RTF was the universal interchange format before DOCX took over. PDF is the universal final-form format. They are not the same animal.
Here is the verdict.
Where RTF wins
Editable in any word processor — Word, LibreOffice, TextEdit, even Notepad with caveats. Tiny file size. Plain enough to survive odd email gateways. Great for sharing draft text with someone whose software you do not know.
Where PDF wins
Preserves exact layout. Supports images, fonts, forms and signatures. Universally viewable without changes. Professional standard for finalised documents.
Best for…
RTF for plain-text drafts shared across unknown software. PDF for everything else. RTF is rare in 2026 — most people use DOCX or Markdown instead.
Conversion notes
Convert-pdf-to-word and then 'Save as RTF' from Word gets you from PDF to RTF. Going the other way, paste RTF into a doc and 'Save as PDF'.
FAQ
Is RTF still used?
Rarely. DOCX, Markdown and Google Docs replaced it for most uses.
Will RTF preserve formatting?
Basic formatting yes. Complex layouts no.
Should I send RTF to a client?
Almost never. PDF or DOCX is expected today.
RTF is a niche tool now. For modern document work, PDF and DOCX are the answer.