The ability to properly annotate PDFs is becoming an essential skill for both academic and professional purposes. Whether you are a student, highlighting key points on your PDF study materials, or a professional adding comments to a report, efficient annotation can be a good way to enhance collaboration and productivity.
For Mac users, finding the right tool to annotate PDFs is more important than ever as there are very few good options. The key is to find a seamless and intuitive solution that can handle all annotation tasks efficiently. In this article, we will share with you the best way to annotate PDFs on Mac, highlighting the best tools for this task.
The Best Way to Annotate PDFs on Mac
Afirstsoft PDF is a PDF management solution that stands out for its robust annotation features. It is an ideal choice for Mac users thanks to its simple user interface and numerous annotation tools. Designed to meet the needs of both students and professionals, Afirstsoft PDF combines the following features to simplify the annotation and editing process;
- It allows you to easily highlight and underline text to emphasize key points within the PDF.
- The commenting tool allows you to add comments to the document and find all the comments within the document more easily.
- It is also one of the best ways to add virtual sticky notes to the PDF, an ideal way to provide additional information or reminders to specific sections.
- It also has robust PDF editing features, allowing you to modify the text and images on the document with ease.
Benefits for Users
- Afirstsoft PDF is known for its intuitive design that allows for easy navigation and annotation, making it an ideal choice for users of all skill levels.
- Cross-platform compatibility allows annotations to sync across Mac, PC, iOS, Android, and the Web, ensuring that you can access your documents from any device.
- It has an affordable pricing model compared to other premium tools, providing exceptional value for its range of features.
The following step-by-step guide shows you how to use it to add annotations to your PDF on Mac;
Step 1: Open the PDF you want to annotate in Afirstsoft PDF by clicking on the “Open” button on the left.
Step 2: Then click on the “Comment” tab at the top to open the annotation options.
Two Other Optional Ways to Annotate PDFs on Mac
- Preview
Preview is a macOS application that allows users to view and annotate PDFs on Mac without the need to install additional software. It has numerous annotation tools including highlighting, underlining, and adding comments. Users can also add sticky notes to the PDF and edit the content. Its main advantage is that it is easily integrated into macOS, making it a convenient solution for quick annotations.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is a widely known PDF reader that offers comprehensive annotation features. Some of its tools are accessible for free, although the subscription tools to access the advanced tools can be very expensive. Some of its annotation tools include highlighting text, adding comments, and adding stamps and stickers.
Comparison of Methods
Feature Comparison: Afirstsoft PDF offers comprehensive annotation tools along with editing and conversion features. Preview provides basic annotation capabilities and although Adobe Acrobat Reader DC has great features, its premium features are only available through subscription.
Ease of Use: Afirstsoft PDF boasts a user-friendly interface designed for simple navigation. Preview has a straightforward layout that makes accessing tasks quick and easy and Adobe Reader DC is feature-rich but may require a learning curve for new users.
Annotation Tools: Afirstsoft PDF provides a wide variety of annotation tools. Preview has the essential annotation tools, but lacks advanced options while Adobe Acrobat DC offers a comprehensive suite of tools including drawing options and custom stamps.
Additional Features: Afirstsoft PDF offers numerous additional features including editing and conversion. Preview is limited to basic viewing and annotation functions and Adobe Acrobat Reader DC provides additional options like cloud integration and advanced editing with a subscription.
Pros and Cons: Afirstsoft PDF is cost-effective, easy to use, and feature-rich, but it requires installation. Preview is readily available and easy to use but it doesn’t have advanced features. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC provides extensive tools but can be overwhelming for beginner users.
Conclusion
When it comes to effectively annotating PDFs, having the right tool can be crucial. While Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and Preview can offer advantages, Afirstsoft PDF offers a comprehensive set of tools, a user-friendly interface, cross-platform compatibility, affordable pricing, and additional features to be the most effective solution to enhance productivity and collaboration.
