Comparison

Acrobat Reader vs PDF Converter

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 Converter

Transform your iPhone into a powerful portable scanner. Digitize important documents, receipts, and books into multipage PDFs. Utilize intelligent OCR to extract editable text and add electronic signatures.

Highlights
  • Scan documents with camera
  • Import images from cloud storage
  • OCR text recognition and extraction
  • Add electronic signatures
  • Export as JPG or PDF
  • Organize files into folders
Features
Read full description

Experience the true power of a portable document scanner on the go with this PDF Scanner app for iPhone. Digitally archive important documents by scanning receipts, invoices, books, contracts, business cards, ID cards, passports, and QR codes, then convert them into high-quality, multipage PDFs. The intelligent OCR technology recognizes text from scanned images with pinpoint accuracy, making it easy to extract, edit, and share content in seconds. Key Features of PDF Scanner: - Support for scanning with a flashlight in low-light conditions - Scan documents, QR codes, ID cards, and Passports - Import images via Photo Library, Dropbox, and Wi-Fi sync - Crop, apply filters, correct, or change the orientation of scanned copies - Choose from multiple scan filters, including Magic, B&W, Invert, and more - Inbuilt OCR technology for text recognition and extraction - Electronic signature support - Add text to scanned documents - Compress PDFs to reduce file size - Lock PDFs with password protection - Reorder pages in multi-page PDFs - Scan and export documents as JPG, PDF, DOC, TXT, XLS, Long Image, or in ZIPs - Convert PDFs to JPG, DOC, TXT, XLS, or a Long Image - Share scanned documents via Mail, iMessage, and more in just a few steps Document Scanner This document scanner app features a smart algorithm for accurate edge detection and low-light scanning. For even better results, manually adjust borders, orientation, and enhance your scans with professional filters, including Magic, B&W, Grayscale, Invert, Color Pop, Vintage, and Crisp Scan. Advanced OCR & PDF Tools Optical Character Recognition (OCR) accurately recognizes text from scanned documents and images, making it editable in seconds. Extract text, save documents as TXT files, or cut, copy, and share selected text. Compress large files, lock sensitive PDFs, reorder pages, and convert PDFs to JPG, DOC, TXT, XLS, or Long Image formats. Add text to annotate or complete your documents. QR Code, ID Card & Passport Scanner Scan QR codes instantly or create clear digital copies of ID cards and passports. Capture pages with your camera or import images from your Photo Library, then merge multiple scans into a single PDF. It's the perfect PDF scanner and PDF maker for personal and small business use. Cloud Import & Electronic Signature Access images stored in cloud services like Dropbox and scan them into PDFs with ease. Complete contracts, forms, invoices, and other important documents by adding your electronic signature, all within a single app. Keep Files Organized Create unlimited folders to organize your scanned documents and papers. Label folders according to your workflow and quickly find important files whenever you need them. Auto-Renewable Subscription Terms: Subscribe to get unrestricted access to all the features outlined above. • Subscription Length: Weekly, Yearly • Subscription with a free trial period will automatically renew to a paid subscription unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the trial period. • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Your Apple ID account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the trial period. • You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. • By signing up for this subscription, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Terms of Use: https://applavia.com/legal/pdfscanner/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://applavia.com/legal/pdfscanner/privacy.html Disclaimer: This app is free to download, but you will be required to sign-up for an auto-renewing subscription to access the app's full functionality.

Screenshots

Acrobat Reader4 screens
PDF Converter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Acrobat Reader at 654K against PDF Converter's 336. Acrobat Reader also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly) and chart position (#2 vs unranked). PDF Converter's advantage is review sentiment (60% vs 49%) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.3). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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 Converter sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Acrobat Reader against 4.6 for PDF Converter. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Acrobat Reader has 654K ratings behind it against 336, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 49% of Acrobat Reader's written reviews are positive against 60% of PDF Converter's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Acrobat Reader ships an update every 9 days, PDF Converter monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Acrobat Reader versus PDF Converter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAcrobat ReaderPDF Converter
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (654K ratings)4.6 (336 ratings)
Positive reviews49.1% of reviews60.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings654K — better336
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#2 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.315.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size522 MB76 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAdobe Inc.Cleaner LLC

Customer experience

Acrobat Reader

All ratings654,141 ratings
Positive91.4%
Neutral2.4%
Negative6.2%
Written reviews3,152 reviews
Positive49.1%
Neutral4.4%
Negative46.5%

PDF Converter

All ratings336 ratings
Positive89.0%
Neutral2.7%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

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 Converter

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
7 purchases

PDF Converter

Subscriptions6
  • PDF Scanner Plus3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • PDF Scanner Monthly3 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • PDF Scanner Plus3 Days trial$4.997 Days
Show 3 more
  • PDF Scanner Plus$19.991 Year
  • PDF Scanner Yearly3 Days trial$23.991 Year
  • PDF Scanner Plus3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Membership$35.99

Questions

Is Acrobat Reader free?
Acrobat Reader is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Converter free?
PDF Converter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Acrobat Reader or PDF Converter?
Acrobat Reader and PDF Converter are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 654K and 336 ratings respectively.
Do Acrobat Reader or PDF Converter have ads?
Neither Acrobat Reader nor PDF Converter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Acrobat Reader or PDF Converter?
Acrobat Reader ships an update every 9 days, and PDF Converter monthly. Most recently, Acrobat Reader was updated on September 25, 2026 and PDF Converter on September 21, 2026.

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