I remember juggling countless PDF documents, needing to edit text, sign forms securely, or combine multiple files into one polished report. I needed the right tool, but the commitment to a subscription like Adobe Acrobat Pro seemed too much without knowing if it truly met my workflow needs.
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Then I discovered that Adobe offers a way to test drive the full Acrobat Pro DC—not a limited version—completely free for an initial period. This lets you explore all its features, from editing and converting PDFs to e-signing and collaboration tools.
If you want to experience Acrobat Pro before subscribing, here’s how to get started with the free trial.
Table of contents:
- How to download Acrobat Pro for free?
- How to get a 21-day Acrobat Pro trial?
- How to cancel an Acrobat Pro free trial?
- How to get Acrobat Pro free trial: FAQs
How to download Acrobat Pro for free?
Getting started with the Acrobat Pro free trial is straightforward. Here’s the process:
- Go to the Acrobat Pro free trial page.
- Click the Start free trial button.
- Select your commitment plan (Annual billed monthly, Monthly, or Annual prepaid).
- (Optional) Choose to add the AI Assistant feature.
- Create your Adobe account (or sign in) and enter billing information.
- Download and install Acrobat Pro via the Creative Cloud desktop app.
Now let’s break down these steps in more detail.
1. Go to the trial page and click Start free trial.
Go to the official Adobe Acrobat Pro trial page. Click the Start free trial button to begin the process. Note that the free trial is specifically for the Pro version, not Acrobat Standard.
Teams can get a 14-day free trial of Pro instead of just 7 days by going to adobe.com/acrobat/pricing/business.html. Students and teachers can get the same seven-day free trial as individuals or opt in for Creative Cloud All Apps for Students & Teachers, which comes with a 66% discount after the trial ends.
2. Select your commitment and options.
After clicking the trial button, you’ll be prompted to choose how you want to be billed after the 7-day trial ends. The options include:
- Annual, billed monthly: ($19.99/mo) – Lower monthly cost, 1-year commitment.
- Monthly: ($29.99/mo) – Higher monthly cost, cancel anytime.
- Annual, prepaid: ($239.88/yr) – Same cost as annual, billed monthly but in a single upfront charge.
Learn more about your options in our guide about Adobe Acrobat pricing.
Choose the plan that best suits your potential long-term needs. Remember, you won’t be charged until the 7-day trial period is over.
On the next step, you may also see an option to add the AI Assistant for Acrobat. This is an optional add-on for summarizing and interacting with your PDFs using artificial intelligence. You can choose whether to include this in your trial and subsequent subscription. It will cost you $4.99 per month after the trial.
3. Create an Adobe account (or sign in)
Next, you’ll need to either sign in to your existing Adobe account or create a new one using your email address. Adobe requires payment information (like a credit card or PayPal details) upfront, even for the free trial. This is standard practice to transition smoothly to a paid plan if you don’t cancel. You will not be charged until the 7-day trial concludes.
4. Download and install
Once you’ve entered your details and confirmed, the download process should begin. You’ll first install the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application. This app manages all your Adobe software installations and updates.
Sign in to the Creative Cloud app with your Adobe account. From there, find Adobe Acrobat Pro DC and click Install. The free trial will be automatically activated once installed. You can then launch Acrobat Pro and start using its full feature set immediately.
After completing these steps, you have 7 days of full access to Acrobat Pro DC. Ensure you cancel before the trial ends if you don’t wish to continue with a paid subscription.
How long is the Adobe Acrobat free trial?
The standard Adobe Acrobat Pro free trial lasts for 7 days. It used to be 30 days in the past, but Adobe shortened the duration of most Creative Cloud trials to 7 days a few years ago (you can still get 30-day trials of Substance 3D, Adobe Stock, and Adobe Express).
What most people don’t know is that you can extend your free trial to three weeks (21 days) by leveraging Adobe’s refund policy. Adobe generally offers a full refund if you cancel within 14 days of your first payment (i.e., the payment made immediately after the 7-day free trial ends).
Here’s how to get 21 days free:
- Sign up for the standard 7-day Acrobat Pro free trial using the steps above.
- Allow the trial to expire, and let the first payment be processed.
- Continue using Acrobat Pro for up to 14 more days.
- Cancel your subscription before the end of this 14-day window (which is 21 days after you initially started the trial). Request a full refund during the cancellation process.
While this method aligns with Adobe’s stated refund policy, it’s intended for users who genuinely change their minds shortly after purchase. Adobe discourages using this purely to extend free access without intent to subscribe, so please use this approach responsibly.
How to cancel an Acrobat Pro free trial?
If you decide Acrobat Pro isn’t for you, or you just wanted to test it, make sure to cancel before the 7-day trial ends to avoid charges. If you forget and get charged, you can still cancel and request a refund within 14 days of that first payment.
Here’s how to cancel:
- Go to your Adobe account page: https://account.adobe.com/plans
- Sign in with your Adobe ID.
- Find your Acrobat Pro subscription and select Manage plan.
- Click Cancel plan (or similar wording like Cancel your plan).
- Follow the prompts, providing a reason for cancellation if asked.
- Confirm the cancellation by selecting Confirm cancellation.
How to get Acrobat Pro free trial: FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Acrobat Pro trial:
Is the free trial for Acrobat Standard or Acrobat Pro?
The free trial offered on the main Adobe website is specifically for Acrobat Pro DC. There isn’t typically a standalone free trial offered for Acrobat Standard DC.
What features are included in the Acrobat Pro free trial?
The trial gives you access to the full version of Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. This includes all premium features like editing text and images in PDFs, converting PDFs to other formats (Word, Excel, etc.), creating and filling forms, requesting e-signatures, comparing documents, redacting sensitive information, and using the mobile app.
Can I get an Acrobat Pro free trial without a credit card?
No, Adobe requires payment information (credit card or PayPal) to start the free trial. This helps prevent abuse of the trial system. Using PayPal is an alternative if you prefer not to enter your credit card details directly. You won’t be charged if you cancel before the 7-day trial period ends.
Is there an Acrobat Pro free trial for students?
While there isn’t a specific Acrobat-only student trial, students and teachers can get a free trial of the Creative Cloud All Apps plan, which includes Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, along with Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and more. After the trial, this plan is available at a significant discount (often over 60% off) with proof of eligibility.
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