Technical Comparison: Acrobat Pro DC 2019 vs 2020

Introduction

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is one of the most comprehensive tools for PDF document management, and its 2019 and 2020 versions introduced significant improvements. In this technical blog, we will compare Acrobat Pro DC 2019 with Acrobat Pro DC 2020, focusing exclusively on technical aspects. We will evaluate key differences in performance, editing tools, operating system compatibility, cloud services integration, multimedia file support, workflow automation, and security features. In each section, we will highlight the improvements (and possible regressions) introduced in Acrobat Pro DC 2020 compared to the 2019 version, clearly indicating which functions were new in 2020. By the end, you will have a complete overview of how Acrobat Pro DC evolved technologically from 2019 to 2020.

Performance

In terms of performance, both versions maintain a solid foundation, but Acrobat Pro DC 2020 shows notable optimizations compared to 2019. Acrobat 2019 already offered robust performance when opening and handling large PDFs and multiple tabs, thanks to the tabbed interface introduced in the DC generation. However, some users noticed a certain slowness when launching the application or managing many annotations and interactive forms in long documents. During 2019, Adobe released incremental updates focused on improving Acrobat DC’s speed, paving the way for the 2020 edition.

Acrobat Pro DC 2020, on the other hand, integrates several performance improvements that make the experience smoother. For example, the loading of the recent files list is practically instant when switching to the Home tab in the 2020 interface, eliminating delays when toggling between the tools panel and the document view. Likewise, the generation of a shared review link (to send a PDF to other users) is significantly faster in 2020 – approximately 30% quicker in link creation, according to Adobe’s reported optimizations. The unified search function was also optimized: searching text in Acrobat 2020 (including within PDFs stored in the cloud, as we will see later) responds up to twice as fast as in the 2019 version, reducing waiting time when locating information across many documents. Another notable optimization is the download of files from the cloud (Document Cloud or other connected services) when opening them: in 2020 this process became drastically faster, preventing bottlenecks when working with files stored online.

In addition to these speed improvements, Acrobat Pro DC 2020 refined the management of background processes. At startup, the 2020 version reduces the initial load by disabling or postponing processes that in 2019 could consume resources right from launch. This translates into faster startups and lower CPU/memory usage while idle. Adobe also fixed stability issues: the 2020 version included patches for several of the most frequent critical crashes reported in 2019, providing a more stable experience when handling complex documents or multiple PDFs simultaneously.

In summary, Acrobat Pro DC 2020 outperforms 2019 in performance thanks to specific optimizations (instant loading of recents, faster searches, quicker downloads, and better resource management). Users who noticed delays or occasional slowness in 2019 found in the 2020 edition a more agile response in daily PDF tasks. No significant regressions in speed have been reported; on the contrary, 2020 consolidated incremental improvements, delivering smoother and more efficient performance than its predecessor.

Editing Tools

Acrobat Pro DC is well-known for its powerful PDF editing tools, and from 2019 to 2020 some new features and usability improvements were introduced in this area. Acrobat Pro DC 2019 already allowed users to edit text and images directly in a PDF with the “Edit PDF” tool, reassigning fonts and preserving the document’s original formatting. It also included the Organize Pages tool to reorder, insert, or delete pages, along with advanced features such as optical character recognition (OCR) to convert scanned documents into editable text. In 2019, Acrobat DC improved OCR accuracy and offered the “Enhance Scans” feature to optimize scanned document images before text recognition. Likewise, Acrobat 2019 supported document comparison (to highlight differences between two versions of a PDF) and the creation of fillable forms with text fields, checkboxes, etc., together with the Fill & Sign tool for easily completing forms and digitally signing them.

