Link copied to clipboard

# PDFill vs PDFsam Basic Comparison - What are their main differences?

Share
[
Export
](/compare/pdfill/pdfsam-basic/export.csv)

PDFillPDFsam Basic[+ Add Product](#)

Reviews

**PDFill** [

4.3/5(15)

](https://www.g2.com/products/pdfill/reviews#reviews)

**PDFsam Basic** [

4.2/5(48)

](https://www.g2.com/products/pdfsam-basic/reviews#reviews)

Pricing

**PDFill**
No pricing available

**PDFsam Basic**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**PDFill**
Not enough reviews yet

**PDFsam Basic**
Not enough reviews yet

Return on Investment

**PDFill**
Not enough reviews yet

**PDFsam Basic**
Not enough reviews yet

Perceived Cost

**PDFill**
$$$$$

**PDFsam Basic**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**PDFill**
Not enough reviews yet

**PDFsam Basic**
Not enough reviews yet

Pros & Cons

**PDFill**
Not enough data

**PDFsam Basic**
Not enough data

Ratings

Meets Requirements

**PDFill**

9.1

9.111

**PDFsam Basic**

9.1

9.141

Ease of Use

**PDFill**

8.5

8.511

**PDFsam Basic**

9.0

9.041

Ease of Setup

**PDFill**
Not enough data

**PDFsam Basic**
Not enough data

Ease of Admin

**PDFill**
Not enough data

**PDFsam Basic**
Not enough data

Quality of Support

**PDFill**

8.6

8.67

**PDFsam Basic**

7.9

7.929

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**PDFill**
Not enough data

**PDFsam Basic**
Not enough data

Product Direction (% positive)

**PDFill**

7.9

7.911

**PDFsam Basic**

8.8

8.839

Features

PDF Editor[Hide 62 FeaturesShow 62 Features](javascript:void(0);)

9.0

13

8.1

39

Organization

Protect

9.2(won by 1.3)

6

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.9

22

Document Management

9.3(won by 0.6)

7

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

8.7

30

Document Scanning

8.5(won by 0.3)

8

8.2

27

Editing History

9.2(won by 1.6)

6

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.6

25

User Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

File Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Template Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Forms Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Communication Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Image Editing

Not enough data

Not enough data

Text Editing

Not enough data

Not enough data

Editing

Size

8.8(won by 0.1)

8

8.7

33

Edit Fields

9.0(won by 1.3)

8

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.7

27

Convert to PDF

9.3(won by 1.2)

10

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

8.1

30

Field Functions

9.0(won by 1.1)

8

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

7.9

26

Annotate

9.0(won by 0.8)

8

 (There is a greater than 0.5 difference between this product's rating and its competitors)

