PDF vs RTF
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.
.rtf
Full guide →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 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
RTF advantages
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Basic formatting support
- No macros — safer than DOC/DOCX
- Human-readable markup
RTF limitations
- Limited advanced formatting
- Larger than plain text
- No modern features like tables or charts
- Inconsistent rendering across editors
Which should you use?
PDF and RTF serve different purposes. PDF is ideal for business documents and contracts, while RTF excels at cross-platform document sharing.
Best uses for PDF
Best uses for RTF
Convert between PDF and RTF
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.