PDF vs DOC
How do PDF and DOCcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
Portable Document Format
PDF is the universal standard for sharing documents. It preserves formatting, fonts, and layout across all devices and operating systems. From contracts to resumes, PDF is the format the world relies on.
.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 While still widely encountered, it has been superseded by DOCX.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.
| Specification | DOC | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Portable Document Format | Microsoft Word Document (Legacy) |
| Extension | .doc | |
| MIME type | application/pdf | application/msword |
| Category | Document | Document |
| Developer | Adobe Systems | Microsoft |
| Year introduced | 1993 | 1983 |
PDF advantages
- Consistent display on all devices
- Supports digital signatures and forms
- Compact file sizes with good compression
- Industry standard for official documents
PDF limitations
- Difficult to edit without specialized software
- Not ideal for responsive or reflowable content
- Can be large with embedded fonts and images
- Accessibility can be poor if not properly tagged
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
Which should you use?
PDF and DOC serve different purposes. PDF is ideal for business documents and contracts, while DOC excels at opening legacy documents.
Best uses for PDF
Best uses for DOC
Convert between PDF and DOC
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.