#1) Adobe
Best for Fast and Efficient PDF to Word Conversion.
As an entity responsible for the invention of PDF in the first place, what better option can there be to convert a PDF than Adobe itself. Adobe offers a robust and comprehensive interface to easily convert any PDF file in no time.
The editable file you get is a flawless copy of the original, with no misplaced words, alignments, or margins. The process for conversion is also very simple. You can either click the ‘select a file button’ on its main page, or simply drag and drop the file you would like converted.
Once selected, Adobe will automatically start the conversion process. Your editable Word file will be saved in your desired folder on the device. You can also try the premium version to convert a Microsoft 365 file, rotate or split PDF file or copy HTML, TXT, and other formats to PDF.
Features
- Fast PDF to Doc Conversion
- Drag and Drop Feature
- Split and Rotate PDF
- Copy HTML, TXT, and other formats to PDF.
Verdict: Adobe qualifies as one of the best PDF to Word converters on the merit of its name alone. The fact that it also performs this task impeccably only makes us recommend it more.
Price: Free, 7-day free trial, $9 per month for the Basic pack, and $14 per month for the Pro pack.
Website: Adobe
#2) Smallpdf
Best for Quick and Easy Cloud Conversion.
Smallpdf lives up to its name by offering a very simple, yet advanced tool to convert your PDF files to Doc. The simple Drag and Drop feature allows you to drop any PDF file you like for conversion. The documents are processed without any compromise in quality, and the users can expect a top-quality end result in no time.
Perhaps the feature that really sells Smallpdf, is its ability to perform cloud conversions. Smallpdf is powered by many servers in the cloud that do nothing other than convert PDF to Word files with ease. It also has a very stringent privacy policy in place to ensure that your documents are safe and secure at all times.
Features
- Fast and Easy Conversion
- Drag and Drop features
- Cloud conversion
- Works across all platforms seamlessly.
Verdict: Smallpdf offers an immaculate interface for agile PDF to Word file conversion. It’s an additional offering of cloud conversion and its commitment to user privacy makes this tool worth a try.
Price: 7-day free trial, $12 per month.
Website: Smallpdf
#3) PDF to DOC
Best for Simple PDF Conversion and compression.
PDF to DOC greets its users with a simple one-page interface that exhibits all of its features. These features include but are not limited to PDF extraction, compression, PDF merging, and of course conversion.
The tool offers a very basic interface to convert your PDF file into an editable Doc file. You simply upload the file and wait for the conversion process to finish. Your editable Doc will be waiting for you in your desired folder on the device.
Apart from this, you can easily switch to avail the other features such as compression or merging from the home page itself. The tool helps you to upload up to 20 PDF files at a time for conversion.
Features
- PDF Conversion
- PDF Compression
- PDF Extraction
- PDF Merging
Verdict: PDF to DOC is simple and free to use. This is perhaps the best thing to go for it. Despite being free, it doesn’t assault its users with annoying ads or requests for registration. It gets to the point quickly and this is why it has our highest recommendation.
Price: Free
Website: PDF to Doc
#4) iLovePDF
Best for Powerful and Fast PDF Processing.
iLovePDF is a fantastic looking tool, that lives up to its advanced aesthetics to offer a very powerful PDF processing tool. The tool performs the task of converting a PDF file into an editable Word file very easily.
The two-step procedure simply requires you to select the file you want to be converted, choose the format you want it to be converted in, and wait for the end result.
Apart from the word, you can convert your PDF into a number of usable formats including JPEG, Powerpoint, and Excel. Not just conversion, you can also perform tasks like PDF merge, compression, and Split a PDF with the help of iLovePDF.
Verdict: iLovePDF is an unbelievable tool when it comes to free software available for conversion. Not only you can convert your PDF file into any format you desire, but also perform a variety of other processing features with the utmost ease.
Price: Free
Website: iLovePDF
#5) PDF Converter
Best for Agile PDF Conversion and Processing.
Don’t be fooled by its generic looks, PDF Converter has garnered a huge loyal user base – thanks to its simplistic and powerful PDF processing capabilities. The tool follows the tried and tested two-step formula for PDF conversion into Word or any other format for that matter.
However, its biggest strength lies in the extent that it goes to protect a user’s file or document. PDF converter uses 256 bit SSL encryption to keep your files secure. Plus, it also deletes your file from its database upon completion of your task.