8.2

24

Operating System

PC Operating System

Not enough data

Not enough data

Mac Operating System

Not enough data

Not enough data

Linux Operating System

Not enough data

Not enough data

Additional Functionality

Customizable Branding

Not enough data

Not enough data

Rich Text Editor

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Import/Export

Not enough data

Not enough data

Batch Processing

Not enough data

Not enough data

Encryption

Not enough data

Not enough data

AI Copilot

Not enough data

Not enough data

Drag & Drop

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Synchronization

Not enough data

Not enough data

SSL Security

Not enough data

Not enough data

Commenting/Notes

Not enough data

Not enough data

Alerts/Notifications

Not enough data

Not enough data

Generative AI

Not enough data

Not enough data

Secure Data Storage

Not enough data

Not enough data

API

Not enough data

Not enough data

Access Controls/Permissions

Not enough data

Not enough data

Digital Signature

Not enough data

Not enough data

Customizable Forms

Not enough data

Not enough data

HIPAA Compliant

Not enough data

Not enough data

Watermarking

Not enough data

Not enough data

Full Text Search

Not enough data

Not enough data

PDF Conversion

Not enough data

Not enough data

Mobile Access

Not enough data

Not enough data

Collaboration Tools

Not enough data

Not enough data

Merge/Append Files

Not enough data

Not enough data

File Transfer

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Notifications

Not enough data

Not enough data

Annotations

Not enough data

Not enough data

PDF Reader

Not enough data

Not enough data

Document Storage

Not enough data

Not enough data

Offline Access

Not enough data

Not enough data

Version Control

Not enough data

Not enough data

Compression

Not enough data

Not enough data

Indexing

Not enough data

Not enough data

Document Templates

Not enough data

Not enough data

Third-Party Integrations

Not enough data

Not enough data

Search/Filter

Not enough data

Not enough data

Document Review

Not enough data

Not enough data

Electronic Signature

Not enough data

Not enough data

Side-by-Side Comparison

Not enough data

Not enough data

Rearrange Pages

Not enough data

Not enough data

Optical Character Recognition

Not enough data

Not enough data

Rotate Pages

Not enough data

Not enough data

Delete Pages

Not enough data

Not enough data

Show 1 feature category with incomplete data

Collaboration & Productivity[Hide 45 FeaturesShow 45 Features](javascript:void(0);)

Not enough data

Not enough data

Additional Functionality

Third-Party Integrations

Not enough data

Not enough data

To-Do List

Not enough data

Not enough data

@mentions

Not enough data

Not enough data

Single Sign On

Not enough data

Not enough data

File Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Activity Dashboard

Not enough data

Not enough data

Drag & Drop

Not enough data

Not enough data

Alerts/Notifications

Not enough data

Not enough data

Prioritization

Not enough data

Not enough data

Access Controls/Permissions

Not enough data

Not enough data

Screen Sharing

Not enough data

Not enough data

Content Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Brainstorming

Not enough data

Not enough data

AI Copilot

Not enough data

Not enough data

File Transfer

Not enough data

Not enough data

Calendar Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Status Tracking

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Notifications

Not enough data

Not enough data

Version Control

Not enough data

Not enough data

Task Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Activity Tracking

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real Time Editing

Not enough data

Not enough data

Communication Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Chat/Messaging

Not enough data

Not enough data

Tagging

Not enough data

Not enough data

Generative AI

Not enough data

Not enough data

Assignment Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Task Scheduling

Not enough data

Not enough data

Project Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Collaboration Tools

Not enough data

Not enough data

Workflow Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Secure Data Storage

Not enough data

Not enough data

File Sharing

Not enough data

Not enough data

Document Storage

Not enough data

Not enough data

Task Progress Tracking

Not enough data

Not enough data

Discussions/Forums

Not enough data

Not enough data

Commenting/Notes

Not enough data

Not enough data

Reporting & Statistics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Contact Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Video Conferencing

Not enough data

Not enough data

Progress Tracking

Not enough data

Not enough data

Mobile Access

Not enough data

Not enough data

API

Not enough data

Not enough data

Document Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Customizable Branding

Not enough data

Not enough data

User Insights

Reviewers' Company Size

[![PDFill](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_a691493962068044cf148d3258ed206b/pdfill.png "PDFill")](https://www.g2.com/products/pdfill/reviews)

PDFill

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

60.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

26.7%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

13.3%

[![PDFsam Basic](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_6f18c381d3e844877f6e62db276c1cd2/pdfsam-basic.png "PDFsam Basic")](https://www.g2.com/products/pdfsam-basic/reviews)

PDFsam Basic

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

41.7%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

33.3%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

25.0%

Small-Business

(50 or fewer emp.)

60.0%

41.7%

Mid-Market

(51-1000 emp.)

26.7%

33.3%

Enterprise

(\> 1000 emp.)

13.3%

25.0%

Reviewers' Industry

[![PDFill](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_a691493962068044cf148d3258ed206b/pdfill.png "PDFill")](https://www.g2.com/products/pdfill/reviews)
PDFill

Marketing and Advertising

13.3%

Financial Services

13.3%

Construction

13.3%

Civil Engineering

13.3%

Real Estate

6.7%

Other

40.0%

[![PDFsam Basic](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_6f18c381d3e844877f6e62db276c1cd2/pdfsam-basic.png "PDFsam Basic")](https://www.g2.com/products/pdfsam-basic/reviews)
PDFsam Basic

