Format comparison
RTF vs EPUB
How do RTF and EPUBcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.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.
.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 | RTF | EPUB |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rich Text Format | Electronic Publication |
| Extension | .rtf | .epub |
| MIME type | application/rtf | application/epub+zip |
| Category | Document | Document |
| Developer | Microsoft | International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) |
| Year introduced | 1987 | 2007 |
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
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?
RTF and EPUB serve different purposes. RTF is ideal for cross-platform document sharing, while EPUB excels at e-books and digital publications.
Best uses for RTF
Cross-platform document sharing
Simple formatted documents
Email-safe document attachments
Clipboard data exchange
Best uses for EPUB
E-books and digital publications
Online magazines and journals
Educational textbooks
Documentation and manuals
Convert between RTF and EPUB
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.