Features
- Fast PDF Conversion and Compression.
- 256 bit SSL Encryption
- PDF Merge and Split
- Rotate PDF
Verdict: PDF Converter is more powerful & robust and has the receipts to show for its performance. It can perform your conversion, compression, and other PDF processing tasks with phenomenal ease and hence is worth a try.
Price: $6 per month, $50 per year, $ 99-lifetime version.
Website: PDF Converter
#6) Nitro
Best for Extra Cautious PDF Conversion.
Many internet users are often skeptical of sharing or uploading their documents online for any purpose, let alone conversion. Nitro PDF to Word Converter goes that extra mile to ensure you have peace of mind while it converts your file.
It does that by sending the converted file directly to your email address rather than directly saving it in your system. You have to upload your desired file, choose the format output, enter the email address you would like to receive your file in, and wait for the processed work to be delivered.
There is a free version of this tool available for 14 days. You can however get more advanced features by paying a special fee.
Features
- Secure File Conversion
- Conversion in Word, Powerpoint, and Excel format.
- Works across all devices
Verdict: This tool is best suited for the most cynical users for their peace of mind. As it is ultimately time-consuming, we would not recommend it for more casual users.
Price: 14 Day Free Trial, $127.20 onetime fee.
Website: Nitro PDF to Word Converter
#7) Simply PDF
Best for Quick and Quality PDF Conversion.
Simply PDF has a garish interface that can turn people off. However, if you are willing to look beyond the surface, then you will find a tool that performs its task with spectacular finesse. With the help of a simple two-step conversion process, the tool can help you convert PDF into an editable Word or Powerpoint and Excel format.
The quality of conversion itself is top-notch, with no misplaced margins or alignments in the transition. The tool is powered by a robust OCR feature that helps it detect hyperlinks, tables, and images in the file, which it extracts for the purpose of flawless conversion. In addition to this, the tool works perfectly across Windows and Mac devices.
Features
- Flawless and Quality Conversion
- Hyperlink Detection
- Merge and Split PDF
- Free and Unlimited PDF File conversion.
Verdict: Simply PDF excels as it offers users the freedom to process unlimited PDF files in no time. It is easy to use and absolutely free. This should be enough for those who do not like its initial presentation.
Price: Free
Website: Simply PDF
#8) PDF2Go
Best for PDF to Word Conversion and Vice Versa.
PDF2Go is the ideal PDF to word conversion, mostly because it not only converts your PDF files but also offers you a number of pragmatic processing features to play with. The PDF to word conversion is pretty simple. Just upload the file, select the format output, and the file is converted without any page errors.
The tool also uses OCR intuitively to make edits in the scanned document directly. Apart from the above features the tool is also great for PDF Split and Merge, compression into your desired size, and repairing, optimizing, and rotating a PDF.
Features
- All-purpose PDF Processing
- PDF Conversion
- PDF Compression
- PDF Split and Merge
Verdict: PDF2Go offers a giant platter of features for everyone who needs to process their PDFs with ease. The task of PDF conversion to the word itself is almost flawless and comprehensive. It’s definitely worth checking out.
Price: Free version, 5.50 euros per month, 44 euros annual subscription.
Website: PDF2Go
#9) Foxit
Best for Agile and Basic PDF to Word conversion.
Foxit is plagued with adware. However, its ability to convert any PDF file with ease cannot be ignored. Foxit has an intuitive interface that allows for easy conversion, thanks to its drag and drops feature. Not only Word, but you can convert PDF into any format you desire.
There are no limits to the number of files you can download and the end result is flawless with no noticeable errors found in documents. Adware here is a big issue. Thankfully, this problem can be solved after paying a relatively reasonable fee for its services.
Features
- Fast PDF Conversion
- Compress PDF
- Redact and Sign PDF
- Drag and Drop feature for easy upload.
Verdict: Foxit is a phenomenally easy to use tool that will satisfy users across the board. Its adware can be annoying, but you can fix it by paying a fee for the quality service it offers. More frugal users should look for more affordable tools.
Price: $166.60 as a one-time fee.
Website: Foxit
#10) AltoPDFtoWORD
Best for Free and Powerful PDF to Word Conversion.
AltoPDFtoWORD is simply one of the best tools available for online PDF conversion. Mostly, because of the robust features, it offers to its users at absolutely no cost whatsoever. The tool offers easy file upload and conversion with an impeccable end result.