Acrobat Pro DC 2020 retained all these editing capabilities and added specific improvements that provide greater flexibility and convenience to the user. One of the most visible novelties was the color customization in the Fill & Sign tool. While in 2019, when using Fill & Sign, the added text and drawn signature only appeared in black, in 2020 users can choose the color used to fill out forms or apply their handwritten digital signature. This new feature in 2020 makes it possible, for example, to sign in blue or red depending on preferences or requirements, which was impossible in the previous version (where everything was restricted to black unless using manual workarounds). It’s a minor but useful change to personalize the appearance of forms and signatures.

Another New Feature in 2020

Related to editing is the ability to run OCR on scanned documents that already contain some live text. In previous versions, if a scanned PDF included areas with text (for example, because someone had already partially applied OCR or because the scan included form fields), Acrobat sometimes didn’t allow text recognition again on those pages. Acrobat Pro DC 2020 improves this aspect: it is now possible to apply Text Recognition even in documents containing images mixed with preexisting electronic text. This is valuable when working with a PDF that has some text layers but other parts remain as images – the 2020 version makes it possible to convert the entire document into searchable text, overcoming 2019’s limitations in this workflow. In practice, this means Acrobat 2020 offers greater versatility when processing batches of scanned documents, ensuring no page is left without OCR even if the file already had hidden text in some layer.

There were also small interface improvements in the editing tools. For example, Acrobat Pro DC 2020 added a quick access button for “Edit Text & Images” directly in the top toolbar, making it easier to start editing a PDF without navigating through the tools panel – a subtle usability improvement compared to 2019. Likewise, the tool previously called “Enhance Scans” was renamed “Scan & OCR” in Acrobat 2020, to make its purpose clearer (emphasizing that it includes text recognition functions). Although this change is mainly a renaming, it helps users identify the OCR feature more easily than in 2019.

Editing Multimedia Content and Objects

As for editing multimedia content and objects, both versions allow adding or removing images in PDFs, as well as editing elements such as links or embedded videos (more details on multimedia in later sections). No major functional differences were observed here, except that Acrobat 2020 incorporates all the minor updates Adobe released in 2019 to improve stability when handling graphics and to preserve formatting when editing text. For example, each new version tends to refine font retention and text reflow to avoid unexpected shifts – Acrobat 2020 is one step ahead in that refinement simply by being more recent.

In summary, the core editing tools are equally solid in Acrobat 2019 and 2020, but the 2020 version introduced useful new features (form fill and signature color, more flexible OCR) and interface improvements that streamline editing. These 2020 additions, although not revolutionary, represent greater convenience and expanded capabilities compared to 2019, especially for those who work with forms or document digitization. No regressions are identified in this area; Acrobat 2020 only adds without taking away, retaining everything 2019 already did well while expanding its editing arsenal.

Operating System Compatibility

Compatibility with different operating systems is a crucial technical factor, as it ensures the application works properly on supported platforms. Between Acrobat Pro DC 2019 and Acrobat Pro DC 2020, there were important changes in this respect, mainly related to the end of support for older systems and adaptation to newer operating systems.

Acrobat Pro DC 2019 (continuous release of that year) was compatible with Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 on PC. This meant that users with Windows 7 SP1 could still install and use Acrobat DC in 2019, even though Microsoft had already announced the end of support for Windows 7 in January 2020. In fact, Adobe maintained official support for Windows 7 throughout much of Acrobat DC’s 2019 cycle, ensuring security patches and stable operation on that older system.

With the release of Acrobat Pro DC 2020, Adobe made adjustments to the minimum system requirements. The 2020 version officially dropped support for Windows 7, aligning with the end-of-life of that operating system. In other words, Windows 8 became the minimum requirement to install Acrobat Pro DC 2020 (along with Windows 8.1 and, of course, Windows 10). This represents a notable technical difference: users who could run Acrobat on Windows 7 in 2019 needed to upgrade their operating system to use the 2020 version. Although this change may seem like a regression for those still on Windows 7, it was an expected decision to improve security and better leverage modern Windows 10 technologies (which Acrobat 2020 uses for certain features, such as DirectInk that we will detail later). In enterprise environments, this step meant planning the migration to Windows 10 if Acrobat 2020 adoption was desired.

