How does LeedPDF compare?
We believe in being transparent about what we're great at—and what we're not. Here's how LeedPDF stacks up against the competition.
LeedPDF vs other PDF tools
| Feature | LeedPDF | Adobe Acrobat | Xodo | PDFelement | Drawboard | PDF Expert |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing (Annual) | Free | $240 | $120-180 | $80-160 | $100 | $80 |
| Free Tier Quality | Full features | Limited reader | 1 action/day | Watermarks | No free tier | Basic only |
| Privacy (No Upload) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Open Source | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cross-Platform | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Windows only | Mac/iOS only |
| Works Offline | ✓ | ✓ | Desktop only | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| No Account Required | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Freehand Drawing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Shape Tools | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Text Annotation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sticky Notes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pressure Sensitivity | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| WCAG AAA Compliance | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
Honest take: LeedPDF focuses on core PDF annotation with privacy and simplicity in mind. For complex document workflows with OCR, forms, or digital signatures, enterprise tools might be better suited.
What LeedPDF does best
We focus on the core annotation experience and do it really well.
Lightning fast startup
Opens in under 2 seconds. No splash screens, loading bars, or "checking for updates" delays.
Natural feel
Every interaction feels like pen on paper. No complex toolbars or confusing modes.
Privacy by default
Everything stays local. No cloud sync, telemetry, or accounts required.
Open source
Full source code available. Contribute features, fix bugs, or adapt it for your needs.
What LeedPDF isn't
We're focused on annotation, not everything. Here's when you might want something else.
LeedPDF might not be right if you need:
- • Advanced OCR (optical character recognition)
- • Form creation and digital signatures
- • PDF merging, splitting, or bulk processing
- • Enterprise security features and compliance tools
- • Cloud sync and collaboration workflows
Bottom line: If you need a simple, fast, private way to highlight and annotate PDFs, LeedPDF is perfect. For complex document workflows, you might need a bigger tool.
Ready to try it?
See if LeedPDF's approach feels right for you.
Open-source on GitHub. Contributions welcome.