We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It never changes a score or a ranking. How we make money
PDF Annotator starts at $44.95 as a one-time purchase, but a Surface 7 Pro user on Reddit said the app sometimes lagged. Other annotator discussions show why people switch: free tiers can have limits, and some users want an option for another device or simpler PDF tasks. Those complaints are not all about PDF Annotator, so treat them as context, not a verdict. We compare six alternatives by their listed starting prices, free plans and stated strengths.
01Why people leave PDF Annotator
Lag on a Surface
One Surface 7 Pro user on Reddit said PDF Annotator sometimes lagged. That is a reported experience, not evidence of a general performance problem.
A different device or workflow
Annotator discussions include Mac and Android users seeking other options. Check device support before switching; the pricing page do not specify platform coverage for every alternative.
Free-use limits elsewhere
Reddit users discussing other PDF apps mention tab caps and features moving behind paid plans. If you want a free alternative, check its limits before moving your documents.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Best for teams
Foxit PDF EditorFoxit PDF EditorChoose Foxit PDF Editor if PDF Annotator feels too focused on marking up files and you need a broader team workflow. Its listing highlights cross-platform PDF editing, eSign and batch tools, with a starting price of $10.83. That is a lower listed entry price than PDF Annotator’s $44.95, though the pricing periods are not specified here.
Trade-off: AI credits are capped, and some tools are tier-gated.
7.2/10from
$10.83/mo - Best all-rounder
SmallpdfSmallpdfSmallpdf suits people who want more than annotation: its listing covers regular PDF work, editing, e-signatures and shared document workflows. It has a free plan and starts at $7. That gives you a way to assess the broader toolset before paying, unlike PDF Annotator’s listed one-time price.
Trade-off: Free-use limits and paid-plan costs can narrow its value.
6.6/10from
$7/mofree plan - Best low entry price
iLovePDFiLovePDFiLovePDF is worth considering if you want varied PDF tasks in one app rather than a tool centered on markup. The listing describes it as a versatile PDF toolbox, with a free plan and a $5 annual entry price. Its lower stated price may appeal to individuals, but check the free limits before relying on it.
Trade-off: Free limits are unclear, and the listing flags privacy concerns.
7.8/10from
€5/mofree plan - Best for basic needs
WPS OfficeWPS OfficeWPS Office may fit if PDF annotation is only one part of a basic personal document workflow. Its listing includes PDF tools, a free plan and a starting price of $2.49. That is a lower entry price than PDF Annotator’s, but the published pricing details do not establish that it replaces every part of PDF Annotator’s toolkit.
Trade-off: The free tier is limited; paid pricing is not fully transparent.
6.4/10from
$2.49/mofree plan - Best for Google workflows
Lumin PDFLumin PDFLumin PDF is a candidate if your PDF work centers on signing and shared document approvals, especially in Google-integrated workflows. Its listing includes a free plan and a starting price of $9. That makes it a different fit from PDF Annotator’s broad Windows toolkit, so compare your actual workflow before switching.
Trade-off: Quotas and cost and trust concerns temper the value.
5.8/10from
$9/mofree plan - Best for forms
pdfFillerpdfFillerpdfFiller is better suited to people who regularly edit and sign PDFs than to buyers looking only for a markup app. The listing highlights fillable forms, e-signatures and shared workflows, with a starting price of $8. Consider it if those jobs matter more than PDF Annotator’s one-time purchase model.
Trade-off: There is no free plan, and users report save paywalls.
5.8/10from
$8/mo
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 PDF Annotator PDF Annotator (current) | 7.3 | $44.95/mo | No | Windows users marking up PDFs |
| Foxit PDF Editor Foxit PDF Editor | 7.2 | $10.83/mo | No | Teams editing PDFs across platforms |
| Smallpdf Smallpdf | 6.6 | $7/mo | Yes | People handling PDFs regularly |
| iLovePDF iLovePDF | 7.8 | €5/mo | Yes | People handling varied PDF tasks |
| WPS Office WPS Office | 6.4 | $2.49/mo | Yes | Personal users with basic document needs |
| Lumin PDF Lumin PDF | 5.8 | $9/mo | Yes | Individuals needing basic PDF signing |
| pdfFiller pdfFiller | 5.8 | $8/mo | No | People who regularly edit and sign PDFs |
Questions people ask
What is the best PDF Annotator alternative?
It depends on the job. Foxit PDF Editor lists editing, eSign and batch tools for teams; Smallpdf covers several PDF jobs and has a free plan; iLovePDF focuses on varied PDF tasks. Compare the feature fit and free-use limits rather than choosing on starting price alone.
Is there a free alternative to PDF Annotator?
Among these picks, Smallpdf, iLovePDF, WPS Office and Lumin PDF list free plans. Their listings also flag limits or concerns: Smallpdf has free-use limits, iLovePDF’s free limits are unclear, WPS’s free tier is limited, and Lumin has limited quotas.
Is PDF Annotator a one-time purchase?
The pricing page describes PDF Annotator as a broad PDF toolkit with a one-time price, starting at $44.95. The alternative listings provide starting prices, but do not specify billing periods for every product. iLovePDF’s listing specifically describes its $5 entry price as annual.