When you purchase through affiliate links on our site, we may earn a commission. Here’s how it works.
best free ai text effect generators best free ai text effect generators

Best AI Tools to Chat
with PDF

ChatPDF is the best AI tool to chat with PDFs that is also available for
free, so you don’t need a subscription to access its features. The AI
provides quick and precise responses, so document management
becomes an efficient process.
Adobe Acrobat and its recently updated AI Assistant could prepare
emails, design presentations, and write documents. Its summarization
feature can break down complex topics into brief and understandable
summaries.

As a graphic designer and photographer, I regularly work with large PDF files. These can be contracts, photo guides, or technical documents. That’s why I decided to review the available AI tools to chat with PDFs. I want a program where I can find information quickly without flicking through countless pages.

I talked to my FixThePhoto colleagues and realized that AI tools could make my work easier and faster. To determine the top options, we tested over 20 AI tools to chat with PDF.

I searched online, analyzed feedback on Reddit and Quora, and read reviews of active users. When we test programs, we focus on their accuracy, usability, and searching functionalities.

When evaluating different AI tools to chat with PDF, I noticed similar shortcomings among them. For instance, some programs couldn’t properly process complex layouts or custom fonts. There were also tools that gave inaccurate responses or were unstable. I also agree with some users, who complained that software struggled with large documents or were too slow when looking for specific data.

Top 7 AI Tools to Chat with PDF Tested

Platform Accuracy Speed Advanced Features Free Plan/Trial
Excellent
Fast
Summarization, search
✔️
Excellent
Fast
Editing, annotations, conversion, OCR support
✔️
Good
Moderate
Text Extraction, Summarization
✔️
Good
Moderate
AI writing Assistant, summary generation
✔️
Good
Fast
OCR support, prompt library
✔️
Medium
Moderate
Notes organization, summarization
✔️
Medium
Moderate
Citations, tag documents
✔️

While selecting the best AI tools to chat with PDF files, I paid attention to several aspects. First of all, I considered accuracy. I needed a tool that could extract and understand data properly. Next, I evaluated ease of use, speed, and convenience of the working environment. Another great feature I wanted was real-time interaction with the document through chat.

I regularly have to work with larger PDFs and I wanted the program to process them quickly. Customization features are no less important. Users often need to adjust responses and concentrate on specific document pieces. Surely, security is paramount, especially if you handle sensitive data. Last but not the least was collaboration. If you interact with other team members, no wonder you want a program with decent collaboration options.

How to Chat with PDFs Like a Friend

Prepare PDFs for interaction. Primarily, I converted my document to the needed format. Text-based PDFs are the best option for handling in AI programs. It is better to avoid images and scans. Still, if you have your PDF as a scanned file, I highly recommend using OCR software to turn it into a readable format.

Make your questions clear and to the point. Instead of asking something vague like “What’s in the PDF?”, I try to dig out exactly what I need for my retouching work. For example, I could ask: “What are the main color corrections in Section 3?”, “Can you pull out specific retouching techniques from this doc?”, or “What does the client expect for skin smoothing in this image?”. The clearer the question is, the faster and more accurate the answer you get.

Use summarization and info-extraction features. AI PDF tools are great at breaking down long documents into brief summaries. If I have big files, I always start with a summary. The program generates a concise version, which is like a snapshot of the content. Thus, I don’t need to read lengthy papers.

Adjust your requests to get proper answers. It happens that the first response doesn’t fully meet my needs. I think, that’s completely normal. AI tools are adaptable, so you need to adjust and clarify your queries to get better results. For example, if the provided information is insufficient, I elaborate my question. When inquiring about color correction, I may ask: “Can you give me the RGB values for the skin tone settings in Section 2?”

Always double-check AI responses. AI tools make our work faster and easier, but they aren’t foolproof. When retouching photos, I’m extra careful with accurate results. The same applies to responses delivered by AI tools. Sometimes, programs don’t grasp the full picture or catch every nuance. I take the time to compare the AI's output with the original document to make sure it all makes sense.

Use interactive features for collaboration. It is cool to discuss a document with your team right where you're reading it. Some AI PDF tools let you do that. They have interactive chat features built-in. If I'm working on a group project, I can easily click on a highlighted section or annotation and start discussing that part.

Take advantage of multi-language support. Some AI tools have built-in translation features. This is incredibly useful if you need to translate technical jargon or instructions. I often use such features when dealing with international clients. Besides, they come in handy when I have many documents in different languages.

