Finding the best app to write on PDF files can be a challenge because there are so many online and offline options to choose from. Fortunately, we've done all the heavy lifting for you and have curated a list of the best apps to write on PDF online free and with other offline options. We've also included a cool section on how to write on PDF online free using a PDF cloud storage and electronic signature tool. So let's begin with the recommended tool for writing on a PDF on a mobile device like an iPhone, iPad, or Android mobile device.
Part 1: Best App to Write on PDF - For Mobile Devices
This section focuses on a set of tools that you can use on Android and iOS devices such as tablets and smartphones. These are advanced PDF editors with several other features. They're easy to use and chockful of rich tools to help you edit, annotate, and manage PDF workflows.
#1: Wondershare PDFelement for iOS and Android
PDFelement is a family of PDF editors and file management utilities for a variety of different devices, including mobile gadgets like smartphones and tablets running either iOS/iPadOS or Android under the hood. The mobile versions of PDFelement have full PDF editing capabilities as well as other tools for compression, conversion, printing, sharing, and other PDF actions. The annotation and editing processes have been explained below. Although the user flow may be slightly different on iOS versus Android, the overall view is essentially the same.
How to Write on PDF with PDFelement App
Step 1 Open the PDF Document
You can import a PDF for annotation and editing using the + symbol, which turns into an X symbol and shows you various import options in the extended menu - Photos, local folders, and the computer. Pick one and then select the image to be imported.
Step 2 Go into Edit Mode
To edit the file, tap the Text or Image tab at the top and enter the appropriate mode. You can change any of the file's content by just tapping and editing.
Step 3 Make Annotations and Comments
When you need to markup a file with comments, highlights, shapes, etc, just tap to switch to the Comment tab and you'll see all the relevant tools you need to review and provide feedback on the document.
Cross-platform Availability
PDFelement is not just for Android or Apple devices. It also offers robust desktop versions for Mac and PC users, as well as a cloud storage and electronic signature workflow platform that we'll talk about later on in this article. This multi-device or multi-terminal availability is mission-critical to most digitally transformed companies today, where employees work on a variety of devices from remote locations. The Wondershare ecosystem of PDF tools allows such companies to deploy the products company-wide while keeping a close watch on usage, security permissions, and other important parameters.
Visit the PDFelement app website >>
#2: PDF Expert (iOS and iPadOS Only)
PDF Expert is only available for Apple desktops and mobile devices but it's a terrific application that's been awarded top accolades in the App Store in the past. The UI is pretty clean but a little bit clunky, and you'll notice some old-school design features since it's quite a mature app that's been around the block a few times. It's more than adequate for all your PDF annotation and editing needs and also comes with additional features for page management, e-signing, file merging, etc. Overall, it's a good tool to have in your PDF toolkit if you're using either an iPhone or an iPad.
How to Write on PDF with PDF Expert for iOS/iPadOS
Step 1 Open a PDF File
Navigate to the folders and recent files menu in the sidebar and select a PDF to open.
Step 2 Annotate PDF File
You can write on your PDF by tapping the Annotate tab item to go into annotation mode. Use the toolbar to choose markup tools and then tap the document where you want them to appear. Edit the annotation or reposition it if you need to.
Step 3 Edit PDF File
If you need to go into PDF editing mode, simply tap the Edit PDF option at the top and then tap a content element to start editing it. This can be a piece of text, an image, a hyperlink, or a portion of text you want to redact.
Visit the PDFexpert app website >>
A clearer depiction of how you can write or take notes on PDFs on your iPad can be seen by clicking the link below.
Part 2: How to Write on PDF Online Free on Mobile Devices
This section showcases a cloud platform for PDF storage and electronic signature tasks. Wondershare Document Cloud is a secure storage service dedicated to PDF files, and it comes with several features such as file-sharing, collaborative or personal annotations, file compression, and other useful tools.
#3: Wondershare Document Cloud (Any Platform)
Document Cloud is a cloud storage service with a difference - it is exclusively designed to make PDF workloads easier to manage and access from remote locations in a secure manner. Simply upload a file to the cloud using your browser, and you can then share this file with others, combine it with other PDFs, compress the file to reduce the file size, invite others to annotate in a collaborative environment, and so on.
It is also a useful tool when you need to create electronic signatures or send documents for others to sign, either as a group or on individual copies of a PDF file. File-sharing is secure because you can set view or view and comment permissions and even apply a deadline for the share link so you don't have your document floating about in cyberspace after a particular task has been completed.
How to Write on PDF in Wondershare Document Cloud
Step 1 Upload a PDF File to Document Cloud
Save your PDF to the cloud using the Upload Files button on the Home page of Document Cloud.
Step 2 Go to Annotation Mode
Tap the ellipsis (three dots) icon next to the file and select Add Comment. You can now add private notes to the documents.
Step 3 Share a File for collecting feedback from others
To make commenting collaborative, simply click the Share option from the extended menu and share a secure link with another user so they can see and respond to your annotations.
Desktop Integration
Imagine a scenario where you work on a PDF on your Windows or Mac system at the office, then save it to the cloud, and then work on the same file with your iOS or Android device in the comfort of your home. That's exactly what Wondershare Document Cloud represents to the PDFelement family of PDF editors. By introducing access features within the desktop versions, Document Cloud breaks the chains of document storage and lets you fetch your files to any device for further actions.
Visit the Document Cloud website >>
In Conclusion
Your ability to write on a PDF with convenience and with ample tools to hand is essential to your job. So, now that you know the best app to write on PDF and how to write on PDF online free, get started on the journey of making your PDF workflows super-efficient. In the process, you'll find that you're more productive because you can easily switch between platforms and use the same familiar tools to get the job done from anywhere and on practically any connected device with a browser.
What's more, PDFelement's various editions are conveniently bundled with Wondershare Document Cloud to form a robust and well-integrated offering that lets you take control over your PDF documents and become tremendously more productive.