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Top 6 Foxit PhantomPDF Alternatives for Windows, Compared (2026)

Explore 6 alternatives to Foxit PhantomPDF — vetted by our editors with real user reviews, pricing, and feature comparisons.

6 Foxit PhantomPDF alternatives, ranked at a glance

Quick answer

The most popular pdf editor software alternatives to Foxit PhantomPDF are Adobe Acrobat DC, Smallpdf and PDFescape. Adobe Acrobat DC tops the ranking with a SpotScore of -1 and 4.5★ from users. Compare all 6 on score, rating, and pricing below.

Comparing Foxit PhantomPDF alternatives doesn't have to be guesswork. These 6 pdf editor software options are ranked by SpotScore, which blends verified satisfaction with market presence, alongside ratings and pricing. Each tool clears editorial review. Use the table for a fast comparison, then read the full breakdown below.

ProductSpotScoreRatingPricingBest for
Adobe Acrobat DCStreamline your document process with electronic forms and e-signatures.—★★★★★ 4.5(310)Freefrom $16.14/moteams of all sizes
SmallpdfEffortlessly convert any document to PDF.—★★★★★ 4.87(938)Freefrom $7 /User/Monthteams of all sizes
PDFescapeEffortlessly convert any document to professional PDFs.—★★★☆☆ 2.97(132)Freefrom $2.99/moteams of all sizes
PDFelementEffortless PDF management at your fingertips.—Not yet ratedFreeFree Trial · Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
LightPDFStreamline your PDF conversions and editing.—★★★★★ 4.76(71)Quotation Basedteams of all sizes
EaseUS PDF EditorStreamline your PDF editing process with EaseUS.—Not yet ratedFreefrom $19.95small & mid-size businesses
Adobe Acrobat DC - Document Creation Software

Adobe Acrobat DC

Streamline your document process with electronic forms and e-signatures.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.5

310 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is Adobe Acrobat DC?

Acrobat DC is the complete, trusted solution for creating, editing, signing, and managing electronic documents. With Acrobat, create forms of all types with ease. Convert and fill out PDF forms on digital devices that look exactly like their paper equivalents. User can also edit PDF forms in ...

Read more about Adobe Acrobat DC
Free TrialTry Free →·

Adobe Acrobat DC offers custom pricing plan

Smallpdf - Document Creation Software

Smallpdf

Effortlessly convert any document to PDF.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

4.9

938 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is Smallpdf?

Smallpdf is a software to create PDF documents on the fly. With this software anyone can easily create PDF documents from any printable document like doc, xls, ppt. Its very easy to use and have fast conversion speed. Small pdf is a very useful solution for those who regularly need to generate ...

Read more about Smallpdf
Free TrialTry Free →·

Smallpdf offers custom pricing plan

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PDFescape - Document Creation Software

PDFescape

Effortlessly convert any document to professional PDFs.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

3.0

132 verified reviews

Add to compare

watch-demo

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What is PDFescape?

PDFescape is a versatile PDF editing solution designed to help individuals and businesses easily create, edit, and manage PDF documents online or through its Windows desktop version. Built for professionals, educators, freelancers, and small to medium businesses, the platform enables users to ...

Read more about PDFescape
Free TrialTry Free →
PDFelement - Document Creation Software

PDFelement

Effortless PDF management at your fingertips.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Start Free Trial

Add to compare

What is PDFelement?

PDFelement is one of a powerful, easiest to use and best-value tools for creating, editing and managing PDF's. It's about creating, sharing and storing documents with just one product. With an extensive range of templates and an easy-to-use workspace with drag-and-drop functionality, PDFelement ...

Read more about PDFelement
Free TrialTry Free →·

PDFelement offers custom pricing plan

LightPDF - PDF Editor Software

LightPDF

Streamline your PDF conversions and editing.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise

Get Pricing Details

4.8

71 verified reviews

Add to compare

What is LightPDF?

LightPDF is the top PDF editor and converter, offering users a seamless online experience. With a powerful and efficient conversion capability, LightPDF can easily turn your PDF files into commonly-used formats like Microsoft Office documents, JPG images, and PNG images. This user-friendly tool ...

