Adobe Acrobat vs. Reader: What Is the Difference?
Question details
The user wants to know the differences between Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Acrobat, and whether subscribing to Reader features upgrades it to the full Acrobat software.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Deciding which PDF software to use for specific document tasks such as viewing, signing, editing, or converting.
- Observed behavior
- Confusion over whether the free Reader application is the same as the paid Acrobat software, especially regarding advanced features like PDF text editing and document conversion.
Identify your primary PDF needs, such as whether you simply need to view and sign documents or require advanced editing and file conversion, before deciding which application to install.
Understand the Feature Differences
Differentiate between the free capabilities of Reader and the premium features of Acrobat to use the correct tool.
Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Acrobat are entirely separate applications designed for different levels of document management.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free application. Use it when you only need to view, print, comment on, or electronically sign PDF files.
Adobe Acrobat Standard and Pro are paid applications. You must use these if you need to edit existing PDF text, convert PDFs to Word or Excel formats, use OCR (Optical Character Recognition), or manage document pages.
Install the Correct Application for Your Needs
Ensure you have downloaded the appropriate software for your specific PDF tasks.
View and Edit PDFs Easily with WPS Office
If you need to edit, convert, or sign PDFs without installing heavy or expensive standalone applications, WPS Office provides a lightweight, comprehensive PDF toolkit built right into its suite.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office directly from the official website.
- 2. Open your PDF: Launch the application and drag your PDF file into the workspace to open it.
- 3. Edit or annotate: Navigate to the 'Edit' tab to modify text and images directly, or use the 'Comment' tab to highlight and annotate.
- 4. Save your changes: Click the 'Save' icon or export your document to apply and retain all PDF modifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Adobe Reader let me edit the text in a PDF?
No, Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free application designed strictly for viewing, printing, signing, and annotating PDFs. To edit existing text, you need a paid application like Adobe Acrobat Pro or an alternative PDF editor.
Why am I getting upgrade prompts in Adobe Reader?
Adobe Reader often displays promotional offers for premium services such as advanced PDF conversion or electronic signatures. Purchasing these add-ons enables those specific cloud features but does not convert your Reader into the full Acrobat desktop software.
Can I have both Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat installed on the same computer?
Yes, because they are completely separate applications, they can coexist on the same device. However, to avoid confusion when opening files, it is highly recommended to set your preferred application as the default PDF viewer in your system settings.
