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Adobe Reader VS Smallpdf

Compare Adobe Reader VS Smallpdf and see what are their differences

Adobe Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free tool for viewing documents that have been stored in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF).

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
Smallpdf

PDF document management and conversion suite

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
KeptPDF
Redact, edit, OCR, and sign PDFs entirely in your browser. The file never leaves your device. Free, no account needed. sponsored

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Smallpdf seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 38 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 38
PDF Tools popularity
10% vs 90%

Base details

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

Adobe Reader
Smallpdf
Website get2.adobe.com smallpdf.com
Pricing —
Official pricing
Listed in
PDF Tools PDF Creator PDF Editor PDF Readers And Editors +1
PDF Tools PDF Creator File Sharing PDF Editor +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Adobe Reader 5 features
Smallpdf 6 features
  • 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

  • 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.
  • Resource Intensive
    Adobe Reader tends to use a considerable amount of system resources, which can be problematic on older or less powerful devices.
  • Bloatware
    The application can be seen as bloated by some users, with many features that are redundant or unnecessary for basic PDF viewing.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Adobe's Data Collection Policies have raised privacy concerns. Users may be uneasy about the amount of data that Adobe collects and how it is used.
  • 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 Reader
Smallpdf

Overall verdict

  • Adobe Reader is generally considered a good choice for users who need a robust and feature-rich PDF reader. It is reliable and functionally comprehensive, making it suitable for both personal and professional use. However, some users may find it resource-intensive compared to lightweight alternatives.

Why this product is good

  • Adobe Reader, also known as Adobe Acrobat Reader, is a well-established PDF reader that offers a wide range of features. As an industry standard, it provides reliable and consistent performance for viewing, printing, and annotating PDF files. It integrates seamlessly with Adobe's suite of tools, allowing for advanced PDF functionalities such as form filling, digital signature support, and PDF editing when paired with Adobe Acrobat Pro. Additionally, its widespread usage and compatibility on various platforms make it a convenient choice for many users.

Recommended for

  • Users who regularly deal with complex PDFs requiring advanced features such as annotations and digital signatures.
  • Professionals in need of a robust, industry-standard tool for managing and viewing PDF documents.
  • Individuals who already use other Adobe products and need seamless integration across Adobe's ecosystem.

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 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 Reader
Smallpdf
10% 10%
PDF Tools
90% 90%
13% 13%
PDF Editor
87% 87%
100% 100%
PDF Readers And Editors
0% 0%
0% 0%
PDF Converter
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Adobe Reader and Smallpdf. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

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

Adobe Reader no reviews yet
Smallpdf no reviews yet
  • 5 alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader
    www.geekersoft.com · Aug 2022

    If you are looking for an alternative to Adobe Reader for Windows, first check out the Geekersoft PDF Editor, which provides free access to PDF documents and includes PDF creation, editing, conversion, OCR, and PDF...

  • Top 10 Adobe Reader Alternatives for Windows
    beebom.com · Sep 2020

    While the aforementioned programs are all excellent choices as Adobe Reader alternatives, they are not the only choices you have. If you’re running Windows 8 or 8.1, you also get a native PDF viewer that’s simply...

  • 8 Best PDF Readers Available For Windows PC
    www.mobigyaan.com · Dec 2018

    Foxit Reader is another free PDF reader for Windows. Foxit Reader was once the first alternative to the Adobe Acrobat reader and it’s still one of the best PDF readers available, it offers the most features with no...

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Adobe Reader 0 mentions
Smallpdf 38 mentions

Tracking Adobe Reader since Mar 2021.

View more

Alternatives to Adobe Reader and Smallpdf

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

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