6 Reasons to Buy Adobe Acrobat Today

Adobe Acrobat is the most well-known and frequently used application software for handling Portable Document Format (PDF) files. First released in 1993 while the web was young, Acrobat has morphed along with the worldwide digital space to become the leading document application across numerous professional industries. If you plan to do anything with web or business documents, you need Adobe Acrobat. 

Fortunately, there are three ways to get and use Adobe Acrobat: a freeware version, a one-time fee desktop version, and through the Adobe Creative Cloud. Adding any of these versions to your professional toolbox enables you to create and manipulate PDF documents in a variety of ways. The freeware version has limited capabilities but is perfectly suitable for web browsing, viewing, and saving documents. A Creative Cloud subscription opens up endless possibilities with Acrobat.  

A History of Adobe Acrobat

Adobe was originally founded in 1982 by two former employees of Xerox. They dreamed of developing their own method of translating documents and images into print. Apple and Microsoft used their early creations. An earlier project called Camelot morphed into what became known as the Portable Document Format (PDF) files we know today. The initial release of Adobe Acrobat in 1993 saw it explode in popularity and it quickly became the defining software for PDFs. 

PDF files have become the most commonly used method of handling digital documents across the world. Adobe Acrobat Reader was frequently included with other software packages on new computers for many years. A freeware version is still available and can be used in various internet browsers. 

Adobe released the PDF patent in 2008, and it became an open license so any company can create their own version. By 2015, Adobe Acrobat had shifted to a cloud-based subscription model included in the Adobe Creative Cloud. New partnerships with Microsoft allow users to enjoy workflow innovations with PDFs in Microsoft Teams, 365, Outlook, and other products. You can also enjoy Adobe Acrobat integrations with Google. 

6 Reasons to Buy Adobe Acrobat 

Today’s Adobe Acrobat is the premiere document management tool for business, education, healthcare, law, content creation, and more. If you work with digital documents in any way, there are ample reasons you need Adobe Acrobat. Let’s explore several of them! 

Professionally Handle PDF Documents

Numerous documents are shared every day online, and the most common format is PDF. As the inventor of this innovative format, Adobe Acrobat has the ultimate suite of tools for handling PDF documents online and offline. Create your own PDFs, edit, print, digitally sign, and share from any device and operating system. 

Users can collaborate across multiple systems or platforms to edit documents, including adding or deleting pages, merging files, reordering pages, splitting single documents into multiple new documents, and converting many other file types into PDFs. You can also convert PDF files into other file types, password-protect your files, unlock protected files, compare different versions, leave comments on documents, and more. 

Enhance Collaboration

Multiple contributors to a single document can spell trouble. Adobe Acrobat facilitates seamless collaboration for the largest teams with numerous features to keep the work organized. Assign specific tasks to team members, comment or highlight areas of work, edit, annotate, and more. Your project keeps the same format and appearance regardless of who contributes to the work and the type of device or OS they use. 

Compress your PDF files to save space in your cloud storage and to enable faster access by team members. Password-protect your project so only authorized users and collaborators can view, edit, and share. You can even scan paper documents and add them into your PDFs. The scans are perfectly converted to fit seamlessly into your existing document. 

Build Your Own Publications

Publishing your own professional materials for teaching, advertising, marketing, presentations, and more is a snap with Adobe Acrobat. Incorporate your notes, images, spreadsheets, slides, and more into a single document you can design and format for printing or online sharing. Color code your presentations for easier teaching or learning. You can even convert pages or entire PDFs to PNG image files. PDF files also seamlessly integrate with learning management systems like Blackboard, Canvas, or Google. 

Help users search large documents quickly by using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) as you create your file. This Recognizable Text Feature makes your digital documents searchable so users can find exactly the information they need, highlight it, copy and paste it, and more. Printing your documents is smooth and simple; every page looks exactly like your digital document, with perfect image and text formatting. 

Expedite Contracts

Adobe Acrobat puts an end to expensive and unsecured mailing and waiting for signed contracts. Create and password-protect professional contracts and send them securely via encrypted email. You can even scan existing forms and contracts and turn them into fillable forms. Your clients can digitally initial and sign them by following the in-document Fill and Sign guide, save their own secure signed copy, and return the completed contract to you. 

You receive email notifications when your document has been viewed, signed, and returned so you can track progress. Digitally signed contracts and other documents are completely legal and are of equal veracity to manually signed documents. Forget setting up time-consuming meetings and planning for travel or mailing. Adobe Acrobat helps you get documents signed quickly and securely for faster business deals. 

