Adobe Acrobat is worth it for enterprises needing full PDF management, but it may not be ideal for small businesses, freelancers, or everyday users.

Adobe Acrobat might be worth it if you are an enterprise-level user with a heavy PDF workflow and want a comprehensive PDF management solution. However, with so many affordable PDF tools available, paying for Adobe’s features can feel excessive. This is especially true if you’re a small business, freelancer, or everyday user in need of basic editing, conversion, or signing.

In this article, we’ll try to answer “Is Adobe Acrobat worth it?”, highlighting what you actually get for the cost in 2025. We will examine what the platform actually offers and how it compares, feature-by-feature, to PDF.net, as one of the best Adobe Acrobat alternatives.

Adobe Acrobat offers several products, with Adobe Acrobat Standard, Pro, and Studio being the most comprehensive ones.

Adobe Acrobat costs between $19.99 and $24.99 per month, depending on the specific product and plan.

PDF.net is one of the best alternatives to Adobe Acrobat with a more intuitive interface and less costly plans.

Adobe Acrobat is only worth it if you are an enterprise user seeking comprehensive PDF management.

 by John Warnock and Charles Geschke, it has become one of the most popular PDF tools, considered as 

Each Adobe Acrobat product has its own specific suite of tools, but in general, they offer the following capabilities:

Running OCR (Optical Character Recognition)

 and access them from any device. Also, these files are all 

 and protected by Adobe’s enterprise-grade security.

, which is mainly for designing materials. If you have design-to-document workflows, this is especially handy.

Adobe Acrobat Standard, Pro, and Studio are the three main options in Adobe suite. Here is a brief 

Adobe Acrobat Standard vs. Pro vs. Studio comparison

To use the tools aside from Adobe Acrobat Reader, you need to opt for one of the 

. This means you pay a fixed amount of money monthly or yearly to maintain access. While subscribing allows you to enjoy Adobe’s continuous updates, it can be quite costly in the long run.

How Much Does Adobe Acrobat Cost in 2025?

Adobe Acrobat costs between $12.99 and $24.99 per month, depending on the plan. Here’s a detailed breakdown of Adobe Acrobat’s subscription costs:

specific plans for businesses, students, and teachers

, but these are subscription-based as well. For instance, students and teachers can purchase Creative Cloud Pro at $24.99 per month.

 over time. Also, because many features rely on the cloud, 

on Adobe’s servers and constant updates. That’s why many non-corporate users look for 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is good for editing, converting, signing, and protecting PDFs, with a well-established reputation as a

However, it is not ideal for everyone. Some find it 

Let’s take a closer look at Adobe Acrobat’s pros and cons:

Adobe Acrobat vs. PDF.net: Which One Is Better for You?

As already mentioned, there are affordable Adobe Acrobat alternatives, such as 

. To decide which option is better for you, consider how often you work with PDFs and what you usually need to do with them. PDF.net is a browser-based editor that is much lighter and less expensive for handling PDFs.

You can use this PDF editor to complete your task at hand right away, and pay upon downloading. There are three pricing plans to choose from:

If you are budget-conscious but still want a reliable tool, PDF.net is the top lightweight PDF editor. You can add up to 10 members to your plan, so it is suitable even if you are part of a team.

Many students, freelancers, and small businesses have found the tool handy, without the need to pay for lots of functionalities that you won’t use.

Here is how Adobe Acrobat and PDF.net compare:

day-to-day work heavily involves handling PDFs. 

For example, an enterprise team with an established workflow with Adobe Acrobat can easily streamline tasks and keep everything organized.

Also, many wonder “Is Adobe Acrobat good for small businesses?” In short—yes, but if you 

such as healthcare, because the platform offers robust security standards. In particular, it meets HIPAA and SOC 2 compliance.

