Breaking Device Barriers: Cross-Platform PDF Annotation Guide in 2024

Part 1. What is a Cross-Platform PDF Annotation Tool and How Does It Work?

The process of PDF annotations refers to providing feedback on a PDF document in the form of notes or comments. There are many PDF annotation tools available in the market that make it easier to add comments to a document while proofreading it.

However, not every PDF annotation tool runs seamlessly on every device, and this is where cross-platform PDF annotations come in. These tools allow you to access and annotate your PDF document from any device, be it smartphones, tablets, or computers.      

The working principle of cross-platform PDF annotation tools is simple, as all you need to do is add comments, notes, and corrections wherever necessary within the document.  Following this, you need to save the document with the necessary annotations and share it with your teammates.

Most of the cross-platform PDF annotation tools available in the market allow you to restore the documents’ original form with just a single click. This makes it important that you use this feature to ensure the document has better readability. Lastly, you need to remove, add, and re-order the pages within the document. This will give you the perfect finish with all the necessary feedback for your teammates.   

Part 2. Why Should You Use a Cross-Platform PDF Annotation Tool?

Nobody wakes up thinking, “Yay, I get to write a lengthy email today.” So, if you are not a fan of

writing tedious emails to make any necessary corrections or add feedback, then cross-platform PDF annotation tools are the perfect fit for you. These tools come with a wide range of features that make it simple to add feedback on PDF documents and facilitate better management.

But apart from this, there are many other reasons justifying why you should use a cross-platform PDF annotation tool, and these reasons include:    

• Seamless Access:Unlike conventional PDF annotation tools, a cross-platform PDF annotation tool makes it seamless to access documents from any device. This means you can add PDF annotations from an Android, iOS, Windows, or Mac device, giving unmatched convenience and flexibility to proofread documents.  

• Speedy Document Management:Imagine how much time you would save if you didn’t have to write many complex emails. Using PDF cross-platform annotation tools makes it easy to manage documents more efficiently. This alone goes a long way in enhancing your individual productivity and meeting organizational goals much more easily.    

• Better Collaboration:Better feedback loops also contribute to better collaboration between team members, making it easier to do work in a limited time frame. It also helps ensure more quality work since this helps keep every team member in the loop and reduces the chances of encountering errors or mistakes.    

• Tracking Feedback: Another great thing about cross-platform PDF annotations is you can access all feedback. The tool will store all your feedback and centralized space for seamless access to the right feedback for future needs. This allows you to easily access any past feedback and use them as per your needs and requirements.     

Part 3. 5 Best Cross-Platform PDF Annotation Tools For Your Use

Now that you have a better understanding of what a PDF annotation tool can do for you, it is time to check out what the market has to offer. Unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of PDF annotation tools, but finding the right one based on your needs takes work. So, first, let’s take a closer look at the five best cross-platform PDF annotation tools to get a better understanding.     

1. Afirstsoft PDF 

If you are looking for a feature-rich PDF annotation tool, then you cannot go wrong with the Afirstsoft PDF. This unique cross-platform tool makes it much easier to deliver interactive feedback on documents that help facilitate seamless collaboration.       

Afirstsoft PDF allows you to add feedback in the form of stickers to enhance readability and engagement. Besides that, you can use text boxes, comments, and even highlighters to add your feedback to the document. This helps make it easier to make this feedback more comprehensible for team members and eventually reduces the chances of encountering errors.    

Key Features of Afirstsoft PDF:

• Cross-platform accessibility
• Easy 3-step process for annotating PDFs
• Interactive feedback with stickers, highlights, and comments   
• Feedback tracking for future reference

2. Xodo Pro  

Xodo is a popular comprehensive PDF solution that is available in two different versions. The free version of Xodo does not come with cross-platform abilities, while the paid version, called Xodo Pro, has cross-platform functionality. Xodo Pro is easily accessible via the web, tablets, and smartphones with different operating systems, such as macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS.       

Xodo Pro is the perfect PDF, even available on Google Workspace, making it much easier to access the platform and use its features to your advantage. This is one of those few PDF annotation tools that even allows you to redact information on a document for security reasons.

