Power PDF Advanced vs Power PDF Standard: What’s the Difference?
With the Power PDF family of products, Tungsten Automation aims to deliver a robust, yet cost-effective software solution for users who rely on PDFs. The goal is to provide both individuals and entire organizations with the tools to tap into the full potential of these types of files. In turn, this can open up new possibilities, save valuable time, and maximize productivity.
The essence of Power PDF lies in the ability to easily manage and edit these documents. Whether it’s creating PDFs from a variety of sources, converting them to other types of documents (such as Word or Excel), changing or adding content, or a myriad of other options – Power PDF can fulfill a wide variety of needs.
However, once you look a bit closer, you will notice that you have two editions available: Standard and Advanced. While both versions rely on the previously mentioned core features, there are elements which set the two apart. In short, Power PDF Advanced is there to cater to the more demanding or specialized users.
Consequently, choosing between them is important as you want the package which is better suited to your specific needs. Therefore, this text will highlight the differences between the editions by pointing out the features which are exclusive to Power PDF Advanced.
DocuSign Integration
The business world of today revolves around speed. And when it comes to this, the process of actually getting your documents signed can often be a hindrance. If you need to fax the paperwork or send it via courier service, matters can slow down considerably.
But, you can avoid all this by using DocuSign. This company is one of the leading providers of electronic signature services and makes the entire procedure much quicker. And with the way Power PDF Advanced integrates it into its menus, getting signatures can be effortless.
Whether you’re signing the PDF yourself or sending it to the other party, you can have the approvals you need faster than ever. As a bonus, you can also sidestep a lot of administrative bothers. As a result, waiting on signatures can become a thing of the past with Power PDF Advanced.
Real-Time Collaboration
Many hands make light work, as the saying goes. Sometimes you’ll be working on a PDF document and you’ll want to involve your colleagues to help things move along more quickly. Other times, you simply need the input from several people in order to get anything done.
Either way, Power PDF Advanced allows for this kind of collaboration in real time, without the need to send documents back and forth. As long as they are on the same network, multiple users can work on and edit the same PDF simultaneously. This is an excellent way to boost efficiency because it ensures everyone is on the same page, literally if needed.
Redaction
Sharing documents and disclosing information has always been a tricky proposition. There are things you don’t want the other side to see as well as data you’re legally obligated to protect. This can be anything from trade secrets to personal information.
Thankfully, Power PDF Advanced comes with a powerful redaction feature. It can not only black out sensitive information from text but also from graphics. In addition, it will also remove all hidden data to ensure nothing escapes notice. With it, you can rest easy knowing that the things you choose to omit will stay hidden.
Automation
It’s no secret that virtually all industries are looking to automate as many tasks as possible. The reason is simple – it saves time and, therefore, money. Converting different documents into PDFs is a process which can undoubtedly benefit from this approach and Power PDF Advanced allows you to do just that.
With the Advanced version, you have a convenient tool at your disposal – watched folders. Simply put the appropriate documents into them and the program will handle the conversion on its own. Such automated workflows can be a tremendous boon to your productivity, particularly when you have a constant demand for it.
Connectivity with Document Management Systems
Document management is no easy task and many individuals and businesses rely on systems, such as NetDocuments, for help. Power PDF Advanced supports a host of such systems and allows you to connect with them directly. This ensures you do not miss out on any of the benefits.
Bates Stamping
Depending on the occasion, you might need to take extra measures when it comes to identifying or labeling documents. Power PDF Advanced makes this easy by providing Bates Stamping with advanced options for formatting and positioning. You can even handle whole sets of documents at once, to further expedite matters.
