Digital Certificate vs. PDF Certificates: Which is Better?

In the world of certificates, we have two main options: PDF certificates and digital certificates.

Nowadays, digital certificates are the ones that are most in demand, leaving PDF certificates far behind. But are they safe enough?

In this article, Certifier will explore digital and PDF certificates, the underlying differences between them, and recommendations about what to choose. 

PDF certificates are easy to share but vulnerable to editing, counterfeiting, and manual workflows.

Digital certificates are secure, verifiable, and faster to create and distribute.

They offer better safety, accessibility, and automation—ideal for modern credentialing.

Certifier makes creating, customizing, and delivering digital certificates simple and efficient.

A digital certificate (or public key certificate) is an electronic credential used to verify online identities. It enables secure data exchange through public key infrastructure (PKI).

These certificates are issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs), which sign and manage them to protect against unauthorized access and other cyber threats.

A digital certificate includes public keys used for encryption and validation. During the process, the owner’s identity and access to the key are confirmed. In essence, a certificate verifies the sender’s identity and contains their public key along with other relevant details to ensure secure communication.

A PDF certificate is simply a document saved in Portable Document Format (PDF). Unlike a digital credential, it is typically created manually as a physical document—such as a diploma or degree—and later scanned or exported as a PDF. These files can then be shared digitally, for example as email attachments.

However, PDF certificates do not contain a public key or any built-in security features. Because of this, they can be easily copied, edited, or counterfeited using common PDF tools.

If we take a closer look, there are many fundamental differences between digital certificates and PDF certificates.

In this part of the article, we are going to discuss the most noteworthy ones.

Moreover, this will be especially relevant if you are going to face a choice of the future format for your certificate.

Preparation process & time consumption

To start with, we will describe the preparation process for both digital and PDF certificates. This analysis will show us which ones are simpler and more convenient to prepare.

Preparation of a PDF certificate is usually extremely time-consuming and certainly more challenging to do on your own:

However, it should be noted that this type of file is not the original document that is often asked for in higher institutions (e.g., universities, banks, or offices). So even after delivering the file via email, it may still be necessary to provide the document in person.

Meanwhile, preparing a digital certificate is straightforward:

The entire process of building certificates requires a minimal amount of time in comparison to creating a standard PDF document.

Verifiability & safety procedures

The credibility of the document is one of the most vital components of the successful preparation of a certificate. Without it, the document does not possess any value.

Moreover, PDF certificates are commonly shared by unauthorized people and modified. As a result of a large number of scams, an increasing number of institutions are now changing traditional PDF certificates to more secure alternatives such as digital credentials with electronic signatures (that are in line with document signing regulations).

Once an institution issues an electronic document, it will be present in its register and can be easily tracked. Anyone with access to the certificate can verify it immediately. Apart from that, nobody can issue a fake certification that will pass as legitimate.

Accessibility

Another crucial difference that we can distinguish between digital and PDF certificates is their availability. Despite the widespread belief that PDF files are the most accessible document format, it turns out that the time needed for their preparation often exceeds that required to create the more flexible option of a digital certificate.

What’s more, the electronic file is always present in the user's email inbox and ready for download after they have been made available, whereas, with PDF documents, there is more confusion. The problems start in particular when it is necessary to scan a regular document that has to be converted into a PDF file later.

Nowadays, everything is rapidly developing, so we need newer and newer technical solutions. Currently, both certificate formats are available on the market, but we can assume that it is only a matter of time before only digital certificates will remain available.

This is down to issues such as safety, comfort, and time-saving needs. Thanks to digital certificates, customers can save precious time and, in the blink of an eye, generate hundreds of safe types of certificates for school children, students, or participants of webinars.

Apart from that, digital certificates are also a good choice for people who like being creative. We offer modern design tools to create professional-looking digital certificates. With our tool, it is possible to create masterpieces. Additionally, our templates will remind you to include all of the necessary information. 

Creating digital certificates doesn’t have to be complicated. With Certifier, the process becomes more organized and manageable. Here are the key benefits you can expect:

With these advantages, Certifier helps streamline your certification process so you can focus on what truly matters.

See how to create a digital and PDF certificate in one with Certifier:

Digital credentials are a breakthrough discovery, much needed in today's world with constantly evolving technological possibilities. They offer many options and are worth considering when choosing which type of certificates will be issued by your company.

Digital certificates are professional tools that are simple to create. They ensure the security of the data provided, are easily accessible, and are time-saving, unlike standard PDF certificates.

If you want your business to operate dynamically and build customer trust, digital certificates would be a reliable solution. Thanks to this choice, you will not only save time, but also you will do your students, trainees, or even colleagues a favor.