Are you looking for free tools to remove Adobe DRM? If so, you've come to the right place. In this article, I'll share some knowledge about Adobe DRM and how to use the free Adobe DRM with Calibre to remove DRM from your EPUB or PDF files.
- DeDRM vs. DeACSM: Which Plugin Do You Need?
- Step 1: DeACSM Plugin Download & Installation Guide (2026 Updated)
- Step 2: DeDRM Plugin Download & Installation Guide (2026 Updated)
- Step 3: Remove Adobe PDF/ePub DRM with Calibre DeDRM Plugin
- Free vs. Paid: Is It Worth Upgrading to Epubor Ultimate?
- Frequently Asked Questions about Adobe DRM
Quick Comparison: DeDRM vs. DeACSM — Which One Do You Need?
In 2026, managing Adobe DRM in Calibre has become much easier. However, many users get confused between the DeDRM plugin and the DeACSM plugin. While they both help you access your eBooks, they handle different stages of the process.
| Feature | DeDRM Plugin | DeACSM Plugin |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Removes DRM from .epub or .pdf files. | Fulfills .acsm links into readable books. |
| Requirements | Needs a pre-downloaded eBook file on your PC. | Needs a .acsm file (license) from the store. |
| ADE Dependency | Usually requires Adobe Digital Editions installed. | Bypasses Adobe Digital Editions entirely. |
| Best For | Users who already have books on their computer. | Users who want to download books directly in Calibre. |
Pro Tip: For the smoothest experience, we recommend using both! Use DeACSM to download your purchased books directly into your Calibre library, and the DeDRM plugin will automatically handle the decryption during the process. No more struggling with the clunky Adobe Digital Editions software!
Step 1: DeACSM Plugin Download and Install(Skip this step if you've already downloaded acsm to epub/PDF via ADE)
Steps for downloading and installing DeACSM Plugin:
- 1. Download DeACSM Plugin and install to Calibre.
- 2. Setup DeACSM Plugin to Authorize ADE
- 3. Convert ACSM to EPUB/PDF directly without ADE
Note for 2026:
While the DeDRM plugin handles the actual decryption of EPUB/PDF files, many users struggle with the initial .acsm download. You can now use the DeACSM plugin to fulfill your books directly within Calibre, bypassing Adobe Digital Editions entirely.
Step 2: Free Adobe DRM Removal--Calibre Dedrm plugin download & install
DEDRM plugin, known as Alf’s DeDRM plugin, is known for kindle drm removal capacities. Actually, it also can help you remove adobe drm if it is installed successfully to Calibre. Remember that you cannot use this free adobe Dedrm plugin without Calibre. As an avid ebook lover, I bet you've heard of Calibre which is well known for ebook converting and managing.
- 1. Ebooks using Adobe Digital Editions DRM, including Kobo, Sony and Google ePubs downloaded to ADE.
- 2. Adobe Digital Editions PDFs.
- 3. Kindle eBooks (Files from kindle for PC/MAC and eInk Kindles with firmware lower than 5.10.2.
What DRM can Calibre Dedrm Plugin handle?
How to download and install Dedrm plugin to Calibre
Apps you need to Download Calibre & DeDRM pluginCalibreDownload
DeDRM_tools_10.0.9.zip
1 Download and install Calibre.
2 Download dedrm plugin. Unzip it to get the DeDRM_plugin.zip.
3 Install adobe dedrm plugin to Calibre. Run Calibre>>Preference>>Plugin>>Load plugin from file>>choose "DeDRM_plugin.zip>>Click on "Open" to add dedrm plugin to Calibre.
In the pop up "Are you Sure?" notification, just click "Yes".
"Success" notification will pop up.
Click "Ok" to finish the process. Then click on "Apply".
Then restart Calibre to activate Calibre dedrm plugin.
Step 3: How to remove Adobe pdf epub drm with Calibre Dedrm plugin
Step 1 To remove adobe drm, please download your adobe pdf or epub to your computer. You can download them via Adobe digital editions at first or download acsm files to epub or pdf via DeACSM Plugin. The following part will show you how to remove drm from Adobe Digital Editions downloaded epu/pdf files. .
Step 2 Click "Add books" to navigate to the "Digital Editions" folder. And then add the Adobe epub pdf books to Calibre.
