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O&O DiskImage 19 Professional review
8:54 am | August 29, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

O&ODiskImage is a backup software product of O&O Software GmbH, a German software company founded in 1997. The name “O&O” refers to the initials of its founders, Oliver Falkenthal and Olaf Kehrer. It develops Windows software for PC optimization, data imaging, disk cloning, backup & recovery, secure data deletion, and administration.

O&O serves individual and enterprise customers in over 140 countries, including 43% of those listed in the “Forbes 100 International”, and it’s got plenty of pedigree when it comes to disk imaging and backup tools – we’ve tested the nineteenth version of O&O DiskImage Professional here.

Plans & pricing

O&O DiskImage 19 Professional has no free version and, unusually, there’s no Home version, either – this is a purely professional piece of software and only available in Professional or Server versions.

That’s pleasingly straightforward, and that trend follows through to the pricing. Professional Edition for one PC costs $50 for a lifetime licence or $70 for five PCs – ideal for smaller businesses. Server Edition costs $299 for a single licence.

Additionally, DiskImage 19 Professional is available in the O&O PowerPack, which also includes O&O Defrag, O&O SafeErase 19 Pro and O&O AutoBackup 6. This bundle costs $60 for a one-PC licence and $100 for a five-PC version. It’s an excellent deal.

The O&O DiskImage interface.

(Image credit: O&O)

Features

As with most of its contemporaries, O&O DiskImage 19 Professional lets users back up entire computers, operating systems, partitions or drives alongside specific file or folder selections. Those backups can be restored, incremental backups are supported, and it has handy tools for one-click PC backups, drive or disk cloning and the option to create bootable recovery disks.

Elsewhere, O&O offers options to read and validate backup image files, check your drives, map or disconnect network drives, convert or merge backups and mount or unmount drives as local options for users to navigate.

Delve into the advanced options and you’ll uncover more functionality. Multiple compression and encryption options are available, along with password protection, and you can split your backups into units of smaller sizes – handy if you have to store backups across a few different external drives.

You can configure the app to email you when backups are completed and automatically check backups for errors.

When creating a backup job, you can schedule your operations and program the app to complete specific tasks before or after your backups.

It’s a solid slate of backup features, but we can’t help but notice that other tools, like Genie or EaseUS, have more extensive scheduling options, and Macrium’s tools are better for developing commands to use around your backups.

The O&O DiskImage drive operation screen.

(Image credit: O&O)

Interface and use

O&O DiskImage 19 Professional has a straightforward interface that makes backup operations easy. Large buttons on the home page signpost users to all critical operations. Start a backup, and a window on the left is used to select what you want to preserve. Then, a wizard-style window allows the backup to be personalized.

Along the top of each window you’ll find large icons pointing you towards frequently-used settings, and the tools at the end of the app are sensibly laid out. If you don’t want to open the full app, there’s an Express version that puts key options in a tiny window – a handy shortcut – and the Start Menu has a link to directly open the backup creation wizard.

There are certainly apps that look cleaner and more modern, but O&O’s interface is straightforward and easy to navigate.

We tested our latest slate of backup apps with a 42GB document folder, a 2.5GB spreadsheet folder, a 162GB folder of media and an 82GB file that mixes all of those file types. We backed them up to three different SSDs to weed out any inconsistency.

O&O’s app proved to be one of the fastest in our testing. In our Media test it averaged 10 minutes and 25 seconds, and it preserved a mixed folder of files in 13 minutes and 2 seconds. It whizzed through our Excel files in just over three minutes. All three averages are comfortably at the top of our results table.

Its 14-minute time working with Documents was a little slower, but it was still in the top half of our results and not something to be worried about. This, ultimately, is a very fast backup app.

O&O DiskImage: Support

O&O’s official website has many support resources – from FAQs, whitepapers and manuals to a busy forum. Support requests can be made via a form, with faster responses available for premium customers, and a direct email address is also available. Sadly, though, there are no phone options.

Competition

Some of O&O’s key rivals in the backup software space include apps from Macrium, EaseUS and Genie9, and they certainly have their strengths – EaseUS and Macrium’s tools offer similar speed to O&O’s apps and some better features when it comes to fine-tuning and scheduling your backups.

Macrium is more expensive, though, and EaseUS is no cheaper. And with a good core offering and generous pricing that includes lifetime options, O&O competes well with a great combination of speed and value.

Verdict

Indeed, those two attributes prove to be some of O&O DiskImage 19 Professional’s biggest strengths. It’s a very fast backup tool with a great set of core features, and its pricing is extremely fair and straightforward.

You’ll get a slicker interface and more features elsewhere, and those in large enterprises may want more advanced options, like SQL support – but for home users and those in small and medium businesses, O&O DiskImage 19 Professional is a great, affordable choice. 

WinZip PDF Pro
7:15 pm | August 25, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Tags: | Comments: Off

WinZip has made a reputation for itself by providing quality compression and decompression software for both Windows and Macs, and even extending that to iOS devices.

But did you know they also offered a Windows-only PDF editor called Winzip PDF Pro? How does this software compare to the best PDF editors we've reviewed? We put the latest version to the test.

WinZip PDF Pro: Pricing

  • Low hardware requirements and average subscription prices

First off, your PC needs to run Windows 7 or higher, with a CPU of at least 1.5GHZ, a minimum of 2GB of RAM and 220MB of storage. They also state you need a display resolution of at least 1024x768 but do people still use screens smaller than that on a Windows machine these days?

If you tick all those boxes, then you’re good to go. WinZip offers a seven-day free trial: just download the app and start using it. No credit details or email addresses required. 

However if you do like what you see, you can own - or should we say rent - the software for $90 / £78 per year. That’s right: it’s an annual subscription service. Comparing it with the competition, it’s about average. You can check it out yourself by clicking here.

  • Pricing: 3/5

WinZip PDF Pro: Interface

Winzip PDF Pro during our review

Want WinZip PDF Pro to be your default PDF reader? If you don’t, don’t worry: it’ll ask you every time you launch the software (Image credit: Winzip)
  • Clean and simple, but with a suggestion that keeps on suggesting

Launch the software and you’ll be graced with a blue-and-white interface that’s as simple as can be. All the tools are available as icons in a large toolbar at the top, and the rest of the interface is dedicated to all recent documents you opened and interacted with.

You’ll notice a ‘Make WinZip PDF Pro your default app’ banner in between those two sections. Sure you can click on its little ‘x’ to dismiss it. 

Unlike its popup window equivalent (yes, there’s one of those too), we couldn’t find a way to tell it to not show up again. So, if you want to work with the software but not make it the default app for all things PDF, you’ll have to dismiss that increasingly annoying suggestion every time you launch the software. 

  • Interface: 2.5/5

WinZip PDF Pro: Tools

Winzip PDF Pro during our review

Pepper your document with numerous types of notes, from text boxes to freehand squiggles, to post-it-like notes (Image credit: Winzip)
  • Many tools, well organised, easy to use, despite the occasional glitch

A simple interface means the tools you need are easily accessible. By default, when you open a PDF document, you’ll find yourself in ‘Read' mode, but if you want to manipulate the file, all you have to do is click on one of the relevant icons at the top.

For instance, click on ‘Comment’ to gain the ability to highlight sections of text, and mark them for redaction - though it’s not quite on par with the excellent redaction tool in Foxit PDF Editor. There’s a sidebar on the left (not on by default) helping you see all the pages contained in your chosen PDF, as clickable thumbnails.

From there, you’ll find tools to rotate individual pages, delete existing ones, insert new ones, reorder them within the document, or extract select pages to create a new PDF based on them. You’ll find the tools in the ‘Comment’ section are conveniently broken down by category. ‘Annotate’ for instance, deals with text-based notes. That's where you’ll find highlighters, post-it-like notes of various colours, text boxes, and so on. Everything to enable you to pepper your document with comments of all kinds.

The ‘Shapes’ section lets you draw on the page, or add rectangles, ellipses, lines or arrows of various colours and thickness. Freehand tools are also available. And ‘Insert’ is where you rubber stamp a document (using a selection of ‘stamps’), insert new images or attachments.

To the right, you’ll find a list of all your comments. Click on one and WinZip PDF Pro will scroll the document instantly to the relevant section.

The ‘Edit’ section lets you manipulate the actual content of your PDF, although you are warned that the changes you make might not match up with the original content. This is a welcome warning as many such tools have been known to mess up the formatting, but they seem to keep quiet about that. WinZip PDF Pro is open about the fact that editing a PDF isn’t as seamless as editing a document in a proper word processor, and we appreciate such honesty.

You don’t actually edit directly onto the page. Instead you double-click on a section and its content appears in a popup window. Once you’ve made your alterations, click ‘Apply’. It’s a little convoluted, but it works. The downside of such a method is you don’t see the potential mess you’re making to the formatting until you’re done.

You’re able to resize content boxes, move them around (we found that to be more difficult than it should be on our computer, as the document kept scrolling as we dragged a box, making it hard to place it with pinpoint accuracy where we wanted it to be on the first go), add additional boxes, or delete existing one. You pretty much have full control.

  • Tools: 4/5

WinZip PDF Pro: Final verdict

Winzip PDF Pro during our review

Want to Upgrade the Trial Version to WinZip PDF Pro, and want it to be your default PDF reader? It’ll ask you every time you launch the software (Image credit: Winzip)

What we like about WinZip PDF Pro is how easy it is to use its various tools. Page numbering, eSign software, password protecting a document, and filling forms are incredibly simple to use. 

