Foxit Reviews: Is This the Adobe Acrobat Killer You've Been Waiting For?

If you're here, you're probably tired of Adobe's pricing and wondering if Foxit is actually worth it. Short answer: for most business users, yes. But let's dig into the details so you can decide for yourself.

I've tested Foxit PDF Editor extensively, compared it against Adobe Acrobat, and read through hundreds of user reviews across G2, TrustRadius, Trustpilot, and other platforms. Here's what you actually need to know.

What Is Foxit PDF Editor?

Foxit is a PDF editor that's been around since the early 2000s. It offers text editing, image manipulation, page organization, annotation tools, and works across Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and web. The company has over 525 million users and has sold to over 100,000 customers in more than 200 countries.

The main selling point? It's positioned as a cheaper, faster alternative to Adobe Acrobat-and it largely delivers on that promise.

Foxit has consistently ranked as the #1 rated PDF Editor according to G2 customer satisfaction scores. The software targets everyone from individual users to large enterprises, with flexible licensing options that include both subscription and perpetual licenses.

Foxit Pricing: What You'll Actually Pay

Foxit offers two main plans for individual users:

• PDF Editor: $10.99/month (billed annually) or $129.99/year paid upfront
• PDF Editor+: $13.99/month (billed annually) or $159.99/year paid upfront

For context, Adobe Acrobat Pro starts at $22.19/month-roughly double Foxit's entry price. Foxit claims you'll save up to 44% compared to Adobe.

There are also team pricing options:

• PDF Editor for Teams: $129/year (standard) or $159/year (pro)
• Education discounts: As low as $4.99/year for cloud access, $39.99/year for full features

Want AI features? That's an extra $49.99/year for 2,000 AI credits monthly. You get 20 free AI credits with every subscription, which you can use for document summaries, translations, and AI-powered text analysis. For heavy users, summarizing a 50-page document typically uses 15-20 credits, while translating a 10-page manual consumes around 25-30 credits.

Perpetual licenses are available if you hate subscriptions-scroll to the bottom of their shopping page to find them. These one-time purchase options aren't prominently displayed, but they exist for users who prefer to avoid recurring costs.

For a deeper breakdown, check out our Foxit pricing guide.

System Requirements and Compatibility

Before investing in Foxit, make sure your system meets the requirements. Foxit PDF Editor runs on:

• Windows: Windows 10 and Windows 11
• Mac: macOS 12, 13, 14, 15, or 26
• iOS: iOS 11 or higher
• Android: Android 4.4 or higher (Android 6+ required for AIP capability)

Recommended hardware includes a 1.3 GHz or faster processor (x86 compatible or ARM processor like Microsoft SQ1), 512 MB RAM minimum (1 GB recommended), 2GB of available hard drive space, and 1024x768 screen resolution. Foxit supports 4K and other high-resolution displays.

The software has been verified as Citrix Ready with Citrix XenApp 7.13, making it suitable for enterprise virtual desktop deployments. It also integrates with Microsoft Office 2013 or later for some PDF creation features.

Key Features That Actually Matter

Text Editing

Foxit uses a drag-and-drop system for editing. Select text, move it around, change fonts, adjust margins-it works much like a word processor. You can link multiple text boxes together so content flows between them, which is genuinely useful for longer documents.

The Edit tab gives you access to all text editing tools. Click Edit Text, select your text box, and you can type directly into the document. The Format panel on the right lets you adjust fonts, sizes, colors, and paragraph alignment in real-time.

One standout feature: text editing remains box-based, but the Link & Join Text tool lets you connect multiple text boxes so content flows naturally from one page to the next. This is something Adobe actually struggles with in certain scenarios.

Annotation and Commenting

The Comment tab includes sticky notes, callouts, text markups, drawing tools, and stamps. You can highlight, strikethrough, or replace text for document reviews. This is where Foxit really shines for team collaboration.

Multiple users can review documents simultaneously using annotation tools. Comments can be filtered, sorted, and replied to, creating threaded conversations within the PDF itself. You can also attach files as comments, which is useful for providing supporting documentation during reviews.

OCR (Optical Character Recognition)

Foxit's OCR is highly rated-it scans documents and converts them to editable text. Multiple reviewers note that less than 5% of text goes undetected. Image recognition on scanned documents can be hit or miss, though.

User reviews consistently praise Foxit's OCR as superior to Adobe Acrobat's implementation. One reviewer noted that Foxit has better OCR tools than Adobe, particularly when dealing with complex scanned documents. However, some users report that image-heavy documents can strain the OCR module, affecting performance.

