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PDF Metadata Editor alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 29, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave PDF Metadata Editor: pro desktop features need a paid licence, sold only as time-limited terms, and free online editor only covers the basic fields. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces PDF Metadata Editor, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Adobe Acrobat currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Adobe Acrobat logoAdobe AcrobatPaidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +24 of 468.8
2Stirling PDF logoStirling PDFOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted, Windows +24 of 464.8
3PDF24 Tools logoPDF24 ToolsFreeNoWeb, Windows4 of 461.8
  1. Adobe Acrobat logo

    1. Adobe AcrobatTop pick

    Best for: Professionals who exchange complex PDFs daily and need the most compatible, complete editor

    PaidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from PDF Metadata Editor

    Full PDF editor whose document properties cover metadata, plus editing, signing and conversion in one app.

    Pros

    • The most complete PDF feature set, including redaction, OCR and preflight
    • Best compatibility with forms and files made elsewhere
    • Signing, conversion and editing in one subscription

    Cons

    • Subscription only, and among the most expensive options
    • Interface is crowded for occasional users
    • AI features are a separate paid add-on
    Visit Adobe Acrobat Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Adobe Acrobat a good PDF Metadata Editor alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free trial
    7 days
    Checked Oct 29, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Tools in Pro
    70+ PDF tools
    Checked Oct 29, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Desktop, web and mobile
    Checked Oct 29, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Batch automation
    Action Wizard (Pro)
    Checked Oct 29, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Stirling PDF logo

    2. Stirling PDF

    Best for: Teams that want online-style PDF tools without sending files to a third party

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted, Windows, macOS, Linux

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from PDF Metadata Editor

    Free, self-hostable PDF toolkit that includes a metadata changer alongside dozens of other tools.

    Pros

    • Runs on your own server, so files stay private
    • Dozens of tools plus automation and an API
    • Free open-source core with optional paid support

    Cons

    • Self-hosting needs Docker or server know-how
    • SSO and admin features sit in paid plans
    • Interface is more functional than polished
    Visit Stirling PDF Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Stirling PDF a good PDF Metadata Editor alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    $0, open-source edition
    Checked Oct 29, 2026stirlingpdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Deployment
    Web, desktop, self-hosted
    Checked Oct 29, 2026stirlingpdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Tools
    60+ PDF tools
    Checked Oct 29, 2026stirlingpdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026docs.stirlingpdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. PDF24 Tools logo

    3. PDF24 Tools

    Best for: Anyone who wants free PDF tools without accounts, including offline use on Windows

    FreeWeb, Windows

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from PDF Metadata Editor

    Free PDF toolbox for the web and Windows, with metadata editing among its many single-task tools.

    Pros

    • All tools free, with no account or upgrade tier
    • Offline Windows app with a virtual PDF printer
    • MSI installer for company-wide deployment

    Cons

    • Desktop app is Windows only
    • Website shows ads
    • Basic editing of existing text
    Visit PDF24 Tools Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is PDF24 Tools a good PDF Metadata Editor alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Desktop app
    Free for private and business use
    Checked Oct 29, 2026tools.pdf24.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline use
    Yes, Creator works offline
    Checked Oct 29, 2026tools.pdf24.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop platforms
    Windows only
    Checked Oct 29, 2026tools.pdf24.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Online tools
    All current systems and browsers
    Checked Oct 29, 2026tools.pdf24.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best PDF Metadata Editor alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Adobe Acrobat logo

Best PDF Metadata Editor alternative for most people

Adobe Acrobat

Full PDF editor whose document properties cover metadata, plus editing, signing and conversion in one app.

Stirling PDF logo

Best PDF Metadata Editor alternative for a free option

Stirling PDF

Free, self-hostable PDF toolkit that includes a metadata changer alongside dozens of other tools.

PDF Arranger logo

Best PDF Metadata Editor alternative for open source

PDF Arranger

Free open-source desktop app that can edit a PDF's basic properties while you rearrange pages.

Stirling PDF logo

Best PDF Metadata Editor alternative for self-hosting

Stirling PDF

Free, self-hostable PDF toolkit that includes a metadata changer alongside dozens of other tools.

Master PDF Editor logo

Best PDF Metadata Editor alternative for Mac

Master PDF Editor

Cross-platform PDF editor, Linux included, that edits document properties as part of a full editing suite.

PDF24 Tools logo

Best PDF Metadata Editor alternative for Windows

PDF24 Tools

Free PDF toolbox for the web and Windows, with metadata editing among its many single-task tools.

Stirling PDF logo

Best PDF Metadata Editor alternative for Linux

Stirling PDF

Free, self-hostable PDF toolkit that includes a metadata changer alongside dozens of other tools.

Adobe Acrobat logo

Best PDF Metadata Editor alternative for iPhone and Android

Adobe Acrobat

Full PDF editor whose document properties cover metadata, plus editing, signing and conversion in one app.

Adobe Acrobat logo

Best PDF Metadata Editor alternative for working in the browser

Adobe Acrobat

Full PDF editor whose document properties cover metadata, plus editing, signing and conversion in one app.

PDF Metadata Editor alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to PDF Metadata Editor?

Adobe Acrobat ranks first right now. Full PDF editor whose document properties cover metadata, plus editing, signing and conversion in one app. Stirling PDF and PDF24 Tools follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to PDF Metadata Editor?

Yes. Stirling PDF (open source), PDF24 Tools (free) and PDF Arranger (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to PDF Metadata Editor?

Yes: Stirling PDF and PDF Arranger. Stirling PDF can also be self-hosted.

Which PDF Metadata Editor alternatives work on Linux?

Stirling PDF, PDF Arranger and Master PDF Editor run on Linux.

Why do people switch from PDF Metadata Editor?

The complaints we hear most: pro desktop features need a paid licence, sold only as time-limited terms; free online editor only covers the basic fields; single-purpose: no page editing, merging or annotation.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces PDF Metadata Editor, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.