A well-designed interface goes a long way to create a productive working environment. It’s one of the only downsides to top PDF editor Adobe Acrobat - which can feel overwhelming to newcomers. 

As far as PDF manipulation is concerned, this software does its best to make it as effortless as it can. It’s not perfect, mind, and WinZip PDF Pro does feature some annoying glitches. However, overall, the feeling is that whatever you want to do to a PDF document, you can do it here.

Scorecard

Should I buy?

WinZip PDF Pro homepage

(Image credit: WinZip)

Buy it if...

If you need to alter PDFs regularly
For PC users who need to make notes or alterations to an existing PDF, the good definitely outweigh the bad - as long as you don’t mind subscribing to software on a yearly basis.

Don't buy it if...

If you only need a PDF reader
When you just need software to read PDFs, this is definitely overkill. If you’re on a budget yet need to manipulate PDFs, there are some better alternatives to consider.

Alternatives

Soda PDF is is a strong contender for best PDF editor - and an excellent alternative to Adobe Acrobat. It's available online in your browser, on iOS, and via a desktop app for Windows and Mac. The subscriptions are cheaper than WinZip PDF Pro, and it does offer free services with limitations. All in all, it's versatile and well-designed PDF software.

I Love PDF is one of our favorite PDF tools. It's free, with subscription upgrades, but this isn't a fully-fledged PDF editor, so you can't make changes to a document's existing content. However, you can add your own content - and do just about everything else. It's very easy to use and the output quality is great.

Foxit PDF Editor is one of of the best Adobe Acrobat alternatives on the mark, so if WinZip PDF Pro isn't for you, Foxit should cover what you need. The software is loaded with advanced tools and features for editing, converting, compressing, merging, and annotating PDF documents. One outstanding highlight, when we reviewed the tool, was its stellar redaction capabilities. Ideal for businesses dealing with compliance and sensitive data.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review
7:00 am | August 24, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Headphones | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Editor's Note

• Original review date: August 2022
• Still Sennheiser's flagship wireless headphones
• Launch price: $349 / £300 / AU$549
• Regular price now: $299 / £269 / AU$450

Update: February 2024. We still rate the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless as the best wireless headphones in the more premium bracket (without getting super high-end) because their sound quality and, especially, battery life and smart features haven't been beaten yet for the price. And it helps that they're now basically always available cheaper than their list price, and fell as low as $249 / £219 over Black Friday. The latest releases from Bose and Sony can beat them when it comes to noise cancellation strength, but not sound quality at the same price – these remain fantastic value. And we really can't over-emphasize how much we love the 60-hour battery life too. We've tested all the new contenders, and these remain our favorite at this price. The rest of this review remains as previously published.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless: two-minute review

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are the latest over-ear wireless headphones from Sennheiser and if Sony isn't worried, it should be. These cans have an incredible battery life, a likeable app, an extensive feature set, easy on-ear controls, talented adaptive noise cancellation and a zealous sound that'll have you nodding your head happily wherever you go. 

Did the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless head straight to the top of our best over-ear headphones buying guide in August 2022? You betcha they did – and two months later in October, they subsequently became our headphones of the year for 2022 – consult the TechRadar Choice Awards hub for the full list of 2022 winners. 

Back to Sennheiser, and while the slightly quirky anchored aluminium headband aesthetic of the third-generation Momentum Wireless cans has gone in favor of a more business-like (can we say 'boring'? I suppose we just have) black plastic and fabric aesthetic, as soon as you put them on you'll forgive it – the sound is that good, we'd wear them even if they only came in slime green and had a big shaky bug eye on each ear cup. 

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are an evolution of the November 2019-issue Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless – even though the familial resemblance has been scrapped. We rated the older cans, commending them for their excellent sound, feature set, built-in Tile tracking (so you needn't lose them) and active noise-cancellation (ANC) but we were disappointed by the 17-hour battery life. 

Well, that has certainly changed with the fourth-generation model – and not just because two years and nine months between iterations is an awfully long time in audio tech. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless boast a whopping 60-hour battery life even with ANC deployed, and to save you the bother of checking, we'll tell you right now that you only get 30 hours from the Sony WH-1000XM5, which launched in May 2022. 

If you're not put off by the slightly commonplace design (and we'll be honest, we do miss the altogether more rock 'n' roll Momentum 3 Wireless aesthetic) the sound quality for the money here is unbeatable. 

On top of this, the tweakable ANC works a treat (you can actually control it by 'pinching' the right ear cup in the same way you would to pan in and out of photos on your smartphone), the app sports a clear and intuitive interface, the auto-off works consistently, calls are dramatically improved by Sennheiser's unique and delightfully-named Sidetone (which sounds as if you'll be dialling up the sarcasm, but actually helps you hear your own voice during phone calls) and the immersive detail here will last actual, whole days. 

Senior staff writer Becky Scarrott wearing the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless on white background

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are comfortable to wear, and the sound is nothing short of exceptional  (Image credit: TechRadar)

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review: price and release date

  • Released on August 9, 2022
  • $349.95 / £300 / AU$549.95 

Sennheiser's fourth generation cans are available now, priced $349.95 / £300 / AU$549.95. They arrived on August 9, 2022. 

The keen-eyed will note that Sennheiser priced its newest over-ear wireless noise-cancelling headphones at $50 (or £80) cheaper than the class-leading Sony WH-1000XM5 cans at launch, which regularly retail for $399 / £380 / AU$550. 

And considering the Sennheiser over-ears boast double the stamina of the Sony proposition, things start to get really interesting… 

Yes, $350 is hardly cheap for a set of headphones, but the Momentum 4 Wireless actually launched at a more palatable price than their 2019-issue predecessors, which we think is quite remarkable. 

Sennheiser is clearly happy to compete against the likes of Bose (the Bose QC 45 launched September 23, 2021 and cost $329 / £329 / AU$499.95) and Sony in a price war, and it's safe to say that the gamble has paid off – and then some. Remember to check out any Sennheiser promo codes currently available to potentially save more.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless in case on white background

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless come in a durable hardshell case – but note that they don't fold up entirely.  (Image credit: TechRadar)

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review: features

  • Excellent, fully-featured app 
  • Simple, dependable on-ear controls
  • Useful sound zones and EQ presets

Sennheiser has packed everything and the kitchen sink into the Momentum 4 Wireless’s spec sheet. Aside from that remarkable 60-hour battery life (which, before you ask, is at normal volume levels and with active noise cancellation engaged) that's twice the stamina of many rivals, including the Sony WH-1000XM4 and XM5, which both offer 30 hours, and the Bose QC 45 and Bose Noise Cancelling 700 which offer between 24 and 30 hours.

Rarely have we only had to juice up our cans once and once only during testing, but here the Sennheiser just went on and on... and on, aided by wearer-detection to pause playback if you remove them and an automatic function which powers them off if they've been inactive for 15 minutes, to be roused by another touch. But if you do find yourself low on juice, wired listening is also an option, either using the bundled 2.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable or a USB-C to USB-C one (not supplied, although you do get a flight adapter and a USB-C to USB-A charging cable in the stylish hardshell fabric case).

The Momentum 4 Wireless come bearing Bluetooth 5.2, which means they can simultaneously connect to multiple Bluetooth devices and switch between them more easily – there's a nice connection management tab in the app to see your devices. There’s also support for apt X and aptX Adaptive, aka one of the newest and best Bluetooth codecs around. 

The Sennheiser Smart Control app is your useful, clean, easy-to-use gateway to EQ tweaks and presets (Sennheiser can guide you through a 'Sound Check', which involves listening to your favorite music to create custom presets), as well as Adaptive ANC, which includes a slider to tweak how much extraneous noise you want to eliminate all the way into Transparency, which lets ambient sounds in to keep you aware of traffic, say. 

One of the most novel inclusions here is ‘Sound Zones’. You can create up to 20 profiles (think home, the office, the gym, the train station) featuring specific EQ and noise isolation levels – which will magically activate or deactivate when you enter or leave a specific 'zone' wearing the Momentum 4 Wireless. Want maximum ANC and a thumping bass to kick in as soon as you get within throwing distance of the station? Want to hear conversations in the office – but don't want to conspicuously tweak the settings as you sit at your desk? Sound Zones will make it happen.

And another likeable Sennheiser feature is back here: Sidetone. It makes call-handling much easier because you can actually choose to hear a little (or a lot) of your own voice. As such, you won't find yourself shouting (not even over even the enviable levels of passive noise isolation here) to the recipient of your calls. 

  • Features score: 5/5

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless on gray background

Lovely big ear cups and only one physical button needed.  (Image credit: TechRadar)

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review: design

  • Big oval ear cups
  • One physical button, excellent on-ear controls
  • Ear cups lie flat but do not fold into the headband

What the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless design lacks in physical flair, it atones for in functionality. For example, the fact that the ear cups are no longer anchored in the middle, to the headband, means firstly that adjusting them is a silent experience, and secondly that the entirety of the right ear cup's top surface is now a touchpad. 

This can be tapped once for playback/pause, swiped from near your cheek towards your crown or vice versa for track skipping, swiped up/down for volume adjustment or ‘pinched’ (in the same way as you might zoom in on your phone when looking at photos) for increasing or minimizing ANC. This touchpad is accurate and refreshingly dependable, to the point that we often forego our phone entirely when cueing up music on our commute. 