The OCR feature supports multiple languages and can process both single documents and batch operations, making it efficient for large-scale document digitization projects.

Security and Redaction

The Protect tab offers Whiteout (permanently erases content), Mark for Redaction (blacks out selected areas), and tools to sanitize PDFs by stripping metadata, links, and bookmarks. Password protection, encryption, and batch processing are all included.

PDF Editor+ users get access to Smart Redaction, which uses AI to automatically identify and remove sensitive information like social security numbers, credit card details, and personal identifiers. This saves hours of manual review time for legal and compliance teams.

Foxit adheres to all industry-standard security protocols, including FIPS compliance, Section 508 compliance, and TAA compliance. You can apply password and certificate encryption to restrict access and operations on your PDFs.

Cloud Integration

Direct integration with Google Drive, OneDrive, SharePoint, Box, and Dropbox. Files stored in these services can be accessed directly from Foxit, which is essential for remote teams.

The cloud features extend beyond simple storage. You can share documents for collaboration, track who's viewed them, and manage file versions across devices. Foxit Cloud provides automatic syncing between desktop, mobile, and web versions, ensuring work started on one device can be finished on another.

PDF Editor+ includes 150GB of cloud storage, while the base plan offers 20GB. This is significantly more generous than many competitors.

AI Assistant

Users on the Editor+ plan get access to Foxit's AI Assistant, which can summarize long PDFs, rewrite sections, or translate selected text. You get 20 free credits monthly, or upgrade for 2,000 credits.

The AI Assistant is Foxit's answer to the productivity challenges of working with lengthy documents. It can generate instant summaries, automatically paraphrase text while maintaining meaning, and provide detailed responses to questions in real-time with citations from the document.

This feature is particularly valuable for legal professionals, researchers, and business analysts who regularly work with dense, multi-page reports. The AI credits work across ai.foxit.com as well, Foxit's dedicated web platform for document AI tasks.

Form Creation and Filling

Foxit excels at form handling. You can create interactive PDF forms with fillable fields, checkboxes, radio buttons, and drop-down menus. The automated form field recognition converts static forms into fillable ones with minimal manual adjustment.

Form filling capabilities support both standard and XFA forms. You can save completed forms, import/export data, and even calculate field values automatically. For businesses that regularly work with contracts, applications, or surveys, this functionality is invaluable.

Batch Processing

For users managing multiple PDFs, Foxit's batch processing capabilities are a massive time-saver. You can batch convert, merge, compress, watermark, and apply security settings to dozens or hundreds of files simultaneously.

This feature is particularly popular with IT departments and document-heavy industries like legal, finance, and engineering. One user can process an entire folder of scanned contracts, applying OCR and security settings in a single operation.

PDF Conversion

Foxit supports creating PDFs from Microsoft Office files, web browsers, scanned documents, and any print-capable application. It also allows conversion of PDFs to multiple formats including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, HTML, and plain text.

The conversion process preserves document formatting, fonts, and embedded images better than many competitors. You can convert entire documents or select specific pages, and the converted files maintain their layout integrity.

What's Missing in the Base Plan

Here's the catch that trips people up: Foxit's essential PDF Editor plan does NOT include electronic signatures. If you need eSign, you'll need to spring for PDF Editor+.

PDF Editor+ adds:

• Legally binding eSignatures with 150 envelopes per year
• Request signatures and track responses
• Smart Redaction (AI-enabled batch redaction)
• Mobile app access
• 150GB cloud storage

If you're signing contracts regularly, the $50/year upgrade is probably worth it. The eSign features meet ESIGN, UETA, and eIDAS compliance standards, making them legally binding in most jurisdictions.

The mobile app limitation is also worth noting-base plan users can only access Foxit on desktop. If you need to edit PDFs on your phone or tablet, you'll need PDF Editor+.

What Users Actually Say: The Good

Across G2, TrustRadius, GetApp, and other review platforms, certain themes keep coming up:

Speed: Users consistently mention Foxit is faster than Adobe Acrobat, especially with large files. Adobe has a reputation for being sluggish on older machines. One user who switched from Adobe noted that Foxit is "cheaper and smoother while editing PDF files."

Interface: Foxit's ribbon-style interface mirrors Microsoft Office. If you're comfortable in Word, you'll feel at home. Adobe Acrobat has a steeper learning curve. Multiple reviewers mentioned that after an initial adjustment period, Foxit actually makes more sense than Adobe's layout.

Value: G2 users report Foxit's entry-level price ($10.99) vs Adobe's ($22.19) as a significant factor, especially for small businesses. One reviewer noted the software is "priced affordably for a small non-profit," while another mentioned their company saved close to $10,000 annually by switching from Adobe.