Regarding architectures, on Windows, Acrobat Pro DC 2019 and 2020 were still 32-bit (x86) applications by default, although fully operable on 64-bit systems. At that time, Adobe had not yet released a 64-bit edition of Acrobat for Windows (this would arrive later, in 2021–2022). Therefore, on Windows there was no difference in this respect: both versions run in 32-bit mode on 64-bit Windows, with the same memory management (limited to about 4 GB per process).

In summary, in terms of operating system compatibility, Acrobat Pro DC 2020 evolved to support newer platforms and dropped support for some older ones. The 2020 version requires Windows 8/10 instead of Windows 7.

Integration with Cloud Services

One of the most notable differences between Acrobat Pro DC 2019 and 2020 lies in how the application integrates with cloud services and facilitates collaborative work. Acrobat “DC” stands for Document Cloud, reflecting that these versions are designed to connect to Adobe’s (and third-party) online services to extend their capabilities. Let’s see how that integration evolved from 2019 to 2020.

Acrobat Pro DC 2019 already featured considerable cloud integration. In 2019, Adobe introduced a new unified experience for sharing and reviewing PDFs: users could send a document for review via a cloud link, allowing multiple reviewers to add comments on a single shared PDF without having to send multiple copies by email. This functionality, powered by Document Cloud, greatly simplified review workflows. In addition, Acrobat 2019 integrated with Adobe Sign (Adobe’s e-signature service) at a basic level: it allowed sending documents for digital signature to third parties directly from the application, using the cloud for tracking and notifications. Also in 2019, synchronization across devices was consolidated: a user could open a PDF on their computer, then continue reading or editing it on a mobile device through the Acrobat Reader app, thanks to recent files and actions being synced via Document Cloud. Acrobat Pro DC 2019 also offered integration with third-party storage services such as Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, and SharePoint, enabling opening and saving PDF files in those clouds directly from the Acrobat interface. This was very useful in work environments where documents reside across multiple services.

A New Home View

However, the Acrobat Pro DC interface was refined in the 2020 version to enhance and make cloud integration more accessible. Acrobat Pro DC 2020 introduced a completely redesigned Home view, acting as a unified document hub. This Home view is shared across Pro and Standard 2020 versions, and in it the user can see all recent files in one place, whether stored locally, in Adobe Document Cloud, or in connected third-party services (OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, SharePoint). In 2019 there was also a Home panel, but the 2020 version improves it notably: it more clearly shows the list of recent files (indicating the origin of each file), suggests recommended tools to continue working (for example, after opening a file it may suggest “Edit PDF” or “Share”), includes a global search box that allows searching not only by file name but also within the content of PDFs stored in the cloud (thanks to Document Cloud indexing), and incorporates a contextual panel where the user can take quick actions on a document (share, move, check review status, etc.) without opening it. In summary, the new 2020 Home centralizes the management of local and cloud documents, helping users stay organized and on top of pending tasks (such as PDFs awaiting signature or ongoing reviews). This unified Home was not present in Acrobat 2019 at the same level of functionality, making it a key 2020 improvement.

File Sharing

Another improvement in cloud integration in Acrobat 2020 was the streamlining of the file sharing experience. In Windows, for example, Acrobat Pro DC 2020 adds an option to the File Explorer context menu (“Share using Adobe Acrobat”), allowing you to take any PDF file from the file manager and send it directly to Document Cloud to generate a share link or send it for signing. This integration with the operating system makes cloud services usage more fluid, since in 2019 you had to open Acrobat first and then share from within the app. Likewise, the link-based sharing experience inside Acrobat was simplified: now sending a PDF for others to view or comment via link is as easy as sending an email, but with the added benefit of centralized comments. Acrobat 2020 also provides clearer controls to manage permissions for those links (for example, setting whether authentication or expiration is required), giving the user more control over cloud collaboration.