Physical buttons are limited to one: the combined power and pairing button, also on the right earcup, alongside a USB-C charging port and five battery LED indicators. The ear cups can swivel flat to fit in their case or sit flush around your neck, and although they echo the current trend for ear cups that rotate to lie flat but do not fold up – see the Sony WH-1000XM5Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 and pricier Bowers & Wilkins PX8 or Focal Bathys over the older, foldable Sony WH-1000XM4 for reference – the design is well conceived. 

In terms of comfort, this new design doesn't initially look that well padded, but what cushioning there is is more than sufficient because the relatively wide headband does a great job of distributing pressure across your crown so that nothing wears heavily or pinches, even after several hours of wear. And the clamping force is good, but not aggressively so.

The only real design flourishes here are the fabric on the external aspect of the headband (available in two colorways) and Sennheiser's trademark S-in-a-rectangle branding at the base of the headband. It's demure to a fault, especially when those ear cups are devoid of any accent whatsoever – and it's the reason we removed half a star from the rating here. But if you'll only glance at the overall star-rating we awarded these excellent Sennheiser noise-cancelling over-ears, you'll see we forgave it all… 

  • Design score: 4.5/5

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless on white background

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless boast few design flourishes, but those ear cups are supremely talented when it comes to sound (Image credit: TechRadar)

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review: sound quality

  • Excellent adaptive ANC
  • Improved neutrality, crispness and detail 
  • Full-bodied, zealous, expansive sound

First off: the noise cancellation in the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is very good indeed. Taking to the streets, we find cars, barking dogs and the general thrum of everyday life largely absent from our now unimpeded music. Occasionally, we find Sony's XM5 proposition able to nix just a tiny bit more when it comes to constant low-level noise (a bus engine as we sit on the top deck; the AC unit in the office) but it's a very closely run race and, unless you're switching quickly between each set of headphones it's impossible to call. Even now we hesitate to offer this judgement, since both sets of over-ears offer great levels of ANC – but it is our job to do so and we said what we said. 

Now, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless sound. Oh, what a sound! Cueing up Somos Nada by Christina Aguilera, we hear all of the texture and emotion in Aguilera's more mature, considered and yet still effortless belt. The keys also feel three-dimensional in an expressive and dynamically agile mix that's capable of intense and supremely musical rise and fall – the kind that creates space for us to hear musical instruments playing and intakes of breath between vocal licks. The album continues to Santo and the placement of casual diners in a cafe and a soft shaker before the track starts proper are all delicately handled and expertly relayed. 

The foreboding guttural vocal stylings alongside whispered close-up utterances throughout Mudvayne's Dig are some of the most challenging ways to test these cans' sense of timing through the low end, and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless never shy away from the task. 

In fact, whatever genre we throw at the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, we find ourselves remarking at the open, detailed, expansive, neutral and crisp performance. Never is it overly warm; never is it congested or muddied through the bass. The intro to FKA Twigs' Two Weeks has never sounded so deep and uninhibited through the low-end, and as her bell-like vocal starts, we notice inflections within it and throughout the engaging treble other headphones simply cannot unearth. 

  • Sound quality score: 5/5

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless in two colorways on white background

Sennheiser Momentum Wireless in both available colorways.  (Image credit: Sennheiser )

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review: value

  • High-end sound for a shade under premium prices
  • ANC is bang on for the level
  • Incredible battery life adds value

Although these prices can hardly be considered budget-friendly and we appreciate that, given their talent, (remember, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 cost $399 / £379 / approx. AU$575 – aka a $50 premium) we'd still have awarded them five stars for value at $50 more expensive. 

Why? The adaptive noise cancellation is strong, the feature set is as exhaustive as you'll find at the level, the design is minimalist but carefully considered, and the sound is supremely talented. Simply put, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are an excellent pair of headphones – truly some of the best noise cancelling headphones you can buy.

  • Value score: 5/5

Should you buy them Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless?

Buy them if…

Don't buy them if…

Also consider…

If our Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review has you considering whether to buy them or to scope out other wireless over-ear headphones, take a glance at these three competing cans at the level.

OBS Studio review
6:11 pm | August 23, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Streaming is huge. There’s tons of equipment to help make sure you keep up with the best of them. And that means investment. Sometimes, quite large investments. If only one crucial part of the equation could be free...

Enter OBS Studio version 31. It’s open-source, and therefore free, streaming software for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It also features some of the best free screen recorder apps you can get. Could it really be that the best things in life are free, or do you truly get what you pay for?  

OBS Studio: Interface

OBS Studio during our review

One source can be a webpage - stopping people from seeing your messy desktop (Image credit: OBS)
  • An empty canvas, but an interface that is easy to learn

Grabbing your copy of the software is incredibly straightforward: point your browser to obsproject.com, click on either ‘Windows’ (version 10 or 11), ‘macOS’ (version 11 onwards) or ‘Linux’, to download the latest version. MacOS also comes in two flavours, for Macs that have Intel processors and for those that run on Apple Silicon.

The first time you launch OBS Studio, you’ll be asked a series of questions to help the software optimize itself to your needs. These are simple queries, but if you’re not sure what you’re after just yet, or wish to get back to the process at a later date, you can activate it at any time by going to Tools > Auto-Configuration Wizard.

You’re then graced with an empty canvas. Literally. If you’re new to streaming, this could feel a little daunting. OBS Studio does provide a quick start guide and an overview on their website to help you get started. But to be honest, it isn’t that difficult to find your way around, and a few minutes of prodding will help you understand how everything works.

  • Interface: 3.5/5

OBS Studio: Streaming setup

Pictured: Screenshot of OBS Studio's free streaming software

Add various media to your scenes (Image credit: OBS Studio)
  • Preparing for a stream is easy - once you understand the process

OBS Studio is set up around the notion of scenes. Just as you would cut from one scene to the next using any of the best video editing software (or rather, the best free video editing software, in this case), here, you can create as many scenes as you need prior to going live. Name them, organize them in the lower left section of the interface, ready to switch from one to the other at any time.

Adding Scenes in that tiny little corner is easy, but by default, there’s nothing in them. That’s where the Sources tab comes in most handy.

Click on its ‘+’ button, and you’ll see all the inputs you can include. Anything from audio, to a coloured background, an image or video, a webcam, and, of course, a way to broadcast your desktop. It’s all there. 

And, if you happen to find a dreaded black screen when trying to access your desktop, make sure you allow OBS to have screen recording privileges in your computer’s privacy settings. If this is your first time with OSB, it should launch with a list of permissions to allow, with a series of buttons to get to each quickly.

Those who are concerned about revealing how messy their work environment is, will heave a sigh of relief when they realize they can limit what is streamed, to a specific window for instance, or even just a webpage.

  • Setup: 3.5/5

OBS Studio: Issues

OBS Studio during our review

Set up as many keyboard shortcuts as you’d like (Image credit: OBS)
  • Confusing interface for newbies, and upside-down media

OBS Studio features a huge amount of flexibility, but the interface doesn’t feel that user-friendly. It’s a bit like having to wrestle with its way of working, until you capitulate and choose to work on its terms. It feels like there’s always one too many clicks to get the work done.

For instance, when adding text to a scene, you can click on it directly in the preview window to resize it and move it around, and it almost feels like a double-click would allow you to edit it - like you can with image compositors. 

But this isn’t the case: you need to double-click on its listing in the Source panel in order to do that. Of course this is also where you get to choose its font, style, color, and so on. But it feels overly time-consuming to have to go there just to change a word, or fix a typo.

Be that as it may, once you’ve familiarized yourself with such peculiarities, you will find OBS Studio is a supremely flexible tool  - apart from one issue that we’ve also encountered in some video editing packages in the past which never fails to frustrate: any photo or video shot on an iPhone will appear upside down when imported - even on a Mac. The issue can be fixed by selecting the offending article and going to Edit > Transform > Rotate 180 Degree, but imagine having to do this when setting up a slideshow with dozens of images… this glitch has been in existence since the iPhone came out, 18 years ago! This does show the importance of preparing your clips prior to going live, should an unexpected glitch occur (and don’t they always?)

OBS Studio: Tools

OBS Studio during our review

If your iPhone’s media appears upside down, you’ll have to rotate it 180˚ manually (Image credit: OBS)
  • Many tools to help you create great content

It must be stressed however that for what you’re getting for free, these are minor inconveniences - and no software is perfect, right?

We found the options offered by OBS Studio to be impressive: each scene can be filled with multiple sources. These sources, once applied, can be reordered, exactly like layers in an image editor or video editing app, with the one above obscuring those beneath it.

One thing we particularly liked was the ability to reuse the same object in multiple scenes. Create some text or add a watermark in one scene, and you’ll see them available when creating a new source in the ‘add existing’ section. Even better, if you make alterations to one, those changes will be passed on to other scenes that contain the same source. 

Better still, if you need an object placed in a specific location throughout your stream, you can simply copy it from one scene, and paste it choosing ‘Paste (Reference)’ to not only enable those editing possibilities mentioned above, but also make sure its size and position on the screen are preserved.

But this is just scratching the surface: you have so many other tools available to you, like setting up transitions when cutting from scene to scene - there are but a handful available but you can also bring in custom ones via the ‘Add : Stinger' option.

You can include up to six audio tracks, name them, and even add unique settings and filters to each. The ability to include custom filters is also a possibility.

