getapp-logo

App comparison

Add up to 4 apps below to see how they compare. You can also use the "Compare" buttons while browsing.

Software categoriesBlog & researchAbout us

GetApp offers objective, independent research and verified user reviews. We may earn a referral fee when you visit a vendor through our links. 

Table of Contents

Top Rated PDF Software with Access Controls/Permissions in 2026

Verified reviewer profile picture
Verified reviewer profile picture

All user reviews are verified by in-house moderators and provider data by our software research team.  Learn more

Last updated: March 2026

Access controls/permissions ensure only authorized individuals can view, edit, print, or share PDF documents. They enhance security by preventing unauthorized access, protecting sensitive information, and managing user-specific permissions effectively. Our reviewers in PDF software rated this feature as important.

8 Best PDF Software with Access Controls/Permissions

Product
User rating
Starting price
Adobe Acrobat logo
4.7
(4.1K)
29.99
per user/per month
visit website
Jotform logo
4.7
(2.7K)
39
flat rate/per month
visit website
ABBYY FineReader PDF logo
4.7
(427)
16
flat rate/per month
visit website
DocHub logo
4.8
(263)
Free
learn more
Bluebeam Revu logo
4.7
(971)
330
per user/per year
learn more
pdfFiller logo
4.6
(991)
8
flat rate/per month
learn more
Publuu logo
4.9
(756)
7
per user/per month
learn more
iLovePDF logo
4.7
(1.7K)
9
flat rate/per month
learn more

See other top PDF products with access controls/permissions

How we picked the 8 top rated products

We chose the high-performing solutions on this list based on verified user ratings on our site. Depending on available data, qualifying products either had to be among the most user-reviewed or the most searched-for products in the PDF software category. They also needed to have sufficient reviews about access controls/permissions, have a minimum user rating of 3 out of 5 for that feature, and show evidence of U.S. market presence. We then added a distinction for up to three products based on our proprietary ratings and reviews: Highest rated, Highly rated for access controls/permissions, and Highly rated for free version. Sponsorship or client status has no influence on the selection of these products, but it may impact the order in which products appear.

Details for the 8 best products

Adobe Acrobat logo

Adobe Acrobat

Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(31)
3-4(1,098)
5(3,027)
Key Features
PDF Reader4.8
Convert to PDF4.7

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Reviewers value Adobe Acrobat's robust access controls and permissions for protecting sensitive documents. They appreciate the ability to set different levels of access, use password protection, and manage permissions easily. Users find these controls essential for document security, although some mention occasional difficulties with the interface.
Verified reviewer profile picture
Verified reviewer profile picture

See related user reviews

“They help protect sensitive and confidential information within PDF documents and only authorized individuals can view, edit, print, or copy the content when restrictions are set. These prevent unauthorized access and reduce the risk of breaches or information leakage. ”
Verified reviewer profile picture

tshegofatso r.

Administration

“allows you to set different levels of access (e.g. view only, edit, etc.) for your PDFs, which is very useful for controlling who can do what with your files.”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Ahmed S.

web developer

Starting price
29.99per user /
per month
visit website
Pros and Cons based on 4,156 verified reviews
Verified reviewer profile picture
Verified reviewer profile picture

Efficient document sharing

Seamless integration with other tools

Comprehensive PDF editing features

Robust document security

Convenient diGital signing

Inconsistent font editing

Slow performance and high resource usage

High cost concerns

Frequent updates and version issues

Complicated page navigation

See pros and cons details
Jotform logo

Jotform

Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(41)
3-4(695)
5(2,023)
Key Features
PDF Reader4.8
Convert to PDF4.5

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Reviewers appreciate Jotform's access controls and permissions for managing user access to forms and data. They highlight the ability to set different permission levels, which is useful for team collaboration and data protection. Users find the system secure and easy to use, although some mention issues with HIPAA compliance and user management.
Verified reviewer profile picture

See related user reviews

“JotForm provides access controls and permission settings, allowing administrators to control who can access, edit, and submit forms.”
DN

Debbie N.

