Quick Verdict
Use DjVu when…
Keep DjVu if you need the smallest possible file size for scanned documents and have software to read it. Academic repositories use DjVu precisely because a 500-page scanned book can be 2 MB in DjVu vs 50 MB in PDF.
Use PDF when…
Convert to PDF for universal access. DjVu readers are rare — many modern devices have no DjVu support. PDF's 10× larger file size is often worth the universal compatibility.
DjVu vs PDF: Feature Comparison
| Feature | DjVu | |
|---|---|---|
| Scanned document size | Very small (2–4 MB for 300-page book) | Large (20–100 MB for same book) |
| Image quality | Excellent for scanned text/diagrams | Good — quality depends on scan settings |
| Device compatibility | Poor — requires DjVu plugin or app | Universal |
| Text search (OCR layer) | Supported | Supported |
| Native browser support | None | Chrome, Firefox, Safari |
| E-reader support | Very few devices | Kindle, Kobo, iPad |
When DjVu wins
- ✓Scanned document size: Very small (2–4 MB for 300-page book)
- ✓Image quality: Excellent for scanned text/diagrams
- ✓Device compatibility: Poor — requires DjVu plugin or app
When PDF wins
- ✓Scanned document size: Large (20–100 MB for same book)
- ✓Image quality: Good — quality depends on scan settings
- ✓Device compatibility: Universal
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert DjVu to PDF?
Using DjVuLibre: `ddjvu -format=pdf input.djvu output.pdf`. Using Python: install djvu2pdf or use Calibre's conversion. Note that the PDF will be significantly larger than the DjVu.
Can I read DjVu files on Windows 10/11?
Not natively. You need a plugin like WinDjView, DjView, or the Sumatra PDF reader (which also reads DjVu). Converting to PDF is often easier than installing a DjVu reader.
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