Stay On Track with Your Work

Working on PDF documents within Adobe Acrobat allows you to use specific tools that help keep you on track and organized. Open up Adobe Acrobat or a specific document and you will immediately see a to-do list at the top. This list contains tasks you created for later reference, tasks assigned to you by others, comments you need to address, due dates, aspects of work for your review, and documents you need to sign. 

Each user enjoys their own consolidated dashboard within Adobe Acrobat for seamless collaboration and organization. No more forgetting important tasks or deadlines. Team members are all kept abreast of work; you even receive notifications when other collaborators view or edit a document. Streamline your workflow by digitally keeping everyone on the same page within a single work platform. 

Securely Access Your Documents in the Cloud 

Your subscription to Adobe Acrobat within the Adobe Creative Cloud keeps your documents secure and always accessible in the Adobe Document Cloud. Your team can access and work with documents anywhere they have an Internet connection and from any type of device. Scan receipts with a mobile device to include in expense reports. Edit documents on a plane from your tablet and review them later on another device from another location. 

Adobe Acrobat also works with other cloud storage options like SharePoint, Box, or OneDrive. You can combine your files in these applications with the Adobe Creative Cloud for extra secure backup storage and work on your documents seamlessly from within Adobe Acrobat. Forget switching all your documents to another cloud storage option. The Adobe Creative Cloud works with numerous other cloud services. 

Full Suite of Adobe Apps

Adobe Creative Cloud

$599.88

• Full suite of Adobe apps
• Perfect for digital painting, 3D, AR
• Access 1000s of fonts
• Save, browse, and share digital assets

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How Can I Get Adobe Acrobat? 

There are three versions of Adobe Acrobat from which to choose. Each offers select features for handling PDF documents. Special deals are also available for different levels of businesses, students, teachers, and non-profit organizations. 

Adobe Acrobat Reader 

Acrobat Reader is the freeware version available with limited functionality. It integrates with various web browsers, allowing users to perform limited edits and read, send, and save PDF files. It works with Mac and Windows devices. 

Adobe Acrobat Standard

Adobe Standard allows more professional-level uses of PDF documents. Users can read, edit, send, save, and perform higher-level tasks for a low monthly fee. Acrobat Standard 2020 also has a one-time license version for desktops. Create fillable forms and documents, add signatures, and password-protect your documents. It works with Windows and Mac devices. 

Adobe Acrobat Pro 

Acrobat Pro includes all the features of Standard, plus enhanced document editing and handling tools and increased privacy and security features. Users also enjoy seamless integration with other Adobe applications. Adobe Acrobat Pro is available singly or bundled with other Adobe Creative Cloud software applications. 

Best Overall PDF Editor

Adobe Acrobat Professional DC

$24.99

• Create and edit your PDFs on the go
• Collaborate with your team across the web, mobile, and desktop, remotely
• Early access to the latest Adobe features
• Convert your PDF without exiting the Office application
• Modify texts and images, fill and sign any PDF

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Adobe has partnered with many professional and educational institutions to offer their products free or at substantial discounts. Check with your school or business for more information. 

Additional PDF Editing Tools

With the release of their PDF patent in 2008, other companies now offer similar tools to Adobe Acrobat. Many are free or available for low cost and offer familiar features. Consider these alternatives if your budget does not support an Adobe Acrobat subscription. 

PDF24 Creator

Windows users can choose PDF24 Creator as an alternative to Adobe Acrobat; it is not available for Macs. This free desktop app will view, edit, convert, merge, compress, fill and sign, and even create new PDFs. OCR technology is also included for creating searchable documents. 

Nitro PDF Pro

Nitro PDF Pro is a popular alternative to Adobe Acrobat with many of the same features. Users can create, convert, edit, share, fill and sign, comment, annotate, and otherwise collaborate with others on PDF documents. The one-time purchase price licenses the software to you perpetually. Many buyers find this application easier to use than other alternatives. 

EaseUS PDF Editor

EaseUS PDF Editor has two versions to choose from, a free one with limited features and a Pro version that makes a respectable Adobe Acrobat alternative. The free version marks your documents so it’s not at all professional. The Pro version has a low monthly fee and does almost everything Acrobat does with an easy-to-use interface. 

Final Thoughts 

Adobe Acrobat continues to be the standard for professional document productivity. Educators, business owners, and students alike cannot get by long without this exceptional tool. Buy the version you can afford and include it in your toolbox. You won’t be sorry! 

The image featured at the top of this post is ©r.classen/Shutterstock.com.