If you’re keen on keyboard shortcuts, you can set them up and customize them to your heart’s content through OBS Studio’s Preferences window.

Another great tool is Studio Mode. This splits your screen in two, showing you what’s being broadcast on the right, and displaying a preview of what could come next on the left. This allows you to set us the next scene during broadcast, even making alterations to it before showing it to your audience. This also works while using OBS Studio as a recording device (i.e., when recording something but not broadcasting it live).

  • Tools: 5/5

Should I try?

OBS Studio during our review

When launching OBS for the first time, you’ll be ask to grant it various permissions so it can get to work as expected (Image credit: OBS)

Try it if...

If you’re keen to live stream, are on a budget, and are open to a slightly more complex but powerful interface.

Don't try it if...

You are more uncertain, and need some hand-holding as you start your streaming journey. Although the free price-point is a strong incentive, we understand it’s not for everyone.


For more tools, we've also reviewed the best screen recorders and the best screenshot tools for Mac.

SteelSeries Arena 9 speakers
6:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets Mics & Speakers Peripherals & Accessories | Tags: | Comments: Off

Editor's Note

• Original review date: August 2022
• Still on sale
• Launch price:
$549 / €599 / AU$599
• Official price now: $499 / £470 / AU$230

Update: February 2024. While these computer speakers were first released almost two years ago, they remain some of the best computer speakers you can buy in 2024. This is because there are few PC speaker systems that offer discrete 5.1 surround sound - so if you want immersive audio and aren't impressed with virtual surround offered by some soundbars and headsets, this is still a great choice. You can also get full 5.1 surround sound via a USB connection, which can be a lot more convenient that using older audio connections. The price has also dropped since launch, making these much better value (though still pricey for computer speakers).

The SteelSeries Arena 9 speaker system is an anomaly among computer speakers, though it shouldn’t be. While 5.1 (and the more robust 7.1) speaker systems have been standard in home theaters for a long time now, PC gamers have had a very limited selection of options to pick from. Most computer speakers are typically either a 2.0 or 2.1 system, meaning you get just a left and a right speaker, sometimes with a subwoofer thrown in.

Considering all the gaming headsets out there emulating surround sound to varying degrees of success, it’s surprising that the SteelSeries Arena 9 only has a few surround sound capable rivals among all the computer speakers out there. Of course, just having surround sound isn’t enough. That three-dimensional audio has to sound good as does the stereo performance. And, the speaker system’s utility needs to meet gamers’ needs.

So, how well does it do that? The short answer is pretty close to excellent. The long answer is a bit more nuanced. But, it’s still pretty close to excellent.

SteelSeries Arena 9: Price and availability

  • How much does it cost? $549 (€599, AU$599)
  • When is it available? Available August 23rd
  • Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

When comparing the SteelSeries Arena 9’s price of $549 (599€ / AU$599) to other 5.1 systems, remember that most of them are meant for home theaters. Klipsch has more than a few sets for example that cost about half. But, unlike the Arena 9, they’re generally not powered speakers so you’ll also have to invest in a receiver as well, not to mention find a place to put that receiver in your PC desk setup.

And, when considering other computer speaker systems like the Logitech Z906, which goes for $399 (399€, AU$649), the Arena 9 has a leg up just from being a newer release, having launched in August of 2022. Digital audio inputs for the Z906 are limited to optical audio (no USB), a port that you won’t find on a lot of computers, especially gaming laptops. And, you miss out on features like Bluetooth as well.

  •  Value: 4 / 5

SteelSeries Arena 9 at a gaming desk setup

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

SteelSeries Arena 9: Design

  • Lots of speakers and lots of connectivity on hand
  • RGB lighting is bright but limited

For whatever reason, PC speaker brands like to shape their speakers in a somewhat cylindrical, almost alien egg-type shape. And, the SteelSeries Arena 9 speakers, not including the subwoofer, are no different. All the speakers also come in matte-black hard plastic enclosures, traits they share with just about every other computer speaker.

There are a total of 6 speaker cabinets in the Arena 9 setup. A dual-driver center speaker, as well as two tiltable front speakers, form the main part of your audio experience. A downward-firing subwoofer provides that extended low-end. And, two rear speakers, one for the left and one for the right, turn the system into a surround sound experience. The rear left and right speakers are all wall-mountable as well. Since this is a 5.1 system, make sure you have a place to put those rear speakers. Otherwise, you won't be able to take advantage of that surround sound.

SteelSeries Arena 9

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The SteelSeries Arena 9 also comes with a control pod that provides almost all of your interactivity with the speaker system. It has two buttons on its circular OLED display to either go back in a menu or accept an entry (or press enter) as well as an enclosure that also functions as a scroll or volume wheel. It’s through this control pod that you can adjust the volume on-the-fly, choose audio inputs as well as pair Bluetooth devices, play around with EQ, and select some RGB lighting effects.

SteelSeries Arena 9

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

You do have some  EQ on hand through the control pod but you can only cycle through six different presets. You have the usual options like bass boost, bass cut, or a high-mid boost appropriately called “Excite”, among others. You can customize one custom setting where you can adjust a 10-band EQ. For more EQ fine-tuning, you’ll have to go through the SteelSeries GG Engine and its Sonar add-on (discussed below) which we highly recommend.

When it comes to RGB lighting, the Arena 9 is not going to give you the most nuanced light show. There are only 4 lighting zones in total and those are only individually customizable on certain settings. The front left and right speakers each have RGB trim around their base as well as a large single zone on the upper back part of their enclosures. 

And, while they get plenty bright, you can’t do a deep dive as you would with other gaming peripherals. There are just four lighting settings available: Steady, Breathe, Color Shift, and Visualizer. You can pick up to six colors for the first two settings, adjust the speed for Breathe and Color Shift, and adjust the brightness on all of them. You can individualize colors and even effects a little further through the SteelSeries GG Engine. Though the RGB lighting could be a bit more robust, the Visualizer setting which is essentially reactive lighting is pretty cool.

Lastly, connectivity on the Arena 9 is just about everything a gamer needs. Not only is USB connectivity on hand with an included cable, but also optical audio and optical audio passthrough, Bluetooth, and an Aux 3.5mm input if you need to go analog (or plug in a different source). There’s also a headphone jack on the control pod that lets you switch from speakers to headphones. You can use the control pod’s menu to go between the two without having to unplug anything.

  • Design: 4.5 / 5 

SteelSeries Arena 9

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

SteelSeries Arena 9: Performance

  • The sound quality is impressively detailed and fun to listen to
  • The app is very customizable and powerful once you've updated it

 

It doesn’t matter what speakers or headsets can do if they don’t sound good. Luckily, the SteelSeries Arena 9 is not only plenty loud but it has a fun and engaging sound quality. It’s not quite audiophile level as there’s a mid-high boost which makes everything sound more exciting but also a little too rich in that frequency range. To be fair though, it’s mostly noticeable with music. Regarding the rest of the frequency range, the bass is powerful. Since the subwoofer has a physical dial on the back, you can adjust the bass response to your heart’s content. The mids are generally well-balanced outside of that mid-high boost mentioned above. And, the highs are nice and crisp.

While listening to music such as the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s new single provided a robust and powerful sound, it wasn’t until loading Kena: Bridge of Spirits that we realized how detailed the sound quality is. The game has a lot of interesting high-end audio information and the speakers let us hear every chime and twinkling sound as clear and detailed as any time we struck down an enemy.

SteelSeries Arena 9

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

When considering a 5.1 sound system, the sound stage and the resultant sound imaging have to be on point. And, the Arena 9 does a generally fantastic job of immersing us into whatever media we’re consuming or playing. We were able to get full three-dimensional audio in Cyberpunk 2077, Kena: Bridge of Spirits, and Psychonauts 2 to name a few. Elements were easy to pinpoint whether they were NPCs or environmental elements. However, unlike virtual surround sound, you must be aware of your speaker placement. Going back to Kena: Bridge of Spirits, we were moving the camera in circles while standing in one spot. While doing so, the rush of a waterfall would transition from one speaker to another but disappear for brief moments. Once we adjusted the rear speaker placements (they weren’t pointed directly at our ears), we achieved a seamless speaker-to-speaker transition.

SteelSeries Arena 9

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

However, we did have one issue with the surround sound aspect of the Arena 9s that was easily fixed with a firmware update. The only way we could achieve audio from all the speakers with anything other than games was to use the "upmix" feature. It's a great sounding feature that sends the audio from the front speakers to the rear for an immersive and overwhelming experience. Unfortunately, it's still a stereo image. To fix the issue, we had to delete and reinstall the SteelSeries GG Engine. 

Why mention this? If you already have SteelSeries products, just be aware that you might have to go through a similar process to get the Arena 9s to show up on your app. Otherwise, you won't be able to get certain media in 5.1 surround sound and you won't be able to use some of the features of the SteelSeries GG Engine and the Sonar Add-on without losing that surround sound functionality.

And, the Sonar Add-on is worth the trouble. It offers a parametric EQ, something that you don't generally find in consumer EQ products and apps. If you're not familiar, parametric EQs are very customizable and therefore very powerful for shaping audio to your taste. With the one in Sonar, you can boost or cut frequencies by up to 12 decibels and at whichever frequencies you want. You can also control  how wide or narrow a boost or cut is via a Q control. There is a “Smart Volume” setting which compresses the audio signal so nothing is too loud or quiet, a great feature when using the speakers late at night.

