CNET Editors' review
Foxit PhantomPDF is a blazing-fast PDF creator and editor that gets the job done. It comes in three different editions--Express, Standard, and Business--all of which are easy to use and significantly less expensive than Adobe Acrobat.
Foxit PhantomPDF's interface has the look and feel common to most document and word-processing software: a menu bar, customizable, icon-based toolbars, and a main display. In addition, the program features a distinctive, ultrathin navigation panel on the far left that allows quick access to documents via bookmarks or thumbnails as well as attachments, signatures, and layers. Hovering the cursor over the subtly colored icons calls up descriptive labels that are more than sufficient to explain each control, which makes it easy to dive right in and start creating and editing PDFs. Plus, you can choose from different skins and toolbar modes to suit your preferences.
But PhantomPDF isn't just a pretty face. Even the Express edition comes with features like XFA form-filling, digital signature validation, password encryption, and basic annotation tools for adding comments, highlights, and more. Meanwhile, with the Standard edition you can create forms and edit PDF text contents directly--almost as if you're working with a text document in a word processor. And finally, for those in need of a more powerful PDF experience, PhantomPDF Business edition gives you RMS-protected document support and advanced PDF editing tools.
Overall, we highly recommend Foxit PhantomPDF for all of your PDF-creating needs. It's fast, powerful, easy to use, and doesn't cost you an arm and a leg like some of its competitors.
Publisher's Description
From Foxit Software:
Foxit PhantomPDF Express provides high end features to enable quick creation of professional looking PDF documents quickly and easily. Highlighted features include: â?¢XFA Form Filling - XFA (XML Form Architecture) form allows you to leverage existing XFA forms. â?¢High Performance - Up to 3 times faster PDF creation from over 200 of the most common office file types and convert multiple files to PDF in a single operation. â?¢One Click PDF Creation - Create PDF document with a single mouse click from Microsoft Office applications like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. â?¢Batch Create PDF Documents - Create PDF documents from multiple files, you can even create from scanner. â?¢Security - Validation of digital signatures and encryption with passwords. â?¢Convenient Annotation - Insert comments, highlights, stamps, and more to existing PDF documents. â?¢Set Document Information - Helps to archive and search PDFs with ease. â?¢Email and Phone Support - Help when you need it.
What's new in this version: Access Microsoft Active Directory Rights Management Service Protected Files - Users providing correct credentials can access AD RMS protected PDF files and display dynamic security watermarks.
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All versions:
3.5 starsout of 11 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"Taking away the forms function is a dirty trick"
Version: Foxit PhantomPDF Express(32-bit) 5.0.3.0811
Pros
Does what is says it should
Cons
They took away the most important function-creating forms-and put it in a $100 version of Phantom.
Summary
I bought Foxit Phantom years ago because for $39 I could create pdf forms. I did so because Adobe took away the forms creation function from Acrobat and put it in a more expensive version. Now, Foxit has gone and done the same thing, splitting up Phantom into different levels and putting the forms creation function in the $100 version. Shame on them! CenoPDF lets you do that straight from Word or Excel for $39. Frankly, there's no reason to buy Phantom Express. You can create pdfs with free software, and stupidly cheap apps will allow you to mark up and comment on pdf files. The only reason to buy pdf software is to create forms.
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"Did just what I wanted"
Version: Foxit PhantomPDF Express(32-bit) 5.0.3.0811
Pros
It quickly and easily combined 29 jpg files into one pdf document. That's the only reason I got this software, so anything else I find to do with it will be a bonus. I got the free 1-yr subscription by buying something I needed anyway from one of the offers that popped up when I began the sign up process. That was a little confusing, but worth the time.
Cons
The search function will not find words in the pdf document I created from jpg files. It does work in files originally created as pdf. Maybe that is true for all pdf file converter programs, but it caused me to give this 4 stars rather then 5.
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"Piece of crap"
Version: Foxit PhantomPDF Express(32-bit) 5.0.2.0721
Pros
pdfs generate fast, looks good, when you can get it working
Cons
An hour to install, 2 or 3 tries before it finally installed sloooowwly
made a pdf file with the pages reversed
takes over the printer settings of the computer, had to go through and reset several things
still haven't gotten it working completelySummary
Can't give a bottom-line summary, since I haven't gotten it working yet
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"Think before you buy"
Version: Foxit PhantomPDF Express(32-bit) 2.2.4
Pros
Don't buy this software
Cons
Foxit has put all current registered users in the lurch and without notice or explanation over upgrades.
Summary
I've tried email and their forums; questions are bypassed. An unusual combination: great product but incredibly poor support. Foxit will make you want to knash your teeth!
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"Terrible software developer, do not support them."
Version: Foxit PhantomPDF Express(32-bit) 2.2.4
Pros
Great performace, very fast.
Cons
No support, frequent discontinuation of support for their software on a whim.
Summary
Great program, but don't buy it expecting to be supported in the future. Foxit Corporation will disappoint you.
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"I love this program."
Version: Foxit PhantomPDF Express(32-bit) 2.2.3
Pros
Have used Adobe Acrobat for Years. This is better Fast, and it does not crash my computer as Acrobat often did. Much easier to rearrange pages and insert in Foxit Phantom. I'll never go back to adobe.
Cons
Does not export into other file types but OCR can be copy and pasted into another program if you really want it.
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"Thanks for the OCR feature!!"
Version: Foxit PhantomPDF Express(32-bit) 2.2.3
Pros
I have thousands of scanned PDF documents that need to be commented or searched. OCR makes the text recognizable and selectable. Like a pill to my headache. I love it!!
Cons
No cons so far
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"Got it on sale for 100 Bucks. Best deal ever!!!!!!"
Version: Foxit PhantomPDF Express(32-bit) 2.2.3
Pros
Easy to use, Does what all the high priced software does, FAST,
Cons
NONE I can think of.
Summary
Super fast and easy to use. Would recommend to anyone. Have a small business? this is a must.
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"It has powerful PDF editing and printing abilities."
Version: Foxit PhantomPDF Express(32-bit) 2.2.3
Pros
It is good for editing and printing PDFs but is not suitable for those that need to convert PDFs to other files types.
Cons
This software is not designed to convert PDFs to other file formats.
Summary
in a word . meet the basic requirements of pdf-edit
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"its the best one i've even used!"
Version: Foxit PhantomPDF Express(32-bit) 2.1.0.0731
Pros
its fantastics! fast! small! Rich features!! it can meet all my needs !!!!!!!!
Cons
not yet found ;)
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