Soda PDF
Soda PDF, operated by Montreal-based Avanquest Software since 2010, provides PDF creation, editing, conversion, signing, and AI-assisted document tools via Windows desktop, online, and Chrome extension platforms, serving consumers, professionals, and enterprises across 17 languages globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersMontreal, Canada
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Soda PDF does
Soda PDF is a PDF software product line operated by Avanquest Software (7270356 Canada Inc.), a privately held Canadian corporation headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, and founded in 2010. The product provides tools for creating, editing, converting, merging, compressing, signing, translating, and securing PDF documents, distributed across three deployment surfaces: a Windows desktop application (Soda PDF Desktop), a browser-based online platform (Soda PDF Online), and a Google Chrome browser extension. The latest release, Soda PDF 15, shipped in 2024 with a redesigned interface and a re-engineered processing engine. The product is localized into 17 languages and serves both individual/professional users and enterprise customers across North America, Europe, and selected Asia-Pacific markets.
The underlying technology is a PDF processing engine augmented with feature-level AI capabilities, including an AI Assistant for document Q&A and summarization, layout-preserving multilingual translation (Translate PDF), and OCR for converting image-based PDFs into editable text. Document security is anchored on 256-bit AES encryption; cloud storage integrations with Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft SharePoint, and Evernote enable cross-platform file workflows; and the offering includes a library of fillable form templates (W9, W4, W2, 1099-MISC, 1099-NEC, 4506-T). The product surface extends to batch conversion, e-signatures, PDF/A archiving, watermarking, and HTML-to-PDF conversion.
Soda PDF operates a hybrid go-to-market: a product-led freemium layer of online quick tools (with file-size and daily-usage limits) drives top-of-funnel acquisition into paid annual/desktop subscriptions and online plans, while a dedicated B2B sales team handles volume licensing, multiple deployment options, and dedicated support for enterprise customers. Pricing for paid tiers is not publicly disclosed; financial performance, headcount, and investor ownership are not reported. The entity is a subsidiary of the broader Avanquest Group, with Eric Gareau disclosed as CEO and authorized representative.
Soda PDF firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Soda PDF
- Legal name
- Avanquest Software (7270356 Canada Inc.)
- Website
- https://sodapdf.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Soda PDF, operated by Montreal-based Avanquest Software since 2010, provides PDF creation, editing, conversion, signing, and AI-assisted document tools via Windows desktop, online, and Chrome extension platforms, serving consumers, professionals, and enterprises across 17 languages globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Soda PDF industry classification
Industry- Product category
- PDF Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Document Creation & Office Suites (BPAMAMAD)
Keywords
Where Soda PDF is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montreal
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Soda PDF business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Soda PDF Desktop Subscription/License: Desktop software sold as subscription or perpetual license for Windows, with professional tools for offline work. Includes volume licensing discounts for businesses.
- Soda PDF Online Subscription: Cloud-based access to all PDF functionalities from any device with built-in cloud storage integration.
- Free Quick Tools: Free online tools with size limitations (3 MB or less) and daily usage limits (2 files per day) that drive conversions to paid versions.
- Business/Enterprise Licenses: Volume licensing discounts with multiple deployment options and dedicated support for organizations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Quick Tools - Basic PDF operations with usage limitations |
| Subscription | Annual | Soda PDF Desktop - Professional desktop application for Windows |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Business/Enterprise - Volume licensing with dedicated support |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Soda PDF product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Soda PDF develops and sells PDF software delivered as a Windows desktop application (Soda PDF 15 / Soda PDF Desktop) and a web-based online platform (Soda PDF Online), with an accompanying Chrome browser extension. The software enables users to create, edit, convert, merge, compress, split, sign, secure (256-bit AES), OCR, translate, and summarize PDF documents. AI-powered features (AI Assistant, Translate PDF, AI PDF Summarizer) are offered online, while the desktop product provides full offline professional tools. Enterprise/business customers receive volume licensing, multiple deployment options, and dedicated support.
Product overview
Soda PDF is a comprehensive PDF software solution offered as a unified product available in two deployment modes: desktop software for Windows and a web-based online platform. The core offering centers on Soda PDF 15, the latest version featuring a refreshed interface and improved engine. The product portfolio includes full-featured PDF tools organized into categories: AI-powered tools (AI Assistant for document Q&A, Translate PDF, AI PDF Summarizer), organization tools (Merge, Compress, Split), editing tools (Edit PDF, Resize, Rotate, Delete Pages, Add Watermark), conversion tools (PDF to/from Word, Excel, PPT, TXT, images), security tools (Password Protection with 256-bit AES, Unlock, E-Sign), and viewing tools (PDF Reader, OCR). The online platform offers exclusive AI features while the desktop software provides full offline capabilities. Additional offerings include a Google Chrome browser extension, form templates service, and enterprise business solutions with volume licensing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Soda PDF Desktop (Soda PDF 15) Flagship Windows desktop PDF application (Soda PDF 15) that provides professional tools for creating, editing, converting, merging, compressing, splitting, signing, and securing PDF documents offline; available via subscription or perpetual license.