Integration with Adobe Sign

Regarding integration with Adobe Sign, in 2020 the presence of the e-signature service within Acrobat was strengthened. Every Acrobat DC subscription includes the ability to request legally binding electronic signatures. While this already existed in 2019, in the 2020 version the interface for Send for Signature became more intuitive, and Adobe Sign was integrated more deeply, allowing, for example, direct tracking from Acrobat of the status of requested signatures (who has signed, who still needs to sign, etc.). This is part of Adobe’s emphasis on unifying Document Cloud with Acrobat.

Of course, both 2019 and 2020 maintain the option to store files in Adobe Document Cloud (with provided storage space) and access them from any device. But 2020 expands this with the already mentioned content search: now from Acrobat’s search bar you can find documents in your cloud by keywords contained within the PDF, something that was not possible in 2019 (it only searched by file names). This feature is very useful when handling dozens or hundreds of PDFs stored in your Document Cloud space.

In summary, Acrobat Pro DC 2020 deepens cloud integration compared to 2019. It introduces a centralized Home interface to manage local and online files, speeds up and simplifies the flow of sharing and collaborating via Document Cloud, and adds features such as cloud text search and Explorer sharing shortcuts. All of these are 2020 improvements that make connected work smoother. No regressions were identified here; Acrobat 2020 maintains everything 2019 offered (Dropbox/OneDrive access, mobile sync, etc.) while making it faster and more convenient. The only consideration is that to take advantage of these features you need to be in the Document Cloud (subscription) mode or use Adobe’s online services – but technically, integration in 2020 is superior and more polished than in 2019, reflecting the evolution toward increasingly cloud-based workflows.

Multimedia File Support

Support for multimedia content within PDF documents (such as audio, video, and even 3D models) is another technical aspect to compare between Acrobat Pro DC 2019 and 2020. Adobe Acrobat has long allowed the inclusion of multimedia elements in PDFs, but the associated standards and technologies have evolved, especially with the transition away from Flash. Let’s look at the differences:

Acrobat Pro DC 2019 supported the playback of embedded videos and audio in PDFs using the infrastructure available at the time. This included MP4/H.264 video files embedded directly, which Acrobat could natively play in a window within the PDF. In addition, historically Acrobat allowed rich multimedia content (such as animations or applications) via embedded Flash Player technology. In fact, in earlier versions, adding a video to a PDF sometimes meant converting it to an FLV (Flash Video) or SWF format to ensure compatibility. By 2019, Acrobat DC still included an internal Flash player to handle interactive multimedia content and certain PDF forms or portfolios with animated components. However, the end of Flash was already on the horizon: Adobe had announced the end of Flash Player support for December 2020. Therefore, during the Acrobat 2019 era, while Flash content could still run (with security warnings), it was considered an obsolete technology.

Acrobat Pro DC 2020 marks a turning point in this respect. One of the key differences in multimedia support is that Acrobat 2020 no longer depends on Flash Player, as Adobe officially retired Flash at the end of 2020. This means that certain older multimedia content will no longer work in Acrobat 2020. For example, if you have an interactive PDF with controls or animations based on Flash, Acrobat Pro DC 2019 could still display them (with the plugin installed), but in Acrobat 2020 that content will be blocked or not rendered, since the application no longer includes nor allows Flash. This could be seen as a “regression” for those using PDFs with Flash content, but it is truly a necessary security measure and in line with modern standards (Flash presented serious security risks and is obsolete). On the other hand, Acrobat 2020 continues to fully support modern multimedia formats: H.264/H.265 video, MP3/WAV audio embedded in the PDF, etc., without requiring external drivers. Users can insert an MP4 video into a PDF and share it, knowing that anyone with Acrobat 2019 or 2020 will be able to play it (as long as the system has the base codecs, which Windows and Mac usually do). Both versions allow configuring whether the multimedia plays on page open or on click, and they provide integrated playback controls.

