Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is used to open, review, and sign documents as well as share information online with current employees and students. The commenting features are used to collect meaningful feedback on creative projects such as flyers and posters and make sure that less time is spent in meetings or reviewing emails and more time is spent making improvements.
Pros
Lets anyone review and mark up a document
Creates a universal file that can be opened on PC, Mac, or Mobile
Tracks digital signatures and forms
Cons
Adding some basic document/file editing capabilities for free would be great
Files are often overly large when including any photos or media
Creating an accessible file is too complex
Likelihood to Recommend
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is great for cross-platform sharing of static files that do not need to be changed or collaborated on. It works well as a file-based form management tool and allows users to easily fill in data and submit a completed form. It's great for annotation and commenting without requiring paid software (such as Microsoft Office).
VU
Verified User
Manager in Information Technology (1001-5000 employees)
Used Acrobat Reader though out my life on PCs. Too bad the company decided to charge a huge amount for the most basic software of using it to print forms. I accepted the $14 / month cost only because the software forced me to update while at work. I then canceled my subscription 10 days later when I had a minute to review other less costly versions. They of course charged me another $30 for canceling early! Well nice job Adobe, I will never use your software ever again! Super lame software company in my opinion. Here are a couple of suggestions of other companies that I feel don't do this kind of bait and switch. Foxit, Sodapdf, and let's not forget Chrome has a free reader plug-in.
Pros
Opened .pdf
Printed .pdf
Cons
Cost
Billing
Automatically billing
Their contract for canceling early
Likelihood to Recommend
I wouldn't recommend to anyone, too costly for just a reader in my opinion.
The program allows us to view PDFs mainly and edit or sign any documents that we receive. Anything PDFs downloaded from online sources will be opened using Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. There are many things we can do using this program like filling in forms, signing documents, or any other business-related functions that need to interact with PDFs.
Pros
E-signatures
Auto detect blanks
Highlighting and editing a document
Cons
Fill in the black without auto detect. It is sometimes hard to align everything..
The layout and tools can be challenging to get used to.
PDF to word documents can be improved.
Likelihood to Recommend
This is a useful tool for anyone who downloads and uses PDFs in the day-to-day operations of their role. It has many functionalities like PDF to word documents, e-signatures, commenting, and printing PDF documents. You can annotate PDFs from anywhere, store files on the cloud, and ultimately it makes it easier to collaborate with colleagues. It would be best for e-signatures and editing PDFs, but mainly the program is used for doing anything you like to a PDF.
We constantly use Adobe. Many forms are sent in PDF, so Adobe is our go-to program. We keep many files in PDF format and Adobe is the way we view, sign and add notes to documents in this format. Plus, Adobe works hand in hand with our payroll software. I would highly recommend Adobe to any business.
Pros
Signing documents in pdf format
Some editing, as in adding notes on pdf's.
Usually converts well to Word Doc format.
Cons
Doesn’t always function if I’m not the administrator
Many features are not available without upgrading to more expensive versions - especially the lack of more editing available in this version.
Frequent spam notifications on updates and other Adobe-affiliated products can get quite persistent and annoying.
Likelihood to Recommend
Adobe is so USER FRIENDLY!! I can not say this enough, when we were looking for options our first priority was for it to be user-friendly and easy to get to on a daily basis! We use this product several times a week for various things, converting or signing documents are our top two! Again, functions are limited unless you upgrade.
Acrobat Reader is a must-have. This was the first and best tool for reading PDF files that have helped me to read documentation or to validate the outcome of a computer program. I use it every day to read documents, manuals, payroll receipts, and more. It's not just a tool that helps to read the PDF files it's an actual reliable software program that will be always up and keep innovating.
Pros
Loads pretty fast.
It's reliable offline and in the cloud.
Copying text is easy.
Cons
Have the ability to programmatically add more functionality.
Likelihood to Recommend
As a developer this is not just a tool to read your documentation, it helps to validate in the most reliable way if a program outcome is correct. Many times we have to come up with PDF generation and Adobe Acrobat is always present to open the document fast so you can keep improving your layout and process.
VU
Verified User
Employee in Information Technology (1001-5000 employees)
In an organization where users are operating on computers, tablets, and phones with different operating systems, screen sizes, and office software, Adobe Acrobat Reader has allowed us to quickly and easily share content without the worry of losing the intended appearance. In recent years, the functionality added by the Fill & Sign toolbar makes Acrobat reader even more useful to the company. For most users who don't require the full functionality of being able to create forms and do advance editing in Acrobat Pro, the Fill & Sign options in Acrobat Reader allow for the adding of text and basic markup to PDF documents as well as storing two types of signatures for quick document signing. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is also a very good option for collaboration on documents saved in PDF format. The expanded toolset included with the Comments toolbar allows users to add notes, status stamps (e.g revised, approved), draw shapes and illustrations, and even attach files or audio recordings to a PDF document. The document is also easily shared using Adobe cloud and all the markup left by users is organized into a summary panel that can be easily reviewed and actioned by the document's creator.
Pros
Easy document sharing for viewing on all device types regardless of the document source.
Provides a rich toolset for document collaboration and markup while preserving the original.
Simplifies the document signature process for users without the need of expensive software.
Cons
Being able to add image "stamps" to a document is a little tricky as the stamp has to already be in PDF format (at least on Mac) to work. This mean you have to convert the image to PDF before you can use it as a stamp.
Being only able to save one signature and one set of initials is a bit of a pain but you can actually use stamps if you need different versions frequently used scribbles for various reasons. The stamp won't secure the document and prevent future changes the same way the signature would though.
All of the other features you might want to use are only included with Acrobat Pro but the options are all displayed in the Reader app. When clicked they will offer the free trial that leads to a paid subscription. This is more of an annoyance but you can't fault Adobe for trying to make a sale.
Likelihood to Recommend
For standard users who only need to view and print PDF documents Adobe reader is the ideal solution. If there are users in your organization who may only need to review and sign PDF documents or maybe offer comments or suggestions to existing documents then Adobe Reader is also a good solution for them and there is no need to upgrade. However, if you need the ability to create fillable forms from other office documents or existing PDF documents then you will need to upgrade to the Pro version. You will also need to upgrade to the Acrobat pro version if you need the ability to change text which exists in a PDF document or to alter the layout of an existing PDF document. Finally if you have PDF documents that need to be converted back to the original Microsoft Word format for full editing, you also need the Acrobat Pro upgrade to be able to do this.
VU
Verified User
Manager in Professional Services (51-200 employees)
We use Adobe Acrobat Reader for many functions in the workplace, most importantly to update and edit PDF documents, especially our client agreements. We use the editing features, we export documents to and from Microsoft Word, and we also utilize the combine/separate feature to manage pages within a document.
Pros
Editing.
Reformatting Scanned Documents.
Electronic Signature Functionalities.
Cons
The only thing that I can think that could be improved upon would be the ease of using the formatting text feature within the program and more flexibility in customizations like this.
Likelihood to Recommend
It's a well-suited program for working with varying types of documents, it's especially convenient for documents requiring signatures and/or initials.
I use Adobe Acrobat Reader almost on a daily basis. I have increased my usage over the 18 months due to the increased remote work for myself and all my staff. I use it primarily to fill and sign documents, agreements, and invoices. This has made it very easy to approve, sign and route documents for signatures.
Pros
Capability to E-Sign documents.
Ability to share document for review and signatures of team members.
Convert Word document to PDF.
Protect document content.
Cons
Create a signed copy of the document automatically after e-sign.
Easy to find documents from C Drive.
Make certificate signing more user friendly.
Likelihood to Recommend
Adobe is well suited for small business operations. It allows you quick to covert documents, sign documents, and review and scan documents. It is not that great for large organizations that have multiple layers of signatures needed. The scanning function and converting function works great for either large or small business.
We use it to merge and modify files for our internal system scan. It is used at all of our facilities by all employees. Because of the document cloud, we are able to store and share files with all staff members. We can eliminate the use of paper signatures by using the esign feature which is of much use during these unprecedented times. Many of our customers prefer to do their signing electronically.
Pros
Merge files
Create space
Edit and modify documents
Cons
Cost efficiency
Resolution size
Likelihood to Recommend
It is well suited by merging together files and documents from other non-adobe files to create cohesiveness. We like that we can turn any PDF [into] a Word or Excel document with ease. We use DropBox and like that it integrates with that and our Microsoft programs. Ultimately, it helps us to stay organized.
We use Adobe Acrobat Reader DC to fill out company forms (offer letters, transfer forms, handbooks, release forms) and send them virtually among our employees and new employees.
Pros
Ease of use
Functionality
Convenient for remote companies
Cons
Functionality of email messages attached to an Adobe Document
Inability to go back once you are in the page where you assign signers
Likelihood to Recommend
Adobe Acrobat works well for inter-office documents, electronic signing, document sharing, etc.
Adobe Acrobat (the version we use) doesn't work great with bulk signing documents.
