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PDF files have become increasingly popular for various purposes, whether it’s for creating reports, sharing documents, or even completing forms. The flexibility and convenience of PDF make it a widely used format across different industries. While many people are familiar with editing and filling PDFs on Windows, finding reliable PDF fillers for Mac users can be challenging. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top 7 PDF fillers for Mac that can simplify your document filling process.
Video Tutorial:
What is a PDF Filler?
A PDF filler is a software application that allows users to fill out PDF forms electronically. These tools typically provide an intuitive interface for inserting text, checkboxes, images, and other form elements into the PDF. With a PDF filler, you can easily complete forms, add signatures, and even annotate the PDF by highlighting or underlining important sections. Whether you need to fill out a job application, sign a contract, or complete a government form, a good PDF filler can streamline the process and save you time.
Top 7 PDF Fillers for Mac in 2023
1. Adobe Acrobat DC:
Adobe Acrobat DC is one of the most popular and comprehensive PDF fillers available for Mac. It offers a wide range of features and tools for editing, annotating, and filling out PDF forms. With its user-friendly interface, you can easily add or edit text, insert checkboxes or radio buttons, and even add digital signatures to your PDF documents. Additionally, Adobe Acrobat DC provides advanced security features to protect your sensitive information. However, it is a premium software with a subscription-based pricing model.
Pros:
– Easy to use interface
– Wide range of features for editing and filling PDF forms
– Advanced security features
Cons:
– Subscription-based pricing model may be expensive for some users
2. PDFelement:
PDFelement is another popular PDF filler that offers a comprehensive set of tools for editing and filling out PDF forms. It provides an intuitive interface that allows you to easily insert text, checkboxes, and other form elements. With its advanced OCR technology, PDFelement can even recognize and convert scanned PDF documents into editable text. Moreover, it offers features like batch processing, form data extraction, and password protection. PDFelement is available in both standard and professional versions, with the latter offering more advanced features.
Pros:
– Intuitive interface
– Advanced OCR technology
– Batch processing and form data extraction
– Password protection
Cons:
– Some advanced features are only available in the professional version
3. Preview:
If you’re looking for a free PDF filler for your Mac, then Preview, the default PDF viewer on macOS, is worth considering. While it may not offer as many advanced features as other paid software, Preview provides basic tools for filling out PDF forms. You can insert text, checkboxes, and even add signatures to your PDF documents. Additionally, it allows you to annotate and highlight sections of the PDF. Although Preview is not as feature-rich as other PDF fillers, it can still get the job done for simple form filling tasks.
Pros:
– Free and pre-installed on macOS
– Basic tools for filling out PDF forms
– Annotation and highlighting features
Cons:
– Limited advanced features compared to other software
4. PDF Expert:
PDF Expert is a powerful PDF filler for Mac that offers a range of features to make your document filling process seamless. It provides an intuitive interface that allows you to easily add or edit text, checkboxes, and other form elements. With its smooth scrolling and fast search capabilities, you can navigate through large PDF documents effortlessly. PDF Expert also offers features like form data extraction, password protection, and the ability to merge or split PDF files. However, it comes with a price tag and is available as a one-time purchase.
Pros:
– Intuitive interface
– Smooth scrolling and fast search capabilities
– Form data extraction
– Password protection
– Merge and split PDF files
Cons:
– Paid software
5. FormSwift:
FormSwift is a web-based PDF filler that allows you to fill out PDF forms online without the need to install any software. It provides a wide range of form templates for various purposes, making it easy to find the right template for your needs. With FormSwift, you can easily insert text, checkboxes, and other form elements into the PDF. It also offers features like document signing, form data extraction, and the ability to create and store your own form templates. However, the web-based nature of FormSwift may not be suitable for users who prefer offline solutions.
Pros:
– Web-based, no software installation required
– Wide range of form templates
– Document signing and form data extraction
– Customizable form templates
Cons:
– Requires an internet connection
– Limited offline capabilities
6. PDFpen:
PDFpen is a feature-rich PDF filler that offers a range of tools for editing and filling out PDF forms. It provides an easy-to-use interface with options to insert text, checkboxes, and other form elements. PDFpen also allows you to add annotations, highlight text, and even OCR scanned documents. With its advanced features like document comparison and redaction, PDFpen is suitable for users who require more than just basic form filling capabilities. However, it is a paid software with a one-time purchase option.
Pros:
– Feature-rich PDF filler
– User-friendly interface
– Annotation and highlighting features
– Advanced features like document comparison and redaction
Cons:
– Paid software
7. Smallpdf:
Smallpdf is a web-based PDF filler that offers a range of tools for editing and filling out PDF forms. It provides an intuitive interface with options to insert text, checkboxes, and other form elements. With Smallpdf, you can also add signatures, convert PDFs to other formats, and even compress PDF files. It offers a free version with limited features, as well as a premium version with additional functionalities. However, the web-based nature of Smallpdf may not be suitable for users who prefer offline solutions.
Pros:
– Web-based, no software installation required
– Intuitive interface
– Signature and file conversion features
– Compress PDF files
Cons:
– Requires an internet connection
– Limited features in the free version
Our Thoughts on PDF Fillers for Mac:
In our opinion, Adobe Acrobat DC stands out as the top PDF filler for Mac due to its comprehensive set of features and user-friendly interface. With Adobe Acrobat DC, you have the flexibility to edit, annotate, and fill out PDF forms with ease. The advanced security features also provide peace of mind when handling sensitive documents. However, the subscription-based pricing model may be a deterrent for some users.
For those looking for a more affordable option, PDFelement offers a solid set of features and an intuitive interface. The advanced OCR technology sets it apart from other PDF fillers, making it an ideal choice for users who frequently work with scanned documents. While it may lack some advanced features in the standard version, the professional version offers more advanced functionalities.
If you’re on a tight budget or looking for a free option, Preview can fulfill your basic PDF filling needs. Although it may not offer as many features as other paid software, it does provide the necessary tools for form filling and annotation. However, if you require more advanced capabilities, you may need to consider a paid software like Adobe Acrobat DC or PDF Expert.
5 FAQs about PDF Fillers for Mac:
Q1. Can I edit existing text in a PDF using a PDF filler?
A1. Yes, most PDF fillers allow you to edit existing text in a PDF document. You can simply select the text and make the necessary changes.
Q2. Can I add checkboxes and radio buttons to a PDF form?
A2. Yes, PDF fillers usually provide options to insert checkboxes and radio buttons into PDF forms, making it easier to indicate choices or select multiple options.
Q3. Can I sign a PDF document electronically?
A3. Yes, electronic signatures are supported by many PDF fillers. You can either draw your signature using the software or import a scanned image of your signature.
Q4. Is it possible to extract form data from a filled PDF?
A4. Yes, PDF fillers like PDFelement and PDF Expert offer form data extraction features, allowing you to extract and export the form data into a separate file or spreadsheet.
Q5. Can I password protect my filled PDF documents?
A5. Yes, most PDF fillers have options to add password protection to your filled PDF documents. This ensures that only authorized individuals can view or edit the document.
In Conclusion:
Finding the right PDF filler for your Mac can greatly simplify your document filling process. Whether you need basic form filling capabilities or more advanced features like OCR or document comparison, there are several options available. Adobe Acrobat DC, PDFelement, Preview, PDF Expert, FormSwift, PDFpen, and Smallpdf are all reliable choices with their own strengths and weaknesses. Consider your specific needs, budget, and preferences when selecting the best PDF filler for your Mac.