If you are in the U.S. but work with clients or colleagues in the EU, you will also be glad to know that Adobe Acrobat ensures GDPR compliance. Besides password-protection, encryption, and redaction, Adobe Acrobat includes security warning features and can be used to 

PDF.net is the smarter choice when you want to 

. Since this PDF editor is entirely browser-based, you won’t have to wait for anything to install or worry about whether your device still has enough space for an installation. Many digital nomads, freelancers, and commuters consider PDF.net the 

It is also smarter to choose PDF.net if you prefer to completely polish your PDF before signing up for an account and paying for a plan. You won’t have to register for a trial version to test out all the tools and stress over remembering to cancel your subscription to avoid automatic renewal fees.

In addition, this browser-based editor is ideal if you don’t want to spend a lot of time learning how to use it. You won’t have to read through guides or watch YouTube tutorials to complete your tasks. Most functionalities, like 

Furthermore, PDF.net is preferable if your budget is not too generous or you can’t justify paying for Adobe Acrobat’s premium price tag when you won’t use all the features available. It won’t lock you in for the whole year unless you choose the annual plan. If you only need to complete PDF tasks project-by-project, the 7-day plans might be more suitable and affordable.

So, is Adobe Acrobat worth it? Yes, if you are an enterprise-level user seeking integrated document management. However, if you want an affordable, lightweight PDF solution without too many complicated features, then an alternative like PDF.net is a better choice.

This handy, browser-based PDF editor delivers 80% of Acrobat’s functionality with 0% of the hassle. You won’t have to install any software, and the interface is incredibly intuitive. Plus, you can polish your PDF with access to all the tools and only pay for a plan upon downloading.

#1. Is Adobe Acrobat Pro worth paying for in 2025?

Adobe Acrobat Pro is worth paying for in 2025 

 working with PDFs regularly and need a comprehensive PDF management solution. Otherwise, at $19.95 per month for the full package, PDF.net might be a better investment.

 replace Adobe Acrobat if you need a tool for creating, converting, editing, organizing, and password-protecting PDFs. Unless you need a software solution with features for redaction and certification, you won’t need Adobe Acrobat.

#3. What’s the difference between Adobe Acrobat and PDF.net?

Adobe Acrobat has seven products at different price points, and they all need to be installed, while PDF.net is one 

. You can use it on mobile without a separate application, and you only need to purchase a plan upon downloading your PDF.

#4. Is there a free version of Adobe Acrobat?

is free; the other Adobe Acrobat products offer free trials only. You will have to pay for subscription plans after the free trials end.

#5. What’s the best alternative to Adobe Acrobat for small businesses?

One of the best alternatives to Adobe Acrobat for small businesses is 

. This PDF editor works entirely online, loads quickly, and is very easy to use. It is also affordable, with plans at $1.45, $1.95, and $19.95.

Is Adobe Acrobat Worth It in 2025? Pros, Cons & Alternatives

Discover the best Adobe Acrobat alternatives, their pros, cons, and why they are a good fit for small businesses.

The best Adobe Acrobat alternatives offer several powerful features, such as PDF editing, signing, and sharing tools, but without the high cost or complexity. While Adobe Acrobat remains the industry standard, small businesses often don’t need such advanced features that come with too steep subscription fees.

For smaller businesses, managing documents should not feel like managing an entire software suite. Therefore, we evaluated several affordable alternatives in 2025 that make PDF handling easier without sacrificing quality or functionality. Follow along as we explore the top five Adobe Acrobat alternatives in detail to help you choose the best one for your needs.

The best affordable Adobe Acrobat alternatives are Foxit PDF editor, PDF.net, Nitro PDF Pro, Wondershare PDF Element, and Smallpdf.

Adobe Acrobat alternatives are handy for small businesses, as they are more affordable, and still offer the essential PDF tools like editing, signing, converting, etc.

Think about what tasks you usually need to complete with PDFs and the number of PDFs you often handle to pick the best Adobe Acrobat alternative.

Why Look for an Adobe Acrobat Alternative?

, contracts, forms, or documents often, but you find it difficult to justify Adobe Acrobat's 

, it’s time to consider an alternative.

These licensing fees can quickly add up, especially if you only need basic editing or signing tools rather than a full enterprise package.