Apart from this, it offers an array of processing features that it performs with ease by not charging anything. You can easily redact and sign your PDF, merge and split it, compress it into any desired size, all of which are performed in no time and top-notch quality.
Features
- Split and Merge
- Drag and Drop Upload
- Extract PDF
- Compress PDF
- Rotate PDF
Verdict: AltoPDFtoWORD offers a free tool that can go toe to toe with many premium tools on this list. It performs a variety of processing tasks with phenomenal ease and no compromise in quality. This is by far the best free tool to come out of the industry in a while.
Price: Free
Website: AltoPDFtoWORD
Other Great Tools To Convert PDF To Word
#11) Online OCR
Best for PDF Conversion.
Online OCR seeks to use the power of optical character recognition to enable fast and high-quality PDF conversion in word or any other format you desire.
The tool is absolutely free to use and offers a simple interface to get your task done. You simply upload your file, select the file format, and click convert. Your file will be converted in no time.
Price: Free
Website: Online OCR
#12) Soda PDF
Best for Simple PDF Processing.
Soda PDF is a phenomenal premium PDF processing tool for everything from conversion to PDF compression. The tool offers a colorful interface that makes the conversion, compression, and other PDF-related tasks very easy.
The tool is very powerful and gets your file converted at ultrafast speed with no compromise in quality. It does require you to pay a premium amount, but it is absolutely worth it when you consider what’s in store.
Price: $6 per month for standard, $10 per month for pro, $16 for business.
Website: Soda PDF
#13) PDF Online
Best for Basic PDF Conversion
PDF online offers a very simple PDF conversion tool and nothing more. You simply upload the file you want to be converted, choose the format, and wait for the result. It is slow and contains an empty interface.
However, it can come in handy every now and then for once in a while conversion of PDF files. For more robust features, we suggest you look to some other.
Price: Free
Website: PDF Online
#14) PDF Element
Best for End to End PDF Processing.
Wondershare’s PDF Element is quite a charmer and packs a wide range of features to justify its existence. Not only can you convert your PDF using this software, but also use it for other practical features like OCR enabled PDF editing, placing comments on PDF files, Split and merge PDF, sign a PDF, etc.
We recommend the PDF element to more advanced business users because of the price hanging over its use.
Price: Standard – $49 per year, Pro – $79 per year.
Website: PDF Element
#15) PDF to Pro
Best for Converting and Accessing PDF files from anywhere.
Cloud-based and advanced, PDF to Pro does a great job converting PDF files into editable word documents. You can use PDF to Pro as your database as well as to store converted files and access it from anywhere in the world. Apart from this, the tool is fast, secure, and quite impressive in the quality of the word document it delivers.
Price: $ 47.88 per year
Website: PDF to Pro
Conclusion
PDF files although important, pose the major issue of being non-editable, which is why the PDF to Word converting tools mentioned above are so important.
If you follow our advice with due diligence, you too can land on a converting software of your desire without a hassle. Remember a tool that is fast, ensures file safety, and does not hinder your original document quality, is ultimately the right tool for you.
As for our recommendation, if you are looking for a robust, and advanced PDF processing tool that offers more than simple conversion benefits, then look no further than Adobe. If you need a free tool, then iLovePDF will cater to your needs just fine.
Research Process
- Time Taken To Research And Write This Article – 10 Hours
- Total PDF to Word Converter Researched – 30
- Total PDF to Word Converter Shortlisted – 15
Overview of Public Universities in South Africa
Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.
University of Pretoria
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
- Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.
University of Cape Town
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
- Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.
Stellenbosch University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
- Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.
University of the Witwatersrand
- Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
- Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.
University of Johannesburg
- Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
- Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.
University of the Free State
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.
University of Venda
- Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
- Application Period: Usually from May to September.
University of Fort Hare
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
- Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.
University of the Western Cape
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
- Application Period: Generally from May to September.
North-West University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
- Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.
Rhodes University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
- Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.
Nelson Mandela University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
- Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
- Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.
University of Limpopo
- Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
- Application Period: From April to September.
University of Zululand
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
- Application Period: Usually between April and November.
Central University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
- Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.
Vaal University of Technology
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
- Application Period: Typically from May to September.
Walter Sisulu University
- Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
- Application Period: From April to September.
This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.