A particular case is PDF Portfolios or dynamic forms that once relied on Flash for certain functions. Acrobat Pro DC 2019 could handle PDF Portfolios (which are container PDFs of multiple files with a visual interface) using Flash components. In Acrobat Pro DC 2020, Adobe updated how portfolios are displayed so they no longer require Flash. Now, PDF Portfolios open more like a navigable set of files without the old animated interface. As for dynamic XFA forms (created with LiveCycle Designer, which also depended on Flash in Reader), starting in 2020 those forms lost functionality in Acrobat/Reader DC, since there is no Flash engine to process the dynamic logic. In short, Acrobat 2020 sacrifices compatibility with obsolete multimedia content (Flash/XFA) in favor of security and focusing on standard media.

Both versions (2019 and 2020) support the insertion of audio content (e.g., MP3 files) in PDFs, with playback controls. There were no significant changes in how audio is handled between the two versions, except perhaps slight stability improvements in 2020 when playing multiple embedded audio files. Likewise, both support PDFs with 3D content (U3D or PRC models), allowing rotation of 3D models embedded in a PDF. This 3D support did not change functionally from 2019 to 2020, except that Acrobat 2020 also ensures Flash is not used for the 3D interface (Acrobat uses its own 3D engine and continues to do so).

Another multimedia aspect is compatibility with embedded video formats. Both Acrobat 2019 and 2020 recommend using H.264-based formats (MP4), which are widely compatible. Acrobat 2020 continues this approach and optimizes playback: users report that Acrobat 2020 handles high-resolution playback better, with fewer skips, thanks to improvements in how it leverages system acceleration. These are minor optimizations but can make a difference in PDF presentations with video.

In conclusion, in terms of multimedia support, Acrobat Pro DC 2020 eliminates support for obsolete technologies (Flash), focusing on modern formats, whereas Acrobat 2019 still allowed legacy content. Aside from that change, both offer the same core capabilities: embedding and playing videos and audio in PDFs, 3D support, and running interactive content via JavaScript (security-limited). For most users this is not a loss, but rather a gain in security; however, if your workflow relied on, say, a form with embedded Flash video, you will need to convert that content to MP4 for it to be compatible with Acrobat 2020. Otherwise, Acrobat 2020 maintains or slightly improves the multimedia experience of 2019, ensuring PDFs remain enriched documents but with safer, more standardized approaches.

Workflow Automation

Both Acrobat Pro DC 2019 and 2020 offer tools to automate repetitive tasks and streamline complex workflows with PDF documents. We refer to features such as Batch Actions (Action Wizard), scripts, and other utilities that allow users to save time on routine processes. Let’s compare how the two versions perform in this area.

Acrobat Pro DC 2019 already included the powerful Action Wizard, which allows creating automated script sequences without advanced programming knowledge. With Action Wizard, a user could define a series of steps (for example: open PDF, optimize size, apply OCR, save to a specific folder) and then run that Action on a batch of files with a single click. This functionality was well established in 2019, even allowing user inputs (for example, asking for a destination folder) or pausing for manual review in the middle of the sequence. Acrobat Pro DC 2019 also supported automation via JavaScript within PDFs or at the application level, enabling advanced users to write scripts for tasks such as calculated form fields, custom validations, or mass manipulation of objects in a PDF. It also integrated Batch Processing manually (selecting multiple files and applying a predefined action to all).

Regarding specific workflows, Acrobat 2019 facilitated mass digitization of documents with its Scan and OCR tool, which could be combined with automated actions: for example, one could create an Action that automatically applies OCR to all scanned files in a folder. It also supported standards such as PDF/A (archival), allowing batch conversion of documents to PDF/A for archiving, often done via automated actions or Preflight.