Features | Power PDF Standard | Power PDF Advanced | Notes |
MSRP | $129.99 | $179.99 | |
Shop Power PDF Standard | Shop Power PDF Advanced | ||
PDF Creation | |||
Create PDF documents from any application that prints | ● | ● | |
Print Driver performance enhanced for faster PDF creation | ● | ● | Improved |
Support for PDF/A-4 in Power PDF, Printer Driver, Create Assistant, Office Add-ins to allow lossless archiving of PDF 2.0 | ● | ● | NEW |
Set Header/Footer in Print Driver when printing from another application | ● | ● | NEW |
Printer Profiles to provide re-use of custom configurations of printer settings | ● | ● | NEW |
Add Logos within header/footer settings | ● | ● | NEW |
Create PDF documents directly from your scanner | ● | ● | |
One-click professional scanning with auto find-and- mark technology. Automatically find words in the scanned document | ● | ● | |
Proofread text recognition results automatically after scanning and review and correct suspected errors | ● | ● | |
Support for WIA, TWAIN and ISIS scanners | ● | ● | |
One-step PDF creation from Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint | ● | ● | |
Save as PDF/A-1, 2, 3, 4 | ● | ● | Improved |
Support for PDF/UA compliant document creation from MS Office | ● | ● | |
Exporting PDF documents from Microsoft Office applications supports PDF/UA compliant content | ● | ● | |
Create and send PDF-to-email attachment with Microsoft Outlook | ● | ● | |
One-step PDF creation and archive of Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes emails | ● | ● | |
New Header Options in Mail Archive Settings, Add New Letterhead to each email or include archival date and timestamp in header | ● | ● | |
One-step PDF creation from web pages from Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome | ● | ● | |
Create PDF of some or all pages of a website from within Power PDF | ● | ● | |
Retain hyperlinks embedded in web pages when converting to PDF | ● | ● | |
Batch create PDF from multiple files and file types | ● | ● | |
Watched folder processing to automate routine PDF and TIFF creation tasks from a wide range of formats | ● | ||
Create a single PDF document by merging multiple files | ● | ● | |
Support for creating PDF Version 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7 files | ● | ● | |
Support for creating PDF Version 2.0 files | ● | ● | |
Create ISO-standard PDF/A files (PDF/A-1, PDF/A-2 and PDF/A-3 levels) | ● | ● | |
Accessible PDF Creation that meets PDF/UA and WCAG 2.1 AA Standards | ● | ● | |
Create and send PDF portfolios | ● | ● | |
Create PDF-MRC high compression color PDF image files (up to 8 times smaller) | ● | ● | |
Create Assistant desktop utility | ● | ● | |
Customizable PDF creation profiles | ● | ● | |
Merge PDF image files with PDF text files | ● | ● | |
Insert pre-made and custom watermarks at creation | ● | ● | |
Apply security settings at creation | ● | ● | |
Add custom headers & footers to PDF documents (page numbering) | ● | ● | |
Adjust compression levels for smaller files | ● | ● | |
Preserve hyperlinks and metadata, add bookmarks and comments from Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint | ● | ● | |
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PDF Security and Signing | |||
Add passwords with 128-bit and 256-bit AES secure encryption and permission controls to PDF files | ● | ● | |
SignDoc embedded in application allows users to complete entire SignDoc experience without leaving Power PDF (requires SignDoc service) | ● | NEW | |
Create and apply self-sign digital signatures | ● | ● | |
Sign or send PDFs for signature with integrated DocuSign® actions | ● | ||
Microsoft Crypto API/3rd party digital signature compatibility | ● | ● | |
Support Microsoft Information Protection | ● | ● | NEW |
Add, manage, view and navigate document digital signatures | ● | ● | |
Drag and drop security profiles to quickly and easily secure documents | ● | ● | |
Support for FileOpen-protected documents (digital rights management) | ● | ● | |
Support Watermarks with FileOpen Protected Documents | ● | NEW | |
