Which format should you use?
Plain-language comparisons of the file formats and tools you choose between when you share, print and archive documents — each with a short answer first, then the details.
PDF vs Word: which format should you use?
PDF vs Word compared on editing, layout, compatibility and security — plus when to send a PDF, when to share a .docx and how to convert between them free.
UpdatedJPG vs PNG: which image format is better?
JPG vs PNG compared on compression, quality, transparency and file size — and which format to use for photos, screenshots, scans and PDFs.
UpdatedPDF vs PDF/A: what's the difference?
PDF vs PDF/A explained: what the archiving standard requires, what it forbids, and when courts, governments and archives ask for PDF/A files.
UpdatedOnline PDF tools vs desktop software: which should you use?
Online PDF tools and desktop PDF software compared on cost, privacy, features and convenience — and how to choose the right one for merging and converting.
UpdatedWant step-by-step instructions instead? Browse the PDF guides or the PDF glossary.