The main difference between Bluebeam and Adobe Acrobat lies in their targeted users. Bluebeam targets professionals in architecture, engineering, and construction. Adobe Acrobat aims at a broader consumer base.
Keep reading about Bluebeam vs. Adobe Acrobat.
Comparing Bluebeam vs. Adobe Acrobat
| Form Filling | Water Marking | Annotation Tools | Pricing | Customer Support |
Bluebeam | Advanced | Basic | Advanced | Starts at $240 per year | Yes |
Adobe Acrobat | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced | Starts at $12.99 per month | Yes |
Form Filling
Bluebeam shines in its form-filling capability when comparing Bluebeam vs. Acrobat. It’s user-friendly, letting you easily click and input information into fields without technical expertise. You can also create custom forms with tools such as text fields and checkboxes.
Adobe Acrobat also offers a form-filling tool. Thanks to its cutting-edge text recognition technology, Acrobat can automatically spot the fields in a form. In addition, Acrobat lets you save form data, which comes in extra handy when tackling lengthy forms or ones you use frequently.
Text Editing
These PDF editors have essential tools to edit text and change fonts, colors, and sizes. That said, each carries unique features as well.
Adobe Acrobat offers you a lot of flexibility when it comes to editing. You can alter paragraph alignment or bullet listing with ease. It even has an automatic spell check, adding an extra precision layer that is handy while editing essential business documents.
On the other hand, Bluebeam excels in the more technical aspects of text editing. It’s a go-to for engineers and architects due to its specialized tools. While Acrobat caters to a broad audience, Bluebeam emphasizes meeting specific sector needs by offering callouts, text boxes, and measurements.
File Size and Limitations
Managing PDFs often involves dealing with size and limitations. Have you ever had a bulky document that won’t upload or takes ages to process? You know how frustrating it can be, right?
Comparing Bluebeam vs. Acrobat, Bluebeam excels in handling large, multi-page documents, although it might slow down with graphics-intensive files. Bluebeam accommodates files up to 1GB for sessions, whereas projects have no file size limits.
Bluebeam is designed for professionals like architects, engineers, and constructors, with excellent compatibility with CAD formats.
However, if you’re working with large, graphic-intense PDF files, Adobe Acrobat has got you covered. There’s a catch, though. How big a file it can handle depends on which Acrobat version you use. For instance, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC can take files up to 2GB.
Password Protection
As an Adobe Acrobat alternative, Bluebeam enhances your document’s safety by letting you add passwords to your files. Plus, you can customize user permissions for various actions like printing, commenting, and saving. This way, you have complete control over what users can do with your document.
Like Bluebeam, Adobe Acrobat also provides a robust password protection system. You can completely limit access with a password or restrict some functions. Adobe Acrobat uses strict encryption to secure your document’s contents. It adds a much-needed layer of security for professionals and businesses alike.
User Interface
If you’re a construction or engineering professional, you’ll find Bluebeam’s user interface a breeze to navigate. It’s packed with valuable tools but designed to avoid overwhelming you. The tab-based navigation lets you switch effortlessly between documents and tools. What’s more, you can configure its layout to your taste.
On the other hand, Adobe Acrobat boasts a sleek, easy-to-use interface. It appeals to a broader audience than Bluebeam, excelling in arranging its tools and layouts. Known for its familiar and intuitive layout, Adobe Acrobat makes navigation easy, even for beginners. Its neatly organized icons and tools make workflows smoother and boost user productivity.
Mobile Compatibility
Bluebeam Revu for iPad can be a real game-changer if you’re often on the move. It lets you access and modify PDFs directly from your iPad – perfect for field work or client meetings.
Remember that Bluebeam’s mobile app is exclusive to iPad users right now. If you use a different device or operating system, this might limit you.
On the flip side, Adobe Acrobat provides a more universal mobile experience. Its mobile version, available for both iOS and Android devices, supports a wide range of functionalities. These functionalities include viewing, editing, commenting on, and sharing PDFs.
Document Compression
Bluebeam offers a powerful compression feature that can minimize PDF file sizes without compromising the overall quality. You can save and share those intricate designs and blueprints without worry. They maintain their sharpness while being easy and quick to transfer across various platforms.
As a Bluebeam alternative, Adobe Acrobat also performs impressively, allowing you to make your PDFs more compact. It is helpful for image-heavy documents or large data files, and Acrobat manages to compress them with only a slight dip in quality.
What’s more, you can adjust the compression settings to have complete control over the quality and size of your files.
Pricing
As an alternative to Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam offers a 30-day trial for users to test their software before committing to a plan. Once the trial is over, the software is offered in three different tiers:
- Basics at $240 per year
- Core at $300 per year
- Complete at $400 year
All their subscription tiers are priced per user.
Adobe Acrobat operates on a subscription basis as well. They provide a 7-day free trial, after which you can pick from three plans.
- Standard at $12.99 per month (annual plan)
- Pro DC at $19.99 per month (annual plan)
- Business at $22.19 per month (annual plan)
By subscribing, you’ll get continuous updates and the latest features, which is excellent if you like always having the newest software version.
Fill: The Best Alternative to Bluebeam
If you’re looking for a superb alternative to Bluebeam, Fill is your top pick.
What sets Fill apart as the preferred alternative to Bluebeam? It’s the simplicity and intuitiveness of its user interface. Fill provides an uncomplicated experience, allowing for efficient form-filling, document signing, and collaboration.
Another plus for Fill is its cost-effectiveness. While Bluebeam can be a pricey choice, particularly for individuals or smaller businesses, Fill presents a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on functionality.
Unlike Bluebeam, which caters mainly to Windows users, Fill supports multiple operating systems: Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
This wide-range compatibility allows for seamless access and operation of your PDF files across devices. Fill is an advantage for users frequently switching between different platforms.
Whether you face software issues or have a quick query, Fill’s support team always stands ready to provide prompt and insightful assistance. This ensures a smooth and trouble-free experience with the software.
