SodaPDF review: our verdict

This SodaPDF review covers Soda PDF, the PDF editor made by Avanquest Software that comes in two forms: a Windows desktop application and a browser-based version, Soda PDF Online, that works on any operating system including macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. It handles the full range of everyday PDF jobs, from editing text and merging files to converting to and from Office formats, filling and signing forms, recognising text in scans and protecting documents with passwords. In recent versions it has added AI tools that can answer questions about a document, summarise it and translate it while keeping the layout.

We rank Soda PDF highly in our PDF editor comparison under the label "Online and AI", because few rivals offer the same breadth of tools in a browser, with a familiar ribbon-style interface and AI features included in the paid plans. It is not perfect. There is no desktop app for Mac, there is no one-time licence, the free tools are tightly limited, and subscriptions renew automatically, which is the source of most customer complaints. Anyone who reads the plan terms before buying, and sets a reminder before renewal, gets a capable and cheaper alternative to the market leader.

NerdBible did not edit documents in Soda PDF for this review. It is an editorial assessment based on Soda PDF's own product, plan and support pages and on independent reviews and customer feedback platforms.

What is Soda PDF and who is it for?

Soda PDF is a subscription PDF suite. The Soda PDF homepage describes two ways to use it: the desktop application for offline work, and the online platform for access from any device with built-in cloud storage. A Chrome extension adds quick tools to the browser. The homepage is explicit that Soda PDF Desktop is currently not available for macOS and points Mac users to the online version.

Soda PDF suits:

  • Windows users who want a full desktop editor without paying for the most expensive brand in the category.
  • Mac, Chromebook and mobile users who are happy to work in a browser.
  • People who handle documents in other languages, thanks to the layout-preserving translation tool.
  • Small teams and businesses, through dedicated Team and Business plans with central licence management.

It suits less well Mac users who insist on an offline desktop app, people who want to buy software once and own it, and anyone who only needs to merge or compress a file occasionally, which free tools can do.

Key features

Editing and page tools

Soda PDF lets you create, change or remove text and images, add links, headers, footers, page numbers and watermarks, and insert, extract, rearrange or delete pages. PCWorld described a full set of annotation tools, including highlighting, shapes, stamps and sticky-note comments, and a one-click "sanitize" function that strips hidden data such as metadata and links from a document.

Conversion and batch processing

You can create PDFs from scans, web pages and Office files, and export PDFs to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, text, HTML, PDF/A or images. The batch tool processes many files at once for jobs such as converting, watermarking or adding passwords.

OCR

Optical character recognition turns scanned pages and images into searchable or editable text. The Soda PDF plans page lists OCR search on the Pro and Team plans and OCR editing on the Business plan.

Forms and e-signatures

Soda PDF can design fillable forms with text fields and combo boxes, fill and sign forms, and send documents for e-signature with real-time tracking of signature requests.

AI tools

The AI Assistant answers questions about an uploaded document and summarises it, and the Translate PDF tool converts a document into another language while keeping its layout. Soda PDF says these AI tools are available only in the online version. The plans page lists unlimited use of the enhanced AI tools on paid plans and an annual page allowance for translation.

Security tools

You can add passwords, set permission levels, redact or white out sensitive text, and archive documents in PDF/A format.

Cloud storage and integrations

The online version includes cloud storage, 5 GB on Pro and Team and 10 GB on Business according to the plans page, and can open and save files in Dropbox, Google Drive, SharePoint and Evernote.

How much does Soda PDF cost?

Soda PDF is sold only by subscription, billed monthly or yearly. Its plans page answers the question directly: there is no perpetual licence. The current plans are:

  • Pro: the recommended individual plan, with AI tools, translation, cloud storage, e-signatures, OCR search, forms, batch processing and security tools, on Windows desktop and in any browser.
  • Team: the same features as Pro for 3 to 19 licences, with a discount per licence.
  • Business: adds more cloud storage and translation pages, self-serve licence management, deployment options for IT departments and a dedicated phone support line.

Some of Soda PDF's own support pages still refer to an older Standard plan, so check the plans page at the time you buy. Free use is limited: Soda PDF's free access policy says most quick tools can be used free for up to two files a day or files up to 3 MB, but editing, OCR, forms, the reader, the AI summariser, translation and chat with a PDF are paid. You can try them, but downloading, printing, emailing or saving the result requires a subscription. The same page says there is no traditional free trial. Our comparison page shows the prices we list.

Is Soda PDF safe?

Soda PDF says its cloud uses encryption and current industry standards to protect stored files, and its free access policy states that documents uploaded to the online tools are automatically deleted 24 hours after upload. The product is published by Avanquest Software, and its privacy policy and "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link appear on every page.