Acrobat Pro DC 2020 retains all these automation capabilities and adds some refinements, especially within the Preflight tool aimed at graphic arts workflows and PDF quality control. In Acrobat 2020, the Preflight module received significant improvements: Preflight Profile Libraries were introduced (a better organization of checks, fixes, and profiles, making them easier to find and apply) and, very importantly, Check Variables. This last one is a new feature in 2020: now in Preflight you can define variables that allow dynamic adjustment of certain parameters in verification profiles or fixes. What does this mean for automation? It means that a single Preflight profile can adapt on the fly according to an input variable. For example, you could have a Preflight action that converts colors to CMYK and define a variable for the target color profile; when executing that action, Acrobat 2020 lets you specify the variable value (e.g., the desired ICC profile) without duplicating the profile for every possible value. These variables make prepress workflows much more flexible and automatable, something Acrobat 2019 did not offer. Likewise, Acrobat 2020 added the ability to validate documents against the PDF/UA accessibility standard within Preflight, including options to automatically fix common accessibility issues. While this belongs to the accessibility domain, it technically forms part of quality automation: in 2020 you can incorporate PDF/UA validation as an additional step in your automated actions (for example, verifying a batch of documents meets standards before publishing). Acrobat 2019 did not have integrated PDF/UA validation; this is a plus in the 2020 version for those automating compliance with standards.

On the Action Wizard front in general, Acrobat Pro DC 2020 still allows creating custom actions. No spectacular new commands were introduced in Action Wizard in 2020, but it did benefit from the new features of the version: for example, an Action in Acrobat 2020 can leverage the option to run OCR on documents with dynamic text (new in 2020), something that didn’t exist in 2019. In other words, any newly added capability (such as the mentioned more flexible OCR, or the color option in signatures) becomes available for automation in the 2020 version. Also, the stability and speed when running batch actions improved thanks to 2020’s performance optimizations – for example, processing hundreds of PDF files with a PDF/A conversion action could be done somewhat faster and with fewer errors in 2020 simply because the application manages memory and background processes better.

An advantage of both versions is the possibility of integration into larger workflows via command line or APIs. Acrobat Pro can be partially controlled via external scripting (for example, using Visual Basic or application-level JavaScript). There were no significant changes in this between 2019 and 2020. However, something cloud-related: with Acrobat DC you can also use Document Cloud services to automate certain tasks (such as creating PDFs, exporting PDFs to Word, etc., via Adobe’s web API). These services already existed in 2019 and remained available in 2020. At the end-user level, Acrobat 2020’s “Tools” interface integrated more direct access to Adobe Scan and Adobe Sign, services that automate scanning and signing respectively. For example, in 2020 you can more easily scan multiple documents from a mobile device and automatically import them into Acrobat on the desktop, thanks to Document Cloud connectivity – a sort of automation across devices. This was possible in 2019 but in 2020 it’s more integrated (with notifications in the Home view when new scanned files are available).

In summary, regarding workflow automation, both versions provide robust tools (Action Wizard, scripting, Preflight) to automate PDF tasks, but Acrobat Pro DC 2020 introduces innovations that expand those possibilities. Preflight Variables and improved profile organization make automated checks more powerful in 2020. The new OCR and accessibility functions can be incorporated into actions in 2020 to process documents in bulk with those advantages. No regressions were detected; on the contrary, Acrobat 2020 adds functionality while maintaining backward compatibility with actions created in 2019. For users relying on automated workflows, the 2020 version offers a slightly more efficient and adaptable environment.

Security Capabilities

The security of PDF documents and the Acrobat application itself is a fundamental aspect in the professional environment. Here we compare the security capabilities of Acrobat Pro DC 2019 versus 2020, including document protection, digital signatures, and specific improvements introduced in 2020.

