author
By Jenefey Aaron

Updated on 2025-07-17

100 % Helpful

Adobe Acrobat One Time Purchase: Is It Still Available?

authorPic

By Jenefey Aaron

2025-07-17 / Knowledge

“Anyone here found a legit Adobe Acrobat lifetime license that actually works? I just bought Acrobat Pro 2020 for work invoices and form edits, but install fails. Anyone else hit this?”

Many users prefer software they can buy once and use forever, and Adobe Acrobat one time purchase is no exception. Instead of paying monthly, they look for a lifetime license that gives full access to PDF tools without ongoing fees.

While Adobe has shifted most of its products to subscription plans, there are still ways to get Adobe Acrobat with a one time payment. In this article, we’ll discuss the current options, benefits of lifetime access, and how to find the right version of Adobe Acrobat for your long-term needs.

Part 1: Is There an Adobe Acrobat One-Time Purchase Option

No, Adobe Acrobat is not exclusively a one-time purchase. While perpetual (one-time purchase) versions like Acrobat Pro 2020 and Acrobat Standard 2020 are still available, Adobe primarily offers Acrobat as a subscription service, like Acrobat Pro DC.

Subscription Options (Acrobat Pro DC):

Acrobat Pro DC is a subscription service, meaning you pay a recurring fee (monthly or annually) to access the software. This option provides access to the latest features, security updates, and cloud services.

Subscriptions can be canceled, but fees may apply if canceled after a certain period.

Perpetual (One-Time Purchase) Options:

Adobe offers perpetual versions like Acrobat Pro 2020 and Acrobat Standard 2020 that can be purchased with a one-time payment. These versions may have a limited feature set compared to subscription versions and do not receive ongoing feature updates.

They are available through Adobe's website, authorized resellers, or volume licensing programs. While they don't require ongoing subscription fees, they may have a limited lifespan as Adobe may discontinue support for older versions.

Part 2: How to Buy Adobe Acrobat Without a Subscription

Adobe still offers a way to purchase Acrobat without a subscription through Adobe Acrobat Pro 2024. This version is ideal for users who prefer a one-time payment rather than monthly or annual fees.

Acrobat Pro 2024 replaces older Adobe Acrobat DC perpetual license 2020 and comes with a 3-year desktop-only license. It includes all features from Acrobat Pro 2020, along with interface updates, improved accessibility, and a few extra tools.

However, it does not include online services or future feature enhancements. Security updates are provided quarterly to keep your software protected.

Steps to Purchase Acrobat Pro 2024

  • Visit the Adobe Acrobat Pro 2024 FAQ

    Start by visiting the Adobe Acrobat Pro 2024 FAQ page to learn about the product details, license terms, and limitations.

  • adobe acrobat pro 2024 faq
  • Find an Adobe Authorized Reseller

    Adobe Acrobat Pro 2024 is not available for direct purchase on Adobe’s website. You will need to contact an Adobe Authorized Reseller. Use Adobe’s official partner directory or search for resellers in your region.

  • Request a Quote or Place an Order

    Reach out to the reseller and request a quote for Acrobat Pro 2024. Confirm that you are buying the one-time purchase desktop license valid for three years.

  • Receive License and Install

    Once you complete the purchase, you will get a license key. Download the installer, activate the software using your key, and start using Acrobat Pro 2024 on your desktop.

  • Use Offline for 3 Years

    After activation, you can use the software offline for the full 3-year term. There are no renewal charges or subscription fees during this time.

Key Points to Know

  • Acrobat Pro 2024 is a desktop-only version.
  • It's a one-time purchase with a 3-year license.
  • You won't have access to online services or feature enhancements that come with subscription versions.
  • You will receive quarterly security updates.
book icon
Note:

Even with a one-time purchase, Adobe Acrobat still feels expensive and clunky. It’s not very user-friendly, rarely gets major updates, and the so-called lifetime license usually lasts just three years. If you want something lighter and more practical, Tenorshare PDNob could be a better fit. It lets you edit, convert, protect, and OCR PDFs easily with real lifetime license- no upgrade fees ever.

Part 3: Adobe Acrobat Pricing & Options

While many users search for an Adobe Acrobat Pro one time purchase or even the Adobe Acrobat Pro DC lifetime price, it’s important to know that Adobe has moved to a subscription-based model for most of its products.