Even without the Sonar add-on, the SteelSeries GG Engine offers plenty of customizability including a 10 band EQ with presets mirroring the ones available through the control pod, the ability to adjust when the RGB lighting and LED on the control pod turn off, toggle the upmix feature, and even adjust the volume of all the individual speakers.

  •  Performance: 4.8 / 5

Should I buy the SteelSeries Arena 9?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

SteelSeries Arena 9: Report card

  • First reviewed August 2022

How we test

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test

Saints Row review
5:00 pm | August 22, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Comments: Off
Review Information

Time Played: 18 hours

Platform: PC

Saints Row is an identity crisis distilled into a piece of software. Though the playful charm of Volition’s third-person mayhem simulators is still alive and well in places, the 2022 iteration of the fan-favorite series struggles to get to grips with what exactly it’s supposed to be. However, if you believe you can perform the necessary mental gymnastics, you may well be able to get a great deal out of a visit to Vegas. Sorry – Santo Ileso.

For those who just got here, Saints Row is a third-person shooter and open-world GTA-alike where you play the role of an aspiring gang boss, tired of being unappreciated in their nine-to-five role as a rent-a-cop. The game attempts to marry madcap, over-the-top criminal antics with a grounded story about struggling Zellennials. 

It's been seven years since the last entry in the series and a lot has changed since then. The gig economy has become more rampant, we're in the midst of a pandemic, and politics has become somehow even more caustic and vicious. Saints Row has a go at dragging the whimsical and chaotic formula of its predecessors into this new decade. 

And this attempt to have its cake and eat it too really reveals the limitations of Saints Row. Sometimes, the more earnest moments of the narrative add a nice layer of seasoning to the adventure, rooting the antics of the Saints in a relatable world. But this contrast often creates as much dissonance as it does intrigue. 

Saints Row price and release date 

  • What is it? An open-world third-person shooter where you take on the role of an up-and-coming gang boss
  • Release date: August 23, 2022
  • Price: $59.99 / £54.99 / AU$99.95
  • What can I play it on? PS4PS5Xbox OneXbox Series XXbox Series S, and PC, via the Epic Games Store. 

Angel with a shotgun

Saints Row Review Combat

(Image credit: Future)

 

You spend most of your time in Saints Row shooting at somebody. You turn up, do some crime, then shoot some people out of necessity. This is the core gameplay loop. At its best, it’s glorious. At its worst, it's tedious and overwrought. What you get out of Saints Row will be largely contingent on how much you enjoy this process. 

The basic assault rifle feels like a firehose crossed with your kid brother's fully automatic, electric-powered Nerf gun

Do not come to Saints Row expecting a precise, artisanal shooting experience. This is not Battlefield 2042 or Arma. Fortunately, Saints Row doesn't care that it's not Battlefield. It revels in this fact. The basic assault rifle feels like a firehose crossed with your kid brother's fully automatic, electric-powered Nerf gun. It is like aiming a harpoon while trapped inside a giant vat of treacle. This is a feature that makes the game better. 

This is because combat in Saints Row is not a carefully curated military contest. Rather, it is an exercise in showboating. Despite the title's more grounded pretensions, your every action in combat amounts to gloating. Fight long enough, and your takedown meter fills. Approach an unfortunate enemy fighter, press the correct button, and your Boss will deftly execute a no-holds-barred takedown worthy of only the juiciest action movies or most bombastic WWE cage fights. They are luxurious.  

Adding icing to the Layer Cake, we have the new Flow system, a welcome addition to the Saints Row combat experience. As you progress through the game, you’ll unlock skills that you can use during combat to destructive effect. These range from mundane fare, like grenades and smoke bombs, to anime fire punches and vampiric, health-stealing buffs. These extra tools in your arsenal can be activated by spending Flow points, which you acquire as you inflict damage or take lives. Though they don’t make for a radical shift from the third-person shooter status quo, they do add another avenue through which Saints Row’s more over-the-top elements might manifest themselves.

The trifecta of abilities, takedowns, and overblown gunplay make you feel at least a little bit superhuman. It rarely feels like a fair fight. In fact, mowing down hordes of enemies in Saints Row often feels gratuitous. It is, at its core, a ludicrous power fantasy. I love it.  

Saints Row factions: Marshalls talking to each other

(Image credit: Deep Silver)

Unfortunately, Volition's latest doesn't always remember this crucial aspect of Saints Row's appeal. No more clearly is this neglect demonstrated than in the opening mission. 

Here, our hero endures their first day at Marshall, an extremely morally dubious private military group. Contrary to the far more joyful atmosphere that pervades most of the rest of the title, the opening scene comes across as a near-parodic rendering of the very worst aspects of forgettable, gung-ho FPS games of the late '00s. Unfortunately, the action is played straight and doesn't veer into the parody that it seems to be craving for. It is bizarre that Volition refrains from putting a foot on the gas during this first segment. 

This starkly contrasts with later missions, the majority of which are simple yet enjoyable romps through the city of Santo Ileso. One mission in particular, an homage to Fortnite and Elden Ring, maroons the player on a spooky island and forces them to collect weapons that drop from the sky. Victory is secured only when you're the last person standing. It is hard to believe that the tutorial mission and this melodramatic battle royale pastiche can be found in the same game. It is in this duality that we see the fundamental struggle threaded through almost every aspect of Saints Row.

Saints and sinners

Saints Row, the gang

(Image credit: Future)

Still, there is an impudent charm at the core of Saints Row that no amount of indecision can entirely quash. In its stronger moments, the dialogue sparkles. 

During the early stages of the game, you and your cohort of downtrodden Zellenial friends, Eli, Neenah and Kevin, attempt to break out of economic deadlock with the judicious application of wanton criminality. The majority of the time, these characters are great fun to spend time with. They offer snappy and well-polished chatter. Unfortunately, they’re not free from the uneasy tonal ambiguity that besets the game. In more personal missions with each character, whiplash abounds. 

Tragically, Saints Row often seems ashamed of itself

Tragically, Saints Row often seems ashamed of itself. Though the game flirts with a refreshingly skeptical line on the excesses of capitalism, it rarely commits to a political statement for long. The main characters, all of them hard-pressed gig economy laborers, will often offer exactly the kinds of acerbic and critical one-liners befitting their situation. However, in the next moment, they'll mock the idealism of others who share their skepticism. The lack of consistency is sometimes baffling. Why should a cast of characters who can steal cars and rob pawn shops on a whim feel tied to such mundane concerns as “rent” and “job security”?

Saints Row how to make money, yelling about kevin

(Image credit: Future)

In one mission, you help a character take revenge for the destruction of their car, a gift from their beloved, terminally-ill mother. Your heart-to-heart about a delicate and painful family situation is instantly followed up by a helicopter battle. Alone, both of these things are compelling, albeit in profoundly different ways. Together, they make for a strange cocktail. 

In its more serious moments, Saints Row asks for you to pretend that you are not a superhuman killing machine in a world full of hapless NPCs. Though this attempt at sleight of hand is occasionally successful, the game never quite escapes the strain that this places upon the main story. 

Be your own boss

Saints Row Reboot Review, Boss customization screen

(Image credit: Future)

Saints Row is keen to remind you that you are the figurehead of an up-and-coming street gang. 

As well as taking a significant role in the lives of your friends, you will also find yourself helming the gang’s financial prospects through the Venture system. This system allows you to construct shady businesses and revenue sources across town. Each Venture then offers a series of side missions that improve the financial output of the business, and the passive income of the Saints as a whole. These Vice City-style side hustles do not disappoint. Ranging from insurance scams to a literal LARP fortress, each Criminal Enterprise is endearingly characterful.

When it comes to the Boss themselves, Saints Row doesn’t skimp on further opportunities to build character, quite literally. The character creator is lavish in its offering, bordering on the gratuitous. Dispensing with the Gender Slider from previous titles, the Boss Factory allows you to customize every facet of your physical appearance and gender presentation individually, allowing for a more complete spectrum of human beings to be represented. The game also offers a degree of representation for disabled people. For instance, you are able to create a Boss with prosthetic limbs. It’s refreshing to see, and emblematic of Saints Row’s pervasive generosity.

The majority of vehicles are also completely customizable, allowing you to mix and match with paint jobs, extra fittings and even hood ornaments should it strike your fancy. There are a wide range of distinct rides on offer as you make your way through Saints Row’s busy open world. Muscle cars, convertibles, and even jet bikes are readily available to those who go in search of them. Fans of the series will be pleased to know that the radio is back, too, allowing you to cruise down the highway accompanied by anything from Bach to KRS-One. Fans of bespoke open-world experiences are unlikely to be disappointed.   

No rest for the wicked

Saints Row Reboot Review, funny movie poster in game

(Image credit: Future)

Saints Row is, ultimately, an ambitious but flawed title. The game dips its feet in two contrasting tones, sometimes to its credit but often to its detriment. However, when it decides to tap into the shameless melodrama of its predecessors at the expense of a grittier, GTA 5-adjacent experience, it shines.  

Some aspects of Saints Row will need to face the test of time before they can be assessed. Bugs are infrequent but present, and though none have been game-breaking as of yet, some have required the occasional mission restart. Though it seems likely that Volition will address these in time, I would be lying if I said they didn’t affect the play experience. On the other hand, the co-op campaign system, though promising, will require stress testing before anyone can possibly speak to its robustness or enjoyability. 

