Top 10 Best Marking Software of 2026

Adobe Acrobat is a comprehensive PDF editor and viewer renowned for its robust markup and annotation capabilities, making it an exceptional marking software solution for educators, reviewers, and professionals. It allows users to highlight, comment, strike through, add stamps, draw shapes, and collaborate in real-time on PDFs. The web-based version at acrobat.adobe.com enables seamless online access without downloads, supporting shared reviews and version tracking for efficient document grading and feedback workflows.

Bluebeam Revu is a robust PDF markup and editing software tailored for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. It enables precise annotations, measurements, quantity takeoffs, and collaborative reviews on technical drawings and documents. With features like custom tool sets, batch processing, and integration with project management tools, it streamlines document workflows for professionals handling large-scale projects.

Foxit PDF Editor is a versatile PDF editing and management tool that excels in annotation and markup features, ideal for reviewing and grading documents. It provides comprehensive tools for highlighting, commenting, drawing, stamping, and editing text directly within PDFs. The software supports cross-platform compatibility and cloud integration, enabling efficient workflows for educators and professionals handling student submissions or reports.

PDF Expert is a powerful PDF editor and annotator optimized for Apple devices, enabling users to highlight, underline, add notes, stamps, and drawings for marking up documents. It supports advanced editing like text modification, form filling, page reorganization, and OCR for scanned files, making it viable for grading student submissions. While not a dedicated marking platform, its fluid annotation tools cater well to educators reviewing PDFs.

GoodNotes is a digital note-taking and PDF annotation app designed primarily for iPad and iPhone users, offering robust handwriting tools that make it viable for marking student assignments via PDF imports. Educators can annotate documents with customizable pens, highlighters, shapes, and text, while features like lasso selection and infinite canvas allow for precise edits and feedback. It supports Apple Pencil for a natural writing experience and includes handwriting recognition for searchable notes, though it's not purpose-built for grading workflows.

PDF-XChange Editor is a powerful PDF viewer and editor from Tracker Software, specializing in advanced markup and annotation tools for document review and collaboration. It supports a wide range of marking features including highlights, underlines, strikethroughs, freehand drawings, stamps, arrows, shapes, and measurement tools with calibration. Ideal for professional workflows, it also includes OCR, redaction, form filling, and batch processing while remaining lightweight and performant compared to competitors like Adobe Acrobat.

Notability is a powerful note-taking and annotation app designed primarily for Apple devices, enabling users to import PDFs and other documents for detailed markup with digital handwriting, shapes, text, and highlighters. It supports audio recording that syncs with annotations, ideal for providing verbal feedback alongside written comments on student work. While versatile for personal and educational use, it serves as an effective marking tool for educators who annotate assignments digitally.

Kami is a browser-based PDF annotation platform tailored for educators, enabling seamless digital marking, feedback, and assignment management in classrooms. It supports text, drawing, voice comments, and stamps for grading student work, with strong integrations into Google Classroom, Canvas, and other LMS platforms. Designed for paperless workflows, it facilitates collaborative editing and quick turnaround on assessments.

LiquidText is an advanced PDF annotation and note-taking app that excels at handling complex documents by allowing users to extract text snippets, create linked notes, and visualize connections across multiple files. It supports highlighting, commenting, and organizing annotations in a dynamic workspace, making it useful for detailed markup. While not built specifically for grading, it adapts well to marking student assignments through precise, interconnected feedback.

Drawboard PDF is a specialized PDF annotation and markup application designed primarily for Windows tablets and stylus users, enabling precise handwriting, drawing, and editing directly on PDF documents. It excels in providing a natural inking experience for marking up blueprints, contracts, or academic papers with tools like customizable pens, layers, stamps, and text editing. While powerful for digital workflows, it focuses on desktop environments rather than broad cross-platform accessibility.