PDF vs EPUB
How do PDF and EPUBcompare? 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.
.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 | EPUB | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Portable Document Format | Electronic Publication |
| Extension | .epub | |
| MIME type | application/pdf | application/epub+zip |
| Category | Document | Document |
| Developer | Adobe Systems | International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) |
| Year introduced | 1993 | 2007 |
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
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?
PDF and EPUB serve different purposes. PDF is ideal for business documents and contracts, while EPUB excels at e-books and digital publications.
Best uses for PDF
Best uses for EPUB
Convert between PDF and EPUB
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.