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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    Adobe Acrobat Reader

    Score8.5 out of 10
    N/AAcrobat Reader is a PDF viewer and converter, available as a free download from Adobe. Users can view, sign, collaborate on and annotate PDF files, or edit and convert PDFs into file formats like Excel and Word.N/A
    Pricing
    Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Free Trial
    No
    Free/Freemium Version
    No
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    No
    Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup fee
    Additional Details—
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Considered Both Products
    Adobe
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    There aren't many tools that seamlessly work with Adobe products like Acrobat, as it's obviously the same company. But I would say Canva makes it much easier to start a design from scratch, and GIMP is a free way to edit or update PDF files (though it doesn't look as good as if …
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Microsoft Office works hand in hand.
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    The Word app included with Office 365 offers similar collaboration functionality when compared to Adobe reader but with the option to fully change the original document while reviewing. This is both an advantage and disadvantage when compared with the Adobe reader app. …
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    I like Adobe better due to its ease of use and the ability to set it as a default.
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Microsoft Excel can seem busy and antique compare to Adobe [Acrobat Reader DC]. Adobe [Acrobat Reader DC] is easier to use and has a modern style [for] the visual eye.
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is easier to use, more accessible, and has a stronger functionality than my experience with DocuSign. It's more intuitive for our recipients of the documents.
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    I use mobi format for reading on Amazon devices. Mobi is better on mobile than Adobe Acrobat but Adobe is better on PC and Mac computers.
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    We have reviewed DocuSign in comparison to [Adobe] Acrobat Reader [DC's] e-sign capabilities. We found that DocuSign has more robust options when creating contracts and consent capabilities. DocuSign's online UI is much more suited to this type of task as well. However, we …
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is the best PDF writer hands down. It is much better in terms of being able to quickly read/do very light editing of PDF's. It tends to do better at conversion of PDF's too, and it's tools within the program tend to be easier to use and more familiar …
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    I do a lot of work on a second job where I need to create and use forms in PDF format that contain a lot of JavaScript in the backend to make calculations based on values entered into form fields. If I am working on a PC or a MAC computer, these all work great for JavaScript …
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Adobe Reader DC feels like the complete package. I actually have the Pro version which gives me even more options, but the reader is very impressive as well. The main benefit is the user interface. It's extremely easy to use at all ages and within cross functional teams.
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    We have not evaluated other products, as we are primarily an organization that uses Adobe products.
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    One of the main appeals of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is that it is part of the Adobe suite of products and works well with all of their other products. Additionally, the support is second to none and given the large backing of Adobe, we can rest assured that the application will …
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Adobe Acrobat Reader [DC] works well with all the other applications in the Adobe Suite but does not replace Adobe Acrobat Pro, which allows detailed editing of PDF documents. Because it's free, it can be installed company-wide and ensures everyone in the organization can read …
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Adobe Acrobat Reader DC offers so many more features in the free version than its competitors and is way easier to use.
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    The Apple Preview app is simplistic and convenient for viewing PDFs, but it lacks the advanced features of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, such as document signing, customizable exporting of individual frames, and document protection. I also chose Acrobat because it comes with my …
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    I have tried many alternatives and while many of them are definitely useable, I ultimately decided that Adobe Reader DC created the PDF file format and they understand best how to make the format work. The biggest difference to Adobe Reader DC versus the alternatives is …
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Both DocHub and Kami are online apps with features similar to Adobe Acrobat Reader DC but required sign-in, and some of Kami's features are locked in the free version. I am not sure if DocHub is free to non-educational institutions.
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    While Adobe Illustrator and Indesign are great for graphics and layout work, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC it great for more pdf specifics. There are some exporting options and things in Ai and Id but that's about it. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is great for doing things after it's all …
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    I have found Abobe Acrobat [Reader DC] to be a niche product that solves a variety of business needs. It does not replace something like DocuSign, but can serve as a light version. It is more secure for sharing than something like Dropbox, and also has the ability to edit PDFs.
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Actually none.
