SigPDF vs Adobe Acrobat — No Software to Install
Adobe Acrobat is the gold standard for PDF editing, but it costs €23/month and requires a desktop installation. If you just need to sign PDFs, SigPDF does it instantly in your browser for €2.99/month — no download, no Adobe ID, no complexity.
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SigPDF vs Adobe Acrobat: Side-by-Side Comparison
Adobe Acrobat Pro is a comprehensive PDF editor with advanced features like OCR, form creation, redaction, and digital signatures. It is a powerful tool built for professionals who work with PDFs extensively. Here is how it compares to SigPDF for the specific task of signing PDF documents:
| Feature | SigPDF | Adobe Acrobat Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From €2.99/month | €23.99/month (annual plan) |
| Installation | None — works in browser | Desktop app required (~1 GB) |
| Account required | No | Yes (Adobe ID) |
| Privacy | Files processed in your browser | Local processing (desktop) or cloud |
| Full PDF editing | No — signing focused | Yes (edit text, images, pages) |
| Works on phone | Yes (any browser) | Requires separate mobile app |
| Digital signatures (PKI) | No | Yes (certificate-based) |
| Time to first signature | Under 30 seconds | Download + install + account setup |
No Download, No Installation, No Waiting
Adobe Acrobat Pro is a desktop application that requires downloading roughly 1 GB of software, creating an Adobe ID, and going through an installation process. If you are on a work computer with restricted permissions, a Chromebook, or simply want to sign a PDF right now, that is a barrier. SigPDF works instantly in any modern browser — open the page, drop your PDF, place your signature, and download. The entire process takes seconds, not minutes.
Price: €2.99/month vs €23/month
Adobe Acrobat Pro costs €23.99/month on an annual plan, which makes sense if you use its full range of features — editing PDF text, creating forms, running OCR on scanned documents, and redacting sensitive content. But if your primary need is adding a signature to PDF documents, you are paying for a lot of functionality you do not use. SigPDF costs €2.99/month and is focused entirely on making PDF signing fast and simple.
Simplicity Over Complexity
Adobe Acrobat's interface is packed with toolbars, menus, and panels because it supports dozens of PDF operations. Finding the signature tool can take multiple clicks through nested menus. SigPDF has a single-purpose interface — you see the PDF editor and signature tools immediately, with no learning curve and no distractions.
When Adobe Acrobat Is the Better Choice
Adobe Acrobat Pro is genuinely the superior tool if you need to edit PDF text and images, create fillable forms, run OCR on scanned documents, add certificate-based digital signatures, or redact sensitive information. It is a professional-grade PDF editor with decades of development behind it. SigPDF is not competing with that breadth — it is built specifically for people who need to sign PDFs quickly, privately, and affordably without the overhead of a full desktop application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the free Adobe Reader to sign PDFs?
Adobe Reader (the free version) does have a basic “Fill & Sign” feature. However, it still requires downloading and installing the application and creating an Adobe ID. SigPDF requires neither — it works directly in your browser with no installation and no account.
Are SigPDF signatures legally valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures created with SigPDF are legally recognized under the US ESIGN Act and the EU eIDAS Regulation for standard documents like contracts, agreements, and consent forms. Adobe Acrobat additionally supports certificate-based digital signatures (PKI), which may be required for certain government or highly regulated workflows.
Does SigPDF work on Chromebooks?
Yes. Since SigPDF runs entirely in the browser, it works on Chromebooks, tablets, and any device with a modern web browser. Adobe Acrobat Pro does not run natively on ChromeOS.
Can I edit PDF text with SigPDF?
No. SigPDF is focused on signing — adding signatures, text annotations, dates, and images to PDFs. If you need to edit the original text or images inside a PDF, Adobe Acrobat Pro is the right tool for that job.