1. ChatPDF

(5/5) Our Choice
chatpdf software
Pros
  • Understandable UI
  • Multi-file chats
  • Quick summary generation
  • Secure data handling
  • Multi-language support
  • Preserves chat histories
Cons
  • The free plan is limited

To get a feel of ChatPDF’s capabilities, I tried it out with a mix of PDFs. I used short documents, legal contracts, picture-heavy guides. First of all, I asked it to provide answers to specific details. Next, I made the program generate overviews and clarify certain points. What impressed me most of all was how fast and accurate it was with text-heavy documents. I only needed to ask direct questions instead of flipping through multiple pages to get the needed data.

To be fair, ChatPDF was good but not perfect. It handled simple documents without issues, but when I threw it a complicated PDF with lots of images, it didn’t cope with the task properly. It would sometimes misread the text or miss key details. Still, it was way faster than manually searching. I particularly liked how quickly it answered my questions and participated in the back-and-forth conversation.

I wanted to understand whether my ideas about ChatPDF were objective. So, I asked my colleagues from FixThePhoto to test it with technical manuals. Tetiana and Kate uploaded a document with lots of diagrams. They said the program coped well with summarizing text, but it faced problems with managing diagrams and charts. Besides, there were occasional issues with the specialized terms. Still, they decided to rephrase their questions in simpler words. It really helped. Currently, you can try the tool for free, with a daily limit, and then upgrade if you need more features.

2. Adobe Acrobat

(4.5/5) Easily analyze complex data
adobe acrobat software
Pros
  • Quick and accurate answers
  • Many tools to manipulate, annotate, and edit PDFs
  • Capable of handling large documents
  • Cloud storage
  • Frequent updates
  • Top-tier document security
Cons
  • More expensive than analogs

When testing Adobe Acrobat, I also used different PDFs, including detailed presentations, contracts, and reports packed with data. To see what the AI Assistant could do, I asked it various questions, had it summarize sections, and searched for key points. The program responded quickly and efficiently. Using the provided data, I was able to prepare emails, design presentations, and write documents. Most of all, I like its summarization feature. It can break down complex topics into brief and understandable summaries.

It feels that the developer really takes care of the program. For example, the latest update brought a valuable enhancement. It is possible to find answers in documents up to 200 pages long, so managing large files is much smoother.

Adobe Acrobat AI also does a great job processing tables, converting raw data into clear concepts, and generating accurate results. Plus, thanks to the improved support for German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, I can review contracts and presentations more conveniently.

With this free PDF reader, I don’t have to spend hours, going through long documents. Besides, I’m looking forward to getting the Adobe Acrobat AI Contract feature. The Adobe team claims it will simplify legal wording, summarize details, and streamline contract reviewing. I also like a new comparison tool, which helps track changes across different agreements.

My colleague Tetiana says that Adobe Acrobat Pro DC does an excellent job with text documents. As for the price, there is a 7-day free trial. Once it expires, the subscription fee starts at $19.99 per month if you choose an annual plan. You can get Adobe Acrobat Standard and Pro based on your needs.

3. AskYourPDF

(4/5) Quickly find and extract info
askyourpdf software
Pros
  • Allows adding notes
  • Convenient document saving
  • Gets important insights from tables
  • Keyword-based search
  • Mobile app for iOS and Android
Cons
  • Can occasionally skip parts of the text in a document
  • Small number of advanced parameters

Some users claim AskYourPDF is the best chat with PDF AI. I wanted to figure out whether it lived up to its reputation, so I asked questions, requested summaries, and evaluated how well it handled complex tables and structured data. One thing I genuinely liked was the freedom to pick the AI model that suited my needs. GPT-4 showed amazing results with the detailed summaries and explanations. Claude, in its turn, was unmatched for structured content and contracts. Generally, the software is fast and precise. With it, document reviewing is easier.

Not everything was smooth sailing. I face a big problem when uploading large files. Some took forever to process, while others just refused to upload at all. Tetyana tested AskYourPDF with business reports and was impressed by how well it summarized contracts and decoded legalese. She also said that Mistral worked impressively fast, but its summaries weren’t always as detailed as those from GPT-4 or Claude.

I think this tool is as efficient as a specialized free PDF editor, as it enables you to add notes, highlight relevant passages, and leave comments. Another impressive feature was its ability to swiftly summarize intricate charts and tables or pinpoint key trends. This is very convenient as you don’t need to review large files manually page by page. You can start with a free plan if you don’t mind a 100-page document limit. To get the full access to advanced AI models and features, you must pay $11.99 per month (billed annually).

4. TextCortex

(4/5) Expansive functionality
textcortex software
Pros
  • Multi-file AI chat
  • Summarization tool
  • Top-quality output
  • Multilingual support
Cons
  • Free version with limitations
  • Occasional inaccurate responses

TextCortex is an advanced AI tool. It not only supports PDFs, DOCX, and PPTX files but also lets you upload multiple documents and chat with them at a convenient pace. I imported some photography guides, tutorials, and even a few contracts with dense legal jargon. TextCortex accurately extracted the text and responded as if it had years of experience in retouching and business negotiations. It was very impressive.