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is the most trusted and widely used tool as compared to tools from other competitors. Tools has all the requisite feature needed for an organization such as document storage to the protection of documents using passwords. Pdf files created by the tool …
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    I haven't spent any real time looking into alternatives because there is no need. I've used Apple Preview for basic view, which works fine. But when it comes to doing any sort of creation or modification, this is a must. Working in photoshop works... sorta. For visual things at …
    Incentivized
    Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is the fastest and most accurate representation of files compared to the other programs. The only downside in comparison is that Adobe Illustrator CC has the ability to edit PDFs, where the ability to edit PDFs is not available in Adobe Acrobat Reader …
    Incentivized
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    95%
    Would buy again
    71 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    97%
    Delivers good value for the price
    67 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    97%
    Happy with the feature set
    73 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    98%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    45 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    96%
    Implementation went as expected
    49 Answers
    Features
    Adobe Acrobat Reader
    PDF Editors
    Comparison of PDF Editors features of Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Feature
    Adobe Acrobat Reader
    9.1
    2 Ratings
    5% above category average
    Edit Text and Images9.02 Ratings
    Merge or Split PDFs9.52 Ratings
    Add Annotations9.02 Ratings
    Text Recognition (OCR)8.02 Ratings
    Page Management8.52 Ratings
    Form Creation and Editing10.01 Ratings
    Secure PDFs10.01 Ratings
    Convert to Different Formats9.02 Ratings
    Comment and Review Tools9.02 Ratings
    Undo and Redo Actions8.52 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Small Businesses
    Tungsten Power PDF
    Score9.8 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    PDF Xchange Viewer and Editor
    Score9.3 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Email to PDF for Outlook
    Score8 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Likelihood to Recommend
    9.5
    (75 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    7.2
    (2 ratings)
    Usability
    9.5
    (3 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    10.0
    (1 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    Adobe Acrobat Reader
    Likelihood to Recommend
    Adobe
    After creating a document, converting it into Adobe Acrobat Reader is usually very easy for storage in my computer, sending/sharing via emails, etc. This also saves a significant amount of unnecessary printing and paper waste, which is great for reducing waste. I don't have to worry about not having the right software/app to view, edit, and share with anyone.
    Incentivized
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    Pros
    Adobe
    • It has all the tools that individuals need for reading/doing light editing of PDF files.
    • It is the most secure PDF reader on the market, and it tends to get patched with timely updates on a regular basis.
    • It usually works very well, as far as the software itself. It doesn't crash a lot, or is particularly an error prone software platform.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    Adobe
    • Being able to add image "stamps" to a document is a little tricky as the stamp has to already be in PDF format (at least on Mac) to work. This mean you have to convert the image to PDF before you can use it as a stamp.
    • Being only able to save one signature and one set of initials is a bit of a pain but you can actually use stamps if you need different versions frequently used scribbles for various reasons. The stamp won't secure the document and prevent future changes the same way the signature would though.
    • All of the other features you might want to use are only included with Acrobat Pro but the options are all displayed in the Reader app. When clicked they will offer the free trial that leads to a paid subscription. This is more of an annoyance but you can't fault Adobe for trying to make a sale.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    Adobe
    To be honest, I do not have any say in the renewal of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. It is managed at an enterprise level, and the decision to renew or not renew is handled well above my pay grade as an external consultant.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    Adobe
    Again, Adobe Creative Suite is widely used and backed by an industry leader, making the experience very familiar and common for anyone who has used a PDF and wants more features to interact with it. It also makes copy text a lot easier than just previewing the file.
    Read full review
    Implementation Rating
    Adobe
    The application is pretty much "plug and play"
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Alternatives Considered
    Adobe
    We have reviewed DocuSign in comparison to [Adobe] Acrobat Reader [DC's] e-sign capabilities. We found that DocuSign has more robust options when creating contracts and consent capabilities. DocuSign's online UI is much more suited to this type of task as well. However, we decided to stick with [Adobe] Acrobat Reader DC because of the price (DocuSign is more expensive) and we felt we didn't need all of the bells and whistles for contract signature and consent.
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    Adobe
    • It's available for free, so there is no excuse to not install
    • Contains features that you would normally have to pay for in competitor software, so it has a positive impact on ROI
    • Reduces the amount of printing
    • Decreases the amount of time spent on regulatory and governance documentation
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots