Adobe Acrobat vs novaPDF

iLovePDF

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Smallpdf

iLovePDF is an online service that provides comprehensive tools for PDF document management. The platform offers features for organizing, optimizing, converting, editing, and securing PDF files, including merging, splitting, compressing, and converting PDFs to and from various formats. Available as both web and mobile applications, iLovePDF enables users to work with documents across different devices.

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is a cloud-based software designed to help businesses view, sign, and annotate PDF documents from desktops, browsers, or mobile devices. Users can create customizable forms by adding various tools such as drop-down lists, barcodes, signature fields, list boxes, and more.

Smallpdf is a desktop, mobile & cloud-based PDF document management and conversion tool, providing a suite of 21 tools to create, convert and edit documents.

Co-Founder

I spent two and a half hours on customer support, being passed from agent to agent who had no idea what they were doing, one agent at one point took control of my screen and just kept randomly moving the mouse around the screen but not doing anything, before then passing me on to someone else who told me I didn’t have an Enterprise trial - even though I do!

Systems Administrator

One area that could be improved is customer support, as it can sometimes take a while to contact the support team and have technical issues resolved. Although Adobe Acrobat is generally reliable, occasional bugs or system issues can disrupt work, and resolving these can be time-consuming when support is not immediately available.

Consultant

Adobe Acrobat blows me away with how intuitive it is for editing PDFs you're getting a ton of functionality without a huge learning curve in terms of value for money it's not the cheapest tool out there but you do get what you pay for in terms of reliability and advanced features and the customer support is definitely a plus.

Cloud-based PDF and document productivity tool for individuals, teams, and enterprises, with editing, e-signatures, and collaboration.

Access Controls/Permissions

Activity Dashboard

Activity Tracking

Alerts/Notifications

Annotations

Audit Trail

Authentication

Collaboration Tools

Commenting/Notes

Communication Management

Compression

Content Library

Content Management

Contract Drafting

Convert to PDF

Customizable Branding

Customizable Fields

Customizable Forms

Customizable Templates

Data Extraction

Data Import/Export

Delete Pages

Digital Signature

Document Automation

Document Capture

Document Conversion

Document Editing

Document Generation

Document Imaging

Document Management

Document Review

Document Storage

Document Templates

Drag & Drop

Electronic Signature

Encryption

File Conversion

File Management

File Sharing

File Transfer

Forms Creation & Design

Forms Management

Full Text Search

Image Editing

Merge/Append Files

Mobile Access

Mobile Signature Capture

Multi-Party Signing

Multiple Format Support

Multiple Output Formats

Offline Access

Optical Character Recognition

PDF Conversion

PDF Reader

Pre-built Templates

Projections

Real-Time Notifications

Rearrange Pages

Reminders

Remote Access/Control

Rotate Pages

Search/Filter

Secure Data Storage

Side-by-Side Comparison

SSL Security

Tagging

Template Management

Templates

Text Editing

Text Extraction

Third-Party Integrations

User Management

Version Control

Watermarking

Workflow Automation

Workflow Management

The Adobe Acrobat integrations most frequently cited by reviewers are: Microsoft Word (a document generation product rated 4.8 out of 5 for its integration with Adobe Acrobat), Microsoft 365 (a document management product, 4.6), and Google Drive (a cloud storage product, 4.8).

Integrations

Reviews for Adobe Acrobat come from a wide variety of industries, including Information Technology and Services (6% of reviewers), Education Management (4%), and Computer Software (4%). The most frequent use case for Adobe Acrobat cited by reviewers is as a PDF editor (53% of reviewers).

Adobe Acrobat

Web-based

Windows

Android

iPhone

iPad

Chromebook

Docusign

Foxit PDF Reader

Dropbox Sign

PandaDoc

Nitro PDF

Foxit PDF Editor

Bluebeam Revu

PDFelement

pdfFiller

PDFCreator

Google Docs

airSlate SignNow

Foxit eSign

Soda PDF

Tungsten Power PDF

PDF-XChange

Lumin PDF

Acrobat Studio for Individuals

Acrobat Pro for teams

Acrobat Studio forStudents & Teachers

Slow and ineffective support

Owner

Adobe Acrobat support is no help in learning these steps nor are they interested in updating their instructions when clients have figured out the instructions are wrong.

