EPUB vs. PDF: A Detailed Comparison

EPUB and PDF formats are popular among users. EPUB is largely used in electronic publications. Professionals from all walks of life use the PDF format to store their data. However, talking about ePub format vs PDF format, people are often confused. This article will clear the confusion by listing out key differences, similarities, pros, and cons of both formats. Let us read in detail the ePub vs. PDF.

Part 1. What is the ePub Format?

The ePub format is used for storing e-books and other relevant content. The ePub is also popularly written as EPUB. EPUB stands for electronic publication. EPUB file format can store font, images, written content, table of content, and much more. The two core features of the EPUB create difference:

• It is a widely available format for free.
• EPUB files can display content on the screens with the smallest resolution also. Even users can use EPUB file format on a 3.5 screen. What great visibility!

In simpler words, the EPUB file format is a publication format. Due to widespread use, you will find the majority of the e-books using this format.

Part 2. What is the PDF Format?

Portable Document Format is often abbreviated as PDF. Adobe created the PDF in 1992 to create, send and share the pdf files globally. PDF format is used when you do not want to edit the document. It is a viewing format. The reader can highlight the text but not use specific editing features in PDF. This non-editable file format is popular among academic and business circles for its ease of sharing and viewing.

Part 3. What's the Key Difference between ePub and PDF?

Several aspects of the PDF and ePub file formats create differences for users. To know the difference between ePub and PDF file format, scroll down:

• File size

The file size is the key difference between the two file formats. PDF files are usually larger than the EPUB. EPUB extensions or files are stored in a zip file and use HTML to proceed. It makes the EPUB file smaller. On the other hand, PDF files save the direction of characters, fonts, and location enlarging the size of the pdf. That is why PDF formats have to resize in different cases. EPUB file is lighter which enhances the portability of the document as well.

• Printing feature

PDF format is more printing-friendly. You can easily take out prints of PDF files. The hard copy of the PDF format views the same as the digital PDF page. PDF file design is hard to change due to embedded fonts and other characteristics.

EPUB format carry flow-able text that keeps on changing with the change of device. So, each device will give a different look to e-books in EPUB format. The flow-able text makes it less convenient with printers.   

• Reading view

Reading view is better in EPUB format than PDF one. EPUB file carries re-flowable text. It means that different devices have different screen resolutions. But EPUB allows the page size to fit all types of devices. On the other hand, readers may feel difficulty with PDF formats as it does not optimize with different screen resolutions. Mobile users often zoom out of the page to view the text clearly in the PDF file.  

• Easier editing

Though EPUB and PDF both require an editor to edit the document, the difference exists. It is easier to use PDF editors. Just click on the file in the editor and start making changes to the document. On the other side, it is tougher to use EPUB editors as it requires some knowledge of coding and HTML features.

• Rich media integration

E-book publishers frequently use the EPUB file format for digital publications. EPUB file formats have higher integration of multimedia including, videos, audio, and interactive content. If you want to integrate any multimedia data into your document, it is better to use the EPUB file format. On the other hand, pdf is commonly useful for documents containing text, hyperlinking, and images.  

Part 4.  ePub vs PDF: Is there anything in common between them?

Though both formats have different applications, you will find many aspects similar. We have listed out common features of PDF and ePub.  

• Interactivity

PDF and ePub keep the readers engaged. Readers can comment and add notes in both EPUB and PDF documents. Users can add animation and hyperlinks. Create buttons to navigate both documents.  

• Versatile features

Many versatile features are the same in both formats. You can easily bookmark, highlight, annotate, search, and using password to protect the document in PDF and ePub.

• Editing requires editors

Another common feature is that both formats require an editor to edit and make changes to the documents. To edit the PDF file, you need to subscribe to Adobe or download PDF editors online. Similarly, to access the editing feature of ePub, you need to access any ePub editor or software.

• Built-in protection

Both formats share the security features with the users. PDF files can be locked using multilayer methods and passwords. Similarly, EPUB files are secured under Digital Rights Management (DRM).

• Higher Compatibility

Both formats are highly compatible. You can access the PDF and ePub files using multiple platforms and devices.

Part 5. Which is Better ePub or PDF?

The question might be confusing as it depends on the usability of the document. Is ePub better than PDF? See the Pros and cons below to decide on the best one:

EPUB

Pros:

• Mostly used for electronic publications like novels, fiction, stories, etc.
• High compatibility
• Interactive and user-friendly
• Re-flowable text

Cons:

• Not suitable for printing purposes

PDF

Pros:

• Used for academic, non-academic articles, offices, businesses, and presentations
• Highly compatible with multiple devices
• User-friendly format
• Interactive and versatile features

Cons:

• Does not fit all screens/non-flowable text
• Larger-sized files

Part 6. How to Read PDF Files?

It is quite easy to read a PDF file using UPDF, a PDF editor and reader. With UPDF, you can view PDF files on multiple systems like Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. It also allows you to annotate and manage PDF files effortlessly.

Key Features of UPDF:

UPDF is a unique PDF editor that stuns the users with its appealing features like:

• View PDF Files

UPDF offers great visibility of the document. You can open multiple PDF files in differnent tabs. That's quite convenient for access multiple files at the same time.

• Annotate PDF

Annotation features include highlighting, strikethrough, and underlining the text. You can also add comments to PDF, such as sticky notes, text, text boxes, callouts, and so on. More importantly, it is available to add various stickers to PDF on Mac.

• Edit PDF Text

UPDF for Mac allows you to add, delete, cut, or paste the text. You're able to change the text, font, size, color, type, and so on.

• Edit Image

You can cut, paste, add, or delete the images from the PDF file using the UPDF editor. It is also available to crop, rotate, extract, and replace images quickly.

• Edit links

There are two choices under the link tab, you can edit link to webpage, or you can link to page as well.

• Organize PDF Pages

With UPDF, you're able to insert and delete pages quickly. If you need to share some of the pages with others, you can extract them directly. Moreover, you can rotate and replace pages in PDF with ease using UPDF.

Advantages

• UPDF is compatible with Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, Android. The multi-platform access makes it more popular among users.
• It is free and secure to use.
• Rich annotation features
• Stable performance
• Delightful interface

Part 7. How to Read ePub Files on PC?

You can read ePub files on your PC or on your phone using FBReader. It is an eBook reader that supports multiple e-book formats, such as ePub, mobi, fb2, HTML, RTF, and plain text.

Features

The core features of FBReader include:

• Read directly from zip, gzip, tar, and bzip2 archives
• Develops e-book library
• Position indicator
• Text search
• Screen rotation up to 270 degrees
• List out recent books
• Last open book and last read page in the running e-books
• Hyperlinking and embedded images 

Advantages

What makes the FBReader popular among millions of users?

• Multi-platform access makes it a favorite of the users. FBReader can be accessed through iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Symbian, Meego, and several other devices.  
• Along with EPUB file format, FBReader also supports fb2, Non DRM’d version of Mobipocket, RTF, Microsoft Word, Palin Text, HTML, and many others.
• FBReader helps the users to build a larger online library of books.

Conclusion

The usage of PDF is more widespread than EPUB, especially you can print anything you need. It would be necessary that having an all-in-one PDF-related problem solver: UPDF. The astonishing PDF editor only costs US$39.99 with comprehensive features, download it today and try it out!