OkularLinux
vs
Adobe Acrobat ProWindows
Okular as a Linux alternative to Adobe Acrobat Pro
Updated
Our verdict
Okular is a solid viewer for PDFs and other formats, but it is not a full replacement for Adobe Acrobat Pro. It can open, view, annotate, and print PDFs, and it handles basic form filling. However, it lacks advanced editing, form creation, digital signing, and OCR. It is best for users who mainly read and lightly annotate PDFs, or who need a KDE‑integrated viewer, but not for power users who require the full suite of Acrobat Pro features.
- License
- GPL-2.0+ and GFDL-1.3
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 26.04.3 (July 2, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both can open and display PDF files
- Both support basic annotation (highlighting, notes)
- Both provide search and navigation tools
- Both allow printing of documents
What is different
- Okular cannot edit PDF content or images
- No support for creating or editing interactive forms
- No digital signature or certificate handling
- No OCR for scanned documents
- No advanced export options (e.g., PDF/A, XPS)
Opening your Adobe Acrobat Pro files
Okular opens standard PDF files created by Acrobat Pro without issue. Exporting from Okular is limited to PDF, PostScript, and a few image formats; it does not support exporting to PDF with form fields or embedded JavaScript. If you need to preserve form fields or advanced Acrobat features, the exported file may lose those elements.
Switching from Adobe Acrobat Pro to Okular, step by step
- Install Okular from your distribution’s package manager or via Flathub.
- Open your existing PDF in Okular to confirm it displays correctly.
- Use Okular’s annotation tools for light editing; for more complex tasks, consider another tool.
- If you need to export or share, choose PDF or image export from the File menu.
- Keep Acrobat Pro installed if you require form creation, signing, or OCR.
Key features of Okular
- Supports PDF, EPUB, DjVu, XPS, and comic book formats
- Sidebar for contents, thumbnails, and bookmarks
- Text and shape annotations with highlighting
- Search within documents
- Zoom and rotation controls
- Integration with KDE desktop environment
How to install Okular on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.kde.okularsudo apt install okularsudo apt install okularsudo dnf install okularsudo pacman -S okularsudo zypper install okularFrequently asked questions
Can I edit text or images in Okular?
No, Okular is a viewer only. It does not allow editing of PDF content.
Does Okular support digital signatures?
No, Okular does not support adding or verifying digital signatures or certificates.
Can I use Okular to OCR scanned PDFs?
No, Okular does not have built‑in OCR. You would need a separate OCR tool such as Okular’s integration with OCRmyPDF or another application.
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