LifetimeMac

Documents, PDF & office

PDF editors, OCR, ebook tools and reference managers — the quiet alternative to per-seat document subscriptions.

AppPriceLicenceThe catch
BookendsSonny Software$74.99Paid upgradesUpdates stop after two years unless you pay $49.99 for another window; the app keeps working
calibreKovid GoyalFreeOpen sourceCurrent builds need macOS 14 or newer, so an older Mac is stuck on an old version
EagleFilerC-Command Software$69.99This versionMajor versions are a paid upgrade, and upgrade discounts apply only if you bought direct from C-Command
Foxit PDF Editor 14 (Perpetual)Foxit Software$209.99This versionYou own version 14; version 15 is a new purchase, and cloud and AI features are excluded
LibreOfficeThe Document FoundationFreeOpen sourceComplex Word and Excel files can shift on round-trip, especially macros and tracked changes
PDF ExpertReaddle$139.99Lifetime tierReaddle states new features may cost extra, and the licence covers the Mac app only
PDF SqueezerWitt Software$19.99PerpetualCompression only: no editing, OCR or signing, and a future major version may be paid
PDFgearPDFgear SoftwareFreeFreeClosed source with no stated business model, so nothing guarantees it stays free
SkimSkim projectFreeOpen sourceReads and annotates only — no page editing, OCR or form filling
TextSniperTextSniper$7.99This versionMajor upgrades cost extra, and the 7-day refund covers the direct purchase, not the App Store one
UPDFSuperace Software Technology$79.99Lifetime tierThe AI Assistant is a separate US$69/year subscription, not part of the lifetime licence
Vellum180g$199.99PerpetualBuying Ebooks then upgrading to Press costs $19.99 more in total than buying Press up front
ZoteroDigital ScholarFreeOpen sourceThe app is free forever, but only 300 MB of sync storage is; a PDF library outgrows that fast