View protected PDF files and apply protection to PDF documents using Microsoft Active Directory Rights Management Services (AD RMS) | ● | ||
Automatically verify against European Union Trusted List of digital root certificates allowing globally trusted certificates without user required to install certificate | ● | ● | NEW |
Enable server-side protection to be applied to PDF documents stored on SharePoint 2007/2010/2013 using AD RMS | ● | ||
DMS password retention | ● | ||
Redact text and graphics from PDF files | ● | ||
Apply redaction text properties including color, redaction codes and custom overlay text | ● | ||
Inspect document to remove comments and metadata (Remove Document Elements) | ● | ||
Organize and manage a library of security profiles | ● | ● | |
Organize and manage a library of digital signatures | ● | ● | |
Organize and manage a library of PDF security envelopes | ● | ● | |
Option to require a secure certificate to execute Javascript code (Deployable via Customization Kit in Advanced Volume version) | ● | ● | |
Shop Power PDF Standard | Shop Power PDF Advanced | ||
PDF Conversion | |||
Superior conversion accuracy with Tungsten Automation OCR version 22 | ● | ● | Updated |
Convert PDF to Word (.doc, .docx) | ● | ● | Improved |
Convert PDF to Excel workbooks and worksheets (.xls, .xlsx) | ● | ● | Improved |
Convert multipage PDF table or spreadsheet into a single Microsoft Excel document | ● | ● | |
Convert PDF to PowerPoint (.pptx) | ● | ● | |
Convert PDF to WordPerfect (.wpd) | ● | ● | |
Convert PDF to XPS (.xps) | ● | ● | |
Convert XPS to PDF | ● | ● | |
Convert PDF files without running Microsoft applications | ● | ● | |
Auto-detects scanned (image) PDF files and offers to convert them to searchable PDF files | ● | ● | |
Convert scanned (image) PDF files to searchable PDF files (text over image) | ● | ● | |
Convert scanned (image) PDF files to editable PDF files and other formats | ● | ● | |
Convert scanned color (image) PDF files to compressed MRC-PDF files (average 8x smaller) | ● | ● | |
Proofread and correct text after OCR conversion to searchable PDF | ● | ● | |
Batch conversion of PDF files to target formats (Convert Assistant) | ● | ● | |
Batch conversion of PDF files into a single document (Convert Assistant) | ● | ● | |
Batch convert to single page TIFF files | ● | ||
Batch conversion of TIFF files to image-only or searchable PDFs and PDF conversion to TIFF | ● | ||
Convert Assistant desktop utility | ● | ● | |
Retains columns, tables, images and graphics (.doc, .docx, .wpd) | ● | ● | Improved |
Retains linked text flow of columns within a document (.doc, .docx, .wpd) | ● | ● | Improved |
Retains headers and footers (.doc, .docx, .wpd) | ● | ● | Improved |
Legal pleading conversion with stamp and line numbering options (Convert Assistant) | ● | ● | |
Retains number formats in Excel (currency, percentage, etc.) | ● | ● | Improved |
Retains hyperlinks (.doc, .docx, .wpd, .xls,.xslx) | ● | ● | |
Extract tables from a PDF file and place into Excel or Word | ● | ● | Improved |
Convert a select area of a page using OCR and convert to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WordPerfect—for scanned (image) PDF files as well as text-based PDF files | ● | ● | Improved |
Convert and save PDF to audio file (.mp3) | ● | ● | |
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PDF Editing and Assembly | |||
Edit your PDF files like in a word processor using the Advanced Editor | ● | ● | |
Manage pages in a document (reorder, insert, extract, crop, rotate and delete pages) | ● | ● | |
Swap and duplicate pages in a document | ● | ● | |
Assemble documents in document assembly view (insert, extract, replace, delete, split, renumber, manage headers/footers, drag and drop pages) | ● | ● | |
Combine all open PDF documents with one click | ● | ● | |
Tabbed document previews let you see all your document pages in a floating dialog box to make the most of your screen real estate | ● | ● | |
Batch process multiple documents at a time with varied sequence commands (insert, extract and delete pages; apply watermarks and stamps; search and redact; remove document elements; and print) | ● | ● | |
