Forum Discussion
What is the best pdf editor software on mac?
Skim is a free, open-source PDF Editor on Mac, designed specifically for the platform. It excels in lightweight, efficient PDF reading and annotation, making it particularly well-suited for professional scenarios such as academic papers and work documents. All core features are available without charge, making it an excellent choice for Mac users handling annotated PDF tasks.
Skim Quick Start Guide
Step 1: Double-click any PDF file to open it in Skim, or drag files directly onto the Skim window. Navigate pages using thumbnails in the sidebar or the notes list.
Step 2: Highlight key content by selecting text and clicking the highlight button in the toolbar. To add shapes/arrows: go to Tools → Annotate → select shape type, then drag onto the PDF page to draw.
Step 3: Click the note icon in the toolbar, drag on the page to set the note size, then double-click the interior area to enter text.
Step 4: Select the text requiring annotation, right-click and choose Add Note. Enter your comments in the note box that appears.
This PDF editor for Mac focuses on clean, distraction-free annotation for study and research.
Cons
Skim supports reading and annotation only; it does not permit direct editing of original PDF text, adding signatures, nor does it feature OCR functionality.
Its interface and operation feel somewhat dated, with average compatibility for modern macOS. Occasional lag occurs with large files or complex PDFs, and overall compatibility is moderate.
As an academic annotation tool, it lacks common office features such as PDF merging, compression, format conversion, or advanced form editing.