Software Alternatives & Startups

Adobe Acrobat Reader VS Smallpdf

Compare Adobe Acrobat Reader VS Smallpdf and see what are their differences

Adobe Acrobat Reader

PDF Reader X is a nest in the class PDF reader, PDF annotator and PDF editor for the Mac OS X operating systems.

Rating
0 reviews
Smallpdf

PDF document management and conversion suite

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Smallpdf seems to be a lot more popular than Adobe Acrobat Reader. While we know about 38 links to Smallpdf, we've tracked only 1 mention of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

social mentions
1 vs 38
PDF Tools popularity
7% vs 93%
alternatives listed
37 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Adobe Acrobat Reader
Smallpdf
Website adobe.com smallpdf.com
Pricing —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Adobe Acrobat Reader 10 features
Smallpdf 6 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    PDF Reader X offers a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and access various features without hassle.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The application is available across multiple platforms, allowing users to open and view PDFs on different devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
  • Robust Annotation Tools
    PDF Reader X provides powerful annotation tools such as highlighting, adding comments, and drawing, which are helpful for document review and collaboration.
  • Fast and Efficient Performance
    The software is optimized for performance, ensuring quick loading and smooth scrolling of PDF documents, even with large file sizes.
  • Free Access
    Users can download and use PDF Reader X without any cost, with several free features being sufficient for basic PDF viewing and editing.
  • Compatibility
    Adobe Reader is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. This makes it accessible for a broad audience regardless of their device preferences.
  • Features
    It supports a variety of advanced features such as text highlighting, annotations, and form filling. These features can be useful for both personal and professional use.
  • Security
    Adobe Reader comes with built-in security measures to protect against malicious PDFs. This helps ensure that your device and data remain safe.
  • User Interface
    The user interface is generally intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for users to navigate through documents and use its various features.
  • Frequent Updates
    Adobe frequently updates Adobe Reader with new features and security patches, which improves functionality and enhances security over time.

Possible disadvantages

  • Advanced Features Require Subscription
    While basic functionality is free, access to advanced features such as PDF conversion and editing requires a paid Adobe subscription.
  • Resource Intensive
    The application may consume significant system resources, which could slow down older computers when handling very large or complex documents.
  • Frequent Updates
    Regular updates can be intrusive, requiring users to frequently download new versions to access the latest improvements and security fixes.
  • Privacy Concerns
    As a product of Adobe, the application may collect user data, raising concerns for those who prioritize privacy and data security.
  • Performance
    Some users have reported that Adobe Reader can be slow to load, especially when opening large documents. This can be a hindrance for those who need quick access to their PDFs.
  • Bloatware
    The application can be seen as bloated by some users, with many features that are redundant or unnecessary for basic PDF viewing.
  • Advertisements
    Free versions of Adobe Reader occasionally prompt users with advertisements for other Adobe products, which can be intrusive and disrupt the user experience.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Smallpdf provides a clean, intuitive, and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users of all technical levels.
  • Wide Range of Tools
    Offers a variety of tools for PDF editing, including compressing, merging, splitting, and converting PDFs to other formats.
  • Cloud Integration
    Seamlessly integrates with cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox, allowing users to work directly with their files stored online.
  • Security
    Utilizes strong encryption and deletes files from their servers after one hour, ensuring user data is kept secure and private.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Accessible from various devices including desktops, tablets, and smartphones with responsive web design.
  • Free Tier
    Provides a free tier with limited features, which is suitable for occasional or basic users.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Free Features
    The free version only allows for two tasks per day and places restrictions on larger files and advanced features, leading to potential inconvenience for frequent users.
  • Subscription Cost
    The premium subscription can be considered expensive for some users, particularly those who only need occasional PDF edits.
  • File Size Limit
    Even with a premium subscription, there are restrictions on the maximum file size that can be uploaded and processed.
  • Internet Dependence
    Requires an active internet connection to use most of its features, which can be a limitation for users with unreliable or slow connectivity.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Despite strong encryption, some users may still have reservations about uploading sensitive documents to an online service.
  • Limited Customization
    The range of customization options for certain tools may be limited compared to more specialized PDF software.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Adobe Acrobat Reader
Smallpdf

No analysis of Adobe Acrobat Reader yet.

Overall verdict

  • Smallpdf is a reliable and efficient tool for managing PDF documents, suitable for both casual users and professionals. Its combination of versatility, ease of use, and security features makes it a strong contender in the realm of online PDF services.

Why this product is good

  • Smallpdf is considered good because it offers a wide range of PDF tools that are easy to use and accessible online. It provides functionalities such as PDF conversion, compression, editing, and signing, all within a user-friendly interface. This makes it an ideal choice for both individuals and businesses looking for efficient document management solutions. Additionally, it emphasizes security by ensuring encrypted file transfers, which is crucial for handling sensitive information.

Recommended for

  • Individuals who frequently work with PDFs and need a straightforward tool for conversions, compressions, or edits.
  • Students who need to annotate and organize their study materials in a PDF format.
  • Professionals who require a reliable tool for signing documents and collaborating with team members remotely.
  • Businesses looking for secure document management solutions with the flexibility of online access.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Adobe Acrobat Reader 1 video + Add
Smallpdf 3 videos + Add

Adobe Reader Review

smallpdf tutorial video

More videos

  • - Smallpdf Review
  • - Smallpdf | How to do Unlimited Free Conversions ? | Hack for Smallpdf | Bypass limit of 2 conversion

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Smallpdf
7% 7%
93% 93%
10% 10%
90% 90%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Adobe Acrobat Reader no reviews yet
Smallpdf no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Adobe Acrobat Reader 1 mention
Smallpdf 38 mentions
  • I-864 Household size auto fill issue
    I suggest that you try with a dedicated PDF viewer, I'm using Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (i.e. The "official" one) but there's a bunch out there, Foxit Reader is another that people sometimes recommend. Source: over 5 years ago

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Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader and Smallpdf

When comparing Adobe Acrobat Reader and Smallpdf, you can also consider the following products.