Whether you need to edit a PDF in Microsoft Word, extract a table for Excel, or turn a scanned document into searchable text, a good PDF converter is an essential tool. This guide reviews the best options available in 2026 and shows you how to download them safely.

Key Features to Look For in a PDF Converter

Not all converters are created equal. Here are the most important features that separate a great tool from a basic one:

• OCR (Optical Character Recognition): This is a must-have feature for working with scanned documents or images. OCR recognizes text within an image and makes it editable and searchable.
• Batch Processing: If you have many files to convert, this feature lets you process them all at once, saving a significant amount of time.
• Quality Preservation: A good converter will maintain the original formatting, layout, fonts, and images as accurately as possible.
• Variety of Formats: Look for a tool that supports all the formats you need, such as Word (DOCX), Excel (XLSX), PowerPoint (PPTX), and image files (JPG, PNG).

Top PDF Converter Tools to Download

Here are some of the most popular and reliable PDF converters available today. Always download from the official website to ensure your security.

A Quick Note on Security

While many free online tools exist, desktop software downloaded from an official source is always the most secure option for handling sensitive or confidential documents. Avoid third-party download sites to minimize the risk of malware.