Soda PDF does not publish the kind of independent security certifications, such as SOC 2 reports, that enterprise buyers may ask for, so organisations handling highly sensitive documents should ask the sales team for details or use the Windows desktop app, which works offline.

Subscriptions, renewals and support

This is the part of Soda PDF that deserves the most attention before buying. Plans renew automatically by default. Soda PDF's cancellation guide says you should receive an email about 30 days before renewal with a link to switch it off, and that you can also turn off renewal from your account at any time before the renewal date and keep using the product until it expires. It also states that cancelling stops future billing but does not refund the current term. Refund requests go through the support page.

Support is available through a virtual assistant, a support team and a knowledge base, with a dedicated phone line for Business customers. Customer feedback on support is mixed, as the next sections show.

What could be better

  • No Mac desktop app. Mac users must work in the browser.
  • Subscription only. There is no one-time purchase option.
  • Tight free limits. The most useful tools require a paid plan before you can save your work.
  • Renewal and refund friction. Capterra reviewers report confusion over renewals and refunds and complain about aggressive upselling.
  • Performance with large files. Users on Capterra and Trustpilot mention slowdowns and freezing with large or many documents.
  • Inconsistent support. Both platforms show complaints about slow responses and chatbot-first support.

Who should choose something else

If you only need to merge, split or compress the occasional PDF, built-in tools on your computer or a free online tool will do the job without a subscription. Mac users who want a native offline editor should look at a product with a macOS app. Organisations that need formal security certifications, or deep integration with enterprise document workflows, may prefer the market-leading suite despite its higher price. And if you dislike subscriptions on principle, choose an editor that still sells a perpetual licence.

Is Soda PDF worth it? The bottom line

Soda PDF is worth it for people who want a full PDF editor that works on Windows and in any browser, with AI summaries and layout-preserving translation included, at a lower cost than the category leader. Its tool set is broad, its interface is familiar to anyone who uses Office, and independent reviewers rate the online version highly. Go in with your eyes open on the subscription: note your renewal date, decide before it arrives, and contact support quickly if you need a refund.

What other reviewers found

  • TechRadar called Soda PDF Online "an excellent product", praising its design, browser performance and cross-platform reach, with the caveat that several useful tools are reserved for paid plans.
  • TechRadar also includes Soda PDF Online in its best PDF editors guide, describing it as versatile enough to fix small typos or build a document from scratch.
  • PCWorld rated the online editor one of the best for Mac and mobile users, liked its tiered plans and organisation, and noted a minor limit on how far you can zoom.
  • Reviewers on Capterra value it as a cheaper Adobe alternative with an easy ribbon interface, but report billing confusion, uneven support and slowdowns with large files.
  • On Trustpilot, most customers rate it highly for ease of use and price, while a minority of one-star reviews describe freezing, renewal pop-ups and hard-to-reach support.

Where reviewers agree and disagree

Editorial reviewers and customers agree that Soda PDF's tools are comprehensive and easy to learn, and that it offers good value against the market leader. The disagreement is between product and service. TechRadar and PCWorld judge the software and rate it highly; customer platforms add the experience of billing and support, where complaints about renewals, refunds and response times are common. For a buyer, the conclusion is that the product itself is not the risk. The risk is forgetting about an automatic renewal, which you can manage by switching renewal off in your account once you have subscribed.

Frequently asked questions

Is Soda PDF free?

Partly. Soda PDF says most of its online quick tools, such as merging, compressing and converting, can be used free within limits of two files a day or files up to 3 MB. Editing, OCR, forms, the AI summariser, chat with a PDF and translation are paid features: you can try them, but saving, printing or downloading the result needs a subscription. There is no traditional free trial.

Does Soda PDF work on Mac?

The Soda PDF desktop application is Windows only, and Soda PDF says it is not currently available for macOS. Mac users can use Soda PDF Online in a web browser, which offers the main editing, conversion, signing and AI tools. The Business plan also lists Mac and Linux deployment of the web app for organisations.

Can I buy Soda PDF with a one-time payment?

No. Soda PDF states that it does not offer a perpetual licence. All plans are monthly or yearly subscriptions that include updates. Subscriptions renew automatically by default, so if you only need the software for a short project, switch off automatic renewal in your account after subscribing and you can keep using it until the term ends.

How do I cancel Soda PDF and stop automatic renewal?

Soda PDF says you should receive an email about 30 days before renewal with a link to switch renewal off. You can also sign in to your account and cancel the rebill at any time before the renewal date. Cancelling stops future charges but does not refund the current term; refund requests are made through the support page.

Is Soda PDF safe for confidential documents?

Soda PDF says its cloud uses encryption and that files uploaded to its online tools are deleted automatically after 24 hours. For highly sensitive material, the Windows desktop app works offline, so documents never leave your computer. Organisations with strict compliance needs should ask Soda PDF for security documentation before rolling it out.

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