Manager

“In essence, access controls and permissions in Jotform empower you to: Safeguard sensitive data Manage user access effectively Facilitate secure collaboration Optimize form workflows”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Muhammad G.

Document Controller

Starting price
39flat rate /
per month
visit website
Pros and Cons based on 2,759 verified reviews
Verified reviewer profile picture

Effortless form creation

Efficient survey development

Convenient diGital signatures

Restrictive usage limits

High cost for advanced features

See pros and cons details
ABBYY FineReader PDF logo

ABBYY FineReader PDF

Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(7)
3-4(99)
5(321)
Key Features
PDF Reader4.4
Convert to PDF4.6

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Reviewers indicate that ABBYY FineReader PDF's access controls and permissions are simple to use and provide necessary security for documents. They appreciate the ease of setting up permissions, although many users do not frequently utilize this feature. The system is noted for its transparency and ease of use.
Verified reviewer profile picture

See related user reviews

“Not a very difficult task to manage the permissions, it is very easy and can be done by just few clicks ”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Abhinav B.

Graphics Artist

“The access controls/permissions are simple to use for ABBYY FineReader PDF ”
SC

Sriram C.

Associate Professor

Starting price
16flat rate /
per month
visit website
Pros and Cons based on 427 verified reviews
Verified reviewer profile picture

Accurate OCR functionality

Comprehensive PDF management

High cost concerns

See pros and cons details
DocHub logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
3-4(56)
5(207)
Key Features
PDF Reader4.6
Convert to PDF4.8

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Reviewers indicate that DocHub's access controls and permissions are important for securing documents and controlling who can view or edit them. They appreciate the ability to customize permissions and the ease of inviting others to access or sign documents. Users find these controls essential for document security and collaboration.

See related user reviews

“Security is critical that no one can access my documents, or make changes. I can set the controls myself and not have to worry!”
LH

LJ H.

Owner

“DocHub allows me to easily invite people to access a document or sign it!”
SR

Skyler R.

Executive Director

Starting price
Free
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 263 verified reviews

Cost-effective document management

Efficient signature management

Frequent glitches and errors

See pros and cons details
Bluebeam Revu logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(15)
3-4(240)
5(716)
Key Features
PDF Reader --
Convert to PDF4.6

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Reviewers appreciate Bluebeam Revu's access controls and permissions for managing document security and team access. They find it easy to set up password locks and restrict editing capabilities. Users highlight the importance of these controls for protecting master plans and ensuring secure collaboration, though some find the system less intuitive.
Verified reviewer profile picture

See related user reviews

“Ability to change permissions for a user to review only and not give them the ability to edit. So individual permission controls is a plus.”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Kenneth M.

Dir of IT

“Access controls are essential so that people who need a particular function can still have use of that function without risking something happening to the original or master plan.”
JS

Jay S.

Supreme Leader

Starting price
330per user /
per year
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 971 verified reviews
Verified reviewer profile picture

Extensive document markup tools

Tailored for construction industry

Effective drawing markup features

Comprehensive training videos

Versatile project management tool

Performance issues with large files

Frequent crashes and glitches

Problematic updates and versions

High cost concerns

Complex and cluttered interface

See pros and cons details
pdfFiller logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(28)
3-4(256)
5(707)
Key Features
PDF Reader4.7
Convert to PDF4.8

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Reviewers appreciate pdfFiller's access controls and permissions for securing documents and managing who can edit or view them. They find it easy to set permissions, which is crucial for handling confidential documents. Users value the ability to customize permissions for different users and the overall security provided by the platform.

See related user reviews

“With this feature, I can have control over who has permission to edit the pdf and this is very important especially when the documents are confidential or really important ones.”
LM

Llana M.

Online Instructor

“There's quite a lot of permission settings you can customize for each user which is nice to have”
JS

John S.

