
But the good thing is that tools exist that can help us convert PDF to EPUB, MOBI or HTML or convert PDF for Kindle readers.

PDF format is preferred because PDF files preserve the original layout of any document which has any type of data – text, drawings, multimedia, video, 3D, maps, full-color graphics, photos, and even business logic. PDF files can be digitally signed and securely locked against editing and this has also promoted there use along with the fact that they are viewable and printable on virtually any platform. For instance, you can easily convert webpages to PDF and keep them archived.

Because of their commonness, many tools exist to create, edit, and secure PDF documents. The PDF format supports fixed width layout and reflowable content. But DRM free books also carry the AZW extension but they are really no different from MOBI files.Īdobe’s pet format – the Portable Document Format or PDF is one of the oldest eBook formats and the most used. But AZW files can only be obtained from the Amazon online bookstore.ĪZW format is DRM (Digital Rights Management) restricted and is locked to the device id which is registered automatically with the user account of the Kindle purchaser. The AZW format has found its place in many platforms with Kindle reading apps apart from Kindle. It has its roots in the MOBI format but has better compression and encryption apart from a few more changes. MOBI can also display reflowable content and fixed width layout.ĪZW is a proprietary format developed by Amazon specifically for the Kindle eBook reader. The image size and image format (GIF) puts the format at odds with larger display devices like tablets. MOBI formats are suited for smaller screens because the image size limitation of 64K. For instance, readers can add their own pages, freehand drawings, annotations, highlights, bookmarks, corrections, and notes if devices support it. MOBI formats can take complex content, include advanced navigation controls, supports indexing and a high degree of compression. The Mobipocket ebook format is another open standard for eBook publishing.


The EPUB standard is maintained by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF), a global trade and standards organization. That means it is free and publicly available though there are specific rules for its usage. Barnes & Noble’s DRM – Partial ebook can remove drm.Adobe Digital Editions DRM – can remove drm.iBook has FairPlay DRM – can’t remove drm.Most eReaders like Apple’s iBooks, Barnes & Noble’s Nook, Adobe Digital Editions, Aldiko on Android among others (nearly 300) support. The EPUB format is probably the most common of all the formats and is widely supported across all platforms. You should know the difference between EPUB, MOBI, AZW and PDF eBook Formats.