Acrobat Pro DC 2019 already provided a wide set of security features at various levels. On one hand, it allowed protecting PDFs with passwords for opening and/or restricting actions (editing, printing, copying text), using robust encryption (AES 128 or 256-bit depending on compatibility). It also supported digital certificates: a user could apply a digital signature based on a certificate (digital ID) to sign a PDF, or encrypt a document for specific recipients using certificates, ensuring that only authorized people could open it. Acrobat 2019 complied with signature standards PKCS#7, CAdES, PAdES, etc., making it suitable for legal environments where signatures must be recognized. In addition, regarding content security, Acrobat Pro DC 2019 offered the Redaction tool to permanently remove sensitive information from PDFs (irreversibly hiding text or images).

At the application level, Acrobat DC 2019 operated with the so-called “Protected Mode” in Reader and “Protected View” in Pro, basically a security sandbox that isolated the opened PDF in a safe environment to prevent malicious code embedded in a PDF from harming the system. This sandbox had existed since earlier versions (Acrobat X/XI) and continued in 2019, providing protection against PDF exploits. Adobe regularly updated Acrobat 2019 with security patches for discovered vulnerabilities, so by late 2019 Acrobat DC was quite secure in terms of fixed flaws.

Acrobat Pro DC 2020, being an evolution, incorporates all those security features and adds some new capabilities aimed at corporate security and compliance. One of the most notable is support for MIP-protected PDFs (Microsoft Information Protection). What does this mean? Starting with Acrobat 2020, a user can open PDFs protected with Azure Information Protection (AIP) or MIP from Microsoft (often used in companies to encrypt and control Office documents). Acrobat 2019 originally lacked this capability; if you tried to open an AIP-encrypted PDF, it could not decrypt it. Acrobat Pro DC 2020 introduced it as a new feature: it detects when a PDF is protected with Microsoft’s schemes and prompts you to download a special plugin. After installing the add-on, Acrobat 2020 can authenticate against Azure AD and open the protected PDF just like Office would with a protected document. This is crucial for corporate environments where confidential PDFs are shared under information protection policies – with the 2020 version, Adobe made it easier for Acrobat to be part of Microsoft’s secure ecosystem. In summary, MIP/AIP compatibility is a new feature in Acrobat 2020 that was not present in 2019, enhancing security capabilities for enterprise users.

Another security improvement in Acrobat 2020 is the continuation of fast patching and built-in mitigations. Being a newer version, Acrobat Pro DC 2020 included all known vulnerability fixes up to its release date and added additional mitigations. For example, Adobe fixed more than 20 critical vulnerabilities in 2020 that had been found in 2019; those fixes were already built into the 2020 version. From the end user’s perspective, this means lower risk when handling potentially malicious PDFs in Acrobat 2020 compared to a non-updated 2019 installation.

Regarding digital signatures and certification, both versions offer the same core functionality: you can digitally sign documents, certify a PDF so that any changes invalidate the certification, and manage trusted identities (list of trusted certificate authorities). Acrobat 2020 does not change the signature standards, but it did improve the handwritten digital signature experience with the integration of DirectInk in the Certificates panel. This means that when using Acrobat Pro DC 2020 on Windows 10, if you want to sign freehand (for example, signing with your stroke instead of using a certificate), the function uses DirectInk to capture your signature more accurately and naturally, with better support for stylus pens. In 2019 you could draw a signature with a mouse or stylus, but 2020 makes it smoother and closer to the “ink on paper” experience, thanks to DirectInk. Although a drawn signature is not the same as a certified digital signature, many people use it for informal agreements, and this improvement is part of identity security in documents.

Another security feature present in both versions is compatibility with secure PDF standards: PDF/A for archiving (ensuring the document is 100% self-contained with no active content), PDF/E, PDF/X, etc., and the ability to convert documents to those standards. Acrobat 2020, through Preflight, included updated profiles for these standards (for example, the new PDF/X-4 GWG 2015 spec in Preflight 2020), but essentially 2019 could also generate PDF/A, PDF/X without issue. There are no radical differences there, beyond updated supported standard versions.

