A PDF reader is a software that can open PDF files which is, perhaps, the most popular format of documents. Despite the fact that PDF files have existed for more than 25 years now, it’s still the main format of documents on the Internet. However, to open such documents, you will have to download a designated PDF reader on your computer. In this article, I will tell you about 12 best PDF readers for Windows and Mac.
Verdict: If you want a robust free PDF software and you are interested in advanced functions, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC will be a perfect choice for you. It can open many large PDF files simultaneously and has almost all the annotation tools typical for a PDF viewer.
There you can highlight texts, add comments, fill and sign forms. In addition, it has a text-to-speech mode that can read your documents aloud for you.
Verdict: Foxit Reader is the best free PDF reader as it enables you to create, share and secure your PDF files on the cloud. If you want to cooperate with someone on this file, you can both give and revoke access to it, track who uses this file and what exactly they do in it.
Also, you can edit, comment and notify readers about updates coming to your PDF file. In addition, this viewer has a lot of security functions, such as passwords, digital signatures and encryption that will help you preserve the safety and privacy of your PDF document.
Verdict: Javelin PDf Reader, created by Drumlin Security, is meant for reading PDF files. It allows you to launch and print standard and encrypted PDF documents, annotate and bookmark them. It’s lightweight (only 2MB) and doesn’t have extra functions, which makes its interface convenient and easy-to-use.
A huge advantage of this viewer is that you can use it on different operating systems and devices, such as Android, iOS, Windows and Mac OS.
Verdict: Google Drive is an accessible PDF converter, storage system, and an actual free PDF editor. If you don’t have much memory on your device, Google Drive will be the best free PDF reader for you as it works online and doesn’t have to be downloaded.
There, you can convert your documents, presentations and pages to PDF files and upload PDFs to view them later. If you need PDF only for viewing and converting documents into them, then it will be a perfect option for you.
Verdict: MuPDF is a very fast, lightweight and qualitative free PDF reader. It’s universal and customizable. You can use this reader for many different operations as a PDF renderer, viewer or toolkit with a large number of great functions, such as annotations, form-filling and digital signatures.
If you are looking for a small PDF program for editing and viewing documents, this will be a perfect option for you.
Verdict: Sumatra PDF is the best PDF reader for Windows as it’s lightweight and supports different keyboard shortcuts. They can help you navigate faster and make your reading experience more pleasant. Besides, this viewer offers an intuitive and quick reading since it has many viewing modes, such as single page, book and presentation.
In addition, Sumatra PDF provides advanced functions, like custom profiles, watermarking and merging. However, it doesn’t have such functions as annotations, document signing and form-filling.
Verdict: Verdict: Slim PDF is extremely lightweight and weighs only 1.43 MB and. That’s why it loads files very fast. However, since the viewer doesn’t take up much memory, it has quite basic features. Its most professional functions are search, print and rotate. If you need only to view PDF documents, this program will be a good choice for you.
Verdict: Nitro Reader is another great free PDF software. It provides a nice balance between usability and professional functions. This viewer has a user-friendly interface and offers you a lot of tools for creating, reviewing, securing and sharing your PDF documents.
With its preview pane, you can edit, comment and address feedback. In addition to standard features, Nitro Reader also provides QuickSign – a signature tool that helps you sign your documents digitally.
Verdict: PDF-XChange Editor is the best free PDF reader as it’s very powerful. There, you can create, view, add notes and signatures, record and attach audios and files, highlight text and line through words.
Possessing the features of the best OCR software, the program allows you to scan printed documents and convert the text to a digital document. The only disadvantage of this program is a lot of paid professional functions. If you use these functions in a free version, you will have watermarks on your PDF documents.
Verdict: STDU Viewer is the best free PDF reader as it can work with multiple files at the same time. There, you can navigate and create bookmarks and highlights, view thumbnails of the files that are open and make split windows to check different pages of the same file.
In addition, this viewer allows you to invert colors, for example, from black to white and vice versa. In this way, you will be able to minimize eye-strain. If you want something simpler, you can perform Adobe Reader XI free download from official resources.
Verdict: Even though Expert PDF Reader doesn’t take up much space, it boasts many different tools. There, you can fill and sign documents, use ready-made annotation markups like an “approved” stamp.
In addition, you can add sticky note-style comments and attach additional documents to your PDF file. Its interface is similar to Microsoft Word, which will be convenient for a lot of users.
Some versions of the software may offer a tabbed interface, allowing users to open multiple PDF documents in separate tabs within the same window.
Verdict: PDF Reader Premium is one of the most famous PDF readers for Apple. It’s very robust and allows you to view your document in many tabs, annotate it with images and sticky notes, organize PDF files with tags, sign signatures, fill out forms on the document, store and transfer PDF files via a number of cloud services. This is the best PDF viewer for those who often work with PDF documents.
Yes, many free PDF readers offer robust features and functionalities comparable to paid alternatives. They're excellent for everyday use and typically fulfill the needs of most users.
Some free PDF readers offer unique features such as annotation tools, form-filling, and cloud integration. They can also be lightweight and fast, making them convenient for quick document access.
Generally, reputable free PDF readers are safe to use. However, always download PDF reader software from official sources or trusted app stores to avoid potential security risks.
Yes, many free PDF readers have mobile versions for smartphones and tablets, making it easy to access and read PDFs on the go.
Ann Young
Hi there, I'm Ann Young - a professional blogger, read more