Adobe Acrobat Reader vs. KDAN PDF

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Score 8.7 out of 10
N/A
Acrobat Reader is a PDF viewer and converter, available as a free download from Adobe. Users can view, sign, collaborate on and annotate PDF files, or edit and convert PDFs into file formats like Excel and Word.N/A
KDAN PDF
Score 8.0 out of 10
Small Businesses (1-50 employees)
KDAN PDF (formerly PDF Reader) is a PDF document service that leverages AI-driven technology to enhance user efficiency in creating, managing, and sharing documents, streamlines business workflows, and transforms documents into valuable digital assets through information exchange. Accessible on both mobile devices and desktops, KDAN PDF is used by educational institutions, government organizations, and businesses. KDAN PDF provides flexible licensing options through its Licensing…N/A
Pricing
Adobe Acrobat ReaderKDAN PDF
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Adobe Acrobat ReaderKDAN PDF
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeOptional
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Adobe Acrobat ReaderKDAN PDF
Considered Both Products
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
I didn't use Chrome Data Autoplanner
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
The Word app included with Office 365 offers similar collaboration functionality when compared to Adobe reader but with the option to fully change the original document while reviewing. This is both an advantage and disadvantage when compared with the Adobe reader app. …
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
I like Adobe better due to its ease of use and the ability to set it as a default.
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
Microsoft Excel can seem busy and antique compare to Adobe [Acrobat Reader DC]. Adobe [Acrobat Reader DC] is easier to use and has a modern style [for] the visual eye.
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is easier to use, more accessible, and has a stronger functionality than my experience with DocuSign. It's more intuitive for our recipients of the documents.
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
I use mobi format for reading on Amazon devices. Mobi is better on mobile than Adobe Acrobat but Adobe is better on PC and Mac computers.
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
We have reviewed DocuSign in comparison to [Adobe] Acrobat Reader [DC's] e-sign capabilities. We found that DocuSign has more robust options when creating contracts and consent capabilities. DocuSign's online UI is much more suited to this type of task as well. However, we …
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is the best PDF writer hands down. It is much better in terms of being able to quickly read/do very light editing of PDF's. It tends to do better at conversion of PDF's too, and it's tools within the program tend to be easier to use and more familiar …
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
I do a lot of work on a second job where I need to create and use forms in PDF format that contain a lot of JavaScript in the backend to make calculations based on values entered into form fields. If I am working on a PC or a MAC computer, these all work great for JavaScript …
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Reader DC feels like the complete package. I actually have the Pro version which gives me even more options, but the reader is very impressive as well. The main benefit is the user interface. It's extremely easy to use at all ages and within cross functional teams.
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
We have not evaluated other products, as we are primarily an organization that uses Adobe products.
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
One of the main appeals of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is that it is part of the Adobe suite of products and works well with all of their other products. Additionally, the support is second to none and given the large backing of Adobe, we can rest assured that the application will …
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat Reader [DC] works well with all the other applications in the Adobe Suite but does not replace Adobe Acrobat Pro, which allows detailed editing of PDF documents. Because it's free, it can be installed company-wide and ensures everyone in the organization can read …
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC offers so many more features in the free version than its competitors and is way easier to use.
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
The Apple Preview app is simplistic and convenient for viewing PDFs, but it lacks the advanced features of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, such as document signing, customizable exporting of individual frames, and document protection. I also chose Acrobat because it comes with my …
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
I have tried many alternatives and while many of them are definitely useable, I ultimately decided that Adobe Reader DC created the PDF file format and they understand best how to make the format work. The biggest difference to Adobe Reader DC versus the alternatives is …
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
Both DocHub and Kami are online apps with features similar to Adobe Acrobat Reader DC but required sign-in, and some of Kami's features are locked in the free version. I am not sure if DocHub is free to non-educational institutions.
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
While Adobe Illustrator and Indesign are great for graphics and layout work, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC it great for more pdf specifics. There are some exporting options and things in Ai and Id but that's about it. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is great for doing things after it's all …
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
I have found Abobe Acrobat [Reader DC] to be a niche product that solves a variety of business needs. It does not replace something like DocuSign, but can serve as a light version. It is more secure for sharing than something like Dropbox, and also has the ability to edit PDFs.
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is the most trusted and widely used tool as compared to tools from other competitors. Tools has all the requisite feature needed for an organization such as document storage to the protection of documents using passwords. Pdf files created by the tool …
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
I haven't spent any real time looking into alternatives because there is no need. I've used Apple Preview for basic view, which works fine. But when it comes to doing any sort of creation or modification, this is a must. Working in photoshop works... sorta. For visual things at …
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is the fastest and most accurate representation of files compared to the other programs. The only downside in comparison is that Adobe Illustrator CC has the ability to edit PDFs, where the ability to edit PDFs is not available in Adobe Acrobat Reader …
Chose Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe is the "big boy" when it comes to PDFs and I love being able to Sign my documents here. Being able to edit, rotate and otherwise modify a pdf is also nice. I would recommend using it if you have a large caseload or need to process a lot of documents.
KDAN PDF
Chose KDAN PDF
