Secure PDF Viewer vs. Traditional PDF Viewer: Which is Better?
When it comes to viewing PDF files, there are two main options available: the traditional PDF viewer and the secure PDF viewer. Both of these viewers have their advantages and disadvantages, and deciding which one is better for your needs depends on your specific requirements.
In this article, we will explore the differences between secure PDF viewers and traditional PDF viewers, and help you determine which one best meets your needs.
What is a traditional PDF viewer?
A traditional PDF viewer is simply a software application that allows you to open and read PDF files. Examples of traditional PDF viewers include Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader, and Sumatra PDF, to name a few.
Traditional PDF viewers are free and widely available, and they offer basic features such as zooming in and out, bookmarking, and page navigation. They are great for reading and reviewing PDF files, especially if you do not need any advanced security features.
What is a secure PDF viewer?
A secure PDF viewer is a software application that is designed to offer advanced security features to protect the PDF files from unauthorized access and theft. Examples of secure PDF viewers include Locklizard Viewer, PDF Xchange Editor, and Foxit Reader.
Secure PDF viewers offer much more advanced security features than traditional PDF viewers. For example, they can add watermarks to the PDF files, protect them with passwords or digital signatures, restrict access to certain users, and even monitor and track the usage of the PDF files.
Secure PDF viewers are often used by businesses and organizations that deal with sensitive data, such as financial or legal documents. They offer much greater protection to these documents than traditional PDF viewers.
Advantages of traditional PDF viewers
1. Easy to use: Traditional PDF viewers are easy to use and require no special training or technical knowledge.
2. Free: They are available for free and can be downloaded easily from the internet.
3. Basic features: They offer basic features like bookmarking and page navigation.
4. Lightweight: They are lightweight and do not consume much system resources.
5. Compatible with most devices: They are compatible with most devices and can be used on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
Advantages of secure PDF viewers
1. Advanced security features: Secure PDF viewers offer advanced security features like digital signatures, watermarks, and password protection, which helps to protect the PDF files from unauthorized access and theft.
2. Greater control: They offer greater control over who can access the PDF files and to what extent. This makes them ideal for businesses and organizations that deal with sensitive information.
3. Easy tracking and monitoring: They allow you to track and monitor the usage of the PDF files, which helps to identify any suspicious activity.
4. Better collaboration: They allow for better collaboration between users, as they offer the ability to add comments and annotations to the PDF files.
Which one is better?
The answer to this question depends on your specific needs. Traditional PDF viewers are great for basic PDF viewing and do not offer any advanced security features. If you are only dealing with non-sensitive information and do not require any advanced security features, then a traditional PDF viewer may be the best choice for you.
On the other hand, if you are dealing with sensitive information that needs to be protected from unauthorized access and theft, then a secure PDF viewer would be the better option. Secure PDF viewers offer advanced security features like digital signatures, watermarks, and password protection, which makes them ideal for businesses and organizations that need to protect their sensitive information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, secure PDF viewers and traditional PDF viewers both have their advantages and disadvantages. While traditional PDF viewers are great for basic PDF viewing, secure PDF viewers offer advanced security features that make them ideal for businesses and organizations dealing with sensitive information.
Therefore, it is important to evaluate your specific needs and choose the PDF viewer that best meets those needs.
Check out HelpRange
Check out our product HelpRange. It is designed to securely store (GDPR compliant), share, protect,
sell, e-sign and analyze usage of your documents.