If you play Saints Row, I guarantee that something about it will make you laugh. It might be a quip from one of the central cast that gets you. Or perhaps you will revel in the childlike joy that only comes from flipping a car full of police officers over with a dumper truck. Despite sometimes seeming ashamed of its own excesses, Volition packs in enough of them to amuse even the most stoic among us. You’ll have to decide for yourself whether that’s worth wearing a neck brace after all the tonal whiplash.

TruthFinder background check service review
6:18 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

TruthFinder is a comprehensive online service that allows users to search through extensive databases, including public records maintained by various government agencies as well as social media profiles. By utilizing advanced algorithms, the platform effectively sifts through an immense volume of data to deliver detailed reports on the individuals you’re researching. This capability can be particularly useful in a variety of reasonable situations, such as verifying the identity of a prospective neighbor, reconnecting with an old friend, or gathering information relevant to personal safety.

However, it is crucial to understand the ethical guidelines surrounding the use of TruthFinder. The service is not intended for conducting employee background checks, tenant screenings, or verifying consumer credit information. Furthermore, users must adhere to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which prohibits using such platforms for any purpose that could infringe upon an individual’s privacy or rights.

Think of TruthFinder as a streamlined resource for accessing publicly available information that can otherwise be cumbersome to compile independently. The data it aggregates comes from reliable and authorized sources, ensuring that users can trust the integrity of the information provided. According to the company's claims, these sources are regularly updated, allowing for the removal of inaccuracies and ensuring that users receive the most accurate and relevant information possible.

Here’s a look at how we liked TruthFinder.

TruthFinder: plans and pricing

TruthFinder provides a variety of flexible pricing options tailored to different user needs, making it accessible for anyone seeking detailed information about individuals.

1. People Search Subscription: For comprehensive searches, the monthly subscription is priced at **$28.33**. Opting for a bi-monthly subscription will cost you **$47.03**, which breaks down to **$23.52 per month**. This plan grants you access to a wealth of data, offering unlimited person reports and location reports. You'll receive insights into social media profiles, location history, and much more, ensuring you're equipped with thorough information.

2. Reverse Phone Lookup: If your primary interest lies in contacting someone via their phone number or obtaining limited personal details, the Reverse Phone Lookup plan is available for just $4.99 per month. This economical option proves invaluable if you're specifically seeking someone's employment history, as well as email and phone information associated with that number, providing you with targeted results without the extras.

3. Reverse Email Lookup: For those needing to gather information through email correspondence, the Reverse Email Lookup plan costs $29.73 per month. While the reports you obtain through this plan may offer less detail than the comprehensive People Search plan, you benefit from unlimited email reports sent directly to your inbox, streamlining your access to the data.

4. Customization Options: If the preset plans offered do not perfectly align with your needs, you can reach out to their customer support team to customize a plan that suits your requirements. This flexibility allows you to tailor your experience, ensuring you receive the most relevant information.

5. Offline Access and Additional Services: Have the convenience to download and view reports offline for an additional $3.99 monthly fee, making it easy to access your data anytime, anywhere. Furthermore, TruthFinder offers a Dark Web Monitoring service for $2.99 a month, which monitors known hacker forums to protect your passwords and personal credentials from potential breaches.

Payment Options: TruthFinder supports a variety of payment methods, accepting major credit and debit cards, as well as digital payment platforms like PayPal and Amazon Pay, ensuring a hassle-free checkout experience.

With these well-rounded options, TruthFinder makes it easy for users to gain valuable insights and ensure their online safety, whether they're searching for a person, investigating a phone number, or safeguarding their digital presence.

TruthFinder review

TruthFinder lets you perform background searches on anyone in the USA (Image credit: TruthFinder)

TruthFinder:: features

TruthFinder offers many of the same features that you’d expect to find with other background check services. These include searches that cover both public and private sources, plus the ability to identify potential associates and relatives of your search subject.

If TruthFinder correctly manages to identify the person you are searching for, you could receive a report containing many essential details about their life. These will be collated from birth records, social media profiles, and criminal and traffic records.

The TruthFinder platform also offers self-monitoring tools, meaning you can view your record to see what potential employers, or other people who search for you, will see on the platform. Through TruthFinder, you can even claim a particular record as your own. If you do this, you’ll be able to correct factual inaccuracies on it or hide it from other TruthFinder users.

If you’re getting suspicious calls from a number that you don’t recognize, you may be able to use TruthFinder to identify its owner via the reverse phone lookup feature. In some cases, TruthFinder may even be able to reveal social media profiles or photographs associated with the number you are searching for.

TruthFinder: interface and in use

The TruthFinder interface is slick and easy to use. To perform a search, all you need to do is enter the search subject’s name and their local city. Next, TruthFinder will ask questions to help narrow down possible results, such as the gender, age, and known locations of the individual being searched for. You are also requested to provide your first and last name, email, and zip code.

TruthFinder review

You’ll have to sit through numerous loading screens before purchasing and accessing your TruthFinder report (Image credit: TruthFinder)

After that, TruthFinder will display a series of loading screens and progress bars. However, although these pages are visually attractive, it’s hard to avoid the feeling that they are presented for show. There are also enticing statements about how you may be “shocked” to see what is in this individual’s report, and you also have to verify that you are over 18 years old. There is also some marketing as 5-star favorable service reviews are flashed non-stop during the process.

Eventually, TurthFinder will show you a list of candidates who match your search query. You can identify the correct person based on a few factors, such as address and social network. During our testing, TruthFinder successfully identified the majority of people we tried searching for.

Once you’ve found the correct person, you’ll have to pay for your report before opening it. The final report screen is a lengthy interactive document containing a wide range of information on your search subject, including location history, contact information, and possible relatives. Strangely, TruthFinder also includes extraneous information in reports, such as horoscopes and astrological signs.

TruthFinder: support

If you run into trouble or have any difficulty using TruthFinder, you can turn to the help section of the platform’s website. Unfortunately, the information presented here isn’t as detailed as we’d like, but there are some articles on essential topics such as “Cancel Account” and “Is TruthFinder Safe?” Consequently, If you need assistance, you’ll probably be better off contacting the service via the toll-free number, which is available Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 10 PM ET. TruthFinder support staff are available on weekdays and work extended hours, so your query will be responded to quickly.

There are not many companies that offer 24/7 customer support, and unfortunately, TruthFinder is not one of them.

We were disappointed to find limited other options, such as chat, videos, or a user forum. We also did not find a direct email or a support portal. While not perfect, the support system that is in place will surely answer your queries fairly quickly.

TruthFinder review

It would be good if TruthFinder was more forthcoming about how the platform works and which sources it collects data from during background checks (Image credit: TruthFinder)

TruthFinder: security

The service offered is secure and private, ensuring that the person you’re looking up will never be able to know that you tried looking them up, using their phone, email, or any other personal information. Data protection is entrusted to the 256-bit encryption mechanism, an encryption protocol used by the US Army, which will safeguard all of your classified information. Moreover, the platform employs SSL certificates from Cloudfllare Inc. guaranteeing your privacy and data security. An additional layer of security can be obtained by utilizing the platform’s Dark Web Monitoring services, but if you’re a diligent and conscientious internet user, you can skip the expense.

TruthFinder: the competition

One major limitation of TruthFinder is that you can’t use the service to complete pre-employment background checks as it is not FRCA compliant. If you are looking for such a service, consider People Trail instead. People Trail is licensed to perform pre-employment background checks and doesn’t require you to sign up for a lengthy membership as TruthFinder does.

PeopleFinders is another background checking service in direct competition with TruthFinder. If you’re not keen on TruthFinder’s hefty monthly cost, you’ll be glad to hear that PeopleFinders’ prices start at a more budget-friendly $2.95.

TruthFinder: final verdict

TruthFinder is a highly useful tool designed to help users locate long-lost relatives, reconnect with friends, or verify the information available about themselves in the public domain. As one of the top-rated platforms for conducting background checks, it enables you to obtain comprehensive reports on individuals, which can include details such as criminal records, address histories, and social media profiles.

In addition to standard background checks, TruthFinder offers reverse phone lookup capabilities, allowing you to identify callers by entering their phone numbers. This feature can be particularly handy if you receive calls from unknown numbers or want to know more about who might be contacting you.

Moreover, TruthFinder provides a service that checks whether your personal information, such as email addresses or Social Security numbers, is being sold on the dark web. This feature is crucial for protecting your identity and personal data in an increasingly digital world.

The website is recognized for its reliability and security, ensuring that your searches are confidential and that your personal information is protected. However, it is important to note that a monthly membership fee is required if you wish to conduct unlimited searches. If you only need to perform a one-time search, it may be more cost-effective to explore alternative services that offer pay-per-report pricing, which allows you to obtain the specific information you need without committing to a monthly subscription.

We've also highlighted the best background check service for individuals.

Instant Checkmate review
9:40 pm | August 21, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Instant Checkmate is a people search tool that aggregates data from public records. The service is user-friendly and provides a wide range of information, including contact details and criminal records. However, the results are not instant, and the service requires you to answer numerous questions and navigate several warnings before receiving a report, which can be frustrating. Despite these inconveniences, the site is worth exploring, boasting over 1.4 billion recent searches.

In this Instant Checkmate review, you will discover whether this is the best option for conducting background checks or people searches.

Instant Checkmate prices as of February 2025.

