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In Acrobat Pro, open the two PDF versions, go to All tools > Compare files, choose the old and new files, set the comparison options that fit the documents, and select Compare. Acrobat creates a separate results document with a summary and navigable changes. The interface may look different as Adobe rolls out its newer experience. Adobe’s Compare Files guide documents this workflow.

Compare two PDF versions

  1. Open both PDF versions in Acrobat.
  2. Select All tools > Compare files.
  3. Check the old and new file selections. Select Change File to choose a different version; use the swap control if the versions are in the wrong positions.
  4. Choose the comparison settings that match the documents. You can also limit the comparison to page ranges by entering page numbers in the Old File and New File fields.
  5. Select Compare. Acrobat analyzes the files and creates a new comparison results document.

Adobe documents this Compare Files workflow for Acrobat Pro. Because the newer Acrobat experience is rolling out, labels or screen layout may vary. Adobe Acrobat Help

Choose the right comparison settings

Start with how the content is structured and what you need to detect. The document type affects how Acrobat matches pages and interprets changes.

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Document or review need Setting to choose What it does
You are unsure which type fits Autodetect Lets Acrobat choose a document type.
Reports, spreadsheets, or magazine layouts where content can reflow between pages Reports, Spreadsheets, Magazine Layouts Treats content as a continuous text body. Adobe recommends this for content that can reflow across pages.
Presentation decks where pages behave like individual slides and content does not reflow Presentation Decks Treats each page as a mini-document, matches similar pages, and can identify moved pages. Adobe recommends this for content that does not reflow.
Scanned documents, drawings, or illustrations Scanned Documents, drawing or illustrations Compares page images or pixels, can match similar scanned pages, and can identify pages in a different order. Acrobat compares text separately from graphics and combines those differences in the result.
You want text changes without graphic differences Compare text only Suppresses graphics differences. Adobe describes this option for reports or presentation settings and says it is designed for documents of 250 pages or more. It also works with background artwork, though processing can be slower; 250 pages is product guidance, not an independently measured performance threshold.

These settings and recommendations are described in Adobe’s Compare Files instructions.

#1 Best Overall
Canon Canoscan Lide 300 Scanner (PDF, AUTOSCAN, Copy, Send)
  • Scanner type: Document
  • Connectivity technology: USB
  • With Auto Scan Mode, the scanner automatically detects what you're scanning
  • Digitize documents and images

Review the comparison report

The first page of the generated results document summarizes the differences. Use Go to First Change, Next Change, and Previous Change to move through them.

  • Side-by-side view: The old version appears on the left and the new version on the right. Highlighted bands connect corresponding changes.
  • Single-page view: Shows the changes for one file at a time.
  • Filter: Controls which categories of changes appear. Annotations, formatting, and background differences are off by default, so check the filter if an expected difference is missing.

Adobe describes the report and review controls in its Compare two versions of a PDF guide.

Rank #2
Sale
Brother DS-640 Compact Mobile Document Scanner, (Model: DS640)
  • FAST SPEEDS - Scans color and black and white documents a blazing speed up to 16ppm (1). Color scanning won’t slow you down as the color scan speed is the same as the black and white scan speed.
  • ULTRA COMPACT – At less than 1 foot in length and only about 1. 5lbs in weight you can fit this device virtually anywhere (a bag, a purse, even a pocket).
  • READY WHENEVER YOU ARE – The DS-640 mobile scanner is powered via an included micro USB 3. 0 cable allowing you to use it even where there is no outlet available. Plug it into you PC or laptop and you are ready to scan.
  • WORKS YOUR WAY – Use the Brother free iPrint&Scan desktop app for scanning to multiple “Scan-to” destinations like PC, Network, cloud services, Email and OCR. (2) Supports Windows, Mac and Linux and TWAIN/WIA for PC/ICA for Mac/SANE drivers. (3)
  • OPTIMIZE IMAGES AND TEXT – Automatic color detection/adjustment, image rotation (PC only), bleed through prevention/background removal, text enhancement, color drop to enhance scans. Software suite includes document management and OCR software. (4)

Save the comparison results

Save the generated results document if you need to preserve or share the review. On Windows, use the hamburger menu; on macOS, use the File menu. Saving the comparison report preserves the results as a document separate from the two PDFs you compared. Adobe Acrobat Help

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Compare Files is distinct from Acrobat’s AI comparison capability

Adobe also describes document comparison through AI Assistant for Acrobat on desktop, web, and mobile. That is a separate capability; it is not the Compare Files workflow above. See Adobe’s overview of Acrobat tools for that broader feature description.