Create custom batch sequence workflows and apply them as watched folder commands | ● | ||
Sequencer command to Remove Blank Pages | ● | ● | NEW |
Sequencer Command to Batch Convert to Fillable Form | ● | ● | NEW |
Sequencer Command to Delete/Extract Pages on Search Results | ● | ● | NEW |
Sequencer Command to set or remove Header/Footer | ● | ● | NEW |
Create a table of contents from bookmarks | ● | ● | |
Add, manage, view and navigate document bookmarks | ● | ● | |
Add, manage, view and navigate document destinations | ● | ● | |
Support for XMP (Extensible Metadata Platform) metadata in the document | ● | ● | |
Edit, cut, copy and paste text | ● | ● | |
Editing support for Right-to-Left languages | ● | ● | |
Move, resize, rotate, flip, order, group, set transparency, cut, copy and paste graphics and images | ● | ● | |
Document splitting by page range, blank page, page contents, bookmarks, or file size | ● | ● | |
Extraction by page range, blank page, page contents, bookmarks or Search terms | ● | ● | Improved |
Maintain document links and bookmarking when replacing pages in a document | ● | ● | |
Manage document layers. Turn on/off, show/hide and lock/unlock layers in PDF files created by programs such as AutoCAD, Microsoft Visio and Microsoft Project. Select, re-order, delete or merge layers, view and modify properties of layers and even control layers for printing. | ● | ● | |
PDF Optimizer for reduced file sizes | ● | ● | |
Reduce the file size of one or a batch of PDF files | ● | ● | |
Custom actions for bookmarks or hyperlinks (open a file, play a sound, go to a web page, etc.) | ● | ● | |
Attach application files or sounds to a PDF | ● | ● | |
Resolve automatically fixable issues with Save as / Export PDF/A | ● | ● | |
Fix PDF/A compliance problems with the compliance checker | ● | ||
Accessibility Checker for compliance with standards such as PDF/UA and WCAG 2.1 AA | ● | ||
Bates stamping with advanced formatting and page positioning | ● | ||
Bates numbering is supported for all items included in a PDF Portfolio | ● | ||
Shop Power PDF Standard | Shop Power PDF Advanced | ||
PDF Review and Collaboration | |||
Collaboration Server for enterprise access from anywhere in the world through self-hosted server | ● | NEW | |
Fuzzy Search capability returns likely hits, more comprehensive than Stemming or Pattern Search | ● | ● | NEW |
Perform intelligent Looks Like Search™ to quickly find content, like phone numbers, email addresses and Social Security numbers, via an alphanumeric pattern rather than exact text. Choose from pre-defined patterns or create your own patterns. | ● | ● | |
Automatically highlight, cross-out, underline or redact search results for faster, easier PDF review and editing | Except redact | ● | |
Preview PDF email attachments in Microsoft Outlook | ● | ● | |
Instant access to frequently used PDF files and online PDF Files (URLs) with favorites menu | ● | ● | |
Side-by-side document comparison (PDF to PDF and PDF to Word) | ● | ● | |
Open files directly from Cloud Storage or DMS via the Document Compare “Browse” buttons | Cloud Storage only | ● | |
Open and save files through the File menu to DMS | ● | ||
Open and save files through the File menu to popular cloud document storage services: Box, Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive | ● | ● | |
Save, track and open revisions within a PDF document | ● | ● | |
Add, manage, view and navigate document comments | ● | ● | |
Familiar comment and markup tools (notes, text boxes, typewriter, callouts, highlight, text underline, cross-out, stamps) | ● | ● | |
Automatically populate comments with highlighted and annotated text | ● | ● | |
Comment Tool Selection stays activated until user changes tool | ● | ● | Improved |
Create new stamps from selected page elements | ● | ● | |
Select date and time formats for new dynamic stamps | ● | ● | |
Apply stamps to one or all pages | ● | ● | |
Organize and manage a library of stamps | ● | ● | |
Spellchecking for comments and form fields | ● | ● | |
