Comparison
Compresto vs Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat is the definitive PDF tool with editing, signing, and compression. Compresto is a lightweight Mac alternative that compresses PDFs alongside video and images — without an Adobe subscription.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Compresto | Adobe Acrobat |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS only | macOS, Windows, Web |
| Video compression | ||
| Image compression | ||
| PDF compression | ||
| PDF editing | ||
| Batch processing | ||
| Drag & drop | ||
| Price model | One-time purchase / free tier | Subscription from $14.99/month |
Compresto Strengths
- No monthly subscription — one-time $19.99 purchase
- Video and image compression beyond PDFs
- Simpler interface for pure compression tasks
- Much more affordable for users who only need compression
Adobe Acrobat Strengths
- Full PDF editing — text, images, pages, annotations
- Digital signatures and form creation
- Industry-standard tool accepted everywhere for legal and business PDFs
Choose Compresto when...
- You only need to reduce PDF file sizes, not edit them
- You want to avoid an Adobe monthly subscription
- You also compress video and images in the same workflow
- You need a lightweight, fast compression-only tool
Choose Adobe Acrobat when...
- You need to edit PDF content (text, images, pages)
- You create fillable forms or digital signature workflows
- You work in a legal or enterprise environment where Acrobat is standard
Pricing
Compresto
One-time purchase $19.99 or free tier with limits
Adobe Acrobat
Acrobat Standard from $14.99/month; Acrobat Pro from $23.99/month
Switching from Adobe Acrobat?
If you only use Acrobat to compress PDFs before emailing or sharing, Compresto saves you at least $180/year in subscription costs for the same result.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can Compresto edit PDFs like Adobe Acrobat?
- No. Compresto compresses PDFs to reduce file sizes. Adobe Acrobat can edit, annotate, merge, split, and sign PDFs. They serve different needs.
- Is Compresto a good Adobe Acrobat alternative for PDF compression?
- Yes — for compression specifically. If you are paying for Acrobat just to compress PDFs before emailing them, Compresto is a much more affordable solution.
- Does Compresto preserve PDF quality during compression?
- Yes. Compresto optimizes PDF file sizes while maintaining readable text and acceptable image quality. For critical legal documents, always verify output quality.
- How much can Compresto reduce PDF file sizes?
- Compresto typically reduces PDF sizes by 40–80% depending on content. Image-heavy PDFs see the largest reductions.
- Can Adobe Acrobat compress video and images?
- No. Adobe Acrobat is PDF-focused only. Compresto handles video (MP4, MOV), images (PNG, JPEG, GIF, SVG, TIFF), and PDF in one app.
Other Comparisons
Compresto vs HandBrake
Compare Compresto and HandBrake to find the right video compression tool for your Mac workflow.
Compresto vs FFmpeg
GUI simplicity vs command-line power — compare Compresto and FFmpeg for Mac video compression.
Compresto vs Shutter Encoder
Compare Compresto and Shutter Encoder to choose the right video compression approach for your Mac.
Compresto vs Permute 3
Two native macOS tools compared — see how Compresto and Permute 3 differ in compression focus and format support.
Compresto vs Apple Compressor
Professional video encoding vs everyday compression — compare Apple Compressor and Compresto for Mac.
Compresto vs VLC
Media player vs dedicated compressor — compare VLC and Compresto for video compression on Mac.