Comparison

Acrobat Reader vs PDF

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Acrobat Reader

This app is a powerful PDF tool for viewing, editing, annotating, and signing documents. It offers AI-powered features for summarizing and interacting with PDFs, along with robust conversion and security options. Collaborate on files and access your documents from anywhere.

Highlights
  • View, edit, and annotate PDFs
  • Sign and fill PDF forms
  • Convert files to and from PDF
  • AI-powered document summarization
  • Collaborate in PDF Spaces
  • Compress and secure PDFs
  • Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Features
Read full description

Major new updates: Collaborate and share your files in PDF Spaces, and turn your document summaries into podcast-style audio in Acrobat Studio. The world’s most trusted PDF reader, PDF editor, and PDF maker with more than 635 million installs. View, share, annotate, add comments, and sign documents - all in one app. You can store your files online and read documents anywhere. Get your 7-day free trial and try all the features of Acrobat Reader. Paid features: Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant • Work across multiple files in one place with PDF Spaces. Collaborate, store, and use AI Assistant across files • Use voice or text prompts with AI Assistant chatbot • Ask questions and get cited answers about details in your document, including charts, graphs, and tables with Figures Q&A • Easily share the responses you get • Try voice support to ask queries and have answers read aloud. • Use new Hands-free to keep the conversation flowing with voice only • Instantly generate summaries from your PDFs with Generative AI Summaries • Get content for emails, text, study notes, blogs, and more [Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant is a paid feature*, free for a limited time] Edit PDFs • With our PDF editor, edit text and images directly in your PDF (mobile only) • Fix typos or add paragraphs with the PDF editor • Easily add, delete, or rotate any image • Use this PDF signer and PDF viewer to get your docs just right Recognize text • Optical Character Recognition (OCR) turns scanned PDFs into searchable, editable text to use in other formats Merge & organize PDFs with PDF Converter • Split or combine multiple files into one PDF with PDF converter • Use the PDF editor to insert, delete, rotate, crop & reorder pages in your PDF file Create, convert & export PDFs • Easily convert to PDF from any file type including Microsoft, Google Docs, and images • Export and convert PDFs to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or various image files • Convert web pages to PDFs Compress & highly secure PDFs • Compress PDF files for easy saving and sharing • Password Protect PDF documents Have your PDF read aloud • Listen to your PDFs on the go, great for reading support • Choose free voices or upgrade for high-quality options Subscribe now to access all these features and use Acrobat across mobile and web platforms. Free-to-use features: PDF signer: Fill & Sign Adobe Fill & Sign is free & available in Acrobat Reader. A form filler and PDF signer that lets you fill, sign, and send Liquid mode in the optimal PDF viewer • Get the best PDF reading experience with this PDF viewer • Search, navigate & adjust font size or spacing to fit your screen Annotate PDFs • Add sticky notes, comments, and highlight text Store & manage files • Link online storage accounts like Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Drive • Star files to quickly open important documents Connect the PDF viewer and reader to Google Drive • A PDF creator that lets you edit, compress, and export Google Drive files with a subscription Work with scanned documents • Access scanned PDFs from Adobe Scan in Acrobat to fill, sign, and share The Acrobat Reader mobile app is designed to work with customers who have Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) enabled. *An Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant add-on plan is available to Acrobat Individual customers. iOS 16 or above required. Terms & Conditions: Your use of this application is governed by the Adobe General Terms of Use http://www.adobe.com/go/terms_linkfree_en and the Adobe Privacy Policy http://www.adobe.com/go/privacy_policy_linkfree_en Do not sell or share my personal information www.adobe.com/go/ca-rights-linkfree

About

PDF

This app transforms your device into a comprehensive document management tool. Scan, read, edit, and securely sign PDFs with features like OCR, PIN protection, and cloud integration. Organize all your files effortlessly for work, study, or personal use.

Highlights
  • PIN Protection & Secure File Locking
  • Electronic Signature
  • Smart Document Scanner
  • Accurate OCR (Text Recognition)
  • All-in-One File Manager
  • Multi-Format Export (PDF, JPG)
  • Page Management Tools
Features
Read full description

