📌 Quick Answer
For e-reading: EPUB is better - reflowable text adapts to any screen size. For printing or fixed layouts: PDF is better - preserves exact formatting. For detailed comparison, read on.
Format Overview
Full name: Portable Document Format
Developer: Adobe (1993)
Design goal: Preserve exact document layout
Core feature: Fixed layout, WYSIWYG
📱 EPUB
Full name: Electronic Publication
Developer: IDPF/W3C (2007)
Design goal: Optimal reading on any device
Core feature: Reflowable layout
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Feature | EPUB | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Layout | Fixed - same on all devices | Reflowable - adapts to screen | Depends on use case |
| Mobile reading | Poor - requires zooming/scrolling | Excellent - text reflows | EPUB |
| Font size adjustment | Zoom only (affects layout) | True font scaling | EPUB |
| Complex layouts | Excellent - tables, diagrams, formulas | Limited support | |
| Printing | Perfect - designed for print | Variable results | |
| File size | Larger (embedded fonts, images) | Smaller (compressed) | EPUB |
| E-reader support | Limited (poor on e-ink) | Excellent (native support) | EPUB |
| Editing | Requires special software | HTML/CSS based, easier to edit | EPUB |
| Accessibility | Variable (depends on creation) | Built-in support (EPUB 3) | EPUB |
| Universal support | Excellent - works everywhere | Good - needs reader app |
When to Choose PDF
PDF is the better choice when:
- Documents need printing: Reports, forms, official documents
- Exact layout is critical: Academic papers, technical manuals
- Complex visual elements: Charts, diagrams, mathematical formulas
- Design portfolios: Photography, graphic design work
- Legal/official documents: Contracts, certificates
- Multi-column layouts: Magazines, newspapers
When to Choose EPUB
EPUB is the better choice when:
- Reading on mobile devices: Phones, tablets, e-readers
- Text-heavy content: Novels, essays, biographies
- Accessibility needs: Screen readers, dyslexia fonts
- Adjustable reading experience: Font size, line spacing, margins
- E-reader devices: Kindle (via conversion), Kobo, BOOX
- Digital publishing: Online bookstores, libraries
💡 Pro Tip
For maximum flexibility, create both versions: PDF for printing and archiving, EPUB for digital reading. Many authors and publishers do exactly this.
Reading Experience Comparison
On Smartphones
PDF: Frustrating. Text is tiny, requiring constant zooming and horizontal scrolling. Each page needs manual adjustment.
EPUB: Excellent. Text reflows to fit screen width. Just scroll vertically to read. Font size easily adjustable.
On E-Readers
PDF: Poor on standard 6" e-readers. Better on large-screen devices (10"+). Page refresh can be slow.
EPUB: Native format for most e-readers. Optimized for e-ink displays. Battery-efficient.
On Tablets/Computers
PDF: Good. Larger screens can display full pages. Works well for document review.
EPUB: Also good. Offers more customization options. Better for extended reading sessions.
Converting Between Formats
You can convert between PDF and EPUB, but quality depends on the source:
PDF to EPUB
- Text-based PDFs: Good conversion results, text is extracted and reflowed
- Scanned PDFs: Requires OCR first, results vary
- Complex layouts: May lose formatting, images may shift
EPUB to PDF
- Simple text: Easy conversion with good results
- Complex formatting: May not translate perfectly to fixed layout
- Images: Usually preserved well
🔄 Need to Convert Between PDF and EPUB?
Use our free online converter for quick, high-quality format conversion
Convert Now →Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I convert any PDF to EPUB?
Technically yes, but results vary. Text-based PDFs convert well. Scanned documents need OCR first. Complex layouts may lose formatting.
Q: Which format has better DRM?
Both support DRM. PDF uses Adobe DRM, EPUB uses Adobe DRM or vendor-specific (like Apple's FairPlay). Neither is "better" - both restrict copying.
Q: Why doesn't Kindle support EPUB?
Amazon uses its own formats (AZW, KFX) for DRM and ecosystem control. However, you can email EPUB files to your Kindle, and Amazon will auto-convert them.
Q: Which is better for textbooks?
PDF is usually better for textbooks with complex layouts, diagrams, and formulas. EPUB 3 is improving but still struggles with advanced formatting.
Conclusion
There's no universal "better" format - it depends on your specific needs:
- Choose PDF for fixed layouts, printing, complex documents, and universal compatibility
- Choose EPUB for digital reading, mobile devices, e-readers, and accessibility
For the best of both worlds, consider having both formats available. Our free converter makes switching between them easy!