Lastly, it is worth mentioning accessibility as part of “security” in a broader compliance sense. Acrobat Pro DC 2020 added the already mentioned PDF/UA validation and accessibility improvements (enhanced tagging wizards, etc.), which is not security in the traditional sense but is a new capability that 2019 did not have, and may be important for regulatory compliance (for example, for government organizations requiring accessible PDFs as part of their policies, Acrobat 2020 makes it easier to verify compliance with the Universal Accessibility Standard).

In conclusion, Acrobat Pro DC 2020 strengthens and extends the security capabilities of 2019. Both versions allow protecting documents with passwords and certificates, redacting sensitive information, and feature sandboxing to safely open PDFs. But 2020 introduces Microsoft AIP protection support, improves handwritten signature experience with DirectInk, and comes with all the latest security updates applied. No regressions in security were identified; the only change some may see as negative – the removal of Flash – in fact improves security by eliminating an attack vector. For all these reasons, Acrobat 2020 can be considered more secure out of the box than 2019, simply due to its compatibility with modern security systems and by integrating the lessons and patches of previous years. Any organization focused on document security will appreciate Acrobat Pro DC 2020’s improvements in this area over the 2019 version.

Conclusions

From a strictly technical perspective, the comparison between Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2019 and Acrobat Pro DC 2020 reveals a clear evolution in the software’s functionality and optimization. Both versions share the robust set of core features that make Acrobat the reference point in PDF editing and management, but Acrobat Pro DC 2020 brings numerous improvements and incorporates new functions that expand its capabilities.

Performance

Summarizing the findings: in terms of performance, 2020 stands out for being more agile and stable, reducing times in common operations (searches, opening recent files, link generation) and managing system resources better than the 2019 version. Regarding editing tools, Acrobat 2020 retains everything offered by 2019 and adds useful details such as color choice in signatures and form filling, as well as the ability to perform OCR in scenarios not previously supported, giving users more flexibility without sacrificing any of the previous features. In system compatibility, 2020 aligns with modern operating systems (Windows 10, macOS Catalina and later) and drops obsolete platforms like Windows 7—a necessary change to leverage new technologies, though it required updating older environments. Cloud integration deepened in 2020: a redesigned Home interface and simplified sharing and collaboration features make Acrobat 2020 a more connected tool, better prepared for online workflows than Acrobat 2019.

Multimedia Support

Regarding multimedia support, the 2020 version evolves toward secure standards by eliminating Flash dependencies and focusing on current formats, ensuring that audiovisual content in PDFs plays back correctly and securely—in essence, adapting to technological changes where 2019 still carried legacy compatibility. In terms of automation, Acrobat 2020 enriches options with Preflight variables and retains all the powerful action and scripting tools, enabling even more dynamic and efficient workflows compared to 2019. Finally, in security, Acrobat Pro DC 2020 reinforces protection: it integrates compatibility with corporate schemes (MIP/Azure), enhances handwritten signatures, and arrives fully patched against recent vulnerabilities, surpassing 2019 in this critical area without weakening existing security functions.

In Practice...

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2020 represents an iterative but significant technical improvement over the 2019 version. Almost every area shows progress or new features in 2020: from small conveniences to major productivity enablers. It is important to note that all the new features mentioned (such as the unified Home view, MIP support, DirectInk, Preflight variables, color in signatures, etc.) appeared for the first time in Acrobat 2020, marking clear differences compared to Acrobat 2019. No serious functional regressions are evident when moving from 2019 to 2020; except for the removal of Flash support (expected) and older system compatibility, 2020 adds more than it takes away.

For users and companies that rely on Acrobat in their workflows, the 2020 version provided a more optimized platform, with better integrations and prepared for the standards of the new decade. The technical comparison shows that Adobe refined the tool in response to user needs: faster performance, more cloud integration, stronger security, and new editing capabilities. In short, Acrobat Pro DC 2020 consolidates itself as a valuable upgrade over Acrobat Pro DC 2019, delivering tangible improvements in performance and technical features that make managing PDF documents easier at the highest professional level.