Adobe Acrobat Reader vs. Tungsten PaperPort

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
Tungsten PaperPort
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
Tungsten PaperPort (formerly from Kofax and Nuance) is a document management software offering. It includes features such as desktop document management solution and allows you to manage and organize your documents in one solution.
$99
one-time fee per license
Pricing
Adobe Acrobat ReaderTungsten PaperPort
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
PaperPort Standard
$99
one-time fee per license
PaperPort Professional
$199
one-time fee per license
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Adobe Acrobat ReaderTungsten PaperPort
Free Trial
NoYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsPerpetual license products, there are no subscription or maintenance fees. Buy once, own forever.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Adobe Acrobat ReaderTungsten PaperPort
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.
Tungsten PaperPort
Chose Tungsten PaperPort
Tungsten PaperPort has actually gone through SEVERAL ownership changes since I began using it - I think I initially started using it when it came bundled with a Visioneer scanner...?... but regardless, I've used it for a very long time, and it's continued to get better. I've …
Chose Tungsten PaperPort
Kofax PaperPort is considerably cheaper than Adobe Acrobat (Pro) and includes so much more than just PDF editing. It allows us to scan, organize, search, and manipulate our documents on the computer instead of in physical filing cabinets. The time saved doing document …
Chose Tungsten PaperPort
I've been using this for years, had many different versions of it, so I just kept upgrading and I didn't try any other software.
Chose Tungsten PaperPort
I was ecstatic to see someone moving PaperPort away from Nuance (Those in my circle of friends refer to them as Nuisance). The lack of customer involvement by Nuance made finding answers to things that sometimes irritate a user to being downright frustrating.
Maybe the purchase …
Chose Tungsten PaperPort
Purchased the Pro because of prior history with Nuance PaperPort. Wish I had done research prior to spending $199.
Chose Tungsten PaperPort
PaperPort is superior in both ease of use and functionality.
Chose Tungsten PaperPort
I don't know of any other software that manages as much as PaperPort and have never looked as I have been using the software for over 20 years! I started using the Pro version likely about 10-15 years ago.
Best Alternatives
Adobe Acrobat ReaderTungsten PaperPort
Small Businesses
Tungsten Power PDF
Tungsten Power PDF
Score 9.4 out of 10
Square 9 Softworks
Square 9 Softworks
Score 9.1 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
pdfFiller
pdfFiller
Score 9.0 out of 10
MSB Docs
MSB Docs
Score 9.4 out of 10
Enterprises
Bluebeam
Bluebeam
Score 9.1 out of 10
Tungsten Capture
Tungsten Capture
Score 8.0 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Adobe Acrobat ReaderTungsten PaperPort
Likelihood to Recommend
9.2
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.2
(0 ratings)
9.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
10.0
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Adobe Acrobat ReaderTungsten PaperPort
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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It's a good tool for the organization which still send or receive a lot of paper documents. Keeping a track of paper receipts and documents is messy and not sustainable beyond a point. With Kofax PaperPort, the documents can be digitized and stored and even the information can be structured and the processes can be automated.
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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 editing of a PDF or image by cleaning up an image are most important to me.
  • Ability to remove scanning artifacts from difficult to scan items at the actual pixel level.
  • The ability to set scanner profiles makes workflow easier.
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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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  • It should have a back button, so if you go from one folder to the next, it would be simple to get back to the first folder.
  • When you combine two PDFs, it should retain the title of the one that's on top.
  • The send to bar should be easier to change.
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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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PaperPort has a few quirks, but it is the only program of its kind that actually does what it claims to do. The power of it is so much more than they claim especially when it comes to trying to achieve a truly paperless office. With PDF editing built-in, it also saves considerable investment in other PDF editing programs.
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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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For us, it's only focusing processes that we're already doing... creating folders, placing scanned files into those folders, then searching for and opening up those files later, as needed. It just helps us view everything in one place - very convenient. Further, being able to drag non-native files to their corresponding source app for editing (Word, Excel, etc) is pretty nice.
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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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Tungsten PaperPort has actually gone through SEVERAL ownership changes since I began using it - I think I initially started using it when it came bundled with a Visioneer scanner...?... but regardless, I've used it for a very long time, and it's continued to get better. I've not actually tried any other similar software. This works, and I intend to stick with it.
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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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  • Simple focus on organization of files
  • Efficient later, when searching for files
  • Convenient throughout the office, as we're all accessing a shared data store
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ScreenShots