- SwifDoo PDF (Windows)
- Soda PDF (Windows)
- TalkHelper PDF Converter (Windows)
- Wondershare PDFelement (Windows, Mac)
- Adobe Acrobat Pro DC (Windows, Mac)
- Nitro PDF Pro (Windows, Mac)
- Zamzar (Online)
- SwifDoo PDF Online Converter (Online)
- Abel2extract Pdf Converter
- SwifDoo PDF iOS/Android
How We Test the Best PDF Converters
The following lists the criteria for how we test the best PDF converter software in the post, including must-have features for converting PDF from and to another format, performance, etc. Take a look.
- Supported file types.
- Program running speed and conversion time.
- Ability to perform batch conversion.
- OCR engine for high-quality converted files.
- User interface.
- Free trial and price.
Best PDF Converter Software for Windows/Mac
A desktop converter is designed to convert PDF files in a professional manner. Offline PDF conversion software is commonly developed for Windows and Mac PCs. The following content will introduce SwifDoo PDF and 4 other software available on the two platforms.
1. SwifDoo PDF
If you are looking for the best PDF converter for Windows 10, 8.1, 7, XP, and the latest Windows 11, try SwifDoo PDF. It is an all-in-one PDF management software product that can act as a powerful converter. SwifDoo PDF enables you to convert PDFs to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, image, CAD, HTML documents, and vice versa, and it allows batch processing.
Thanks to the advanced conversion technology, the original layout and formatting after conversion will be preserved to the utmost extent. The software supports up to 15 formats. Here’s what SwifDoo PDF has or can do:
- Support file conversion among multiple types of files: Word (doc, docx, rtf, dot, dotx, docm), Excel (xls, xlsx, csv), PowerPoint (ppt, pptx, pptm), image (bmp, jpg, png, tiff), CAD (dwg), webpage (html), text files, etc.
- Batch conversion feature.
- OCR (Optical Character Recognition) This is a technology used to identify unrecognizable characters within a scanned PDF and convert a scanned PDF to Word or another editable document. SwifDoo PDF’s OCR can recognize 9 different languages.
- A clean and easy-to-navigate interface.
How to Convert PDF Files Using the best PDF converter program on Windows:
Here is how to convert documents from PDF to another format or vice versa.
Step 1: Free download the full version PDF converter on your Windows PC/laptop and launch it.
Step 2: Choose a conversion tool under the Convert menu in the home interface to get into the converter window.
Step 3: Add your files by clicking Add Files, and adjust the conversion settings at the bottom of the window.
Step 4: Press the Start button to convert your files to another format.
SwifDoo PDF allows you to convert specific pages by selecting the certain page range. It also provides “PDF Merge”, “PDF Split”, “PDF Compression”, and “PDF Encryption” options. You are able to combine several PDFs into a single PDF file, split a PDF into multiple smaller files, optimize PDFs size, and protect PDFs with passwords. As a multi-faceted PDF program, SwifDoo PDF integrates 30+ common PDF tools, and then it serves as a PDF annotator, PDF editor and PDF cropper.
2. Soda PDF
Soda PDF desktop application is a handy best PDF converter software for Windows platforms. It lets you convert PDFs to many other common formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, TXT. The offline software also has the abilities to create PDF files from screenshots/images, HTML, PPT documents and clipboard. Moreover, Soda PDF is able to batch convert multiple PDFs in just a few clicks.
Soda PDF is also a PDF reader, editor and form filler. It is a comprehensive solution to a variety of PDF issues. If needed, it allows you to secure PDFs with passwords. You even can replace the background of a PDF with an image. In summary, Soda PDF is a nice PDF management program for Windows platforms.
Pros:
- Allow converting PDF to Word (doc, docx), Excel (xls, xlsx), PowerPoint (ppt, pptx), HTML, TXT, and vice versa. It can convert PDF to EPUB.
- Rapid conversion.
- Allow batch processing.
- OCR feature that helps turn a scanned document into a searchable and editable file.
- Simple-to-use interface.
- Ability to fill forms.
Cons:
- Slow installation process and launching.
- Only 7-day free trial.
3. TalkHelper PDF Converter
TalkHelper PDF Converter derserves to be one of the best PDF converters with its built-in OCR function and multi-format conversion ability. The PDF conversion program can convert PDF to Word DOC/DOCX/ODT, Excel XLS/XLSX/ODS, JPG, PNG, TIFF, EPUB, HTML, PPT, and some other formats. It also turns the mentioned formats into PDFs. Batch conversion is supported by the software.
Its OCR engine ensures the reliable quality of output documents and helps convert scanned PDFs to editable documents. What's more, the downloadable software has tools to split, merge, and extract pages from PDF files. The multi-purpose software has a multi-lingual user interface and is compatible with Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, and Vista.
Pros:
- Capability of saving PDFs as many different formats (Word, Excel, JPG, etc) and vice versa
- OCR engine supporting 40+ languages
- Batch conversion ability
- Comprehensive software with PDF password removal, PDF compression, and other tools
- Fast execution
Cons:
- Out-dated interface
- Only a few pages of a PDF can be converted in the free version
4. Wondeshare PDFelement
PDFelement is a practical solution to PDF conversion, which is available on Windows, macOS, and mobile device. Its desktop application can be free downloaded from Wondershare website. The top best PDF converter software can batch convert Word, Excel, PowerPoint, image files to PDFs, and vice versa, but does not sacrifice the original quality. The entire conversion process is completed within a short time.
