Foxit PDF Editor is Foxit’s commercial PDF editing application for Windows, macOS, the web and mobile devices. Foxit licenses it in two models. Under perpetual licensing the customer may use it with no expiry date. Under subscription licensing the customer pays a monthly or yearly fee. Foxit’s user manual says both models carry full features.[4] The Foxit License Agreement for Software Applications (the EULA, dated 2025-06-27) defines four licence types: Single-Use Perpetual, Single-Use Term, Subscription and Shared Device.[1] Foxit’s newer pages draw sharper lines between the models than the manual does. The AI Assistant, cloud plug-ins and the mobile apps belong only to subscriptions, while perpetual versions are now limited to an N/N-1 support window.[6][3] For the overview, see Foxit licensing.
Editions
| Edition | Model | What it includes (Foxit pricing page) |
|---|---|---|
| PDF Editor | Annual subscription, paid in full or billed monthly | Professional editing on Windows, macOS and Web; Foxit DMS; AI Assistant and Workspace with 300 free credits a month; $129.99 per user per year[2] |
| PDF Editor+ | Annual subscription | Everything in PDF Editor plus iOS and Android apps, AI Smart Redact and Foxit eSign with 150 envelopes a year; $159.99 per user per year[2] |
| PDF Editor 14 (and PDF Editor Pro 14) | Perpetual, one-time | Desktop editing; $209.99 per user for PDF Editor 14[2]; Pro v14 named in the support policy[3] |
Monthly billing is offered from $10.99.[2] The mobile app is free to install for viewing and annotation. A subscription unlocks the advanced features across the user’s Android and iOS devices, and key-code or key-file activation is also supported.[10] Foxit’s data sheet describes PDF Editor+ as the subscription tier that adds mobile app access, eSign integration and Smart Redact.[6] Perpetual versions of PDF Editor do not include the AI Assistant.[7] Catalog: Perpetual PDF Editor does not include the AI Assistant; Mobile subscription covers Android and iOS devices; key code or key file also supported.
Metrics
| Licence type (EULA) | Catalog metric | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription License (s.1.3) | Subscription user and Permitted Number of Computers | Priced per user per year; installed on the Permitted Number of Compatible Computers[1][2] |
| Single-Use Perpetual License (s.1.1, s.2.5) | Permitted Number of Computers | One authorized end user; activation on up to the Permitted Number of computers[1] |
| Single-Use Term License (s.1.2) | Permitted Number of Computers | As perpetual, for a fixed duration[1] |
| Shared Device License (s.1.4) | Shared Device License | Devices in classrooms and labs, education and research only[1] |
Counting / floors
One person, a bounded number of computers. The perpetual grant lets “a single authorized end user” install the Product “on a single computer or a virtual machine for use by that end user only”.[1] A separate clause allows activation “on up to Permitted Number of computers”.[1] The two clauses are best read together. The entitlement belongs to one user, and the number of computers that user may activate is set by the order. Subscriptions follow the same pattern. The licence may be applied “on the Permitted Number of Compatible Computer(s)” for as long as the subscription stays paid up.[1] Subscription licensees manage their authorized machines by signing in to their Foxit accounts.[4] Catalog: Single-Use Perpetual License: one end user, one computer or VM; Perpetual licence activates on up to the Permitted Number of computers; Subscription licence valid only on the Permitted Number of computers while paid up.
What not to count as separate licences. The Product is licensed as a single integral product. Its component parts may not be separated for use on more than one computer.[1] A PDF printer driver or plug-in installed with PDF Editor therefore belongs to the same licence. It is not a separate entitlement that can be spread across machines. Catalog: No resale, rental or lending; components may not be split across computers.
Term licences. A Single-Use Term License must be uninstalled when its fixed period ends unless it is renewed.[1] Unlike perpetual installations, term installations that outlive their end date are unlicensed. Catalog: Single-Use Term License must be uninstalled at the end of the term.
Floors. No minimum quantity applies to PDF Editor or PDF Editor+. The volume licensing offer begins at 30 licences, with discounts of up to 30%, and applies to perpetual and subscription purchases.[2][9] Catalog: Volume licensing: 30+ licences (PDF Editor page), up to 30% discount; perpetual and subscription.