Ease of use: On G2, Foxit scores 9.0 for ease of use compared to Adobe's 8.7. Users appreciate the intuitive interface, particularly in small business environments. The learning curve is notably lower than Adobe, with most users becoming proficient within days rather than weeks.

Reliability: Users consistently report fewer crashes and bugs compared to Adobe. One reviewer stated they "rarely, IF EVER, have any problems" with tasks like merging pages, applying digital signatures, and completing forms.

Customer Support (Mixed): Some users report excellent support experiences. One user mentioned "Excellence support from customer service, a lot of training materials on the Foxit webpage," while another had an issue resolved "easily and quickly."

One reviewer summed it up: Foxit is "a fast, lightweight tool with lots of premium features" that has "a very intuitive and premium feel to it."

What Users Actually Say: The Bad

No software is perfect. Here's where Foxit falls short:

Free version limitations: The free PDF Reader includes ads near the scroll bar that are easy to misclick. Some users find this genuinely annoying. One reviewer mentioned "I do not like the amount of advertisements that have in the free version."

Large file performance: While generally faster than Adobe, some users report the software lags and crashes when editing very large PDF files. One reviewer experienced "performance lag and occasional crashes, especially when opening large files or multiple PDFs at once."

Support issues: This is where reviews get contentious. Some Trustpilot reviewers report difficulty getting support, particularly around licensing, billing, and subscription management issues. One user mentioned waiting two and a half months for a refund after a trial period. Another reported that "customer service is missing" and they "couldn't get a quote in a month."

Subscription management: Multiple users report problems with automatic renewals, being charged after canceling subscriptions, and difficulty reaching support to resolve billing issues. One reviewer had to change their credit card because charges continued even after disabling auto-renewal.

Admin privileges for updates: If your company doesn't allow local admin rights, updates require IT intervention-something to consider for enterprise deployment. One IT reviewer specifically warned: "Updates require administrative privileges - if your company does not allow users to be local administrators, consider the ramifications of this before purchasing."

Subscription fatigue: Multiple G2 reviewers dislike the yearly cost model and wish for one-time payment options. One user stated: "I dislike the yearly cost associated with Foxit PDF Editor. I prefer a one-time payment option." (Perpetual licenses do exist, but they're not prominently displayed.)

Feature limitations vs Adobe: Some users note that while Foxit handles everyday tasks well, it lacks depth in complex operations. One reviewer mentioned it "cannot convert files into ePubs" and that "OCR results are hit or miss" with image-heavy documents.

Mobile limitations: Several users report that the mobile version feels limited compared to the desktop version, with fewer features and a less intuitive interface. The Android version in particular has received mixed reviews.

Foxit vs Adobe Acrobat: The Real Comparison

Let's cut through the marketing. Here's how they actually stack up:

Adobe wins on brand recognition, document protection, and signing features-marginally. Foxit wins on price, speed, ease of use, and customer satisfaction for cost-conscious buyers.

For enterprises already invested in the Adobe ecosystem (Creative Cloud, Adobe Sign, etc.), switching may not make sense. For everyone else? Foxit delivers comparable functionality at roughly half the cost.

Looking for other alternatives? Check out our guide to free PDF editor software and best PDF editor software.

Mobile Experience: Foxit on iOS and Android

Foxit PDF Editor Mobile is available for both iOS and Android devices, but it's only included with PDF Editor+ subscriptions. The mobile app lets you create, view, edit, sign, and annotate PDFs from your smartphone or tablet.

The mobile version is known for quick performance and a workflow-friendly design. It features a user-friendly interface with tools for creating, viewing, modifying, signing, and annotating PDFs. Cloud integration makes document-sharing across platforms seamless, and files sync automatically with your desktop version.

However, some users report that the mobile experience feels limited compared to desktop. The Android version in particular has received feedback about reduced functionality and a less polished interface. Converting documents and editing complex layouts can be challenging on smaller screens.

For iOS users, the experience is generally smoother, though still not as comprehensive as the desktop application. If mobile editing is a critical part of your workflow, factor in the $50/year additional cost for PDF Editor+ and the inherent limitations of editing PDFs on mobile devices.

Enterprise Deployment Considerations

For IT departments evaluating Foxit for organization-wide deployment, several factors are worth noting:

Deployment Options: Foxit offers both EXE and MSI installers. The MSI installer is preferred for enterprise deployments as it supports silent installation, Group Policy deployment, and the Setup Customization Tool for mass configuration.

Group Policy Support: Foxit provides both .adm and .admx Group Policy templates. The .adm format is compatible with Windows XP and later, while .admx works with Server 2008, Server 2012, Windows 10, and later. This allows centralized management of settings across all installations.

Admin Console: For teams, Foxit provides an Admin Console that allows license management, user assignment, deactivation, and usage monitoring. This is particularly valuable for organizations with fluctuating user needs.

Update Management: Automatic updates are available, but they require admin privileges. Organizations that restrict local admin rights will need to plan for IT-managed updates, which can create additional overhead.

Volume Licensing: Foxit offers volume discounts for larger teams. Organizations purchasing 10-30 licenses can get 20% off their first year.

Citrix Compatibility: Foxit has been verified as Citrix Ready with Citrix XenApp 7.13, making it suitable for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and remote desktop environments.

One sysadmin on Reddit reported their company of 60-70 users saved close to $10,000 annually by switching from Adobe to Foxit, calling it "way faster, almost no bloat." However, another enterprise user mentioned challenges working with Foxit in cloud-hosted instances.

Real-World Use Cases

Understanding how different industries and roles use Foxit can help determine if it's right for your needs:

Small Business Owners: Frequently use Foxit for contract management, invoice creation, and form filling. The lower price point makes it accessible, and the ease of use means minimal training time. Many small businesses report that Foxit allows more team members to access PDF editing capabilities due to its cost structure.

Legal Professionals: Use the redaction tools, document review features, and eSign capabilities extensively. Smart Redaction saves hours on sensitive document preparation. However, some compliance-focused legal departments prefer Adobe due to its established presence in legal workflows.

Educational Institutions: Take advantage of heavily discounted education pricing (as low as $4.99/year for cloud access). Teachers and administrators use Foxit for grading, form creation, and document distribution.

IT Departments: Appreciate the mass deployment options, Group Policy support, and cost savings. The Admin Console simplifies license management for organizations with 50+ users.

Engineering and Construction: Use Foxit for blueprint markup, annotation, and collaboration on technical drawings. The measurement tools and commenting features are particularly valuable.

Financial Services: Rely on security features, audit trails, and compliance capabilities. The ability to redact sensitive information and apply encryption is critical for regulatory requirements.

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Based on user reviews and support forums, here are the most common Foxit issues and their solutions:

Blank pages when printing: This is a known issue where documents print completely blank. The solution: check that "Print What" is set to "Document" rather than "Form fields only" in the print settings.

License activation failures: Some users report receiving "trial expired" messages despite having purchased licenses. Solution: Contact support with your order number and purchase proof. Response times vary, but most issues are resolved within a few days.

Update installation failures: Updates that won't install often relate to admin privilege requirements. Solution: Have IT install updates manually or adjust permissions to allow update installation.

Subscription management issues: Multiple users report difficulty canceling subscriptions or stopping auto-renewals. Solution: Log into your account at foxit.com, navigate to subscription settings, and disable auto-renewal well before the renewal date. Document the cancellation with screenshots.

Performance with large files: Some users experience lag when working with PDFs over 100 pages or with many embedded images. Solution: Close other applications, ensure you have adequate RAM (1GB minimum), and consider breaking very large files into smaller sections.

Alternatives to Consider

While this is a Foxit review, it's worth noting other options if Foxit doesn't meet your needs:

PDF-XChange Editor: Popular among Foxit users, offers similar functionality at comparable pricing. Some users find it more economical, with the Editor Plus version costing slightly less annually.

Nitro PDF: Another strong Adobe alternative with robust collaboration features. However, it lacks Android and cloud app support, making it less versatile for mobile workers.

Kofax Power PDF (formerly Nuance): USPTO compliant, making it valuable for patent and legal work. Has a higher G2 rating than Adobe but is less intuitive than Foxit.

Wondershare PDFelement: Budget-friendly option with good basic editing features but lacks the cloud integration and AI tools that Foxit provides.

pdfFiller: Web-based solution good for form filling and basic editing, but Foxit surpasses it in user satisfaction and security features according to TechRadar.

For a comprehensive comparison, see our best PDF editor software guide.

Who Should Use Foxit?

Best for:

• Small to medium businesses looking to cut costs without sacrificing features
• Teams familiar with Microsoft Office who want a similar interface
• Anyone doing heavy PDF editing, annotation, or OCR work
• Organizations that need cross-platform support (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, web)
• Companies seeking volume licensing with centralized management
• Users who prefer perpetual licenses over subscriptions
• Professionals who need AI-powered document summarization and translation
• Industries with moderate security requirements (FIPS, Section 508 compliance)

Not ideal for:

• Casual users who only view PDFs occasionally (stick with the free reader)
• Enterprise compliance/legal teams who specifically require Adobe's established workflows
• Users who absolutely refuse subscriptions and can't find the perpetual license option
• Organizations requiring seamless integration with other Adobe products
• Users who need extensive mobile editing capabilities (mobile app is limited)
• Teams that require robust, responsive customer support for mission-critical issues
• Industries with extremely stringent compliance requirements tied to specific Adobe features

How Foxit Stacks Up on Review Platforms

Here's how Foxit performs across major review platforms:

G2: 4.6 out of 5 stars. Foxit scores particularly high for ease of use (9.0), ease of setup (8.8), and meeting requirements (8.9). 73% of reviewers who discussed price mentioned it in a positive light.

TrustRadius: Highly rated for cost-effectiveness compared to Adobe Acrobat. Users consistently mention it as an affordable alternative, though some note limitations in advanced features.

Trustpilot: 1.6 out of 5 stars. This is significantly lower than other platforms and consists primarily of complaints about subscription management, billing issues, and customer support difficulties. The low rating appears driven by frustrated customers who had problems rather than satisfied users leaving positive reviews.

Capterra: 4.5 out of 5 stars for Foxit PDF Reader, with users praising its user-friendliness and Adobe alternatives. The paid editor versions receive similar ratings.

GetApp: Positive reviews highlighting affordability and value for money. Users appreciate the variety of pricing options including one-time purchases and subscriptions.

The disparity between Trustpilot and other platforms is notable. Trustpilot tends to attract users with extreme experiences (very good or very bad), while G2 and TrustRadius gather more balanced reviews from verified business users.

The Verdict: Is Foxit Worth It?

If you're paying for Adobe Acrobat and don't specifically need Adobe's exact feature set, you should seriously consider switching to Foxit. You'll likely save 40%+ annually while getting a faster, more intuitive experience.

Foxit isn't perfect-the essential plan lacks eSign, support can be spotty (particularly for billing issues), and large files occasionally cause performance problems. The Trustpilot reviews reveal genuine frustrations with subscription management and customer service responsiveness.

But for the price? It's genuinely one of the best Adobe alternatives on the market. The software itself is solid-fast, feature-rich, and intuitive. Most users who have issues encounter them during purchase, activation, or cancellation rather than during actual day-to-day use.

Here's my recommendation: If you're considering Foxit, start with the free trial. It gives you full access to explore before committing, with no credit card required. Use it for your actual work-not just test files-to see how it handles your real-world documents. Pay attention to the features you use most, and make sure those are included in the plan tier you're considering.

If you decide to purchase, carefully document your subscription details, save your purchase confirmation, and set calendar reminders for renewal dates. This will help you avoid the subscription management issues that some users have encountered.

For most small to medium businesses, consultants, and professionals who work extensively with PDFs, Foxit offers an excellent balance of features, performance, and value. Just go in with realistic expectations about support responsiveness if you encounter issues.

The free trial gives you full access to explore before committing. No credit card required.

Try Foxit PDF Editor Free →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Foxit replace Adobe Acrobat completely?

For most users, yes. Foxit covers 90%+ of typical PDF workflows at half the cost. However, if you're deeply integrated into Adobe's ecosystem (using Adobe Sign, Creative Cloud integration, or specific Adobe-only features), switching may create friction. Compliance and legal departments sometimes have specific Adobe requirements due to established workflows.

Does Foxit work offline?

Yes. The desktop application works fully offline for editing, annotating, and managing PDFs. Cloud features obviously require internet connectivity, but core functionality doesn't depend on being online.

How many devices can I use with one license?

One license covers one device. Unlike some Adobe plans, Foxit doesn't allow multi-device activation with a single user license. For multiple devices, you'll need multiple licenses or a team plan with an Admin Console.

Is there a Mac version?

Yes. Foxit PDF Editor is available for macOS 12, 13, 14, 15, and 26. The Mac version includes most features available on Windows, though some enterprise deployment options are Windows-specific.

Can I get a refund if I don't like it?

Foxit offers refunds within their policy window, but based on Trustpilot reviews, the refund process can be slow. Some users reported waiting two months or more. Always start with the free trial to avoid refund hassles.

Does Foxit support PDF/A and other standards?

Yes. Foxit complies with ISO 32000-1/PDF 1.7 standards, making it compatible with PDF/A, PDF/X, and other industry standards. It also meets Section 508, TAA, and ADA compliance requirements.

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