Also, it’s a good idea to think of an alternative if your 

 because of Adobe Acrobat’s complex interface. Most alternatives are browser-based and let you edit, sign, and share PDFs in just a few clicks. They often include simpler dashboards, faster load times, and better web access, which makes them ideal if you need to get things done without technical hurdles.

Furthermore, many modern Adobe Acrobat alternatives include tools designed with small businesses in mind, such as cloud storage, AI automation, and AI-assisted form filling to make everyday PDF handling faster and easier. So, you 

won’t have to worry about overcoming a steep learning curve

on features you don’t necessarily need.

Best 5 Adobe Acrobat Alternatives for Small Businesses

Below are the five best Adobe Acrobat alternatives for small businesses. Each of these tools combines essential PDF features like 

, e-signing, merging, converting, and secure sharing with a simpler, more user-friendly experience.

They are easy to set up, far more affordable, and enable streamlined collaboration. Moreover, most of them work smoothly with Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft Office. Let’s take a closer look at each of the alternatives.

At $129.99 per year, Foxit PDF Editor is a well-trusted alternative to Adobe Acrobat that offers 

all the tools a small business would need

 when handling PDFs, such as editing, commenting, signing, and sharing.

One key advantage Foxit PDF Editor has over Adobe Acrobat is 

. It features a ribbon-style toolbar that makes editing and navigating much simpler, especially for teams without technical expertise. The editor supports 

and offers integration with Google Drive, Box, SharePoint, and OneDrive.

such as PDF AI Assistant, Chat with PDF, a PDF summarizer, Chat with image, and Smart Redact, that makes tasks more streamlined. Its 

 Type 2, TAA, VPAT508, HIPAA, and ADA compliance.

Like any Adobe Acrobat alternative, Foxit has its pros and cons. Let’s take a look at both:

This affordable PDF software is a great choice if you work with documents on a day-to-day basis and need a dependable tool without breaking the budget.

If your small business values speed, security, and professional results and doesn’t need many advanced features, Foxit PDF Editor offers the right balance of functionality and affordability.

PDF.net is a browser-based PDF platform known for its 

 on this PDF editor without having to watch any tutorial videos.

, and you can start working from any device right away. It works on Mac, Windows, and mobile. PDF.net uses 

, so all uploads, edits, and downloads are encrypted during transfer. Also, it automatically deletes your documents after processing to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.

, Translate PDF, and Summarize PDF that make working with documents faster and more intuitive. Overall, it delivers the essential functions most small businesses rely on with pricing plans 

However, as with any other tool, we need consider the pros and cons:

If you want a fast, no-fuss Adobe Acrobat alternative, PDF.net is the ideal option. Even if you are on a tight budget, you can enjoy PDF.net’s efficiency and accessibility. 

 in just a few minutes and give it a try.

This is another PDF software like Adobe Acrobat. Its 

include creating, converting, editing, signing, and securing 

. It has strong e-signature capabilities that are handy for small businesses that work with contracts and agreements frequently.

Nitro PDF Pro pricing plans range between 

 with Office 365, Sharepoint 365, OneDrive for Business, Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, allowing you to work and collaborate without switching tools.

It also provides features like Nitro AI Document Assistant, Nitro Table & Form Extract, and Nitro AI Knowledge Assistant, while maintaining 

, such as SOC 2 Type 2, HIPAA, and GDPR compliance.

Like the Adobe Acrobat alternatives above, Nitro PDF Pro has its strengths and limitations:

Nitro PDF Pro suits small businesses handling many 

. Also, it’s suitable for both Windows and Mac systems, and supports 

(Optical Character Recognition) processing for scanned PDFs.

As another Adobe Acrobat alternative, Wondershare PDFelement provides small businesses with 

 that make it easier to perform tasks like summarizing or formatting.

If you often work with paper receipts or proposals, you will also be glad to know that it includes reliable OCR technology that can turn scanned PDFs into editable, 

 with ease. Plus, the pricing, ranging from free to $139.99,

is rather appealing if you're on a budget.