61% of reviewers feel negative about Customer Support. Reviewers indicate that customer service is often slow to respond and unhelpful in resolving issues. Some users say they are passed between agents without clear solutions, and technical support can take weeks to address problems. They find that support staff sometimes lack knowledge or provide generic answers. Users think the lack of effective assistance and complicated communication channels makes troubleshooting and account management unnecessarily difficult.

Costly subscription model

The price of a PRO subscription is too expensive, because every month, adding up all the expenses I have, makes me give up having a subscription that is more expensive than other similar programs that perform the same function.

Student

The high cost of a subscription, combined with the limited functionality of the free version, makes it difficult for many individuals and smaller businesses to justify using the app.

72% of reviewers feel negative about Subscription. Reviewers indicate that the subscription pricing is expensive and not justified for those who only need basic features. Some users say the recurring fees and tiered plans make it difficult for individuals and small businesses to afford. They find that essential features are locked behind higher-priced subscriptions, and managing multiple subscriptions within the Adobe ecosystem is confusing. Users think cancellation policies and hidden fees are frustrating and feel trapped by the payment structure.

Restrictive and opaque payment policies

Videographer

The payment plan model is a A desperate grab at money by locking away critical utility features such as edit pdf from non paying customers in hopes that they will pay for functionality.

60% of reviewers feel negative about Payment. Reviewers indicate that many essential features are locked behind paywalls, and the transition to a subscription or monthly payment model is unwelcome. Some users say the cost is high compared to alternatives, and they dislike the lack of clear one-time purchase options. They find payment processes confusing, with unexpected charges or difficulties in managing accounts. Users think the frequent prompts to upgrade and limited free functionality are frustrating and hinder access to needed tools.

Resource-intensive and slow

Systems Analyst Trainee

We don't usually encounter many issues with Adobe Acrobat but one that typically reoccurs every few months is a performance issue. Whether it be slow at opening doc's, freezing, crashing mid stamp, or loss of stamps/signatures.

Freelancer 

Finally, Adobe Acrobat can be resource-intensive and may require a powerful computer to run smoothly, which can be a drawback for users with older or less powerful systems.

77% of reviewers feel negative about Performance and Speed. Reviewers indicate that the software is resource-intensive, often causing slow loading times, freezing, or lagging, especially with large files or on older devices. Some users say multitasking or handling complex documents can lead to crashes or unresponsiveness. They find that high memory and CPU usage negatively impacts productivity. Users think frequent updates and background processes further slow down their systems, making it less suitable for less powerful hardware.

Frequent glitches and crashes

My main complaint is that it often glitches and freezes, which can become quite frustrating when I'm in the middle of using the software.

Even though Adobe Acrobat is a reliable application, it often crashes when I use it along with other application running in background.

61% of reviewers feel negative about Bugs and Issues. Reviewers indicate that the software is prone to bugs, crashes, and compatibility problems, especially after updates or when used with other applications. Some users say they experience issues with saving, annotations, or integration features not working as expected. They find that frequent updates can introduce new problems, and certain features may not function reliably across devices. Users think these technical issues disrupt their workflow and require frequent troubleshooting.

Seamless software integration

An additional benefit is great integration with other Adobe applications.

Marketing Executive

It also integrates well with Adobe Suite which helps with efficiency.

94% of reviewers feel positive about Integrations. Reviewers appreciate the software’s compatibility with other Adobe products and popular business tools like Microsoft Office and Salesforce. They indicate that integration streamlines workflows by allowing easy transfer and editing of documents across platforms. Some users say the ability to use plugins and connect with third-party applications enhances productivity. Users think the integration with cloud services and other apps is valuable for maintaining efficient and connected business processes.

Flexible document merging

Planning Engineer

My work in making a completer Project Management Package becomes faster because I can merge multiple pdf files and arrange them in the order I want.

94% of reviewers feel positive about Document Combining. Reviewers appreciate being able to merge multiple files into a single PDF, which simplifies organizing and distributing documents. They indicate that combining files of different formats and rearranging pages is intuitive and saves time. Some users say this feature is especially useful for preparing reports, contracts, or project packages. Users think the ability to split, annotate, and edit merged documents enhances productivity and supports efficient document management.

Efficient collaborative sharing

Owner and Designer

Overall, Adobe Acrobat is a remarkable, reliable, and functional tool that allows me to share design iterations with clients and collect feedback.

94% of reviewers feel positive about Document Sharing. Reviewers appreciate the ease of sharing PDFs across devices and platforms, which facilitates collaboration with colleagues and clients. They indicate that secure cloud storage options and the ability to share large files are valuable for remote work. Some users say the software supports real-time feedback and editing, while others highlight the convenience of sharing documents without requiring recipients to have paid accounts. Users think the sharing features help maintain confidentiality and streamline project approvals.

