PDF vs Rich Text Format: Which Should You Use?
Side-by-side comparison of PDF and Rich Text Format document formats — features, pros, cons, and conversion options.
PDF is best for Document distribution, contracts, and print-ready files. Rich Text Format is best for Simple formatted documents with maximum compatibility.
Quick Verdict
- ✓ Consistent rendering everywhere
- ✓ Print-ready format
- ✓ Strong security features
- ✗ Difficult to edit
- ✓ Cross-platform text formatting
- ✓ No macro security risks
- ✓ Wide application support
- ✗ Limited formatting compared to DOCX
Specs Comparison
Side-by-side technical comparison of PDF and Rich Text Format
| Feature | Rich Text Format | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Document | Document |
| Year Introduced | 1993 | 1987 |
| MIME Type | application/pdf | application/rtf |
| Extensions | .rtf | |
| Formatting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Formulas | ✗ | ✗ |
| Multi Sheet | ✗ | ✗ |
| Images | ✓ | ✓ |
| Editable | ✗ | ✓ |
| Plain Text | ✗ | ✗ |
Pros & Cons
- ✓ Consistent rendering everywhere
- ✓ Print-ready format
- ✓ Strong security features
- ✗ Difficult to edit
- ✗ Large file sizes with embedded fonts
- ✗ Accessibility challenges
Rich Text Format
- ✓ Cross-platform text formatting
- ✓ No macro security risks
- ✓ Wide application support
- ✗ Limited formatting compared to DOCX
- ✗ Larger than plain text
- ✗ No modern features like tracked changes
When to Use Each
Choose PDF when...
- You need files optimized for Document distribution, contracts, and print-ready files
- Consistent rendering everywhere
- Print-ready format
Choose Rich Text Format when...
- You need files optimized for Simple formatted documents with maximum compatibility
- Cross-platform text formatting
- No macro security risks
How to Convert
Convert between PDF and Rich Text Format for free on ChangeThisFile
Frequently Asked Questions
PDF is best for Document distribution, contracts, and print-ready files, while Rich Text Format is best for Simple formatted documents with maximum compatibility. Both are document formats but they differ in compression, compatibility, and intended use cases.
It depends on your use case. PDF is better for Document distribution, contracts, and print-ready files. Rich Text Format is better for Simple formatted documents with maximum compatibility. Consider your specific requirements when choosing between them.
Go to the PDF to Rich Text Format converter on ChangeThisFile. Upload your file and the conversion processes on the server, then auto-deletes. It's free with no signup required.
Yes. ChangeThisFile supports Rich Text Format to PDF conversion. Upload your file for server-side conversion — files are auto-deleted after processing.
File size varies depending on the content, compression method, and quality settings of each format. In general, lossy formats produce smaller files than lossless ones. Test with your specific files to compare actual sizes.
No, PDF does not support editable, whereas Rich Text Format does. This may be an important factor depending on your use case.
Both PDF and Rich Text Format are supported file formats that are free to use. You can convert between them for free on ChangeThisFile — server-side conversions are free with no signup required.
PDF is newer — it was introduced in 1993, while Rich Text Format dates back to 1987. Newer formats often offer better compression and features, but older formats tend to have wider compatibility.
Related Comparisons
Related Guides
Ready to convert?
Convert between PDF and Rich Text Format instantly — free, no signup required.
Start Converting