PDF reader in your pocket

Adobe Acrobat DC is one of the best-known PDF readers. Adobe invented the Portable Document Format (PDF) in the early 1990s and their readers and editors have dominated the sector ever since, in spite of many grumbles about their relatively high prices. About five years ago Acrobat started using a cloud-based model which makes their programs more functional and affordable. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (Document Cloud) is essentially the updated version of Adobe Reader and remains free, or it can be purchased as a part of a wider bundle of Adobe programs.

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is the most popular Windows PDF reader

The popularity of Adobe Acrobat DC is not simply because Adobe’s brand or because it’s free (there are other free options on the market). It is a highly versatile PDF reader, allowing you to read more types of PDF content than any other reader. You can access documents from more places than ever thanks to its integration with cloud technology. It has also been optimized for mobile use with a quick search and zoom function. Have you tried reading a document which has been shrunk down to the size of your hand? You probably have. With Adobe Acrobat Document Cloud, those days are over. It’s also fast, easy and intuitive to use. It takes very little getting used to and, in all likelihood, you have probably used Adobe Reader, its predecessor, at some point in the past.

What can Adobe Acrobat Reader DC do?

The basic functionality of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is to print, view and comment on PDF documents. It can also be used to fill and sign documents; something which is rapidly becoming ‘the norm’ now. You can type responses into the PDF, sign with your own e-signature (or initials). There is a smart autofill feature to make the process quicker and simpler. When you are done, you can send the form on electronically.

Adobe Acrobat DC has been given a modern makeover, in contrast to its old reader. The interface has also been upgraded with a set of tools to comment, highlight portions of text, use shapes, stamps and sticky notes on PDFs. Its biggest revolution comes in the form of its file storage and access capabilities. By integrating with various cloud storage platforms, you can read your PDFs from anywhere in the world. Not only that, you can view more types of PDF content than any other Windows reader software, including multimedia and forms. You can also use the reader on Windows and Mac computers, as well as Android smartphones.

Do I need an internet connection to use Adobe Acrobat Reader DC?

Many people worry you will need an internet connection to use Adobe Acrobat Reader DC because of the ‘cloud-based’ headline which surrounds it. Don’t worry, this is just a myth. What this means, in practical terms, is that you can access your PDFs from anywhere in the world via a cloud storage platform. Adobe has its own cloud storage service available, but it is also integrated with Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, Box and SharePoint.

This doesn’t just apply to businessmen and women flying around the world. You only have to leave your home to make sense of using a cloud service. The bottom line, however, is you do not need an internet connection to use this software. It works online and offline. You can just think of its cloud compatibility as an optional extra! Another myth is that you need to use Adobe Acrobat Reader DC in conjunction with the Adobe Acrobat Pro suite. This is not true but if spend a lot of your time working with PDFs it is worth considering going ‘Pro’. It’s not cheap but it is an excellent software package.

Is Adobe PDF reader the best for your PC?

There are a number of alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, including Foxit Reader, Sumatra PDF, Nitro PDF Reader and SlimPDF Reader. These can all claim to have better attributes in places, such as SlimPDF Reader which has a much smaller file size than Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. Overall, however, it is hard to point to a better PDF reader than that of Adobe.

How would you summarize Adobe’s new PDF reader?

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is free to download and use, just like the old one. It has been upgraded in various ways. There are new tools and features, plus you can use it to electronically sign documents. Its biggest change is becoming compatible with a number of cloud storage platforms, allowing the user to access files from anywhere in the world.

What is the final verdict on Adobe Acrobat DC?

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is the most popular Windows PDF reader and for good reason. While there is lots of competition in the sector, none offer such a good all-round solution. If you work extensively with PDF files, it might be worth your while investing in their Adobe Acrobat Pro package as well.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is the free, trusted leader for reliably viewing, annotating, and signing PDFs.

VIEW PDFs
• Quickly open PDF documents from email, the web, or any app that supports “Share”
• Search, scroll, zoom in and out
• Choose Single Page or Continuous Scroll mode

ANNOTATE & REVIEW PDFs
• Make comments on PDFs using sticky notes and drawing tools
• Highlight and markup text with annotation tools

FILL AND SIGN FORMS
• Quickly fill out PDF forms by typing text into fillable fields
• Use your finger to e-sign any PDF document

PRINT, STORE AND SHARE FILES
• Sign in to your free Adobe Document Cloud account
• Easily access your recent files across devices with Mobile Link
• Store and share files in the cloud
• Print documents from your Android device

IN-APP PURCHASE
Convert PDFs and organize pages on the go by subscribing to one of Adobe’s online services. You can get started without ever leaving your app and subscriptions work across all your computers and devices.

ORGANIZE PAGES IN PDF FILES
• Subscribe to Acrobat Pro DC using In-App Purchase
• Reorder, rotate, and delete pages in your PDFs

CREATE PDF FILES
• Subscribe to Adobe PDF Pack using In-App Purchase
• Create PDF files
• Convert Office files and images to PDF

EXPORT PDF FILES TO WORD OR EXCEL
• Subscribe to Adobe Export PDF using In-App Purchase
• Save PDF documents as editable Microsoft Word or Excel files

ARE YOU ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?
If you have a subscription to Acrobat Pro, Acrobat Standard, PDF Pack, or Export PDF – just sign in to convert and export PDFs on the go.