Accessible and intuitive design

QA & Environmental Manager 

The Adobe Acrobat sign package was easy to set up completely remotely for our entire organisation and we only needed to give very basic training as the system is totally simple and straightforward to use.

Responsable de l'entreprise 

What I appreciated the most about Adobe Acrobat is its simplicity because it is a very simple software, suitable for amateurs and professionals

92% of reviewers feel positive about Ease of Use. Reviewers appreciate the intuitive interface and straightforward navigation, making it accessible for users of all skill levels. They indicate that setup and daily tasks are simple, with helpful tutorials and clear instructions available. Some users say the software streamlines workflows and reduces the learning curve for new users. Users think the consistent experience across devices and platforms contributes to its practicality for both personal and professional use.

Streamlined electronic signing

Founder

I use it whenever I have to sign contracts remotely, being able to integrate it with Adobe Scan to get a contract scanned through my mobile and then immediately switch to Adobe Sign was a life saver.

Blogger

It can also save multiple signatures, if needed, which makes it invaluable for signing just about any document electronically which saves so much time in terms of getting important documents back to people for processing.

94% of reviewers feel positive about Digital Signatures. Reviewers appreciate being able to sign documents electronically, which saves time and eliminates the need for printing and scanning. They indicate that the digital signature feature is essential for handling contracts and agreements remotely, and some users say it allows for secure, authenticated signatures from multiple parties. Users think the integration with document management and tracking tools makes the signing process efficient and reliable. Some reviewers find the ability to store and reuse signatures particularly helpful for frequent document workflows.

IT Support Specialist

The OCR functionality works well for scanned documents, and the editing, commenting, and form-fill capabilities make collaboration much easier across teams.

Deploy Manager

It's the main tool I use for managing PDFs, mostly for filling out form-type documents, and I also use both the electronic signature and my real signature.

Quality Engineer

It allows me and my colleagues to easily edit pdfs and other documents, as well as make additional edits that otherwise would be difficult with other tools.

At the same time, it offers a wide range of advanced features, like document conversion, e-signatures, and collaboration tools, that cover both basic and professional needs.

Operator

It is a reliable and feature-rich tool for working with PDFs, offering strong capabilities for editing, signing, converting, and organizing documents.

Human Resources Coordinator

Very reliable PDF editing and conversion tool with strong document management features, e-signing capabilities, and wide compatibility across devices and platforms.

AI Explorer

Acrobat also provides several text editing features, including changing fonts, text color, kerning, adding bullet points and more.

Graphic Desinger

Adobe Acrobat does have it's own limitations, and that includes when those receiving the files don't posses the software then they aren't able to make any edits of their own too the PDF, and in some cases can't open the file themselves. Although this is understandable, it can become a boundary when working in a fast pace environment.

It’s a mature and dependable solution that covers nearly every PDF-related task needed in a business or IT environment. While there are lighter or cheaper alternatives available, Acrobat remains the industry standard because of its broad functionality, compatibility, and security-focused features.

It allows you to modify text and images, and fill out forms, for example, in a neat and organized way.

Managing Partner

Adobe Acrobat brings together file conversion, editing, task tracking, and document organization in a simple interface.

Vice President at JPK and Associates, Inc.

What I prefer most is the absolute reliability of its rendering engine The built-in e-signature tool is also a huge asset for validating administrative documents quickly.

Office Manager

It offered a lot of customization and flexibility when designing, distributing and editing contracts, waivers and other documents.

Community Experience Coordinator

Being able to create a digital signature has saved me so much time from printing, writing a wet signature and scanning the document back in.

What I liked most about Adobe Acrobat was its reliable PDF editing and management tools, making it easy to create, edit, sign, and share documents efficiently.

Internal Auditor

There is also a feature for digitally signing PDFs, which allows for paperless processes and record storage.

Counselor

Adobe Acrobat allows me to read and fill out PDF forms and do file conversion as needed.

Production manager

The features are comprehensive and help make document management more efficient and professional. While it can be a bit costly and takes some time to learn fully, it remains one of the most dependable tools for working with PDFs.

Director of Admissions

I like being able to edit and manage and save pdfs with new information or I can save it and use it as a template.

Adobe Acrobat vs novaPDF Comparison (2026)

Adobe Acrobat

novaPDF

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives