OCTOBER 2019 PCWorld 99unique features I can pick and choose for my
projects. The following programs are the
best options we’ve found to replace
Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, and
InDesign. We also talk to experts about why
software subscriptions are on the rise.
ADOBE ACROBAT
ALTERNATIVES
Historically, Adobe Acrobat has been the
best option, but it has also been the most
expensive, often putting it out of reach of
individuals and small businesses. That has
given rise to a wealth of alternatives with
varying features and costs. Here are our
favorites.
- Nitro Pro 12
PRICE: $159 FROM GO.PCWORLD.COM/NTPR
Nitro Pro 12 bumps its previous version,
Nitro Pro 11, for the runner-up
spot. Its now full integration
with Nitro Cloud—as part of
Nitro Productivity Suite—
makes collaborating on
documents and securing
signatures easier than ever.
The ability to perform
common editing tasks right
in a browser rather than
having to toggle over to the
desktop program makes
document workflows feel
simpler and more seamless.
2. PDF Architect 6 Professional
PRICE: $69 FROM GO.PCWORLD.COM/PDFR
This customizable PDF editor comes in
several different flavors, each with its own set
of “modules,” or tools, so you can purchase
only those you need. But even the
Professional edition, which has a near
complete tool set, only costs $109. You
sacrifice little for that affordability, as it
includes plenty of review, collaboration, and
security features.
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP
ALTERNATIVES
All three of the programs listed below
provide effective photo-editing tools, from
sizing, cropping, and retouching to noise
reduction, color correction, and more.
Affinity and Paint Shop Pro have a few more
features than GIMP does, and all three haveNitro Pro 12 users can sign documents directly in Nitro Cloud using
drag-and-drop fields.