The software supports EPUB and PDF (nonproprietary file format for reflowable text, or fixed layout e-books; respectively).

It implements a proprietary scheme of digital rights management (DRM) which, since the version 1.5 release in May 2008, allows document sharing among multiple devices and user authentication via an Adobe ID.

Adobe initiated development of a Linux version of ADE in 2007; however, this has not had any beta release or any formal updates.

[citation needed] In March 2009, the author of the reverse engineering blog i♥cabbages announced that they had broken the scheme.

Adobe's website has virtually no information on ADEPT except on its trademark page and a statement that OverDrive is compatible.

[10] Adobe responded that their practice was justified by their license agreement and denied collecting data on any book not currently opened for reading.