How do PDF and RTFcompare? 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.
Rich Text Format
RTF is a cross-platform document format that supports basic formatting like bold, italic, fonts, and colors. It's a universal middle ground between plain text and full document formats.
| Specification | RTF | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Portable Document Format | Rich Text Format |
| Extension | .rtf | |
| MIME type | application/pdf | application/rtf |
| Category | Document | Document |
| Developer | Adobe Systems | Microsoft |
| Year introduced | 1993 | 1987 |
PDF and RTF serve different purposes. PDF is ideal for business documents and contracts, while RTF excels at cross-platform document sharing.
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