General Manager

Starting price
8flat rate /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 991 verified reviews

Efficient document signing

Streamlined office productivity

High cost concerns

See pros and cons details
Publuu logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(2)
3-4(78)
5(676)
Key Features
PDF Reader4.8
Convert to PDF4.8

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Reviewers indicate that Publuu's access controls and permissions are valuable for sharing documents securely within groups and with clients. They appreciate the ability to restrict downloads, set passwords, and control who receives information. Users find these capabilities easy to implement and essential for protecting sensitive presentations and maintaining document integrity.
Verified reviewer profile picture

See related user reviews

“Access controls and permissions allow our product to shared within our group and when needed with clients.”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Erika V.

Marketing Coordinator

“You can restrict downloads and also add a password to control who has access to the flipping books.”
VK

Valentine K.

L&D Officer

Starting price
7per user /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 756 verified reviews
Verified reviewer profile picture

Intuitive and user-friendly interface

Extensive design customization options

High pricing concerns

See pros and cons details
iLovePDF logo
Reviews Sentiment
 
 
 
1-2(5)
3-4(394)
5(1,344)
Key Features
PDF Reader4.8
Convert to PDF4.9

User insights about the access controls/permissions feature

Users find iLovePDF's access controls and permissions highly effective for managing document security. They appreciate the ability to lock/unlock PDFs, set selective permissions, and protect sensitive information. Reviewers highlight the ease of use and the ability to collaborate securely. Integration with Google Drive is also noted as a helpful aspect.
Verified reviewer profile picture

See related user reviews

“Access Controls/Permissions allows you to restrict access to your PDF documents, ensuring that only authorized people can view, edit, or download them. This can help to protect sensitive or confidential information from unauthorized access or data breaches.”
WT

Wajeeha T.

Search Engine Evaluator

“I appreciate the "Access Controls/Permissions" feature in iLovePDF because it allows me to securely manage who can view, edit, or share my documents, ensuring confidentiality and control over sensitive information.”
Verified reviewer profile picture

Dev D.

Data Entry Intern

Starting price
9flat rate /
per month
learn more
Pros and Cons based on 1,743 verified reviews
Verified reviewer profile picture

Seamless user experience

Versatile file merging and conversion

Intuitive user interface

Efficient PDF merging

Convenient diGital signature

Intrusive advertisements

Restrictive file size limits

Inaccurate OCR scanning

Slow file upload and download

See pros and cons details

Other Top Rated PDF Software with Access Controls/Permissions in 2026

Xodo PDF Studio logo

Xodo PDF Studio

(0)

Securely manage, convert, and edit PDFs across all platforms

visit website
Xodo PDF Studio is a full-featured desktop PDF solution for Windows, macOS, and Linux with tools for editing, annotating, batch processing, and converting PDFs. It also offers advanced features to OCR, digitally sign, and encrypt your PDFs, ensuring your document workflow is efficient and secure.

Read more about Xodo PDF Studio

Users also considered
Adobe Acrobat logo

Adobe Acrobat

PDF editing with e-signatures and document review tools

visit website
Adobe Acrobat is PDF editing software that can be used to create, convert and share PDF documents. It can convert documents in Microsoft Office formats to PDFs, and vice versa. PDFs can be viewed, annotated, and signed using Adobe Sign and the free Acrobat Reader mobile app.

Read more about Adobe Acrobat

Users also considered
Jotform logo

Cloud-based form builder tool for digital forms.

learn more
Jotform is a cloud-based form builder platform that helps businesses streamline form creation via ready-made templates, integrations with third-party applications, and design features that cater to organizations globally.

Read more about Jotform

Users also considered
iLovePDF logo
Category Leaders

Document generation and management software

learn more
iLovePDF offers 25+ PDF tools for editing, converting, and sharing. From digital signatures to OCR and file sharing, it’s a complete document solution designed to simplify PDF management. Accessible across devices, iLovePDF is trusted by businesses worldwide for efficient, secure workflows.