Key Features of Xodo Pro    

• Seamless PDF conversion to Excel, word, JPG, PNG, and more.
• Unmatched editing features such as cropping, flattening, and compressing.
• Features for generating reports after comparing two files and determining differences or overlays.
• Text redaction from the PDF document for better security and confidentiality.       

3. Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is another cross-platform PDF annotation tool that checks all the boxes, making it one of the best tools. You can use this platform across different devices, whether you have a Windows, Android, iOS, or macOS operating system.    

Adobe Acrobat also comes with a wide range of features that make it easier to collaborate with team members and ensure proper sync. Many use this platform to meet their PDF management needs, including individuals, businesses, educational institutions, and more. This makes Adobe Acrobat the perfect versatile PDF annotation tool for everyone with diverse needs.   

Key Features of Adobe Acrobat:

• Advanced PDF annotator and editor
• Seamless PDF conversion and PDF eSignature for better convenience.
• Image and text editing inside the PDF.
• Text highlighter and a freehand drawing tool.   

4. WPS Office

The next best cross-platform PDF annotation tool in the list is the well-known WPS Office. This comprehensive Office suite has everything from a writer, spreadsheet, presentation, and PDF software.    

You will need to use the WPS PDF available in the WPS Office Suite to annotate, compress, edit, or convert your PDF document based on your needs. However, the best thing about WPS Office is that it is easily compatible with the file formats Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office.     

Key Features of WPS Office

• Cross-platform accessibility with Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and even Linux.
• A comprehensive tool for accessing a wide range of Office tools for convenient document management.
• Seamless compatibility with the file formats of Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office.
• The standard version of WPS Office is free for everyone.      

5. GoVisually

The final optimal PDF annotation tool on this list is GoVisually, which comes with an amazing user interface for seamless PDF editing. Annotating your PDF files with GoVisually means you need not worry about accessibility since the cross-platform tool is easily accessible with different types of devices.

You can even leverage the tool’s features and functionalities to highlight specific parts of the document for more specific feedback additions. This will help facilitate better collaboration since team members can get precise feedback on specific sections within the document.     

Key Features of GoVisually:

• GoVisually is one of the best PDF annotation tools for seamless collaboration between different team members using different devices.
• Keep track of all your revisions and resolve comments much more easily.
• Useful features for easy management of remote teams.
• Ensure better security and limited access with advanced permission controls.   

Part 4. Essential Features To Look For in a Cross-Platform PDF Annotation Tool

Now that you have better clarity on all the key features that some of the best cross-platform annotation tools offer, it is time to understand what features you need to look for. So, here is a breakdown of all the features a cross-platform PDF annotation must have:

Part 5. Steps Involved PDF Annotation

Now, with all the information about choosing a cross-platform PDF annotation tool, it is time to understand how you will use it. Most modern cross-platform PDF annotation tools come with user-friendly interfaces, and using them does not take much effort. So, here is a breakdown of the steps you need to follow to use a PDF annotation tool.   

Step 1: Launch the Cross-Platform PDF Annotation Platform  

The first thing you need to do is launch the cross-platform tool on the device of your choice. After the tool is visible on your screen, you will see a tab reading “Import Document,” and you need to click on it, choose the PDF file from the source, and import it into the platform.      

Step 2: Start Adding Annotations

This is the step where you actually get started and add annotations to the PDF document. You can add annotations in the form of highlights, comments, stickers, and even text boxes. You can take a flexible approach and choose the annotation type that best complements the content of the document.  

Step 3: Save the File

This is the final step of the entire process, where you need to save the file with all the relevant annotations. You need to click on “File’ in the top left corner of the screen and then click on “Save As” to save the file with all the relevant changes in your preferred location.

Part 6. Wrapping Up

Using a quality PDF annotation tool is rarely an option for businesses and institutions operating in today’s digital world. These tools have many essential features and functionalities that contribute to seamless PDF annotation from almost any device.

However, you cannot buy any random cross-platform PDF annotation tool since the market is filled with choices. Instead, you must do some research, understand your unique needs, and make your choice accordingly.     

Speaking of research, feel free to use this information to your advantage and choose the right cross-platform PDF annotation tool. Make sure to analyze the different features of different tools and make your choice accordingly.