Best Value
Sale
Epson Workforce ES-50 Compact & Lightweight Mobile Document Scanner
  • PORTABLE SCANNER FOR USE ON-THE-GO — The fastest and lightest mobile single-sheet-fed compact document scanner in its class¹
  • QUICK DOCUMENT SCANNING ― This Epson ultra-fast scanner scans a single page as quickly as 5.5 seconds²; Windows and Mac compatible
  • VERSATILE PAPER HANDLING ― Portable scanner scans documents up to 8.5 x 72 in; Also easily digitizes receipts and ID cards to make accounting, bookkeeping, and organizing simpler
  • INTUITIVE, HIGH-SPEED SOFTWARE — Epson ScanSmart Software³ is a smart tool allowing you to easily scan, review, and save; Stay organized easily with the help of this Epson scanner
  • EASY SETUP — USB-powered connect to your computer for quick and simple scanning; No batteries or external power supply required to operate portable document scanner; Standard Connectivity: USB 2.0
Rank #4
Hczrc Portable Scanner, Photo Scanner for A4 Documents, Handheld Scanner for Business, Photo, Picture, Receipts, Books, JPG/PDF Format Selection, UP to 900 DPI, with 16G SD Car
  • Note: No software installation is required. You need 2 AA batteries ( not included) and a memory card ( included) to use it directly. Scan mode: Press and hold "Scan" for 2 seconds to turn on the device, and then press "Scan", the green light is on. The scanner moves to scan the file until the green light turns off automatically (or press the "Scan" key and the green light goes out). The number shown on the display increases by 1 to indicate that the scan is complete.
  • Portable Scanner scans images or pictures quickly: Store JPEG/PDF files within seconds, scan images or pictures quickly, plug and play, no need any software preinstalled. Compatible with Windows XP/7/Vista/Mac OS 10.4 or above version.
  • Lightweight and travel-friendly: Stored in Micro SD card directly, support read data on your computer or phone with USB connected. Powered by 2pcs AA batteries, Compact Design, it is convenient to carry outside.
  • 3 Image Resolution: 3 modes of resolution for your options: 300dpi/600dpi/900dpi, you can save it at the clearest way, picture and document are showed clear as it is. Freely choose your favorite resolution.File Format: JPEG/PDF format is all available, Great storage capacity as it supports 32G Micro SD card(Included 16GB Card),total meet your need for business trip or daily use.
  • Widely Used: It is applicable in bank, insurance business, real estate agency,home, office, library or outdoors. suitable for lawyer, businessmen, students, travelers and amateur archivists. Scan your important files and save them immediately, no struggling in finding a printing shop, keep it confidential.
Rank #3
Plustek PS186 Desktop Document Scanner, with 50-Pages Auto Document Feeder (ADF). for Windows 7/8 / 10/11 (Intel/AMD only)
  • Up to 255 customize favorite scan file setting with "Single Touch" , Support Windows 7/8/10
  • Turn paper documents into searchable, editable files - save scans as searchable PDF files; OCR function included
  • Info Barcode function - automatic categorization of complicate documentation and data with 1D or 2D Barcode page.
  • Intelligent color and image adjustments — Auto Rotate, Crop, Deskew and blank page remove with Plustek Image Processing Technology
  • Easy send scanned files to FTP server or personal NAS (FTP) with PDFs , Jpeg , TIFF or Png format. User can download scanner driver from Plustek website

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