In This Comparison
CutePDF Writer is a Windows tool that's been around since 2004. It creates PDFs but doesn't handle printing. DuplexReady solves a different problem, making sure PDFs print double-sided in the correct order. They're not really competitors, but this comparison clarifies what each tool does.
What Is CutePDF Writer?
CutePDF Writer is a virtual PDF printer for Windows. It installs as a printer driver, when you "print" from any application (Word, Chrome, etc.), you can choose CutePDF to save the output as a PDF file instead of printing to paper. It's not a PDF editor or viewer.
CutePDF Pro ($49.95 one-time) adds editing features: annotate, form filling, and basic text editing.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | DuplexReady | CutePDF Writer |
|---|---|---|
| Fix duplex page order | ✓ Yes, core feature | ✗ No |
| Manual duplex assistant | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Booklet mode | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Create PDF from any app | ✗ No | ✓ Core feature |
| Works on Mac/Linux | ✓ Browser-based | ✗ Windows only |
| No installation needed | ✓ Yes | ✗ Requires install |
| Cost | Free | Free (basic) |
| Requires no account | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Can CutePDF Fix Duplex Printing Problems?
No. CutePDF Writer is a PDF creation tool, not a duplex printing fix. It converts documents into PDFs, it doesn't alter page order or prepare documents for double-sided output.
Common question: can you fix duplex problems by printing to CutePDF and then re-printing the result? No. The page order issue is in the PDF itself, and CutePDF doesn't alter PDF content, it just creates PDFs from other applications.
DuplexReady solves the actual problem: it reads your existing PDF, analyzes it, and reorders the pages specifically so that when printed double-sided, every page appears in the correct reading order on the correct side of the paper.
Practical Use Cases
Use CutePDF when you need to:
- Save a webpage, Word document, or spreadsheet as a PDF
- Create a PDF from any Windows application without Adobe
- Archive printable documents digitally
Use DuplexReady when you need to:
- Print an existing PDF double-sided and have the pages come out in the right order
- Manually duplex print on a printer without automatic duplexing
- Print a booklet from a PDF
Typical workflow combining both: Use CutePDF to convert your Word document to PDF → use DuplexReady to prepare it for double-sided printing → print.
Verdict: Different tools for different jobs
CutePDF creates PDFs. DuplexReady fixes duplex printing. They're not competitors, they're at different stages of a workflow. Use both if you need both functions.
Already have your PDF? Now print it double-sided correctly.
DuplexReady takes over where CutePDF leaves off, fixing page order for duplex printing in seconds.
Try DuplexReady FreeFAQ
CutePDF itself cannot print anything, it only creates PDFs. To print double-sided, you need to print your PDF to an actual printer using a PDF viewer (like Adobe Reader, Chrome, or Edge). If the page order is wrong, use DuplexReady to fix it first.
CutePDF Writer has a long history and generally safe reputation, but always download it from the official cutepdf.com website. The installer sometimes includes optional third-party software, so review each installation screen carefully.
DuplexReady is the best free alternative specifically for duplex printing. For general PDF creation (like CutePDF does), PDF24 is also a strong free alternative on Windows. For PDF editing and annotation, LibreOffice Draw can handle basic tasks.