Information Technology and Services

8.3%

Telecommunications

6.3%

Computer Software

6.3%

Higher Education

4.2%

Staffing and Recruiting

4.2%

Other

70.8%

FAQs

## PDFill vs PDFsam Basic FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 16, 2026

### What is the difference between PDFsam Basic vs PDFill?

PDFsam Basic and PDFill differ most clearly in their reviewer ratings and support scores, with PDFill holding a slight edge in both areas.

| [PDFsam Basic](https://www.g2.com/products/pdfsam-basic/reviews) | [PDFill](https://www.g2.com/products/pdfill/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.2/5 (48 reviews) | 4.3/5 (15 reviews) |
| — | — |
| 7.0 | 5.0 |
| 7.9 | 8.6 |
| Free, open source, multi-platform, strong for merging and splitting PDFs | Comprehensive PDF editing, strong substitute for Adobe Acrobat |

### How do the pricing models of PDFsam Basic and PDFill compare?

PDFill is rated higher for value, with a stronger Price/Cost satisfaction score than PDFsam Basic.

- **PDFsam Basic:** Reviewers highlight the free and open-source nature as a major value, especially for basic PDF manipulation tasks.
- **PDFill:** Reviewers consistently mention that PDFill offers a comprehensive set of PDF editing features at a lower cost than Adobe, with the free version covering many needs and the paid version considered affordable for advanced features.

### What are the best alternatives to PDFsam Basic and PDFill?

Foxit PDF Editor, Adobe Acrobat, and PDFCreator are the top three alternatives to PDFsam Basic and PDFill.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [PDFsam Basic](https://www.g2.com/products/pdfsam-basic/reviews) | 4.2/5 (48) | — | Free and open source for basic PDF tasks | Strong for merging and splitting PDFs |
| [PDFill](https://www.g2.com/products/pdfill/reviews) | 4.3/5 (15) | — | Affordable alternative to Adobe, free version covers many needs | Comprehensive PDF editing, strong substitute for Adobe Acrobat |
| [Foxit PDF Editor](https://www.g2.com/products/foxit-pdf-editor/reviews) | 4.6/5 (3706) | Small-Business | — | High reviewer satisfaction, robust feature set |
| [Adobe Acrobat](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-acrobat/reviews) | 4.5/5 (5336) | Small-Business | — | Industry standard, comprehensive PDF solution |
| [PDFCreator](https://www.g2.com/products/pdfcreator/reviews) | 4.4/5 (127) | Small-Business | — | Reliable PDF creation and conversion |

### Which PDF Editor features should I prioritize when comparing PDFsam Basic and PDFill?

Buyers comparing PDFsam Basic and PDFill should prioritize PDF editing capabilities, merging and splitting functions, ease of use, platform compatibility, and cost/value.

- **PDF editing capabilities:** PDFill is frequently cited as a comprehensive PDF editor and a strong substitute for Adobe Acrobat, while PDFsam Basic is focused on merging and splitting PDFs.
- **Merging and splitting functions:** PDFsam Basic is highlighted for its robust and intuitive merging and splitting features, with a Meets Requirements score of 9.1.
- **Ease of use:** PDFsam Basic scores 9.0 and PDFill scores 8.5 for Ease of Use, indicating both are user-friendly but PDFsam Basic holds a slight edge.
- **Platform compatibility:** PDFsam Basic is noted for being multi-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux), while PDFill's platform coverage is less frequently mentioned.
- **Cost/value:** PDFill is rated higher for Price/Cost satisfaction, with reviewers noting its affordability and value compared to Adobe.

### What are the pros and cons of PDFsam Basic vs PDFill?

PDFsam Basic's headline strength is its free, open-source, multi-platform merging and splitting, while PDFill's is its comprehensive PDF editing capabilities and value as an Adobe substitute.