Pros:
- Allow transforming PDF to Word (doc, docx), Excel (xls, xlsx), PowerPoint (ppt, pptx), TXT, JPG, and vice versa. It allows converting PDF to EPUB.
- High speed conversion.
- Batch conversion available.
- OCR option that supports 20+ languages.
- Clean interface.
- Allow replacing page background with an image.
Cons:
- Only 14-day free trial and no monthly subscription plan.
- A little slow for converting PDF
5. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
Adobe Acrobat Pro is a pioneer of the PDF software industry and on the list of the best PDF file converters for Mac and Windows. The software is dedicated to dealing with various PDF tasks by providing a suite of productivity tools. This offline program is robust, helping convert PDFs by retaining original layout and formatting. If you don't want to convert the entire file, Adobe Acrobat PDF converter allows you to specify the pages you need to process.
It has OCR engine for scanned documents conversion.
Pros:
- Turn PDF to Word (doc, docx), Excel (xlsx, csv), PowerPoint (pptx), TXT, JPEG, HTML, PS, and vice versa.
- High processing speed.
- Allow batch converting files.
- Built-in OCR feature.
- Capability in filling forms.
Cons:
- Complex user interface.
- High subscription fees.
6. Nitro PDF Pro
Nitro PDF Pro is an all-inclusive PDF application that enables you to convert, edit, compress and protect PDF files with ease. It helps convert PDFs to Excel spreadsheets, Word documents and other types of files. You can also use the program to convert other formats to PDFs. It is undoubtedly one of the best PDF converter software.
Nitro Pro is fully fledged PDF software among other good PDF converter programs. It has not only the cutting-edge conversion technology but also some other professional features designed for business users. Since the desktop software is compatible with Mac OS. , Mac users can consider it as a top substitute for Preview PDF reader.
Pros:
- Turn PDF to Excel (xlsx), PowerPoint (pptx), Word (docx), TXT, JPEG, and vice versa.
- Speedy conversion.
- Allow converting multiple files at the same time.
- Powerful OCR feature.
- Import and export comments to/from a PDF.
Cons:
- Unintuitive user interface.
- No short-term subscription option.
Best Free PDF Converters Online
An online PDF conversion tool is convenient to use since it works through a web browser. Therefore, you don't need to download and install it on your computer. In addition, a web-based app is available on almost all the operating systems. Find out two best PDF conversion software working online.
7. Zamzar
Zamzar is a dedicated documents converter that can convert nearly all sorts of files including PDFs, spreadsheets, presentations, images, even audios and videos. With the ability to batch change Word, JPG, Excel, and other files to PDFs and vice versa, it is reputed as the best online PDF converter that is free to use.
Pros:
- Turn PDF files to Word (doc, docx), Excel (xls, xlsx), PowerPoint (ppt, pptx), PS, TXT, image, eBook, CAD, audio, web documents.
- Swift conversion.
- Allow uploading multiple files at the same time depending on the plan you choose.
- Intuitive workplace.
Cons:
- Only offer OCR for PDF to TXT, not for PDF to Word or PDF to Excel.
8. SwifDoo PDF Online Converter
SwifDoo PDF online converter might be one of the best free PDF converters with its free service. It acts as a Word to PDF, JPG to PDF, PDF to Excel as well as PDF to Word converter. Other supported formats include PPT, and CAD. Every day you can use the online converter to process your files for free.
Pros:
- Free file conversion between PDF and other formats such as Word, Excel, PPT, etc
- Clean, safe, and simple interface
Cons:
- Not working with a file larger than 20MB
Best PDF Converter Apps for Android/iPhone
If you are eager to work on the palm of your hand, it pays to learn the best PDF converter for your Android or iOS. Explore the two great recommendations in this part.
9. Abel2extract Pdf Converter
Abel2extract Pdf Converter is primarly available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, but can also be downloaded for Android. The Android app can convert PDF files to various Office documents. It supports OCR for scanned PDF conversion. The mobile app is lighweight and easy to use thanks to the straightforward workflow design.
While Abel2extract Pdf Converter is no longer officially updated and absent in the Google Play Store, you can still download it from third-party sites. You can also access its online verison on your smartphone.
10. SwifDoo PDF iOS/Android
SwifDoo PDF is a worth trying best PDF converter for iPhone and Android. It weights nothing and features an intuitve layout that takes no time to perform a task. It lets you open, view, draw on, mark up, organize, and convert PDFs. You can change the PDF format from/to images or Office documents. There are also tools for compressing, merging and splititng your PDF. The app is officially released in Google Play and App Store.
For Android:
For iPhone:
How to Choose the Best Converter
The "Best" is actually a relative concept. It should be the one that fills the bill. When comparing different software, you can take OS, compatibility, user-friendliness, cost performance, and other necessary aspects into consideration.
If you are looking for a converter applicable to Windows OS., SwifDoo PDF is a really good option. For new users, it provides a 7-day free trial without requiring email registration. For all the subscribers, you can enjoy free upgrading service in the future. So all things considered, SwifDoo PDF is one of the most ideal PDF converter and management programs for Windows platforms.
Conclusion
As digital documents, especially PDFs, are increasingly taking an important role in today’s world, it becomes a necessity to convert PDF to or from another format in our work. You may also wish to do more with PDF files such as editing them. To keep you productive, we’ve sorted out the aforementioned 10 best free software for PDF files or affordable programs that might deliver the best value for money. Hope this post is helpful.