Instant Checkmate only offers monthly subscriptions with unlimited reports (Image credit: Future)

Instant Checkmate: plans and pricing

Instant Checkmate offers subscription plans that allow for unlimited reports. A one-month subscription costs $35.47. Alternatively, you can sign up for three months at a rate of $28.38 per month, which requires a prepayment of $85.13. Additionally, there is an option to purchase reverse phone lookups for $5.99 each month. Unfortunately, individual reports for single cases are not available for purchase. However, you may be able to find a “trial offer” that significantly reduces the price.

Instant Checkmate: features

Instant Checkmate review

Instant Checkmate searches a wide variety of records to offer relatively comprehensive reports (Image credit: Instant Checkmate)

Instant Checkmate is a comprehensive online tool designed to help users search for individuals by entering their name, city, and state. In addition to name searches, the platform offers a reverse phone lookup feature, allowing users to identify unknown callers.

The service focuses exclusively on public records, meaning that all the information provided is available through other sources. However, Instant Checkmate is notable for its expansive reach, compiling a wide array of data in its reports. This includes details about owned properties, vehicles registered, past addresses, family connections, marriages, and bankruptcy filings. Furthermore, the platform can inform users if the individual in question is a registered sex offender, holds a gun license, or has any reported criminal, arrest, or traffic records.

It's crucial to understand that Instant Checkmate does not comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Therefore, it should not be relied upon for conducting background checks for employment purposes or rental applications, as it may not provide the legal protections or standards required for such processes.

Instant Checkmate: interface and in use

The user experience on Instant Checkmate can be somewhat cumbersome. Initiating a search is straightforward: you simply input the relevant information about the person in the search bar on the homepage. However, as you proceed, expect to encounter a series of pop-up prompts requesting additional details to help refine your results. These prompts may ask for information such as the gender of the individual you’re searching for and the names of known relatives.

During this process, users are often bombarded with warnings that graphic content may be included in the search results. These alerts are repetitive, with users potentially encountering up to five such notifications before being granted access to the report. While warning users about potentially sensitive content is important, the frequency and intensity of these alerts can feel excessive and somewhat distracting, detracting from the overall user experience.

As part of the registration process, you’ll need to provide your name and email address, and you will be required to consent to receive promotional emails from Instant Checkmate, which could be viewed as an annoyance by some users.

Instant Checkmate review

Instant Checkmate requires you to click through a large number of pop-ups before you can access a report (Image credit: Instant Checkmate)

The experience does improve once you finally access a report. Users can expect to find primarily accurate information, although some mistakes can occur, particularly regarding address details. One noteworthy feature is that criminal records are accompanied by a likelihood score, serving as a reminder that while Instant Checkmate strives to provide accurate data, it can’t guarantee its correctness.

Overall, while Instant Checkmate offers a wealth of information that can be valuable, the user experience could benefit from a more streamlined process and fewer interruptions.

Play Store Listing

Instant Checkmate offers a mobile app for Android but not one for iOS (Image credit: Google)

Instant Checkmate: mobile app

Instant Checkmate offers an Android app, but it does not have an iOS app, which is a drawback since iOS is another widely used smartphone platform. Users on the Google Play Store have given the app a high rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. They praise its ease of use and the accuracy of the data, although some users have expressed frustration with the login process and noted that the information provided lacks depth.

Instant Checkmate review

Instant Checkmate’s site includes several how-to videos to help you set up an account (Image credit: Instant Checkmate)

Instant Checkmate: support

Instant Checkmate provides support via phone and email from 10 AM to 10 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. If you encounter issues signing up for the service or locating a report, you can visit the online help center, which offers tutorial videos and answers to frequently asked questions. Additionally, canceling your Instant Checkmate subscription is straightforward and can be done at any time.

However, it's important to note that Instant Checkmate lacks additional support options, such as chat or a user portal, which are available in similar services.

Another significant advantage of Instant Checkmate is that it makes it easy to remove your information from its search database. Unlike many other people search tools that obscure this option, the opt-out request link is conveniently located in the footer of the Instant Checkmate website. Typically, your data is removed within two days after you submit an opt-out request.

Instant Checkmate review

Instant Checkmate’s website is secured with Norton Symantec (Image credit: Instant Checkmate)

Instant Checkmate: security

Instant Checkmate’s website is secured with Norton Symantec, and all payment data is transferred using 256-bit encryption. Since all of the information on the site is available through public records, there’s relatively little emphasis on keeping reports secure. The connection is also a secure SSL connection that uses “A private and safe 128-bit encrypted connection.”

Instant Checkmate: the competition

Instant Checkmate is one of the most reliable people search tools available. However, it tends to be more expensive compared to competitors like US Search. If your budget allows, choose Instant Checkmate, as the information provided is generally much more accurate than what you'll find with US Search.

If you require a Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) compliant background check, you might want to consider other services like GoodHire or Checkr. Both platforms are considerably more expensive and charge on a per-search basis, but their data is suitable for use in employment and rental application decisions.

Instant Checkmate: final verdict

Instant Checkmate is an accessible and budget-friendly people search tool that offers a wealth of information to users. One of its standout features is the extensive range of data available, surpassing many similar services in the market. From basic contact information to more in-depth records, it provides a comprehensive overview of individuals, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to reconnect with old friends, conduct background checks, or gather information for various reasons.

However, the user experience can be somewhat frustrating due to the cumbersome process involved in accessing reports. Subscribers often find themselves navigating through numerous pop-up ads and promotional screens before reaching the final results, which can be overly tedious and detracts from what is otherwise a straightforward search experience. This issue persists even for paying members, which could be disappointing for users who expect a smoother service.

Despite these annoyances, Instant Checkmate remains relatively user-friendly once you get past the initial hurdles. The platform typically delivers complete and accurate results, making it a worthwhile option for those who prioritize thoroughness over seamless navigation. For users willing to endure the pop-up barrage, Instant Checkmate can be an effective tool for uncovering detailed personal information. Overall, it balances affordability and depth of data, making it a notable choice in the realm of people search services.

We've also highlighted the best people search finder and best background check services for individuals.

Intelius background check service review
8:52 pm | August 20, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Comments: Off

Why you can trust TechRadar  We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test. 

Intelius is widely respected as a platform that boasts a collection of more than 20 billion public records. While there are criticisms about inaccuracies and incomplete data in some reviews, Intelius shines when it comes to providing detailed information about a person's educational achievements. One notable feature of the platform is Intelius Connections, a tool that allows users to explore connections beyond an individual's circle. 

Additionally, Intelius offers service tiers with search and billing options, giving users the flexibility to choose between subscription-based or pay-per-lookup models. The company also provides identity protection services through its Identity Protect subscription, which keeps tabs on records and credit card activity. Notably, Intelius has earned an A rating from the Better Business Bureau. It is recognized as a trusted organization by the Internet Society Online Trust Alliance. Users have the ability to request their data and also have their records removed from the database if they so wish. 

Its website is fairly easy to use with all the necessary tools easily reachable. However, since its relaunch in 2019, there have been some complaints regarding the quality of reports, with concerns raised about missing details. Despite some flaws, Intelius remains one of the best in background checkers on the market. 

Performing a search

You’ll need to sign up for a paid account to access records through Intelius. Unfortunately, doing so is perhaps one of the most confusing aspects of Intelius.

There is the “skip wait now” button that will lead you to the section where you can choose to pay for the People Search membership and choose either a monthly or bi-monthly payment. Other than that, you can access different plans by visiting the pricing section of the website and choosing which plan you want from there. This is not as intuitive as for example, clicking on sign-up button and choosing everything from that section, which has become a sort of a standard with modern websites.  

Once you sign up and agree to some fine print, a search based on federal, state, and county data begins. During the process, you might be asked questions to narrow the probe along the way. Then, near the end of the search process, you’re given one final opportunity to narrow the search further by adding other information such as first, middle, or last name, city, state, and age.

Intelius will finally provide a list of people who might match your criteria on the first results page. Listed are their name, age, and locations where they might have lived. Then, tap the “Open Report” button for additional information. 

As a final step, you’ll need to check a box stating you won’t use the information to “make decisions about consumer credit, employment, insurance, tenant screening, or any other purpose that would require FCRA compliance.” That’s the 50-year-old U.S. Fair Credit Reporting Act that was initially developed to help individuals resolve inaccuracies in their credit reports. However, in 1996, the act’s scope was expanded to include additional reports about consumers, such as employment background checks. As a result, FCRA Compliance is mandatory for any employer using a third party to conduct background checks.

Intelius search process begins

(Image credit: Future)

Plans and pricing

Intelius offers a lot of variety in terms of pricing, claiming that there is a customization option with its pricing. We would agree, as the People Search membership plan costs $24.86 per month if you opt for monthly payments, for bi-monthly payments, this price drops to $21.13. This plan offers everything that you need to perform a thorough background check. 

If the price is too steep, Intelius offers a great 5-day trial for the Reverse Phone Lookup with People Search membership plan at $0.95, after that, the service will cost $34.95 per month. It offers unlimited phone, person, and address reports. In addition,  there is the Adress Lookup with people search membership with a 7-day trial at $0.95, offering unlimited address and person reports. After the trial period, this plan will cost $34.95 per month. 

If you’re looking for detailed downloadable report files, Intelius offers those at a $3.99 one-time fee. Moreover, the company also offers Intelius Identity Protection services that will cost $9.95 per month to complete the offer.  