It will take some time to load. This process will also remove adobe drm from the ebooks.
Calibre Adobe DRM Removal Alternative?
Is there any Calibre dedrm plugin alternative?
Sometimes, the Calibre DeDRM plugin may fail because you're using an older version, or the plugin isn't compatible with Calibre. This will waste your time and energy to fix the issue. Instead, you can try using the easiest-to-use Adobe DRM removal tool, Epubor ACSM Mate. It's a paid software that also has a free trial version.
1 Download and install Epubor ACSM Mate.
2 Run Epubor ACSM Mate. Input your Adobe Id or ByteBooks credentials.
3 Drag the ACSM file into ACSM Mate. It will automatically convert the ACSM file to EPUB or PDF while removing Adobe DRM at the same time.
After the Adobe DRM removal process is complete, you can click on the "Green checkmark" to open the folder where the DRM-free PDF or EPUB files are stored.
Paid or Free Adobe DRM Removal: which one should I choose?
While both the Calibre DeDRM plugin and Epubor ACSM Mate can help you remove Adobe DRM, there are some differences between the two tools.
| Comparison Factor | Calibre + DeDRM Plugin + DeACSM Plugin | Epubor ACSM Mate |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of Software | Free and Open-Source (Community driven). | Professional Paid Software (Commercial support). |
| Setup Process |
|
|
| Ease of Use | Complex; steep learning curve for non-tech users. | Extremely simple; drag-and-drop interface. |
| Maintenance | Users must manually find and update plugins when DRM changes. | Automatic updates provided to handle the latest DRM shifts. |
| Technical Support | No official support; community forums only. | 24/7 dedicated customer and technical support via Tickets/Livechat. |
Pro Tip: Both of these software tools have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to choose the one that best suits your needs.
Choose Calibre + DeDRM + DeACSM if you are a tech-savvy user who enjoys tinkering with settings, doesn't mind manual updates, and wants a completely free, open-source solution.
Choose Epubor ACSM Mate if you value your time and want a "it just works" experience. Epubor ACSM Mate removes this headache by providing an automated, professional environment with 24/7 support to ensure you never lose access to your purchased eBooks.
Frequently Asked Questions about Adobe DRM
Frequently Asked QuestionsQ1: What is Adobe DRM?
Answer: Adobe DRM, also known as Adobe Digital Editions DRM, uses the Adobe Content Server DRM system to control access to eBooks and prevent unauthorized copying or editing. Adobe DRM is commonly applied to PDF, EPUB, and EPUB3 documents. Adobe Digital Editions (ADE), on the other hand, is used to download eBooks protected with Adobe DRM. When you download an Adobe DRM-protected eBook, you will typically receive an .acsm file, which must be opened with Adobe Digital Editions. Once the .acsm file is opened, ADE will download the encrypted eBook as an EPUB or PDF file.
Q2: What eBooks are encrypted with Adobe DRM?
Answer: Adobe DRM is one of the most widely used eBook encryption schemes. Many eBook vendors and libraries(Libby) use Adobe DRM to protect their eBooks, except for Amazon Kindle. Currently, Adobe DRM is commonly used by Kobo Books, Google Play Books, and many public libraries.
Q3: What eBook formats can be encrypted with Adobe DRM?
Answer: Adobe DRM can typically be applied to eBook formats such as EPUB, EPUB3, and PDF.
Q4: Why should we remove Adobe DRM?
Answer: Adobe DRM is used by eBook retailers and distributors to protect copyrighted eBooks. However, when you purchase an Adobe DRM-protected eBook, you may be limited to Adobe Digital Editions or other apps that support Adobe DRM. If you don't want to be limited to specific reading apps, removing Adobe DRM can give you more flexibility in how you read and manage your eBooks.
Q5: Is there any way to remove Adobe DRM?
Answer: Yes, there are several ways to remove Adobe DRM. In the following section, I'll show you how to remove Adobe DRM from EPUB and PDF eBooks for free.
Anti-Piracy Notice: Please ensure that you decrypt your own purchased ebooks for personal use. Do not upload your DRM-protected ebooks to open-source or torrent sites.
Iris Yan Marketing Architect at Epubor since 2017, drives the brand’s product design, advertising, and all-channel strategy.
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