Read more about LightPDF

LightPDF offers custom pricing plan

EaseUS PDF Editor - PDF Editor Software

EaseUS PDF Editor

Streamline your PDF editing process with EaseUS.

Best for: SMB teams · Mid-market

Start Free Trial

Add to compare

What is EaseUS PDF Editor?

Introducing EaseUS PDF Editor, the perfect solution for all your PDF editing needs. A versatile software that lets you convert PDFs to multiple formats like doc, xls, ppt, png, bmp, tiff, and more without affecting the original fonts, images, or formatting. With its intuitive features, you can ...

Read more about EaseUS PDF Editor
Free TrialTry Free →

Why each tool made the shortlist

Adobe Acrobat DCBest for teams of all sizes

Comprehensive PDF editing

Watch for: Subscription-based pricing

SmallpdfBest for teams of all sizes

Fast PDF creation

Watch for: Limited editing features

PDFescapeBest for teams of all sizes

PDFescape offers a fully functional online editor that allows users to edit, annotate, and fill out PDF forms without requiring downloads, making it highly accessible for individuals and small businesses.

Watch for: While the online version is free, some advanced tools like text and image editing, compression, and merging require the desktop version or a premium upgrade.

PDFelementBest for teams of all sizes

User-friendly interface

Watch for: Limited advanced features

LightPDFBest for teams of all sizes

Handles PDF conversion, compression, and editing in one tool.

Watch for: Limited functionality and advanced features in the free version, requiring a paid subscription for full access.

EaseUS PDF EditorBest for small & mid-size businesses

Why teams look for a Foxit PhantomPDF alternative

A few recurring complaints tend to drive the move off Foxit PhantomPDF:

  • Learning curve for first-time users due to extensive feature set, complexity in adjusting settings for specific needs, and overwhelming toolbar in some cases.
  • Limited mobile app editing features compared to desktop version, with room for improvement.
  • Occasional compatibility issues with certain PDF files and performance glitches.
  • High prices and possibly steep learning curve for beginners.

What to look at before switching from Foxit PhantomPDF

Stacked against each other, the 6 alternatives compare this way: 5 offer a free tier; paid plans run $2.99–$19.95, with PDFescape the cheapest entry point; and Smallpdf is the highest rated at 4.87★ across 938 reviews.

Behind the order.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Stuck on something? We're here to help with all the questions and answers in one place.

The top-rated alternatives to Foxit PhantomPDF are Smallpdf (4.9★), LightPDF (4.8★), Adobe Acrobat DC (4.5★). Compare all 6 alternatives side-by-side above.

When evaluating alternatives to Foxit PhantomPDF, prioritize: PDF Conversion, Annotation and Markup Tools, Document Management, Encryption, Digital Signature, transparent pricing, free trial availability, and integrations with your existing tools. Use the filters above to compare by feature, budget, and team size.

Foxit PhantomPDF starts from $8.25 /Month. Many alternatives offer similar functionality at different price points — some with free tiers, others with more flexible per-seat pricing. Use the filters above to narrow by budget.

Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Foxit PhantomPDF is integrated into your workflows. Most alternatives offer data export/import tools and dedicated onboarding support. We recommend shortlisting 2–3 options, running a free trial, and checking each vendor's migration guides before committing.

Choosing the best Foxit PhantomPDF alternative for your goals

  • On a budget / just exploring: start with a free tier — Adobe Acrobat DC, Smallpdf and PDFescape let you evaluate without paying upfront.
  • If real-user ratings matter most: Smallpdf has the strongest star rating (4.87★) among the options with verified reviews.
  • Want the safest pick: Adobe Acrobat DC has the highest Spotsaas Score (-1) in this list — a strong default if you're unsure.

The switch from Foxit PhantomPDF

A low-stress switch from Foxit PhantomPDF starts with exporting your data and confirming the new tool imports it. Check feature parity for your real workflows, run a short pilot, and keep Foxit PhantomPDF active until the move is finished. The free tiers above let you trial first.

Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].