PDF24 Creator is the best all-round choice for creating PDF files on Windows, while PDF-XChange Editor suits users who also need editing and comments, and PDFsam Basic is best for splitting, merging, and rearranging existing PDFs. The PDF format has been standardized as ISO 32000 since 2008, which helps explain why it works so well across devices and offices [source: Adobe]. A person who needs to turn Word files, images, scans, or web pages into clean PDFs will usually finish fastest with PDF24 Creator.

TLDR: For most users, PDF24 Creator is the simplest way to create a PDF because it includes a virtual printer, file converter, and merge tools in one free package. PDF-XChange Editor is better when the PDF also needs notes, stamps, highlights, or light editing. PDFsam Basic is not the best PDF creator, but it is great when someone receives 40 scanned pages and needs to split them into five smaller files. In a small office, PDF24 Creator could handle about 80% of daily PDF creation tasks, while PDF-XChange Editor covers review work and PDFsam Basic handles document sorting.

Best Uses at a Glance

• PDF24 Creator: Best for creating PDFs from many file types.
• PDF-XChange Editor: Best for editing, commenting, and reviewing PDFs.
• PDFsam Basic: Best for merging, splitting, rotating, and extracting pages.

PDF24 Creator: The Easiest Way to Make a PDF

PDF24 Creator works well because it keeps PDF creation simple. After installation, it adds a virtual printer to Windows. That means almost any program with a print button can create a PDF. A user can open a Word document, spreadsheet, image, browser page, or invoice, select Print, choose PDF24, and save the result as a PDF.

Its toolbox also includes file conversion, compression, merging, signing, and page extraction. That makes it handy for home users and small offices. The interface is not beautiful. Honestly, it feels like it was designed by someone who cared more about getting work done than making icons pretty. Still, that is not a bad trade.

The main weakness is advanced editing. PDF24 can handle basic tasks, but it is not built for deep changes inside a finished PDF. If a user needs to rewrite text, adjust objects, or add detailed review notes, another tool will feel better.

PDF-XChange Editor: Best When Creation Is Only Step One

PDF-XChange Editor can create PDFs, but its real value comes after the file exists. It is strong for annotations, comments, stamps, signatures, OCR, and form work. Users can open a PDF, highlight text, add callouts, insert shapes, and mark up drafts for review.

It also supports PDF creation from scanners, images, and other file sources. For anyone working with contracts, reports, proofing files, or client documents, PDF-XChange Editor can save time. Its OCR tools are especially useful when paper documents need searchable text.

The annoying part is the crowded interface. There are many buttons. Too many, at first. A simple task can take 20 or 30 seconds longer until the user learns where everything sits. Some features also require a paid license, and using premium tools in the free version may add watermarks. That can be a nasty surprise if the file is already being prepared for a client.

PDFsam Basic: Great for Pages, Not Fresh Creation

PDFsam Basic is different from the other two. It is not mainly a PDF creator. It is a page management tool. Its name stands for PDF Split and Merge, and that describes it well. It can split large PDFs, merge several documents, rotate pages, extract sections, and mix pages from multiple files.

This makes it useful after a PDF has already been created. For example, a school office may scan a 60-page packet as one file. PDFsam Basic can split it into separate student records. A legal assistant may merge exhibits into one clean bundle. A freelancer may remove blank scan pages before sending a client file.

PDFsam Basic is open source, and its official site describes it as a free tool for splitting, merging, extracting, rotating, and mixing PDF files [source: PDFsam]. The catch is that users who expect a full PDF creator may feel stuck. It does not work like a virtual printer. It will not replace PDF24 Creator for turning many file types into PDFs.

Which Tool Should Different Users Pick?

• Students: PDF24 Creator is usually enough for essays, notes, and image-to-PDF work.
• Office workers: PDF24 Creator plus PDFsam Basic makes a strong free pair.
• Review teams: PDF-XChange Editor is better for comments, stamps, and markup.
• Admins handling scans: PDFsam Basic is ideal for sorting and splitting big files.
• Users who hate clutter: PDF24 Creator feels easier than PDF-XChange Editor.

Simple PDF Creation Workflow

1. Open the file in its normal program, such as Word, Excel, or a browser.
2. Select Print.
3. Choose PDF24 or another PDF printer.
4. Save the file with a clear name.
5. Use PDFsam Basic if pages need splitting or merging.
6. Use PDF-XChange Editor if comments, OCR, or marks are needed.

Final Recommendation

PDF24 Creator should be the first pick for creating PDF files. It is free, practical, and broad enough for daily use. PDF-XChange Editor is the better choice when PDFs need review tools or searchable scanned text. PDFsam Basic should be treated as a support tool, not the main creator. Together, the three cover almost every common PDF job without forcing users into complex software.

FAQ

Is PDF24 Creator free?

Yes. PDF24 Creator is free and works well for creating, converting, compressing, and merging PDFs on Windows.

Can PDF-XChange Editor create PDFs?

Yes. It can create PDFs, but it is strongest as an editor and review tool. It is useful for comments, OCR, stamps, and form work.

Is PDFsam Basic good for making PDFs from Word files?

No. PDFsam Basic is better for splitting, merging, rotating, and extracting pages from existing PDFs.

Which tool is best for beginners?

PDF24 Creator is the easiest starting point. Its virtual printer makes PDF creation simple from many programs.

Which tool should a small office use?

A small office can use PDF24 Creator for PDF creation, PDFsam Basic for page sorting, and PDF-XChange Editor for review and markup tasks.