Tetiana pointed out an interesting quirk. AI does a solid job of understanding text, but if you throw in some intricate legal jargon, it may need a second to catch up. This may be a serious hindrance if you’re dealing with ultra-specialized content. On the plus side, TextCortex is a polyglot, supporting over 25 languages, including English, Spanish, French, and more.

The free version lets you generate up to 20 pieces of content daily. If you need more, there is a premium plan. It is priced at just $5.59 a month and gives you 150 generations, being perfect for those who like their AI working overtime.

5. PDF AI

(4/5) Multilingual support
pdf ai software
Pros
  • Perfect document summarization
  • Understandable
  • Great management tools
  • Chrome extension
  • Google Drive and Dropbox integrations
Cons
  • Free upload for only 1 document
  • Subscription is expensive

When testing PDF.AI, I uploaded multiple photography-related PDFs, including equipment manuals, post-processing guides, and general photography tutorials. The tool impressed me with its rapid responses, providing insights on optimal camera settings for low-light environments and advanced editing techniques. Still, its accuracy was somewhat inconsistent. Some answers were precise and useful, while others were too vague or of little help.

This chat with documents free AI tool can summarize lengthy text pieces. Thus, I can extract relevant information in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, the performance was inconsistent. Sometimes, PDF.AI processed documents swiftly, but there were moments when it lagged or even froze.

Tetiana liked how this artificial intelligence software could sift through long articles and pull out the essentials in no time. But when it came to complex design jargon, the responses sometimes felt more like guesses than expert insights. Moreover, if you want the premium perks, you have to pay $10 a month.

6. NotebookLM

(4/5) Project organization capabilities
notebooklm software
Pros
  • Simple and user-friendly interface
  • Accurate and relevant answers
  • History of previous dialogues
  • Good at handling various document types
Cons
  • Accuracy is not always the best
  • May overlook nuanced arguments in complex texts

NotebookLM turned out to be a pretty handy PDF chat AI tool. It tackled all my photography-related queries with ease. Once I needed camera instructions and it was very helpful. The other time I asked for a step-by-step editing guide and received a high-quality result. Still, the most impressive feature for me is its ability to summarize long texts. Instead of digging through pages of content, I could instantly find the key points I needed.

While NotebookLM impressed me with its speed, its accuracy wasn’t always spot-on. When I asked for advanced techniques, I got surface-level answers or those without crucial details. Still, I appreciate how quickly it responds, as I can navigate documents and locate specific information promptly.

For Tanya, this tool was very helpful when she needed to summarize long documents. She used it to pull key aspects from project briefs. However, she agrees that some responses are too simplified. They may disappoint pros who need deep, detailed info. Still, its speed and user-friendly design make it a strong choice. There’s a free plan available, or you can opt for the Plus plan at $19.99 per month.

7. Coral AI

(4/5) Tagging and search
coral ai software
Pros
  • Supports any PDF
  • Generates citations instantly
  • Supports over 90 languages
  • Multiple AI models
Cons
  • Limited free plan
  • In-depth analysis could be better

Coral AI caught my attention right away because it prided itself as the best PDF chat AI tool. In fact, it not only answers questions about a document, but actually points you to the exact pages for proof. Intrigued, I tested it with research papers, contracts, textbooks, financial reports, and academic journals. This tool can handle it all.

Curious about Coral AI’s potential, I uploaded a few photography guides focused on portrait techniques. Then, I asked some questions, namely, “What’s the best lighting setup for indoor portraits?” and “How do I tweak skin tones in post-production?” The answers were not only accurate but also perfectly concise. The bragging point of Coral AI is its ability to take complex, jargon-heavy manuals and distill them into easy-to-digest paragraphs. This is very helpful when you need to work with many lengthy documents.

Coral AI copes well with technical details, but when it comes to creativity or subjective analysis, it can be less efficient. Some responses were too general. As for pricing, there’s a free plan with two file uploads and basic chat, or you can go Pro for $14/month (billed annually) if you need more features.

FAQ

  • • What’s the point in using an AI tool to chat with PDFs?

Instead of manually skimming through multiple pages, you can ask AI direct questions, get instant summaries, and find key insights in seconds. It’s a terrific option for researchers, lawyers, engineers, and anyone tired of endless scrolling.

  • • How can I use AI tools to chat with a PDF?

Simply upload your PDF, ask your question, and let AI take care of the rest. Whether you're looking for a summary, specific details, or quick insights, AI sifts through the document and gives you the answers you need.

  • • Can AI tools handle scanned PDFs or image-based files?

