# PDF Expert for Mac

> Read, annotate and edit PDFs without a fight.

Fast rendering, real text editing, forms and signatures in an interface that feels more like Preview than Acrobat.

## Facts

- Price: Subscription
- Developer: Readdle
- Category: Writing & Notes
- Website: https://pdfexpert.com/
- Mac App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pdf-expert-edit-sign-pdfs/id1055273043
- Homebrew cask: pdf-expert
- Requires: macOS 12.0 or later
- App Store version: 3.13.4
- Facts checked: 2026-10-19
- MacWorthy page: https://macworthy.com/apps/pdf-expert/

## Install

Homebrew:

```sh
brew install --cask pdf-expert
```

Mac App Store CLI:

```sh
mas install 1055273043
```

## Questions

### Is PDF Expert free?

No. PDF Expert is sold as a subscription; the Mac App Store download is free and the subscription is bought inside the app.

### Where can I download PDF Expert for Mac?

Download PDF Expert from the Mac App Store and the developer's website (pdfexpert.com). MacWorthy links only to official sources.

### Can I install PDF Expert from the Terminal?

Yes. With Homebrew, run `brew install --cask pdf-expert`. With Mac App Store CLI, run `mas install 1055273043`.

### Which macOS version does PDF Expert need?

The Mac App Store version of PDF Expert requires macOS 12.0 or later.

### What are good alternatives to PDF Expert?

Other writing & notes apps for Mac worth a look are Highlights (free + pro), iA Writer (one-time purchase), Ulysses (subscription) and Bear (free + pro).

## Alternatives in Writing & Notes

- [Highlights](https://macworthy.com/apps/highlights/): Turn PDF highlights into notes. (Free + Pro)
- [iA Writer](https://macworthy.com/apps/ia-writer/): Focused Markdown writing, nothing more. (One-time purchase)
- [Ulysses](https://macworthy.com/apps/ulysses/): A complete writing environment for long work. (Subscription)
- [Bear](https://macworthy.com/apps/bear/): Beautiful notes, linked and tagged. (Free + Pro)
- [Drafts](https://macworthy.com/apps/drafts/): Where text starts, before it knows where it goes. (Free + Pro)
- [Craft](https://macworthy.com/apps/craft/): Documents that look designed by default. (Free + Pro)
- [Tot](https://macworthy.com/apps/tot/): Seven dots. Seven notes. That's it. (Free + Pro)
- [MarkEdit](https://macworthy.com/apps/markedit/): TextEdit, if it spoke Markdown. (Open source)

Tags: pdf