However, a few standalone options still exist. Below is a detailed breakdown of Adobe’s current pricing tiers and the major differences between subscription and lifetime models.

Adobe Acrobat Pricing and Options:

  • Acrobat Reader:
  • Free global standard for viewing, printing, and sharing PDFs.

  • Acrobat Standard:
  • $12.99/month (annual, billed monthly), or $1,436.40/year (annual prepaid plan). Offers basic PDF editing and conversion tools.

  • Acrobat Pro:
  • $19.99/month (annual, billed monthly) or $239.88/year (annual prepaid plan), according to thebusinessdive.com. Provides advanced PDF editing, e-signatures, and other features.

  • Acrobat for Teams:
  • Starts at $14.99/month per user (annual, billed monthly). Offers team-based features, including shared access and management tools.

adobe acrobat pricing

Lifetime vs. Subscription:

Adobe does not offer a lifetime license for Acrobat. All current versions of Acrobat are subscription-based, requiring recurring payments for continued access.

Previous perpetual licenses for Acrobat 2020 are no longer available for purchase according to schneider it management. Purchasing a lifetime license from unofficial sources is likely a scam says a user on Quora.

Part 4: Best Adobe Acrobat Alternative with Lifetime License

If you want a true one-time purchase alternative to Adobe Acrobat, Tenorshare PDNob is a top choice. It offers a lifetime license with free updates, fast performance, and an easy interface. You can edit text, images, watermarks, and links—all without subscription fees.

PDNob converts PDFs to Word, Excel, PPT, and more, with accurate OCR for scanned and handwritten files. Its AI features help you summarize and work smarter with PDFs. Lightweight and powerful, PDNob is perfect for cost-effective, lifetime PDF editing.

Why Choose Tenorshare PDNob Over Adobe Acrobat

  • True one-time purchase, no subscription fees
  • Edit text, images, watermarks, and links easily
  • Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, PPT, and more
  • Powerful OCR for scanned and handwritten text
  • Annotate, highlight, and comment with ease
  • Merge, split, and reorder PDF pages
  • Lightweight and intuitive user interface

How to Edit PDF with Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor

  • Open PDNob PDF Editor, then click on the "Open PDF" button to import any PDF file you’ve downloaded.
  • open pdf file via pdnob pdf editor
  • Click the “Edit” button on the top toolbar, then select the text you want to modify. A text box will appear, allowing you to change the text, font, style, size, and color.
  • edit pdf with pdnob pdf editor
  • To add new text, click “Add Text” under the “Edit” section and place it where needed.
  • To insert images, click the “Add Image” button and choose the image file to add.
  • add image to pdf with pdnob pdf editor
  • Once you have made all the necessary edits, click on the "Save" button in the top left corner.

Part 5. FAQs of Adobe Acrobat One-Time Purchase

1. Why did Adobe stop one-time purchases?

Adobe transitioned to a subscription-based model, like Creative Cloud, primarily for the predictable and recurring revenue it provides, which is more stable than relying on one-time purchases. This model also allows Adobe to offer frequent updates and new features, lowers the initial cost barrier for users, and fosters stronger customer relationships.

2. Is Acrobat Pro 2024 truly perpetual?

No—it’s a 3-year term license without future upgrades.

3. Can I still buy Acrobat Classic or Acrobat 2020?

Classic is available as term license; 2020 stopped selling in July 2024 and ends support Nov 2025.

Conclusion:

While many still search for an Adobe Acrobat one time purchase, Adobe has largely moved to subscription-based plans. This shift makes it harder for users to find long-term, affordable access to PDF tools.

That’s why Tenorshare PDNob is a standout alternative. It offers advanced PDF editing, fast performance, and a true lifetime license with no recurring costs. For anyone looking to skip subscriptions without giving up quality features, PDNob is a smart, budget-friendly solution.

The END

About PDNob

I am PDNob.
Swift editing, efficiency first.
Make every second yours: Tackle any PDF task with ease.
As Leonardo da Vinci said, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." That's why we built PDNob.

Speak Your Mind

Registrer/ Login

then write your review

Speak Your Mind

Leave a Comment

Create your review for Tenorshare articles

Related articles

All topics

Tenorshare PDNob

AI-Powered PDNob PDF Editor

Smarter, Faster, Easier PDF Editor Software

AI-Powered PDNob PDF Editor

Edit & enhance PDF with Al