Many people are curious as to what exactly the differences are between
PDF and EPUB. They can’t quite understand why everyone seems so excited
for EPUB. What’s so great about that format as opposed to all the
others? In fact, people are excited about EPUB in particular over other
reflowable eBook formats because it’s the first open eBook standard
based on existing specifications with actual industry support. In the
article, I’d like to have simple introduction of PDF and EPUB eBook
formats, then make comparison
between PDF and EPUB.
Definition about EPUB and PDF
EPUB, called electronic publication format, is probably the most common
of all the formats and is widely supported across all platforms. Most
e-Readers like Apple’s iBooks, Barnes & Noble’s Nook, Adobe Digital
Editions, Aldiko on Android among others (nearly 300) support .EPUB
files. The EPUB format is an open standard. That means it is free and
publicly available though there are specific rules for its usage. It is
very similar in appearance to HTML rendered pages with images. The most
important point is that EPUB is becoming the standard open format for
the publishing industry and quickly becoming the standard for most
reading devices.
PDF, Adobe’s pet format, which is short for
portable document format, become one of the oldest eBook formats and the
most used. PDF format supports fixed width layout and reflowable
content. PDF files can be digitally signed and securely locked against
editing and this has also promoted there use along with the fact that
they are viewable and printable on virtually any platform. PDF format is
preferred because PDF files preserve the original layout of any
document which has any type of data – text, drawings, multimedia, video,
3D, maps, full-color graphics, photos, and even business logic.
7 differences
between EPUB and PDF
1. Readablity
PDF files can be viewed exactly the same way as original format. On PC
or Mac Os, PDF is perfect for readers except in mobile devices. For the
readability with mobile devices, EPUB is better than PDF.
2. Populartiy
Adobe official website says “More than 150 million PDF documents
publicly available on the web today, along with countless PDF files in
government agencies and businesses around the world.” From this
analysis, it is not hard to find out that EPUB is not yet as popular as
PDF.
3. Multiplatform
As PDF and EPUB are open standard, both
PDF and EPUB can be viewable in multiplatform: Microsoft Windows, Mac
OS, Linux and many mobile devices like iPad and Kindle.
4. Layout
PDF file creates a static image, tables, images, and other elements and
well retain the original layout as well as eBooks. While EPUB has its
outstanding feature-support reflowable content, the text display can be
optimized for the EPUB-reading devices.
5. Versatility
PDF file
can be created to take notes, highlights, annotate, etc with Adobe
Acrobat. However, EPUB can be read-only, no editing function.
6. Extensibility
“More than 2,000 vendors worldwide offer PDF-based solutions including
creation, plug-in, consulting, training, and support tools.” according
to Adobe.com. PDF is more extensible that EPUB.
7. Security
PDF
is well known for its security feature. Not only the digital signature
allows you to proclaim the authority of the PDF files, but also the open
password and owner password set to the PDF can protect others from
copying and printing, even opening. EPUB files can be optionally
containing DRM, but it is not a requisition.
Different supported eBook Readers
between PDF and EPUB
PDF files are supported various eBook readers: Mobipocket, iRex iLiad,
iRex DR1000, Sony Reader, Bookeen Cybook, Foxit eSlick, Amazon Kindle,
Barnes & Noble Nook, iPad, PocketBook Reader and more.
EPUB
formats can be readable on Kobo eReader, Apple iPad, Barnes and Noble
Nook, Sony Reader, BeBook, Bookeen Cybook Gen3,COOL-ER, Adobe Digital
Editions, Lexcycle Stanza, BookGlutton, AZARDI, Aldiko, etc.
If you
want to view a fantastic PDF file, then it will be a great experience to
view it at iPad with EPUB format for its great readability. You can try
to
convert PDF to EPUB with
PDF to Epub Mac.