- Soda PDF Online
Quantifiable outcome
- Translate PDFs while keeping original layout intact
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Soda PDF
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Soda PDF technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability6 records
Feature5 records
Soda PDF partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Google DrivecoreCloud storage integration allowing users to access and save files from Google Drive directly through Soda PDF Online platform.
- DropboxcoreCloud storage integration allowing users to access and save files from Dropbox directly through Soda PDF Online platform.
- Microsoft SharePointcoreEnterprise integration for accessing and managing PDF files within Microsoft SharePoint environment.
- Google ChromecoreSoda PDF Extension available on Chrome Web Store for seamless PDF editing directly from Google Chrome browser.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Soda PDF competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Adobe Acrobat: Adobe Acrobat is the incumbent standard for PDF creation, editing, e-signature, and OCR. Soda PDF explicitly positions itself as 'the best alternative to Adobe Acrobat,' making it the most direct head-to-head competitor in the same product category and customer segments.
- Foxit Software: Foxit offers a PDF editor suite (Foxit PDF Editor) and developer SDKs targeting both end users and enterprise IT. It competes with Soda PDF across the same desktop + cloud deployment model and similar price-conscious Acrobat-alternative positioning.
- Wondershare PDFelement: PDFelement is a cross-platform PDF editor with desktop, mobile, and online tiers, including OCR, conversion, and form-filling features. It targets the same SMB and prosumer segment as Soda PDF with comparable pricing and feature scope.
- Nitro Software: Nitro provides a PDF productivity and e-signature platform aimed squarely at enterprise and SMB buyers. It overlaps directly with Soda PDF for Business on volume licensing, deployment flexibility, and document workflow features.
- Smallpdf: Smallpdf is a web-first PDF utility suite with a freemium model and Pro subscription, covering merge, compress, convert, edit, and e-sign. It competes most directly with Soda PDF Online for the same browser-based, light-tool user.
- iLovePDF: iLovePDF offers a suite of free online PDF tools plus a premium tier, with strong international and mobile usage. It is a direct freemium competitor to Soda PDF's quick-tools funnel and shares the same horizontal use-case focus.
- Readdle (PDF Expert): PDF Expert is a premium PDF editor for macOS and iOS with editing, annotation, and e-signature features. It is comparable to Soda PDF for users who need a polished, platform-native experience, particularly on Apple devices.
- PDFescape: PDFescape provides a free in-browser PDF editor plus a premium desktop version, competing in the same entry-level editing and form-filling use cases that Soda PDF targets with its online quick tools.
Broad incumbents
- Microsoft (PDF features in Edge, Word, OneDrive): Microsoft bundles basic PDF viewing, annotation, and form-fill capabilities into Edge, Word, and OneDrive. As a broad incumbent, it competes at the free tier of Soda PDF's funnel and increasingly in enterprise workflows bundled with Microsoft 365.
- Google (PDF in Drive and Chrome): Google Drive and Chrome include native PDF viewing, search, and lightweight editing, and Google Docs can export to PDF. As a broad incumbent, it competes with Soda PDF Online for users whose PDF needs are incidental to their primary cloud productivity stack.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Soda PDF social profiles
Digital presenceSoda PDF compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Soda PDF financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Soda PDF leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Soda PDF funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Soda PDF M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Soda PDF
What does Soda PDF do?
Soda PDF develops and sells PDF software delivered as a Windows desktop application (Soda PDF 15 / Soda PDF Desktop) and a web-based online platform (Soda PDF Online), with an accompanying Chrome browser extension. The software enables users to create, edit, convert, merge, compress, split, sign, secure (256-bit AES), OCR, translate, and summarize PDF documents. AI-powered features (AI Assistant, Translate PDF, AI PDF Summarizer) are offered online, while the desktop product provides full offline professional tools. Enterprise/business customers receive volume licensing, multiple deployment options, and dedicated support.
Is Soda PDF a public or private company?
Soda PDF is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Soda PDF founded?
Soda PDF was founded in 2010.
Where is Soda PDF based?
Soda PDF is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Soda PDF make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Soda PDF Desktop Subscription/License is the primary driver. The others are soda PDF Online Subscription, free Quick Tools and business/Enterprise Licenses.
Who are Soda PDF's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Adobe Acrobat, Foxit Software, Wondershare PDFelement, Nitro Software, Smallpdf, iLovePDF, Readdle (PDF Expert) and PDFescape. Broad incumbents are Microsoft (PDF features in Edge, Word, OneDrive) and Google (PDF in Drive and Chrome).
Does Soda PDF have an API?
No public API is recorded for Soda PDF.
What industry is Soda PDF in?
Soda PDF's product category is PDF Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAMAD, Document Creation & Office Suites. Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7372.