PDF Architect for Windows

User Reviews

• Bad start - Poor features

  jrmwalshMarch 28, 2018

  Pros

  There might be one, but I haven't found it yet.

  Cons

  Dear PDF Creator, I downloaded the free version of PDF ARCHITECT (PDFA) so I could test it and see how well it works for me. It asked me to create an account so it could send me an email to enable me to activate my account. I set an account as requested by PDFA but unfortunately I made one typographical error in my the domain name portion of my email address (I omitted one character by typing mike.walsh@1208.xy instead of mike.walsh@1208.xyz) so my email address was wrong, so I did not receive the activation email from PDFA. After waiting half an hour, and the email did not arrive I went to the PDF Architect site and found my account and found my error in the email address. But when I tried to correct my error the PDFA site would not let me change it. My email address was "greyed out". I tried many times but I could not change it to correct my error. I was pissed off. So now I was stuck. PDFA Support would not be able to contact me. And PDFA could not send me a Validation email

  Summary

  When I finally got it activated after hacking the Registry and re-installing it, there were so few useful, or new, features in the Free version that I was NOT tempted to but any more of this program.

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• Gave it half a star since that was the least option

  travellingPilot747March 12, 2018

  Pros

  Free and used it for a long time until Chrome and MS Word got their built in PDF prints.

  Cons

  I took my time to make an account just to write this negative review. THAT SHOUD TELL YOU; STAY AWAY FROM THIS SOFTWARE! I stopped using PDF Architect when Chrome and MS Word got their built in PDF print options, but PDF Architect stayed on my computer. PDF Architect asked me to update, which I did. After that I had annoying popups on Windows for a year asking for payment! Tried to remove it several times, but finally had to go into the C drive myself in safe mode and manually search for and delete each file associated with PDF Architect. I hope this does the trick.

  Summary

  After this I've lost confidence in free software from small companies, and will be more cautious in the future. STAY AWAY FROM THIS!

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• Pro with OCR doesn't work

  antiquefartFebruary 21, 2018

  Pros

  I have an old 2012 version of PDF Architect that came bundled with pdfforge PDFCreator that I still use on an XP. Very simple, entirely intuitive. All it does is change a jpg or doc to pdf, and assemble multiple pages into a finished document, but file size is pretty limited. Otherwise entirely satisfied.

  Cons

  I recently bought their new version of Pro with OCR to use with Windows 7, because I specifically needed search/find capability for a new project. A total piece of crap. Very complex, with a useless manual. No customer service at all. Instead of making an exact image of a scan, it translates what it finds, substituting random fonts, font sizes, and boldings, and guessing wrongly at printed letters and punctuation. OCR doesn't work - there's no compatibility with Adobe, and Adobe Reader finds nothing at all.

  Summary

  What used to be a good simple program gone horribly wrong.

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• NOT FREE, NOT FREE, NOT FREE

  Iwiywiwl48December 9, 2017

  Pros

  no sure, not sure, not sure

  Cons

  Bait and switch.

  Summary

  As many have stated before me, but I say it again, because it's important to say. The business practices employed here are utterly disgusting. If you had asked me to forge over $99 or $39 or whatever ... ok, maybe I would have done so, but to tell me that it's free and then block me at every corner. [Expletives ....]

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• Constant pop up ads, not worth the download.

  pdfarchitectpopupsJune 29, 2017

  Pros

  Any pros outweighed by constant pop up ads.

  Cons

  Constant pop up ads

  Summary

  Not worth it, even if it is "free."

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• only if you like ads popping up randomly

  mcclmarApril 21, 2017

  Pros

  it makes PDF's

  Cons

  The ads will randomly pop up in unprofessional form. This is adware and may compromise your computer... hording 4+ services in the background of your pc at all times.

  Summary

  shady software, don't trust

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• PDF Architect is a bait-and-switch

  jeffmctagueApril 2, 2017

  Pros

  this transaction had zero pros.