PDF: Scanner, Reader & Editor – Convert, Lock & Sign Documents All-in-one mobile solution to scan, read, sign, lock, and manage your documents securely and effortlessly ================== Turn Your Device into a Powerful Document Hub! PDF: Scanner, Reader & Editor is the ultimate digital tool that brings scanning, editing, reading, e-signing, and secure file storage all into one place. Whether you’re a student or professional or just need to organize documents on the go, this PDF file manager helps you stay productive and paperless. ================== - Key Features to Maximize Your Productivity: 1. PIN Protection & Secure File Locking Protect important files and folders with a strong PIN code. Keep your private scans safe and accessible only to you. 2. Electronic Signature Sign documents digitally in seconds. Save your signature for reuse and add it to PDFs effortlessly. 3. Smart Document Scanner Scan physical documents using your camera or import them from the gallery. Supports scanning receipts, contracts, ID cards, certificates, business cards, handwritten notes, whiteboards, and more. 4. Accurate OCR (Text Recognition) Convert scanned images to editable text with high-precision OCR. Recognizes multiple languages and allows easy editing and exporting. 5. All-in-One File Manager Organize, move, copy, delete, rename, reorder, and manage files or folders seamlessly. Includes drag & drop support for intuitive document control. 6. Image Enhancer & Editor Built-in noise removal, color correction, and sharpness controls ensure clean and professional-looking scans every time. 7. Multi-Format Export Export your files in PDF or JPG format and instantly share them for work, study, or record-keeping. 8. Cloud Upload & Printing Easily upload your scans to cloud services or print documents directly from your device. Supports sharing via email, text, and more. 9. Page Management Tools Cut, copy, paste, reorder, rotate, or delete pages within any PDF. Merge multiple pages or split large files with ease. ================== - Why Users Love PDF: Scanner, Reader, & Editor 1. Simple and clean interface for quick navigation 2. Seamlessly manage school, business, or personal files 3. Lightning-fast scanning with automatic edge detection 4. Reliable PDF viewer and annotation tools 5. Offline and online access to your documents 6. Converts your phone into a digital office on the go ================== Perfect For: - Students managing study notes and assignments - Freelancers and business owners signing and sending contracts - Office professionals handling receipts, invoices, or reports - Anyone looking to organize documents with speed and security ================== No More Paper Clutter – Stay Organized & Efficient! Scan, sign, store, and share – all in one smart document scanner. ================== Disclaimer: This app offers paid features that require an additional purchase for full access. To enjoy all the content and functionality, a subscription is required. Privacy Policy: https://vasundharaapps.com/pdf-scanner-privacy-policy-ios Terms of Use: https://vasundharaapps.com/pdf-scanner-terms-of-service-ios

Screenshots

Acrobat Reader4 screens
PDF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Acrobat Reader at none against PDF's shown. Acrobat Reader also leads on ratings volume (654K vs 1.4K) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 6 weeks). PDF's advantage is review sentiment (60% vs 49%) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.3). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Acrobat Reader sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and PDF sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Acrobat Reader holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Acrobat Reader has 654K ratings behind it against 1.4K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 49% of Acrobat Reader's written reviews are positive against 60% of PDF's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Acrobat Reader ships an update every 9 days, PDF every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Acrobat Reader versus PDF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAcrobat ReaderPDF
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (654K ratings) — better4.4 (1.4K ratings)
Positive reviews49.2% of reviews60.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings654K — better1.4K
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#2 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.315.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size522 MB228 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAdobe Inc.Pravin Gondaliya

Customer experience

Acrobat Reader

All ratings654,141 ratings
Positive91.4%
Neutral2.4%
Negative6.2%
Written reviews3,096 reviews
Positive49.2%
Neutral4.4%
Negative46.4%

PDF

All ratings1,417 ratings
Positive84.7%
Neutral4.5%
Negative10.8%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

Acrobat Reader

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Frequent crashes and freezes
  • Inconsistent behavior when editing PDFs
  • Inability to open or save certain file types
  • Sync issues between mobile and desktop versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add erase tool for annotations
  • Improve palm rejection for Apple Pencil
  • Allow direct text editing in PDFs
  • Provide better cloud integration and sync
  • Offer more customization options

PDF

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

16 purchases

Acrobat Reader

Subscriptions16
  • Acrobat Premium - Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Adobe Acrobat Premium$4.991 Month
  • AI Assistant for Acrobat$6.991 Month
Show 13 more
  • Acrobat Premium$7.497 Days
  • Acrobat Premium - Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Acrobat Premium - Weekly$9.997 Days
  • PDF Pack - Doc Creator$9.991 Month
  • Premium - Edit & Create PDF$9.991 Month
  • PDF Edit and Convert Monthly7 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Acrobat Premium - Monthly$12.991 Month
  • Acrobat Premium - Monthly$14.991 Month
  • Acrobat Reader Plus - Yearly$19.991 Year
  • Adobe ExportPDF$23.991 Year
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro$24.991 Month
  • Acrobat Premium - Yearly7 Days trial$48.991 Year
  • Acrobat Premium - Yearly7 Days trial2 variants$69.991 Year
8 purchases

PDF

Subscriptions7
  • Camera Scanner Week3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • PDF Scanner - 1 Month2 variants$4.991 Month
  • Camera Scanner Pro3 Days trial$5.997 Days
Show 4 more
  • Camera Scanner Lite$9.991 Month
  • Camera Scanner Lite3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Camera Scanner Pro$23.991 Year
  • Camera Scanner Pro3 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • PDF Scanner - Lifetime2 variants$79.99

Questions

Is Acrobat Reader free?
Acrobat Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF free?
PDF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Acrobat Reader or PDF?
Acrobat Reader is rated higher. Acrobat Reader averages 4.6 out of 5 from 654K ratings, while PDF averages 4.4 from 1.4K ratings.
Do Acrobat Reader or PDF have ads?
PDF shows ads; Acrobat Reader does not.
Which is updated more often, Acrobat Reader or PDF?
Acrobat Reader ships an update every 9 days, and PDF every 6 weeks. Most recently, Acrobat Reader was updated on September 24, 2026 and PDF on September 22, 2026.

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