Do you only read and annotate?
A free reader with search, highlights and notes may be all you need. Starix PDF Free includes these tools for as long as you use it.
PDF SOFTWARE BUYER GUIDE
Choose PDF software by workflow.
Most people use a core set of PDF tools again and again. Check your document types, privacy needs, platform, collaboration and number of devices, then pay for the tools you will use.
Do you work with scans?
Check which OCR languages you need. Scan paper to PDF with your scanner's software, then run OCR in Starix PDF Pro to create searchable PDFs in Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean.
Do you edit existing layouts?
Starix PDF Pro corrects supported existing text within its line, adds text boxes and crops or resizes pages, with undo and redo. To reflow paragraphs or change original images and graphics, edit the source file and export a new PDF.
Do you handle sensitive data?
Look for permanent redaction, encryption, permissions and a way to check the saved output. Starix PDF Pro runs these operations on your computer. After saving, reopen the file and search for the redacted text to confirm it is gone.
Do you collaborate in the cloud?
Starix PDF works with documents on your Windows computer. Share the finished PDF through the email or cloud storage you already use.
How many devices do you use?
Starix PDF Pro is for one person: one personal account on up to 3 personal devices at the same time.
Where Starix is strongest
Windows users who need local PDF review, four-language OCR, comparison, page organization, forms, permanent redaction, encryption, signatures and batch output.
When to add a specialist tool
Add a dedicated tool for PDF/A, PDF/X or PDF/UA validation, print preflight or enterprise approval workflows.