PDF Candy stands out as a free PDF editor offering a surprisingly robust set of features, typically found only in paid software. This review examines its capabilities, design, and overall value.
PDF Candy offers a unique approach to PDF editing. Instead of a unified interface, it presents a collection of 44 individual app icons on a single landing page, each dedicated to specific tasks like creating, editing, and converting PDFs. This design allows users to select the precise tool they need, upload their file, and let PDF Candy handle the processing.
The sheer range of tools is impressive. Beyond basic editing, markup, and annotation features, PDF Candy includes options for watermarking, page manipulation (adding, rearranging, splitting), image extraction, metadata editing, cropping, resizing, and password protection. A comprehensive set of file conversion tools facilitates seamless transitions between PDFs and various other popular formats.
Once a task is completed, PDF Candy offers flexible download options. Users can save the processed file directly to their device or opt for cloud storage integration with Google Drive and Dropbox. For batch processing, PDF Candy efficiently queues multiple files, enabling a single download once all tasks are finished.
A notable inclusion is a set of AI-powered tools accessible via a floating toolbar when text is highlighted. These tools offer summarization, rewriting, and translation functionalities. The summarization effectively condenses lengthy paragraphs, while the rewriting tool provides alternative phrasing options. Although the translation feature boasts automatic language detection, its current limitation to English output restricts its versatility for multilingual users.
While the non-alphabetical arrangement of feature icons might appear disjointed to some, the navigation experience is akin to browsing apps on a smartphone. File handling is straightforward, supporting both drag-and-drop and traditional browsing. The editing and formatting tools themselves are intuitive and easy to use. Furthermore, PDF Candy’s numerous file converters perform admirably, maintaining document formatting with speed and accuracy.
The free version of PDF Candy does come with a limitation: a one-task-per-hour restriction. A timer conveniently displays the remaining waiting time. This limitation can be lifted by subscribing to a paid plan, priced at $6 monthly or $48 annually. A lifetime plan, offering access to both the web and desktop editors, is also available for a one-time payment of $99.
Despite this constraint, PDF Candy’s extensive feature set and user-friendly interface make it a compelling choice for various PDF editing needs.