  Cons

  I purchased PDF Architect. It failed to convert my bank statement from pdf to Excel. Support, in heavy french accent, said I also needed to OCR module for $40 extra dollars, but I needed to trust they would refund me 50% of the cost. I clicked on the OCR module link only to find out I need a $30 Edit module for the OCR to work. They promised to refund 50% of that too. I saw a link that had both modules for $49. I clicked on it only to find out that $49 magically became $129.00. i asked to cancel the order. Support said that could not be done. Let me see what my bank can do. BEWARE!!!

  Summary

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• Great Software! (why all the fuss...)

  DesertBattlerJanuary 8, 2017

  Pros

  Very well made, easy to use, full manual of all 3 'level's available for free prior to purchase. Very fast (and easy just lie Adobe DC Editor) to compile PDF's merge, split. Best value is the mid-tier option ($99 Australian). Can't understand the 'PDF read' issue - just install free Adobe Reader, assign this in File View and open all PDF's in it (I do). When you need to edit, use Architect 4 - easy.

  Cons

  Slow to use for all your PDF needs - why would you do this (just use Adobe Reader). I think if you only have the basic package would be very annoying - just drop the $99 for the Business version and you're laughing (no ongoing Adobe Reader ripoff every month ~$15US).

  Summary

  Can pull-apart PDF's to Word, fairly well, good formatting. NB: I purchased the Pro (top) version for business after some very dodgy 'free' editors, loads of malware and hours of wasted time and install/uninstalling. Would suggest 'most' users get best 'bang for buck' from the mid tier product ($99), basic is too basic and will annoy you with limitations, top end is really if you only need certain functions. I haven't tried all these, so can't comment on the OCR thing. Bottom line this software ROCKS. Have had a full version of Adobe Acrobat Editor previously and this if unbelievably similar in a good way, easy fast, accurate, very well made (German) and very well thought out. And remember buy it once, save hours of frustration and own for years. NB had no issue purchasing it - very easy in fact using CC, got the Authorization email within 5 mins, it all worked first time. Hope this helps.

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• Disgusting, appalling software, full of requirements to

  TrackRangerSeptember 6, 2016

  Pros

  It can display 'some' PDF's - sort of (just like the others can always do)

  Cons

  This software is designed to suck you right in. You start with the basic program which promises the world, and every time you want to do something, you're presented with a 'cash register' to purchase that "additional" function. I purchased several, but whatever I tried to do, it always needed me to purchase one more... It couldn't even display PDF's that other readers had no issues with (e.g. Foxit reader). Support are dyslexic and have got no ability to track problems. The worst software I have ever purchased. Please consider other products before settling on this, unless you are willing to keep your credit card next to your computer. 'Hopeless' is an understatement. I purchased the Editor add-on and then I had to purchase the Insert module add-on, and then I wanted to edit a PDF document sent to me and it required that I purchase the 'Forms' add-on. I've been taken for a long ride. Beware, beware, beware. Takes an eternity to start every-time, and only gets worse from there.

  Summary

  Beware, beware, beware. You are guaranteed to be very sorry if you buy this product, unless you like to keep $pending more, more, and then more. This is a bottomless dollar pit $$$$$$$. And it just won't deliver the goods. I wish I knew what I know now before I started. Don't go there.

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• I don't understand the bad reviews. Great and easy!

  Stephen FuemmelerMay 17, 2016

  Pros

  I have used just the free version to do some editing of pdf page layouts for a little while, but now I needed to crop and extract some images from a pdf among other simpler pdf editing tasks. Yes, I needed to buy the edit module, but it is pretty clear which modules you need to buy for what and they are all reasonably priced compared most other options out there. I tried using a couple other pay programs I have (including Adobe Acrobat) and they all balked at what I was trying to do (or I couldn't figure out how to do the simple tasks I was attempting). Within a couple minutes of installing this program, I was able to complete all the tasks I had been wrestling with for a day using other programs.

  Cons

  Yes, it pops up registration key windows when you click a feature that isn't registered in your version. But the free version is just a stripped down version of the full version and they, of course, want you to buy the modules to make money.

  Summary

  Even if I don't use any of the other features I now have access to because I bought the full Pro version that has all the modules except OCR, I still will be extremely happy with this program and purchase.

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