62 once with one year of maintenance [2]. | | Price | One-time licence | Yes | 5/5 | All end-user licences are perpetual, with no annual subscription fees [4]. | | Privacy | Edits files on your computer | Yes | 8/8 | A Windows desktop app that edits files on your computer [1]. | | Privacy | SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Not published | 0/7 | | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Free version | Free [1][3] | $0 | | PDF-XChange Editor | $62 one-time [2][4] | - | | PDF-XChange Editor Plus | $79 one-time [2][6] | - | | PDF-XChange PRO | $131 one-time [5][6] | - | Prices exclude VAT. Each licence includes one year of maintenance; two- or three-year maintenance costs less when bought with the licence [2]. After maintenance ends, you keep the versions released while it was active [1]. ## Strengths - Licences are perpetual, with no annual subscription fees [4]. - The $62 Editor licence is low for an editor that changes existing text [1][2]. - OCR, password protection and certificate signatures are free features [1][7]. - The free version may be used for private and commercial work [3]. ## Limits - Windows only: no macOS, mobile or web version is listed [1]. - Text editing, redaction and form building add watermarks unless licensed [1][3]. - Document comparison needs Editor Plus [1][6]. - There are no refunds once licence keys are released [2]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - PDF-XChange says 70% of the editor's features are unrestricted in the free version [1]. - PDF-XChange says the editor has 402 features, 257 of them free [1]. ## Sources 1. [PDF-XChange Editor](https://www.pdf-xchange.com/product/pdf-xchange-editor), PDF-XChange Co Ltd, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [PDF-XChange Editor :: Volume pricing chart](https://www.pdf-xchange.com/product/pdf-xchange-editor/pricing), PDF-XChange Co Ltd, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Software Products - Demo Limitations](https://www.pdf-xchange.com/product/pdf-xchange-editor/demo-limitations), PDF-XChange Co Ltd, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Product Licensing Explained](https://www.pdf-xchange.com/licensing), PDF-XChange Co Ltd, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [PDF-XChange PRO :: Volume pricing chart](https://www.pdf-xchange.com/product/pdf-xchange-pro/pricing), PDF-XChange Co Ltd, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Products](https://www.pdf-xchange.com/buy), PDF-XChange Co Ltd, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [PDF-XChange Editor features: Secure Documents](https://www.pdf-xchange.com/product/pdf-xchange-editor/features-group/90/features), PDF-XChange Co Ltd, accessed 2026-10-08