Read more about iLovePDF

Users also considered
Publuu logo

Flipbook, PDF to Flipbook, Online Flipbook Creator

learn more
With Publuu, users can easily and intuitively create an interactive flipbook from a PDF. Convert a PDF to flip, customize it by adding branding, selecting a background, colors, and inserting interactive hotspots.

Read more about Publuu

Users also considered
Bluebeam Revu logo

PDF editing & markup on the go with built-in collaboration

learn more
Construction management just got a lot easier with Bluebeam Revu®, a powerful construction markup solution that not only keeps your team in sync, but also makes PDF markups simple with shareable capabilities that make it easy for all your global team members to collaborate in real-time.

Read more about Bluebeam Revu

Users also considered
Smallpdf logo
Category Leaders

PDF document management and conversion suite

learn more
Smallpdf is a desktop, mobile & cloud-based PDF document management and conversion tool, providing a suite of 21 tools to create, convert and edit documents.

Read more about Smallpdf

Users also considered
pdfFiller logo
Category Leaders

Online PDF form filler & editor

learn more
pdfFiller is an online form and document management system for editing, printing, downloading, sending, and converting documents. The cloud-based system offers eSignature capabilities, a PDF editor, form builder, authentication features, and native Android and iOS mobile applications.

Read more about pdfFiller

Users also considered
ABBYY FineReader PDF logo

PDF solution for document editing and digital collaboration

learn more
FineReader PDF empowers professionals to maximize efficiency in the digital workplace. Featuring ABBYY’s latest AI-based OCR technology, FineReader PDF makes it easier to digitize, retrieve, edit, protect, share, and collaborate on all kinds of documents in the same workflow.

Read more about ABBYY FineReader PDF

Users also considered
Nitro PDF logo

Document generation and management software

learn more
A robust, user-friendly Adobe Acrobat alternative. Offers seamless PDF creation, editing, collaboration, and secure workflows. AI-powered tools enhance productivity with features like summarization and data extraction. A cost-effective solution for individuals and businesses.

Read more about Nitro PDF

Users also considered
DocHub logo
Category Leaders

PDF software for creating, editing, and signing documents

learn more
DocHub offers a comprehensive online solution to streamline and enhance your document workflows. With DocHub, you can effortlessly edit, sign, fill out, and share documents or forms from anywhere, making it perfect for work, school, or everyday tasks.

Read more about DocHub

Users also considered
Jotform Sign logo

Powerful Forms Get It Done

learn more
Trusted by over 10 million users, Jotform's form builder is the easy way to create and publish online forms from any device.

Read more about Jotform Sign

Users also considered
PDFelement logo

Cloud-based and on-premise PDF editor tool for teams.

learn more
PDFelement is a cloud-based and on-premise PDF editor that assists users in creating, editing, protecting, and signing PDFs across desktop, mobile, and web platforms. The tool allows users to modify PDF content similar to a word processor, incorporating text, images, shapes, and the ability to import and edit layers. Users can also adjust the size, color, and font styles, insert links, and apply watermarks to their documents.

Read more about PDFelement

Users also considered
Lumin PDF logo
Category Leaders

PDF platform for annotating, splitting and sharing documents

learn more
Lumin PDF is a PDF platform designed to help businesses collaborate on, annotate, share, synchronize, sign, and highlight documents from within a unified cloud-based interface. Users can merge and split multiple files into specific parts for removal, compress documents' size and remove passwords from PDFs according to requirements.

Read more about Lumin PDF

Users also considered
Tungsten Power PDF logo
Category Leaders

Tungsten Power PDF: Built on 20 years of Innovation

learn more
Tungsten Power PDF is a productivity software designed to help businesses of all sizes create, convert, compile, and share PDF files. Buy it once and own it forever.

Read more about Tungsten Power PDF

Users also considered
LiquidText logo
Category Leaders

Multi-touch document manipulation system

learn more
LiquidText brings all documents with your highlights, annotations, observations and notes into a unified workspace and allows you to make live connections among, between and within anything in the project by just drawing lines.

