Top 7 PDF to PDF/A Converters for Seamless Archival of Your Documents!

PDF to PDF/A converters (or simply PDF/A converters) are software programs that convert PDF files to PDF/A format. PDF/A is a variant of the PDF format that is specifically designed for the long-term archiving of electronic documents. PDF/A eliminates some features of PDF to ensure their long-term preservation. PDF/A format is preferred when storing documents that will be used as evidence or need to be kept for a long time. PDF to PDF/A conversion is a crucial task, and choosing the right PDF to PDF/A converter is essential for proper document archiving.

In this article, we will look at the top 7 PDF to PDF/A converters that you can use to convert your PDF documents seamlessly.

Video Tutorial:

What is a PDF to PDF/A Converter?

A PDF to PDF/A converter is a software program that converts PDF files into PDF/A format. PDF/A is a subset of the PDF format that is designed specifically for the long-term archiving of electronic documents. PDF/A converters convert the PDF documents into PDF/A format by eliminating some of the PDF features that may not be suitable for long-term document storage. PDF/A is a preferred format for storing documents where the content needs to be preserved for the long term and must be accessible in the future.

Top 7 PDF to PDF/A Converters

Top 1: UUByte PDF Editor

UUByte PDF Editor is an excellent PDF editing tool that comes with various features, including the PDF to PDF/A conversion feature. The software has an intuitive user interface and is super easy to use. With UUByte PDF Editor, you can convert your existing PDF documents into PDF/A format with just one click. The software can preserve the formatting and layout of the original document while converting it to PDF/A format.

Pros:

  • Easy to use, with a user-friendly interface.
  • Fast conversion speed.
  • Preserves the formatting and layout of the original documents.
  • Supports batch conversion of multiple documents simultaneously.

Cons:

  • The software is only available for Windows OS.
  • The software is not free.
Free Trial Price Ease-of-use Value for Money
UUByte PDF Editor Yes $25.95/license Very easy High
Adobe Acrobat DC Yes $14.99-$24.99/month Easy Expensive
PDFelement Yes $69-$129/license Moderate High
Able2Extract Yes $149.95/license Moderate Low
Online-convert.com Yes Free-$9.99/month Easy High
Convertio Yes $7.99/month Easy Low
PDF Converter Elite Yes $29.95-$79.95/license Moderate Moderate

Top 2: Adobe Acrobat DC

Adobe Acrobat DC is one of the most popular PDF editing tools out there. It comes with a plethora of features, including the PDF to PDF/A conversion feature. With Adobe Acrobat DC, you can easily convert your PDF documents to PDF/A format without losing any information. The software also allows you to edit and annotate your PDF documents.

Pros:

  • Advanced editing features.
  • Supports batch conversion of multiple documents simultaneously.
  • Supports many file formats, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Cons:

  • Expensive subscription-based pricing
  • Not beginner-friendly
  • The software consumes a lot of system resources.

Top 3: PDFelement

PDFelement is a powerful PDF editor and converter that comes with a wide range of features. With PDFelement, you can easily convert your PDF files to PDF/A format. The software can handle complex documents and preserve the original formatting and layout of the documents.

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface.
  • Supports performing OCR on scanned PDFs.
  • Supports batch conversion of multiple documents simultaneously.

Cons:

  • The OCR feature requires a separate purchase.
  • The software is relatively expensive.
  • The software consumes a lot of system resources.

Top 4: Able2Extract

Able2Extract is a powerful PDF editing and conversion software that comes with various features, including the PDF to PDF/A conversion feature. With Able2Extract, you can convert your PDF documents to PDF/A format without losing any of their original contents.

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface.
  • Advanced PDF conversion features.
  • Supports batch conversion of multiple documents simultaneously.

Cons:

  • The software is relatively expensive.
  • The software consumes a lot of system resources.
  • The output files may not be compatible with all PDF viewers.

Top 5: Online-convert.com

Online-convert.com is an online conversion tool that can convert your PDF files to PDF/A format. With the software, you can upload your PDF files to their server and convert them to PDF/A format. The software is easy to use and requires no installation.

Pros:

  • Easy to use, with no installation required.
  • Supports many file formats, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Allows you to adjust the output quality of your converted files.

Cons:

  • The software requires an internet connection to work.
  • The software may not be suitable for large PDF files.
  • The quality of the output files may not be the same as the original files.

Top 6: Convertio

Convertio is an online file conversion tool that can convert your PDF files to PDF/A format. With Convertio, you can upload your PDF files and convert them to PDF/A format instantly. The software is easy to use and requires no installation.

Pros:

  • Easy to use, with no installation required.
  • Supports many file formats, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Allows you to adjust the output quality of your converted files.

Cons:

  • The software requires an internet connection to work.
  • The software may not be suitable for large PDF files.
  • The output quality may not be the same as the original files.

Top 7: PDF Converter Elite

PDF Converter Elite is a PDF editing and conversion software that comes with various features, including PDF to PDF/A conversion. With PDF Converter Elite, you can convert your PDF documents to PDF/A format without losing any original content. The software can handle complex documents and preserve their formatting and layout.

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface.
  • Advanced conversion features.
  • Supports batch conversion of multiple documents simultaneously.

Cons:

  • The software is relatively expensive.
  • The software may not be suitable for large PDF files.
  • The output quality may not be the same as the original files.

Our Thoughts on PDF to PDF/A Converters

PDF to PDF/A conversion is a critical task, especially when dealing with documents that need to be stored for a long time. Choosing the right PDF to PDF/A converter is essential in ensuring that the documents are correctly archived and available for future use. From our list of the top 7 PDF to PDF/A converters, UUByte PDF Editor stands out as the best PDF to PDF/A converter. It is fast, easy-to-use, and preserves the formatting and layout of the original document. Additionally, the software comes with a free trial, allowing you to test its features before you purchase.

FAQs

Q1: Is PDF to PDF/A conversion necessary?

A: Yes, PDF to PDF/A conversion is necessary when dealing with documents that need to be stored for a long time. PDF/A format ensures the long-term preservation of electronic documents.

Q2: Can I convert multiple PDF documents to PDF/A format simultaneously using these converters?

A: Yes, most of these converters support batch conversion of multiple PDF documents.

Q3: Is PDF to PDF/A conversion a free service?

A: Some converters offer free PDF to PDF/A conversion services, while others require payment.

Q4: Can I edit the converted PDF/A documents using these converters?

A: Yes, most of these converters come with PDF editing features that allow you to edit the converted PDF/A documents.

Q5: Are there any limitations to the PDF to PDF/A conversion services offered by these converters?

A: Yes, some PDF features may not be supported in the PDF/A format, so the converters may eliminate them to ensure the long-term preservation of the documents.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right PDF to PDF/A converter ensures the proper archiving of electronic documents that need to last for a long time. UUByte PDF Editor is the best choice for PDF to PDF/A conversion. It is fast, easy-to-use, and preserves the formatting and layout of the original documents. The software also comes with a free trial, allowing you to test its features before purchasing. Choose the right PDF to PDF/A converter and ensure that your electronic documents are stored in the proper format, ready for future use.