- **PDFsam Basic strengths:** Free and open source, strong for merging and splitting PDFs, available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, intuitive interface, high Ease of Use score (9.0).
- **PDFsam Basic trade-offs:** Limited editing features in the basic version, requires Java, occasional update and stability issues, lower Price/Cost satisfaction compared to PDFill.
- **PDFill strengths:** Comprehensive PDF editing, strong substitute for Adobe Acrobat, affordable paid version, high Price/Cost satisfaction, high Quality of Support score (8.6).
- **PDFill trade-offs:** User interface is less intuitive and dated, some functions require a learning curve, fewer platform compatibility mentions.

### Is PDFsam Basic or PDFill better for small businesses?

PDFsam Basic is the better fit for small businesses, as it is free, open source, and frequently cited for its ease of use and multi-platform support.

- **PDFsam Basic:** Largest segment not specified, but reviewers from small businesses highlight its cost-effectiveness, ease of installation, and suitability for basic PDF tasks without additional expense.
- **PDFill:** Largest segment not specified, but reviewers note its affordability and comprehensive editing features, making it a viable alternative for small businesses needing more advanced PDF editing.

### Which PDF Editor platform has better integrations?

PDFsam Basic and PDFill are at parity for integrations, with no reviewer-cited integrations or third-party tool mentions for either product.

- **PDFsam Basic:** No integrations mentioned in recent reviews.
- **PDFill:** No integrations mentioned in recent reviews.

### How do PDFsam Basic and PDFill compare on customer support?

PDFill holds a material lead in Quality of Support, scoring 8.6 versus PDFsam Basic's 7.9.

- **PDFsam Basic:** Reviewers describe support as generally responsive but note occasional delays and lack of replies for advanced feature issues.
- **PDFill:** Reviewers consistently rate support highly, mentioning helpful responses and satisfaction with the assistance provided.

### Which is easier to implement, PDFsam Basic or PDFill?

PDFsam Basic and PDFill are at parity on Ease of Setup, with scores within the materiality threshold.

- **PDFsam Basic:** Reviewers highlight easy installation and quick onboarding, especially for basic PDF tasks.
- **PDFill:** Reviewers note a slight learning curve due to the interface but generally find setup straightforward.

Alternatives

**PDFill Alternatives**

 ![Foxit PDF Editor](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1704327af4e4eb2d2174535f45143cf5/foxit-pdf-editor.svg "Foxit PDF Editor")

[
Foxit PDF Editor
](/products/foxit-pdf-editor/reviews)

 ![Adobe Acrobat](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/f70633054b433f46ad80f9667092d308/adobe-acrobat.svg "Adobe Acrobat")

[
Adobe Acrobat
](/products/adobe-acrobat/reviews)

 ![Wondershare PDFelement](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/4b2b015b79fe294e95e3a05c4b7ffe26/wondershare-wondershare-pdfelement.svg "Wondershare PDFelement")

[
Wondershare PDFelement
](/products/wondershare-wondershare-pdfelement/reviews)

 ![pdfFiller](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/83b07247bf04670bf2d2ce0c52507d91/pdffiller.svg "pdfFiller")

[
pdfFiller
](/products/pdffiller/reviews)

**PDFsam Basic Alternatives**

 ![Adobe Acrobat](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/f70633054b433f46ad80f9667092d308/adobe-acrobat.svg "Adobe Acrobat")

[
Adobe Acrobat
](/products/adobe-acrobat/reviews)

 ![Foxit PDF Editor](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1704327af4e4eb2d2174535f45143cf5/foxit-pdf-editor.svg "Foxit PDF Editor")

[
Foxit PDF Editor
](/products/foxit-pdf-editor/reviews)

 ![PDFCreator](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_da0564b72d05bfc381f8faaed8ce5c9d/pdfcreator.png "PDFCreator")

[
PDFCreator
](/products/pdfcreator/reviews)

 ![PDF-XChange Editor](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_6d6cdae1357e7a4f1632aa67179169d3/pdf-xchange-editor.png "PDF-XChange Editor")

[
PDF-XChange Editor
](/products/pdf-xchange-editor/reviews)

## PDFill vs PDFsam Basic

- PDFill and PDFsam Basic both meet the requirements of our reviewers at a comparable rate.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that PDFill is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of PDFsam Basic over PDFill.