The price is more friendly. They can support us locally and solve our problems in a short time.
Chose KDAN PDF
The app wasn't great, in my opinion. The interface wasn't as good as PDF Reader, while the features were not that advanced.
Chose KDAN PDF
It was somewhat difficult to use, and it wasn't really what we were looking for in terms of UI.
Chose KDAN PDF
We have also tried Expert PDF Reader. There were no converting, signing, faxing or features. In general, it was far less useful.
Best Alternatives
Adobe Acrobat ReaderKDAN PDF
Small Businesses
Tungsten Power PDF
Tungsten Power PDF
Score 9.4 out of 10
Tungsten Power PDF
Tungsten Power PDF
Score 9.4 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
pdfFiller
pdfFiller
Score 9.0 out of 10
pdfFiller
pdfFiller
Score 9.0 out of 10
Enterprises
Bluebeam
Bluebeam
Score 9.1 out of 10
Bluebeam
Bluebeam
Score 9.1 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Adobe Acrobat ReaderKDAN PDF
Likelihood to Recommend
9.2
(0 ratings)
8.6
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.2
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.3
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Adobe Acrobat ReaderKDAN PDF
Likelihood to Recommend
After creating a document, converting it into Adobe Acrobat Reader is usually very easy for storage in my computer, sending/sharing via emails, etc. This also saves a significant amount of unnecessary printing and paper waste, which is great for reducing waste. I don't have to worry about not having the right software/app to view, edit, and share with anyone.
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I don't think that the laptop version is good for reading/looking over documents and even though the software works fine with files of large sizes, the interface isn't convenient enough for the reading part. Apart from that, the app is really useful in all kinds of other ways when it comes to editing, splitting/combining and so on. It's also great for highlighting and editing texts, faxing, converting and adding e-signatures.
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Pros
  • Edit PDFs. One of the biggest challenges faced in document heavy workflows is editing a PDF. Adobe Reader DC does a fantastic job of allowing you to edit pdfs on the fly without having to go back to the original form and reconverting it.
  • Sign PDFs. I spend a lot of time signing contracts and approval forms. Adobe Reader DC allows me to do that quickly without having to use my mouse or another third party platform. I can do all I need right in the Adobe Reader DC workflow.
  • Merge PDFs. I find quite often that I need to put two or more documents together in one form. I can do that with just a few clicks in the Adobe Reader DC merge workflow.
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  • The app is great for signing documents after they are edited - it works well on all devices and e-signatures can be added without any additional tools and you're not attached to a particular device either.
  • Editing PDFs is also incredibly easy - there are plenty of tools for that, as well as being able to view all kinds of other documents formats, not just PDFs.
  • Sharing documents is also something that is quite easy with PDF Reader - sending out signed contracts and agreements, collaborating on document editing and so on. This tool is quite versatile, in general.
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Cons
  • Accurately exporting all fields correctly (including UI design) of a PDF into various formats. There tend to be quirks with some exports.
  • Choosing the right encryption type. This can get a little tricky.
  • Getting picky with Acrobat custom fields when you're trying to do something out-of-the-box (during PDF creation).
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  • In my opinion, the tools/features work well, but the interface should be updated in terms of being simpler and more intuitive. All the features are useful, but it isn't always easy to understand how they work - most are easy to figure out, but a few take time.
  • Moreover, I'd like to see some kind of uniformity of the features in different versions of the software. The apps vary depending on what OS the app version is designed for, which isn't always convenient. Personally, I use windows at home and Mac at the office, but I work from home too and don't like that I have to keep in mind what features are accessible and which aren't - can be quite confusing.
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Likelihood to Renew
To be honest, I do not have any say in the renewal of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. It is managed at an enterprise level, and the decision to renew or not renew is handled well above my pay grade as an external consultant.
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No answers on this topic
Usability
Again, Adobe Creative Suite is widely used and backed by an industry leader, making the experience very familiar and common for anyone who has used a PDF and wants more features to interact with it. It also makes copy text a lot easier than just previewing the file.
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No answers on this topic
Support Rating
No answers on this topic
In general I was satisfied with customer support every time when I needed help, only once there was a small issue - I had to wait a little longer than usually.
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Implementation Rating
The application is pretty much "plug and play"
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No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
The Word app included with Office 365 offers similar collaboration functionality when compared to Adobe reader but with the option to fully change the original document while reviewing. This is both an advantage and disadvantage when compared with the Adobe reader app. Documents left in the Microsoft Word format also have a tendency to appear different depending on screen size and device used and this can be frustrating for some users. Basically, if you need what you have created and formatted to stay put and to appear as you intended and be printed as you intended if needed, use the Adobe PDF format.
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The app wasn't great, in my opinion. The interface wasn't as good as PDF Reader, while the features were not that advanced.
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Return on Investment
  • It has had positive impact in that it has save considerable costs vs. investing in cloud-based/subscription based software.
  • In terms of security, it also has had a positive impact, in that it doesn't really require IT staff to take the time to patch the software or work on issues with the software.
  • It has also had a positive impact in that it has not required formal training for users to be able to use the software.
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  • Speed up our team communication on PDF files.
  • Build a paperless workplace.
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ScreenShots

KDAN PDF Screenshots

Screenshot of a KDAN PDF Reader overviewScreenshot of the interface to edit texts, images, and links on PDFsScreenshot of KDAN AI, which can summarize, analyze, and extract information.Screenshot of the tool used to convert PDFs to different formats, online or offlineScreenshot of where to add, delete, or rearrange PDF pagesScreenshot of how to transform scans into editable, searchable PDFs with OCR