DOC vs EPUB
How do DOC and EPUBcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.doc
Full guide →Microsoft Word Document (Legacy)
DOC is the legacy binary format used by Microsoft Word before 2007. While still widely encountered, it has been superseded by DOCX. Many older documents and templates still use this format.
.epub
Full guide →Electronic Publication
EPUB is the open standard for digital books and publications. It supports reflowable content that adapts to any screen size, making it the preferred format for e-readers and reading apps.
| Specification | DOC | EPUB |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Microsoft Word Document (Legacy) | Electronic Publication |
| Extension | .doc | .epub |
| MIME type | application/msword | application/epub+zip |
| Category | Document | Document |
| Developer | Microsoft | International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) |
| Year introduced | 1983 | 2007 |
DOC advantages
- Universal recognition
- Compatible with older Word versions
- Still supported by all major office suites
- Extensive installed base of existing documents
DOC limitations
- Larger file sizes than DOCX
- Binary format — harder to recover if corrupted
- Limited to older feature set
- Being phased out in favor of DOCX
EPUB advantages
- Reflowable text — adapts to any screen
- Open standard with wide support
- Supports rich formatting and images
- Accessible with screen readers
EPUB limitations
- Not supported by Amazon Kindle natively
- Complex internal structure
- Formatting can be inconsistent
- Less control over layout than PDF
Which should you use?
DOC and EPUB serve different purposes. DOC is ideal for opening legacy documents, while EPUB excels at e-books and digital publications.
Best uses for DOC
Best uses for EPUB
Convert between DOC and EPUB
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.