Migrate comments from one PDF file to another for ease of collaboration and review | ● | ● | |
Drawing (comment) tools including lines, arrow, rectangles, pencil, oval, polygon and cloud | ● | ● | |
Measuring tool (with save as comment) | ● | ● | |
Print with comments and form fields | ● | ● | |
Organize and manage a library of watermarks | ● | ● | |
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Working with PDF Files | |||
PDF viewing of all PDF types | ● | ● | |
“Find a tool” search capability | ● | ● | |
Customizable Quick Access Toolbar with shortcuts to the features and capabilities for each user | ● | ● | |
Context-sensitive editing ribbons | ● | ● | |
Change the interface color to blue, light gray, dark gray or purple | ● | ● | |
Tabbed document viewing | ● | ● | |
Restore Last View Settings when Reopening Document | ● | ● | NEW |
Advanced search and indexing for documents, text within a document, comments and bookmarks | ● | ● | |
Search results list and screen highlighting of found words in the document | ● | ● | |
Grid Lines while Editing when moving or resizing objects so it is easier to position objects | ● | ● | NEW |
iFilter utility for SharePoint for indexing and rapidly finding PDFs on SharePoint 2007/2010/2013 | ● | ||
Open PDF files created from Microsoft Office without having to save them first | ● | ● | |
Limit file open and save locations to certain folders only | ● | ● | |
Send a PDF file to a fax machine via email | ● | ● | |
Support for network scanning and ShareScan with monitored Scan Inboxes | ● | ||
Support for AutoStore workflows through AutoCapture tool panel | ● | ||
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PDF Forms | |||
Automatic conversion of a PDF file into a fillable PDF form | ● | ● | |
Intelligent creation of check boxes and radio buttons | ● | ● | |
Support for Adobe dynamic forms (XFA) | ● | ● | |
Draw and edit form controls (text fields, buttons, drop down lists, check boxes and radio buttons) | ● | ● | |
Edit text and object attributes (font, color, line weight, display and print options) | ● | ● | |
Digital signatures for forms | ● | ● | |
Custom actions on form objects (import form data, play a sound, open a file, open a web page, etc.) | ● | ● | |
Export form data from one or multiple filled in PDF forms | ● | ● | |
Limited JavaScript support | ● | ● | |
Set tab order for form fields | ● | ● | |
Accessibility | |||
Certified Section 508 compliant user interface | ● | ● | |
Enhanced Power PDF UI navigation and access with Accessibility Reader such as JAWS | ● | ● | Improved |
Extended Document Reading Support with Jaws 2019 | ● | Improved | |
Create more precise Section 508 accessible tagged PDF files | ● | ● | |
Tagging maintained when exporting Microsoft Word documents, resulting in PDF output optimized for processing operations such as Reach Aloud | ● | ● | NEW |
Adjustable high-contrast mode for PDF documents | ● | ● | |
Edit PDF tags | ● | ● | |
Adjust or fully define reading order of document content using the Reading Order panel updated with Table Editor Mode | ● | Improved | |
Verify accessibility of PDF documents | ● | ||
Read document aloud—Text-to-speech capability | ● | ● | |
Shop Power PDF Standard | Shop Power PDF Advanced | ||
Deployment and Customization for Advanced Volume | |||
Support for Citrix and Remote Desktop Services (thin client deployment/use) | ● | ||
Support for Microsoft Application Virtualization | ● | ||
Support for Microsoft GPO (Group Policy Object) | ● | ||
Installation Customization Kit to easily control the deployable options for each department | ● | ||
Read only mode to enforce compliance and help control best practices and regulatory mandates | ● | ||
Install or disable plugins and application functions (Customization Kit) | ● | ||
Install selected UI languages only (Customization Kit) | ● | ||
Install selected DMS connectors only (Customization Kit) | ● | ||
Configure shared watermarks (Customization Kit) | ● | ||
API capabilities (Programming interface) | ● | ||
Power PDF Automation Interface Guide in PDF Format | ● | ||