Unlike Adobe Acrobat, which takes time getting used to, Wondershare PDFelement is 

. Its collaboration tools are designed for small businesses, and PDFelement Cloud offers 

 with upgrade options up to 100GB for easy sharing and syncing. For security, you can avail of its password protection, redaction, and encryption options.

Now, let’s take a closer look at Wondershare PDFelement’s pros and cons:

If you want comprehensive tools but don’t want to pay enterprise-level prices, Wondershare PDFelement is one of the best Adobe Acrobat alternatives. You can use it to handle scanned contracts, invoices, and reports efficiently and still maintain strong security standards.

This Adobe Acrobat alternative is a browser-based platform

that makes editing and managing PDFs incredibly simple. It offers 

 and conversion to editing and e-signing.

Smallpdf’s intuitive interface makes it easy to use and also less time-consuming, so it is often the go-to option for small businesses that are already stretched thin. The platform also offers 

, with a free plan for basic tasks and paid options starting at $9 per month for individual users or $7 per month for teams of up to 100 people.

 with Google Workspace and Dropbox, which means you can manage documents directly from the platforms you already use daily. Smallpdf's 

, with 256-bit TLS encryption and ISO/IEC 27001 certification, ensuring full compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and nFADP standards to protect your information.

Here’s a quick breakdown of Smallpdf’s pros and cons:

Smallpdf is ideal for small businesses that 

 rather than complex editing capabilities; for example, startups and creative agencies that 

and need occasional PDF tasks completed quickly.

How to Choose the Right PDF Tool for Your Business?

To choose the right PDF tool for your business, keep these three tips in mind:

Assess business size and document volume. 

A small team with light documents might just need a simple, browser-based solution that gets things done. On the other hand, a larger team will do better with a tool that offers advanced features and automation.

Prioritize security and team collaboration.

 Tools that come with encryption options, role-based permissions, and real-time sharing will allow your team to work together more smoothly. At the same time, it won’t compromise your documents’ safety.

Most PDF tools have subscription models that can add up in the long run. If you want the best value for your money, it is important to choose a tool that updates regularly and offers new features often to grow with you.

Many small businesses have found that a platform like 

 between affordability, security, and ease of use. It provides all the necessary tools to handle PDFs without slowing down or overwhelming workflows; if this is what your team needs, it is easy to create an account and start using it right away!

Although Adobe Acrobat is a popular PDF tool, it is not always the most practical choice for small businesses. Foxit PDF editor, PDF.net, Nitro PDF Pro, Wondershare PDF Element, and Smallpdf are all alternatives that offer comparable features without the premium price tag or steep learning curve.

, consider your business needs, security and collaboration features, as well as your budget. Weigh in all the pros and cons before you make a final decision.

#1. What is the best free Adobe Acrobat alternative?

The best free Adobe Acrobat alternative depends on the size of your business, your needs, and typical workflows. However, some of the most affordable options include 

Foxit PDF Editor, PDF.net, Nitro PDF Pro, Wondershare PDF Element, and Smallpdf.

#2. Which PDF editor is most affordable for small businesses?

The PDF editor that is most affordable for small businesses is 

. It offers essential editing, signing, and collaboration tools without steep subscription costs. You can choose from three pricing plans: $1.45 for 7-day limited access, $1.95 for 7-day full access, and $19.95 per month for the annual plan.

#3. Is PDF.net secure for handling sensitive documents?

for handling sensitive documents. This is one of the few online PDF tools for teams with HTTPS connections, which ensure that any PDF you upload, edit, and download stays private and protected from unauthorized access.

#4. What features should I look for in a PDF editor in 2025?

advanced collaboration tools, secure cloud storage, and AI or automated features

 as a small business. These features will help you and your team handle digital records faster and more safely.

#5. Can I edit and sign PDFs online without Adobe Acrobat?

 online without Adobe Acrobat. All the alternatives above—Foxit PDF editor, PDF.net, Nitro PDF Pro, Wondershare PDF Element, and Smallpdf—offer these capabilities.

Top 5 Adobe Acrobat Alternatives for Small Businesses in 2025

Extract images from PDFs using online tools, PDF readers, or advanced software to save visuals in high quality and reuse them whenever.  