Yes. Thanks to Optical Character Recognition (OCR), AI tools can scan, extract, and interpret text from even the most complicated image-based PDFs. With such instruments at hand, you can digitize old documents and make them searchable easier and faster.

  • • Can I trust AI tools when working with confidential documents?

Many AI tools offer encryption, data privacy measures, and even local processing to keep your documents secure. But don’t just take their word for it. You need to review the privacy policy before handing over sensitive files.

  • • Are there any challenges when using AI programs to chat with PDFs?

AI tools are powerful, but they aren’t flawless. If a document contains narrow-field terms, intricate formatting, or lots of images, AI may struggle to interpret everything accurately.

  • • Can AI tools edit PDFs, or do they just answer questions?

Some AI tools offer more than just chat. Depending on the platform, you may be able to edit text, add comments, or fill out forms. If you are mainly interested in PDF editing, pick a PDF editor app that offers both interaction and modification tools. Adobe Acrobat is a good example.

How We Tested

We challenged some of the best AI to chat with PDF assistants to a rigorous test. In the process, we evaluated their ability to process, comprehend, and interact with documents. Some tools impressed us with their capabilities, while others demonstrated poor results and didn’t appear on the final list. Our team tested such tools as UPDF AI, WPS PDF, ChatGPT, LightPDF, Sharly AI, FlipHTML5, TextCortex, PDFgear, Coral AI, Tenorshare AI, SciSummary, ChatDOC, and BrainyPDF.

In the battle of AI PDF tools, ChatPDF turned out as the clear winner, thanks to its impeccable accuracy and rapid, efficient responses. Adobe Acrobat followed closely behind, offering many powerful features, but with a price tag to match. AskYourPDF took the third place, offering an intuitive user experience. Still, it left much to be desired in terms of speed and precision.

Setup and usability. We examined how easy it was to install or sign up for each tool. Those that demanded too many hoops to jump through or had a confusing onboarding process didn’t score well. Next, we analyzed their interfaces. We believe an AI tool should be easy to navigate, even for non-techies.

The best programs delivered a quick setup and an intuitive user experience. Our testing spanned web services, as well as PDF editors for Mac and Windows.

Document upload and interaction. We imported simple text PDFs and visually complex files packed with images, tables, and detailed formatting. Then, we asked them to summarize paragraphs, pull data from charts, and answer fact-based questions. To raise the stakes, we tested their OCR capabilities with scanned documents. Some tools handled it like pros, while others buckled under the pressure.

Accuracy testing. Tetiana tested each program with tricky, context-driven questions like “What date does the report mention?”, “Give a summary of this study,” and “What are the key takeaways from the table on page 7?” We kept a close eye on whether the AI delivered precise answers or went off track, especially when dealing with technical or complex language. Some tools passed with flying colors, while others disappointed us a bit.

Speed and responsiveness. Kate assessed how quickly each AI tool to chat with PDF uploaded documents and responded to queries. The best ones delivered results in a snap, while others took an uncomfortably long pause. Handling tricky, data-heavy PDFs was a real disaster for some programs. We didn’t add too slow tools on our list.

Security and privacy checks. Your PDFs can contain sensitive information, so we made sure to review how each AI tool protects user data. Some platforms have strong security features, e.g., end-to-end encryption, privacy guarantees, and local processing. They were scored high. Any tool that stored files without user consent got a red flag.

Advanced features. A great AI PDF tool should do more than just read text. So, I explored their advanced features, namely, the possibility to turn long reports into bite-sized summaries, built-in editing and annotation tools, and collaboration options. I wanted to clarify whether these features were genuinely useful or just flashy add-ons. So, I went the extra mile to see how they actually enhance productivity.

Price. Our team examined the pricing structure of every program. We checked what was available for free and what features were paid. More importantly, we determined whether those premium perks are truly worth the investment.

Eva Williams

Writer & Gear Reviewer

Eva Williams is a talented family photographer and software expert who is in charge of mobile software and apps testing and overviewing in the FixThePhoto team. Eva earned her Bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts from NYU and work 5+ years assisting some of the city’s popular wedding photographers. She doesn't trust Google search results and always tests everything herself, especially, much-hyped programs and apps.

Read Eva's full bio

Tetiana Kostylieva

Photo & Video Insights Blogger

Tetiana Kostylieva is the content creator, who takes photos and videos for almost all FixThePhoto blog articles. Her career started in 2013 as a caricature artist at events. Now, she leads our editorial team, testing new ideas and ensuring the content is helpful and engaging. She likes vintage cameras and, in all articles, she always compares them with modern ones showing that it isn’t obligatory to invest in brand-new equipment to produce amazing results.

Read Tetiana's full bio

GET OVER 66% OFF GET OVER 66% OFF