Power PDF Network Installation Guide | ● | ||
Power PDF iFilter for SharePoint Guide in PDF Format | ● | ||
Power PDF RMS Protector for SharePoint Guide in PDF Format | ● | ||
Power PDF Command Line Reference Guide in PDF Format | ● | ||
Power PDF JavaScript Reference Guide in PDF Format | ● | ||
Power PDF Connector SDK Guide | ● | ||
Power PDF RMS Protector for SharePoint Guide in PDF Format | ● | ||
Subscriber Access Licensing for Advanced Volume | |||
License Server with Silent Client Deployment, optional Backup License Server | ● | NEW | |
Enforce Named Users and Term Expirations via Current User’s Logged Windows Name, User can employ Unlimited Devices | ● | NEW | |
License Reporting for All Registered Users | ● | NEW | |
License Security Registration Information Encrypted in Transit and at Rest | ● | NEW | |
Shop Power PDF Standard | Shop Power PDF Advanced | ||
Compatibility | |||
Microsoft Office style ribbon user interface streamlined to minimize learning curve and maximize productivity | ● | ● | |
Mobile Solutions to read and annotate PDF, Store and Retrieve from OS supported storage | ● | ● | NEW |
Mobile Handwriting Signature on phone screen, save, re-use, re-size, apply saved signatures | ● | ● | NEW |
Mobile Form Filling on standard PDF Forms | ● | ● | NEW |
Microsoft Windows 10 touch-enabled device support with “Touch Mode” option | ● | ● | |
Compatible with Microsoft Windows 8.1, 10, 11 (32 and 64 bit versions) | ● | ● | Improved |
Microsoft Windows 11 Snap Layouts to pre-set application window location and size | ● | ● | NEW |
Compatible with Microsoft Office 2010, 2013 and 2016, 2019 | ● | ● | |
Compatible with Microsoft Office 365 | ● | ● | |
Save as Tungsten Automation PDF in File Menu for Word, Excel, PowerPoint | ● | ● | |
Integrated create and convert add-ons for Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Internet Explorer | ● | ● | |
Support for directly opening PDF in Power PDF that are currently open in Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers – Create extension in Chrome | ● | ● | NEW |
PDF Create add-ons in Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome | ● | ● | NEW – for Chrome and Edge |
Cloud Storage Connectors Support: Box, Google Drive, Evernote, OneDrive, DropBox | ● | ● | Improved |
Document Management Support DocuShare EMC Documentum, EnterpriseConnect, HP Trim, NetDocuments, OnBase, Worldox (Advanced & Advanced Volume Only) | ● | ● | |
iManage 10 Web Client Contextual Menu | ● | Improved | |
iManage FileSite/Worksite Client 9.3.7 | ● | Improved | |
Supports Evernote and Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage services (requires paid Evernote subscription) | ● | ● | |
Integrated OneDrive Connector in Connectors Tab, including multiple OneDrive accounts | ● | ● | |
Power PDF Online Help, Getting Started Guide, Technical Specifications, Release Notes | ● | ● | |
Supports LexisNexis CaseMap | ● | ● | |
Supports a subset of JavaScript | ● | ● | |
Support for movies and audio embedded in a PDF | ● | ● | |
Support for embedding .MP4 video format into a PDF | ● | ● | |
Support for viewing the latest Adobe PDF portfolio animations and graphics | ● | ● | |
PDF/A compliance checking for the full range of PDF/A-1, PDF/A-2, PDF/A-3 and PDF/A-4 levels Checker Updated to detect WCAG 2.1 AA or PDF/UA issues |
● | Improved | |
Shop Power PDF Standard | Shop Power PDF Advanced |
Conclusion
Both the Standard and Advanced editions of Power PDF have a lot to offer. They can help you master PDF documents and utilize them to their fullest. Still, there are some possibilities that are only available with the Advanced edition. Now that you know about them, you can make a better-informed decision and find the perfect balance between affordability and additional features.
If you use Mac, the Power PDF Standard for Mac edition has a couple of more features than its Windows counterpart. Here is the comparison of Windows and Mac versions of Power PDF.
More information about and descriptions of Power PDF editions for Windows, and Power PDF for Mac.