Virtualization & partitioning
A single-user licence may run on a virtual machine. A VM that carries a single-user licence may not be copied or shared without Foxit’s written consent.[1] A Single-Use Perpetual License cannot be used on a terminal server or in any other multi-user environment. That use needs a multi-user licence or a site licence from Foxit.[1] Remote access to paid products, PDF Editor included, needs Foxit’s express written consent.[1] The terminal-server restriction appears in the perpetual clause, and the term licence inherits it (“same usage terms”). The EULA says nothing about terminal servers for subscriptions. Remote access to paid products is restricted in general, so organisations publishing PDF Editor through Remote Desktop Services or Citrix should get Foxit’s written terms first. Catalog: Single-use licences may not run on terminal servers or other multi-user environments; Remote access to paid products needs Foxit written consent.
Cloud / BYOL
The subscription editions include cloud components run by Foxit: Foxit DMS, the AI Assistant, Workspace and the eSign allowance in PDF Editor+.[2] Subscribers need an internet connection and must sign in to a Foxit account to use the full features.[4] No bring-your-own-licence rules for public clouds are published.
Programs
Education. Colleges, universities and K-12 schools can buy Foxit PDF and eSign solutions at discounted rates. Individual discounts need registration with a school-provided email address, and public email providers are not accepted.[8] The pricing FAQ says the discount applies to PDF Editor+ for Education subscriptions.[2] Under the EULA, education-licensed products may be used only by employees or students of an educational or research institution, and commercial or general production use is prohibited.[1] Institutions can also license shared classroom and lab computers under the Shared Device License. It is offered only as a subscription and is assigned to devices rather than to people.[1] Catalog: Education licences: staff and students only, no commercial use; Shared Device License only for education and research institutions under subscription; Education discount requires a school-provided email address.
Maintenance. Maintenance covers web portal and telephone support and minor releases. It is provided while a subscription or paid maintenance is active, and only for the current major version and the one before it.[1] Renewals are invoiced before each term ends unless the customer cancels at least 30 days before expiry. Maintenance stops if the renewal invoice is unpaid ten days after expiry.[1] A customer who lets annual maintenance lapse may have to buy a new licence to get future major versions.[1] Catalog: Maintenance covers the current and preceding major version only.
Free trial. PDF Editor+ can be tried free for 14 days.[2] A trial may not include every feature, and Foxit may cancel it without cause.[11]
Perpetual support policy
On 2025-06-23 Foxit published what it called a definitive statement of its perpetual support policy. Foxit said it is not phasing out perpetual licences.[3] From 2025-08-05, with the release of PDF Editor and Editor Pro v14, active support covers the current major version (N) and the one before it (N-1). Active support means security patches, feature updates and technical assistance. On that date the supported perpetual versions became v14 and v13.[3] Version 12 and older keep working, but no longer receive security updates, new features or technical support.[3] Foxit expects a new perpetual version roughly every two to two and a half years, which gives each purchase a typical support window of four to five years.[3] Catalog: Perpetual N/N-1 support policy from 2025-08-05.
The policy matters for licence position and for security. A perpetual estate on v12 or older is still licensed, but it is unsupported. Under the maintenance clause, moving to a supported version may need new licences if maintenance has lapsed.[1]
Renewal, payment and refunds
| Purchase | Renewal | Refund (Refund Policy) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | Renews monthly until cancelled[1] | Not addressed separately |
| Yearly subscription, monthly payment | 12-month commitment; renews annually at the then-current rate[1] | Full year remains payable if cancelled after 14 days[5] |
| Yearly subscription, yearly payment | Renews annually until cancelled[1] | Refund if cancelled within 14 days of purchase[5] |
| Perpetual (non-subscription) | Not applicable | Return within 14 days of receipt[5] |
Refunds are the purchase price less a 5% handling fee.[5] Customers can opt out of auto-renewal during purchase, through the Foxit customer portal or by written request.[1] Invoices are due in 30 days. Late payment adds a 5%, 10% or 15% penalty, plus 10% APR after 60 days.[1] Catalog: Subscriptions renew automatically until cancelled; 14-day refund window less a 5% handling fee; Invoices due in 30 days; tiered late-payment penalties.
Out of scope
- Multi-user and site licences, which the EULA mentions but does not define publicly.
- The exact Permitted Number of computers per plan, which Foxit’s public documents leave to the order or plan.
- Regional prices, reseller part numbers and earlier PhantomPDF licence terms.
- Admin Console activation controls, covered in Foxit Admin Console, activation and deployment.