No search results are provided until you give Intelius your credit/debit card or PayPal information and make a purchase. 

You have to subscribe to Intelius to see reports as one-time payments aren’t available (Image credit: Intelius)

The results you get and other goodies

Naturally, the results you receive on someone will differ, depending on what Intelius finds. When found, the report can include address records, public records, images, criminal or traffic information, public social profiles, assets, licenses, and more. If you're looking for a lot of data about someone, there is perhaps nothing better than Intelius. In particular, it offers extensive background check capabilities if that's what you're after. 

Additionally, I'd give Intelius high marks for making it easy to contact customer service. There's a phone number and email readily available on the site. This one-two punch is missing with many of Intelius' competitors. 

As noted above, it takes a long time to access a report. With this in mind, Intelius has introduced a fast pass feature. By choosing this option on the front page, you can get past the payment page before you search. It's a slightly quicker process and one I'm thrilled that Intelius offers. And without directly saying so, going this route shows Intelius giving a little more transparency since you see the price upfront. 

Canceling the service and some negatives

Unfortunately, Intelius' confusing pricing extends further than what was mentioned above. It also offers smaller packages, such as reverse phone searches and address lookups. These are priced below $1, which sounds good until you read the fine print. These options come with limited-time trials that automatically upgrade to full membership once the trial ends. 

Yes, Intelius addresses this online before you make a purchase. However, the upgraded price is addressed in tinier print, at best. Be sure to cancel your membership BEFORE the trial ends so you aren't charged the full fee. 

Additionally, although it didn't happen during my research, some Intelius users online claimed Intelius charged them even after canceling the service. Some others have mentioned being overcharged. Neither of these events should occur with a reputable company; hopefully, Intelius has addressed these concerns since those comments have been made. 

Support and customer care

Intelius offers a “Customer Support” section which takes you to a database of knowledge and articles that may help you, a type of an FAQ section. 

However, any more serious issue needs to be addressed directly with Intelius support. Staff members are on hand during the working hours of 7 AM to 5 PM PT, Monday to Friday, so your query should be dealt with quickly. Unfortunately, there are no weekend hours. You can call or email support; other options such as chat, a support portal, or a forum aren't available.

The competition

A downside to the Intelius search service is that you can’t use the product to perform employment background checks. If that’s the reason that you’re looking for a background check service in the first place, consider using People Trail instead. Unlike Intelius, People Trail is an accredited employment screening service.

Another downside of Intelius is that the service requires a monthly membership, and paying for a one-time background search is impossible. A competitor service worth considering that does employ a straightforward pricing scheme is Sterling for those that only need a one-off or occasional search. This subscription model makes Intelius better suited to those needing multiple searches each month.

Final verdict

Intelius is a remarkable platform that could benefit from improvements in various aspects. There have been mixed reviews regarding Intelius background checks, with many highlighting concerns about data accuracy and consistency. While our personal experience with the platform was positive, we acknowledge that these allegations are not unfounded. 

The Better Business Bureau itself holds a favorable opinion of the platform, and we’re confident that you will be content with the reports that you receive from the platform.

We've also highlighted the best employee background check services.

Soda PDF Online
8:10 pm | August 18, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Tags: | Comments: Off

As its name suggests, Soda PDF Online is an online PDF editor available for any device and ready to let users edit, alter, manipulate, and otherwise personalize PDF files. We've long been fans of Soda PDF, which has consistently ranked among the best PDF editors we've tested. We put the latest version to the test, to see if it still deserves a download.

Soda PDF Online: Pricing

  • Simple subscription options

Soda PDF Online during our review process

You have numerous options open to you when it comes to editing a PDF (Image credit: Soda PDF)

Like almost all of the best PDF editors we've tested, this one is a subscription-only service. The plans have been expanded upon since last we looked at it, and it now features three different tiers: Standard, Pro, and Business.

Standard gets you the basic tools, such as View, Convert, and Edit. These will allow you to perform many actions, including altering the original text of a PDF, adding images and additional content, splitting PDFs, merging them, and such like. All of this for $12.59 / £10 a month.

The best tools are kept for Pro. These include OCR search, eSign and forms capabilities, adding comments, the ability to secure PDFs, and batch processing. This plan will set you back $15.10 / £12 a month.

Finally, Business expands upon Pro by allowing you to edit any OCR document, introduces phone support, as well as Windows, Mac and Linux deployment, for $20.14 / £16 a month.

Annual subscriptions are also available. In our experience, these prices feel middle of the road for such tools. There are cheaper alternatives, like EaseUS, and more expensive ones, such as Foxit. 

You can also try the service out for free by clicking here, to see if it’s right for you. 

  • Pricing: 3.5/5

Soda PDF Online: Interface

Soda PDF Online during our review process

Open a document to reveal all tools available to you to edit it to its fullest (Image credit: Soda PDF)
  • Clean, versatile, you choose the way you want to work.

As soon as you begin a free trial from the homepage, you’ll be instantly immersed in the interface. No request for contact details, no demands for your credit card info. That’s definitely a huge plus.

The UI doesn’t give you much to work with as long as you haven’t opened a document. You can do so by clicking on the blue ‘Upload File’ button, top right of the interface. From there you have access to your computer’s file system, as well as your Dropbox and OneDrive accounts. Note that you can only upload one document at a time, which could be frustrating if you have a lot of work to do.

A sidebar on the left offers you three choices: access to all the files you’ve uploaded to Soda PDF, the Edit section (selected by default once a document has been opened), and Translate, which lets you translate a file into one of seven languages, including Russian, Spanish and French.

We’re not experts in most languages, but we did check out the results of translating an English document into French and it was, for the most part, perfectly acceptable. More than good enough to get the gist of the content. Plus it’s as easy to edit the results as it is to modify the original document. Soda PDF also automatically creates a new document for your translation, making sure the original is never affected by such an action.

Taking a look at the ‘Edit’ section, you’ll find all the tools you’re after in a toolbar at the top. Clicking on some activates a drop down menu to reveal additional options. Everything you need is there, from adding new text boxes or images, freehand drawing on the page, adding various shapes, creating forms, performing an OCR pass, organising your document (such as rotating, duplicating or deleting pages), as well as cropping, compressing, merging and converting a file.

Top right of the interface is an AI assistant, and an export feature which lets you download, email, or print your PDF, and at the very top you have zooming in and out buttons, a search field, and undo and redo buttons, among others.

  • Interface: 5/5

Soda PDF Online: Tools

Soda PDF Online during our review process

You can translate your document into one of seven different languages (Image credit: Soda PDF)
  • A large selection of tools, easy to access and use

Using any of the tools described above is as easy as clicking on it and then clicking somewhere on the page to apply it. You then have complete editorial control over this new object. But that’s not all. You might’ve noticed there aren’t any obvious tools to edit a PDF’s existing content. But that’s because you don’t need any: simply double-click on a paragraph to give you the ability to alter it at will. Not only that, you can even resize and reposition the text box.

We didn’t have as much success with images that had a URL embedded in them. If we were to click on them, we’d be taken to the webpage in question rather than being able to edit the image itself. Basic images with no such link, were just as easy to resize and reposition as the text we worked on above.

Soda PDF Online also lets you design forms that can be filled in by others, and you have many tools at your disposal to merge multiple documents into one, insert or extract pages, replace them or move them around.

And of course, you’re able to create a PDF document from scratch, either starting with a blank page, converting an existing document into a PDF, or even based on data saved in your computer’s clipboard.

If you’re looking for tools that don’t appear within this interface, go back to Soda PDF’s main page, click on ‘More Tools’ at the top, and ‘View all tools’. You’ll be graced with a long list of features, including, among others, the ability to convert HTML to PDF. Now, Macs have a system-wide feature that allows them to do this straight out of the box of course, but PC users will appreciate this very well-implemented feature. We tried it on a variety of web sites, even pages that competing services struggled with, and Soda PDF’s results were most impressive.

And finally, we thought we’d take a quick look at Soda PDF’s AI tools - yes, AI’s got to Soda too. Click on ‘AI Assistant’ to analyse your documents. After which you’ll be offered a series of questions based on its content. Think on it as a quick summarisation tool. And you’re not limited to the questions the AI came up with: you’re also able to ask your own.

  • Tools: 4.5/5

Should I buy...?

Soda PDF Online during our review process

Can’t see a tool you’re after, like converting HTML to PDF? Check out all the tools via Soda PDF’s homepage (Image credit: Soda PDF)

Buy it if...

You're a PDF power-user
If you need to work with PDFs, frequently have to alter these documents without having to go back to the original application that made them, and you are required to do all this no matter which device you currently have at hand.

Don't buy it if...

You need an offline PDF reader
You need offline access to your tool, or are just looking for a means to read and print PDF documents.

Alternatives

PDF Candy is one of the best free online PDF editors out there. It houses an impressive 47 different tools for making your documents the way you want them - including 29 PDF converter tools. It's delightfully easy to use, but free users are limited to performing one task an hour.

I Love PDF is a stellar free online PDF tool that hosts plenty of document manipulation actions. In our review, we praised the online service for its simplicity and range of features, despite not being a fully fledged PDF editor.

Foxit PDF Editor is one of the best PDF editors you can buy, and an excellent alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC. When we reviewed the product, we discovered "a great app for businesses who need to manipulate, edit, redact and otherwise alter PDFs on a regular basis."

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