PDF Architect vs SimplePDF

PDF Architect is a Windows PDF viewer and editor for creating, viewing, and editing PDF files. It can change text and images, manage pages, merge files, and insert or customize page elements. Conversion covers PDF, Word, Excel, HTML, text, and image formats. Review features include annotations and comparing two PDFs; form tools support creating and filling fillable forms. Secure adds passwords, permission levels, and digital signatures. E-Sign lets users prepare, send, and track documents in the application and creates a manifest for archiving the signature process; it requires a PDF Architect account. The Free plan costs nothing and includes viewing, creation from Word, Excel, and PPT, page rotation, deletion and rearrangement, and merging. Business deployment supports MSI packages and GPO, and the maker describes it as cloud-optional and local by default. Microsoft Office is required for plug-in use and Word conversion.

SimplePDF edits, fills, signs, and manages PDF documents in a browser. Users can add text, checkboxes, and images, detect form fields automatically, and sign documents. Page controls merge PDFs, reorder, rotate, or delete pages, and add blank pages or additional PDFs. The maker says editing happens in the browser and documents stay on the user’s device. Businesses can embed PDFs, collect submissions, and automate workflows through a Chrome extension, React component, web script, iframe, Bubble plugin, or WordPress plugin. Connections to Make and n8n support document processing, while S3-compatible storage, webhooks, and email alerts support completed submissions. Plans are marked GDPR compliant; Free, Pro, and Premium are marked HIPAA compliant. Paid PHI workflows should use Bring Your Own Storage, with a BAA available on request. It offers extension and web access, with a free plan and paid plans from $99 a month.