Read more about LiquidText

Users also considered
Able2Extract Professional logo
Category Leaders

Everything PDF

learn more
All-in-one PDF solution for Windows, Mac, and Linux with perpetual licensing.

Read more about Able2Extract Professional

Users also considered
PlatoForms logo

Cloud-based tool for creating and managing PDFs

learn more
PlatoForms is a versatile tool that simplifies PDF form creation and management, enhances collaboration, ensures data security, and drives productivity. By leveraging PlatoForms, businesses can streamline their operations, reduce administrative burdens, and focus on their core operations.

Read more about PlatoForms

Users also considered
Foxit PDF Editor logo

Create, edit, and manage PDF documents from any device.

learn more
Foxit PDF Editor is a powerful desktop solution for creating and editing PDF documents. Offering seamless integration with Foxit eSign, it enables users to create, edit, and collaborate on documents within and outside the organization.

Read more about Foxit PDF Editor

Users also considered
DocFly logo

Online PDF solution to create, edit, convert & secure files

learn more
DocFly (formerly PDFPro) is an online PDF editor that allows users to create, convert, edit, and secure PDFs. It includes a set of editing tools designed to fully manipulate PDF files, such as reordering and extracting pages, merging and splitting files, editing PDF text, and more. DocFly is accessible from any modern browser and securely stores all files via Amazon Cloud hosting. Files can be deleted from the database at any time.

Read more about DocFly

Users also considered
Goodnotes logo

The leading AI-powered digital note-taking app

learn more
Goodnotes is a powerful note-taking app designed to provide a seamless, natural handwriting experience on digital paper. Import PDFs and images to annotate, highlight, and mark up important documents.

Read more about Goodnotes

Users also considered
PDF24 Tools logo

PDF tools

learn more
PDF24 Tools provides solutions for PDF specific problems. It can be used online or offline in the form of PDF24 Creator. Every tool can be used free of charge.

Read more about PDF24 Tools

Users also considered
CocoDoc logo

CocoDoc is a comprehensive PDF Editor

learn more
CocoDoc is a document management software designed to help businesses edit PDFs online.

Read more about CocoDoc

Users also considered
PDF Studio logo

PDF software for document creation, editing, and review

learn more
PDF Studio is an on-premise PDF editing software that is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. It includes several features and tools to complete PDF editing workflows. Users can create PDFs, scan documents, fill in forms, secure sensitive documents, edit pages, and more.

Read more about PDF Studio

Users also considered
Fabreasy PDF Creator logo

Add letterhead to (existing) PDF files on on the fly

learn more
Fabreasy PDF Creator is designed to add digital stationery on the fly. Use Letterhead sets for different companies or activities. Fabreasy includes many handy PDF tools. Do not forget the user friendly price tag as a bonus and a full 14 day trial, no registration.

Read more about Fabreasy PDF Creator

Users also considered

Key features for PDF software

Based on GetApp's analysis of verified user reviews collected between July 2021 and August 2024.

  • PDF Reader: Users value the capacity to view, manage, and interact with PDFs efficiently, appreciating features like text highlighting, annotations, and document navigation. 90% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Convert to PDF: Reviewers appreciate the ability to quickly convert various file formats into high-quality PDFs, preserving formatting and facilitating easy sharing. 89% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • PDF Conversion: Users highlight the convenience of converting PDFs to and from different formats, ensuring compatibility, preserving original content, and improving workflow efficiency. 87% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Merge/Append Files: Reviewers find the ability to combine multiple PDF files into one document very useful for organizing, sharing, and managing related files. 84% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Text Editing: Users appreciate the ability to edit text within PDFs for making corrections, updating information, and customizing content without needing to convert files back to their original format. 83% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.
  • Digital Signature: Reviewers value the ability to securely sign documents electronically, enhancing authenticity, integrity, and legal validity for various applications. 80% of reviewers rated this feature as important or highly important.