You can extract images from PDFs using online tools, free PDF readers, or advanced programs that pull visuals directly from the file instead of getting frustrated at taking screenshots and copying and pasting.

In this guide, we will cover three practical methods for extracting PDF images, offer troubleshooting tips for common issues, and share the best practices for managing your images once they are extracted.

Extracting images from PDFs allows you to reuse visuals without having to redraw them or take screenshots.

You can do so and then save the images as PNG, JPG, BMP, TIFF, or SVG files; the format you choose depends on how you will use the extracted images.

Online tools like PDF.net, PDF reader software like Foxit Reader or Nitro PDF Reader, or advanced programs like Poppler can help you with the extraction process.

To manage your files after extraction, optimize their sizes and give them clear, consistent names.

You should extract images from PDFs because it’s the best way to reuse visuals without sacrificing their quality or your time. Plus, because the 

 preserves formatting well, it is a popular choice for

Professionals, students, and creatives, in particular, benefit from 

PDFs packed with charts, diagrams, infographics, photos, etc. 

These carry important insights, but getting them out of PDFs for other materials, such as reports, notes, and presentations, 

requires workarounds, such as redrawing or taking screenshots.

, so neither option is great. On the other hand, extracting images from PDFs 

For example, if you are putting together a report and need to include charts and diagrams from a PDF your team has, extracting is simple and keeps the visuals sharp.

The same goes for designers and marketers repurposing PDF images for ads, brochures, banners, and slides, as well as 

using visuals for projects and presentations.

Can You Extract Images From PDFs in Any Image Format?

extract images from PDFs online in various formats

, depending on your needs and the tools you use. Generally, you can choose to save your images as 

 is perfect when you need crisp visuals with transparency for presentations or web graphics. Meanwhile, JPG is better for sharing large images online because of its smaller file size.

BMP and TIFF are often good options when quality cannot be compromised, such as in archiving or professional printing. 

, on the other hand, is especially useful for vector-based visuals, such as logos and icons, because it can scale infinitely without losing clarity.

Here is a quick comparison of these image formats and their uses:

How to Extract Images From PDFs: 3 Methods Explained

To extract images from PDFs, you can use online tools, PDF reader software, or advanced tools. These budget-friendly methods work just as well as an expensive program like Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Online tools like PDF-to-image converters typically have a drag-and-drop interface, where you can:

Download the visuals individually or together in a zipped folder.

When choosing online tools, be sure to keep privacy and security concerns in mind; if you are not sure, it is best to use 

 to protect your files during transfer and 

automatically delete them after processing

2. Wait a few seconds for the tool to convert the PDF to images.

If you only need to occasionally copy images from PDFs online (for example, a diagram for a presentation or an infographic from a report), online tools are the most convenient choice.

If you prefer working offline, free PDF reader software might be the best option for you; programs like 

 on Mac allow you to select and save pictures directly.

Choose your preferred format (e.g., PNG, JPG, BMP).

This method of extracting pictures from PDF files is best for users who value privacy and don’t mind spending a bit more time handling multiple pictures.

Advanced tools are the best for researchers, developers, or professionals managing large sets of PDFs. Open-source tools like 

 command, which extracts all embedded images in one go. Similarly, Python libraries such as 

 can be scripted to automate the process.

These advanced tools are great for tech-savvy professionals comfortable with coding or terminal commands; for example, developers, data analysts, and 

, who often work with large or complex PDFs, where manual extraction would be impractical.

Troubleshooting Common Issues With Image Extraction From PDFs

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when troubleshooting common issues with image extraction from PDFs:

Sometimes, when you copy images from PDFs online, they can look pixelated. This usually happens when the original image inside the 

 or is of low resolution. To improve the quality, try to extract in a lossless format like PNG or TIFF, or see if you can get a higher-quality version of the PDF.

Scanned documents often store pages as flat images rather than embedded graphics. In this case, traditional extraction will not work. You will have to use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tools that can separate text and images from scans, or export sections as high-quality images.

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