PDF vs. HTML: Which One is Better?

What are the differences between PDF and HTML formats? Which one is better to use? If you have these problems, you have some to the right place. Here you can find almost all the information about PDF vs. HTML.

While saving files, you may have the choice between PDF or HTML documents. So which one is better to use? If you have no idea, you can get help in this post. here we will make a comparison between PDF and HTML files with their pros and cons in detail.  Now, let's dig into it.

What Is HTML?

HTML is the web language, mainly used for the computer for on-screen viewing and interactivity. This is a labor-efficient language, and defines the structure of a web page and its meaning and looks after the appearance of the document. If you want to view HTML files, you don't need any other software, as this file format is a computer language. However, it is a little difficult to deliver hard copies while using HTML files.

Pros:

• Can be opened on any computer without any third-party software
• Easy to learn, use and edit
• Display changes instantly

Cons:

• Hardcopy lacks interactivity (links and thumbnails are dead; format not designed for print)
• Difficult for users to save the article in electronic form for later viewing

Read also: How to convert HTML to PDF

What Is PDF?

PDF, also called Portable Document Format, is one of the most used file formats for sharing information in work or study. It was created by Adobe and provides an easy, reliable way to present and exchange documents. One highlight is that this file format will always retain the same layout regardless of the software, hardware, or operating systems.

Pros:

• Always display the same layout and content on different devices or software
• Integrate various types of content, including text, images, hyperlinks, and even videos
• Protect PDF files with password and watermark

Cons:

• Hard to edit

PDF vs. HTML: Differences Between PDF and HTML

After having a general idea about PDF and HTML file format, let's move to something deep now. Here, you will find out a more detailed comparison between these two formats, including interactivity, security, etc.

#Security

If you often need to share or edit some important information, you'd better find the one that provides tighter security. Compared to PDF and HTML, the former performs more professionally. As we mentioned before, you can add passwords to PDF to protect the information with some excellent PDF editors like EaseUS PDF Editor, Adobe Acrobat DC, and many more. 

#Interactivity

Generally speaking, PDF and HTML files provide possibilities for user interaction.  However, this is very limited to PDF files.  By contrast, many interactive elements can be built into HTML files.  For example, internal and external hyperlinks, audio and video clips, or rallying phrase elements. 

#Editing

When it comes to editing, HTML is better than PDF. To maintain the same layout and formatting, PDF is not editable without particular PDF editing software. However, you can edit the HTML file without software.

#Searchability

If you want to find the passages that you are interested in, you can search any word or phrase in any PDF-formatted article with a PDF editor easily. As for HTML, you can search all HTML files on a single server.

Apart from those we talked about above, you may be interested in the following items:

Cost of production: The cost of creating a PDF document is very low, and you only need a simple PDF editor or converter. But, if you make an HTML file, it will require lots of knowledge and labor to create good hyperlinks and thumbnails.

File structure: A PDF file is a single binary and usually between 100KB. While speaking of the HTML file, the document and figures are separate files. A richly illustrated article with both thumbnail and full-screen versions of each figure could require 10-20 files.

How to Convert PDF to HTML on Windows 

Having known the differences between PDF and HTML, you must know which format to choose. But sometimes, you may want to convert PDF to HTML or vice versa for some reason, given that, we will show you one of the best PDF converters to solve that problem - EaseUS PDF Editor.

Supporting over 10 file formats, this software makes it easier to change PDF to other formats, including HTML. To get the task done, you only need to take three simple steps: import a PDF file, choose the target output format and start the conversion. Is it easy? In addition to that, you will find that the converted file will keep the original formatting and layout.

Apart from being a PDF converter, it is a great PDF editor, as well. With its help, you can create, edit, and manage PDF files flexibly, and also print PDF files in the way you want. 

Here's the detailed tutorial to convert PDF to HTML using EaseUS PDF Editor:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS PDF Editor and click "Convert from PDF". Then, import the PDF file that you want to convert. If the PDF is password secured, you need to enter the password to unlock it first.

Step 2. Choose the "Output format" and "Output folder". You can choose to convert the PDF to Word, Excel, PPT, HTML, PNG, etc. Then, click "Convert" to start converting. You may also click "Add file(s)" to import more PDF files.

Step 3. Then, wait for conversion. When the file is converted, you will see the exported file in the next window.

Final Words

PDF and HTML are both important file formats for sharing information, but they perform differently in the file structure, interactivity, and other aspects, so they are used for different purposes. If you cannot decide which one to choose, just read all the information above. We hope you can get help here.