LightPDF vs PDNob
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. LightPDF has the lower starting price: about $1 a month, against $3 for PDNob.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Chat with PDF
- AI document summaries
- OCR
- PDF editing and conversion
- E-signatures
- Apps on all major platforms
- PDF editing and annotation
- OCR and conversion
- AI chat and summaries
- Layout-preserving translation
- E-signatures
- Batch processing
| Feature | LightPDF | PDNob |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | AI PDF editor for chatting with, summarizing and converting files | PDF editor for desktop, mobile and web with an AI assistant |
| Category | Productivity | Productivity |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $5.99/mo | $39.99/yr |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | LightPDF | Tenorshare |
| Based in | – | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Both offer: E-signatures.
Pricing compared
LightPDF has the lower starting price: about $1 a month, against $3 for PDNob.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
4 plans
Free
Free
- Web only
- 10MB maximum file size
- Selected features
Monthly
$5.99/mo
- Web, mobile and desktop
- Unlimited file size
- 1,000 AI credits per month
Yearly
$15.99/yr
- Web, mobile and desktop
- 1,000 AI credits per month
- 3-day free trial
Lifetime
$39.99 one-time
- One-time payment
- 40,000 AI credits until used
4 plans
Online
Free
- Free online PDF tools
- Convert, compress and merge
PDNob AI Assistant
$39.99/yr
- Unlimited AI use
- Chat, summarize and translate
- Web, mobile and desktop
1 Year License
$49.99/yr
- All editor features
- Auto-renews yearly
Lifetime License
$64.99 one-time
- Lifetime access and updates
- 4 platforms
- 20 GB cloud storage
Prices in USD, checked Oct 29, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
LightPDF
- Low price for editing plus AI
- Works on web, desktop and mobile
- Lifetime license option
- Free plan is web only with a 10MB limit
- Monthly AI credits don't roll over
- AI tools spend credits per use
PDNob
- Lifetime licence option
- Apps for Windows, Mac and iPhone
- Free online tools for quick jobs
- AI assistant is a separate subscription
- No Android app listed
- Heavy use of discount countdowns on pricing
Which one should you choose?
Choose LightPDF if you want:
- Low price for editing plus AI
- Works on web, desktop and mobile
- Lifetime license option
Watch out: free plan is web only with a 10mb limit.
Choose PDNob if you want:
- Lifetime licence option
- Apps for Windows, Mac and iPhone
- Free online tools for quick jobs
Watch out: ai assistant is a separate subscription.
LightPDF vs PDNob FAQ
What is the difference between LightPDF and PDNob?
LightPDF: AI PDF editor for chatting with, summarizing and converting files. PDNob: PDF editor for desktop, mobile and web with an AI assistant. Both are productivity tools.
Is LightPDF or PDNob cheaper?
LightPDF has the lower starting price: about $1 a month, against $3 for PDNob.
Do LightPDF and PDNob have free plans?
LightPDF: Yes. PDNob: Yes.
Who makes LightPDF?
LightPDF is made by LightPDF.
Who makes PDNob?
PDNob is made by Tenorshare.
Which should I choose, LightPDF or PDNob?
Choose LightPDF if you value low price for editing plus ai and works on web, desktop and mobile. Choose PDNob if you value lifetime licence option and apps for windows, mac and iphone.