Of the myriad array of digital files that we have to work with on a regular basis, PDF documents are probably one of the most (if in fact, not the most) common. PDF files are used everywhere, from software help manuals and technical documentation to academic textbooks and novels. So it makes all the sense to have a capable PDF viewer in your arsenal of applications. And since there are quite a few of them, we’ve shortlisted 10 of the best PDF reader software you can use. Well, what are you waiting for? Read on, folks!
Best PDF Readers for Effortless Viewing
The popularity of the PDF format isn’t surprising because of its numerous advantages, such as convenience, compatibility with a wide variety of hardware and software, and the ability to retain their formatting at all times. The PDF readers mentioned on this list are some of the best you can find, and they’re incredibly capable.
1. Sumatra PDF – Best Overall PDF Reader
What if you don’t really care for fancy features like annotations, form-filling, or document signing? You just want a simple PDF reader application that lets you view PDF files. You’re in luck, as that’s exactly what Sumatra PDF is all about. It’s an open-source PDF reader which is incredibly lightweight, fast, and easy to use.
Recently accessed documents are displayed as thumbnails for easier access, and all the standard PDF reader features, such as multiple viewing modes, adjustable zoom levels, and standard search, are all there. There’s also bookmark support, and you can add certain pages of PDF documents to favorites as well. However, what sets Sumatra PDF apart from the lot is that despite (primarily) being a PDF reader software, it can display a bunch of other files, such as DJVU, CBR, CHM, EPUB, and MOBI. And yes, it’s also available as a portable app.
For those who just want solid PDF reader software, Sumatra PDF is definitely worth checking out. That being said, it’s also a bit too basic and doesn’t contain any unique features apart from the aforementioned multi-format support.
Platform: Windows
Price: Free
2. Foxit Reader
We found Foxit PDF Editor to be one of the best PDF editors out there, and it turns out Foxit Reader is yet another amazing product from the firm. Bursting at the seams with all kinds of features, Foxit Reader is an impressively capable PDF reader software that is more than enough for all your PDF viewing needs, and also wields some great PDF editing features.
Having a lean and modern UI, complete with the Ribbon menu and tabbed support for multiple PDF documents, Foxit Reader is a looker. Even the heaviest of PDF files is no slouch for it, and numerous standard viewing modes (e.g., Fit page, Fit width) are supported.
It’s possible to add all kinds of extra information, such as textual notes, callouts, and other annotations to PDF files. You can also highlight selected part(s) of the PDF documents. There are multiple reading modes available, along with form-filling functionality. Everything from attached files to document security settings can be accessed from a simple sidebar on the left.
Foxit Reader even lets you share your PDF documents via email or Evernote, so that’s a good thing too. If you’re on the hunt for powerful PDF reader software that also has quite some editing and sharing prowess, Foxit Reader is an absolute must-have. It is that good.
Platform: Windows, macOS, and Linux
Price: Free
3. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC – Best PDF Reader for Most People
It’s nearly impossible to discuss anything related to PDF without mentioning Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. Being undoubtedly the most popular tool, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC has long been the de–facto solution for PDF reading. And in its latest iteration, it’s better than ever. Powerful and robust, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is a one-stop solution for all your PDF viewing requirements. You can open up multiple PDF files and view them simultaneously, thanks to the tabbed interface. But viewing PDF docs is just one of the many things Adobe Acrobat Reader DC does.
Apart from that, it also comes with a bunch of PDF editing and annotation functionality (via plug-ins), although you have to pay for them. The application supports all kinds of PDF documents, including password-protected files and those having multiple bookmarks, and form-filling features are there as well. Besides, you can use the Read-Out Loud feature to use Adobe Acrobat Reader DC as a basic text-to-speech software. You can even upload your PDF documents to the cloud by configuring the application with the Adobe Document Cloud.
In a nutshell, if you’re looking for a reliable and cross-platform PDF reader application, go for Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. It’s tried, tested, and the gold standard of PDF viewer programs.
Platform: Windows, macOS
Price: Free
4. SodaPDF – PDF Reader with Best Feature Set
When it comes to the sheer number of features (at least as far as PDF viewers are concerned), there’s hardly an application that can even come close to SodaPDF. You can spend hours exploring everything that’s crammed into it, which includes features that go beyond simple PDF viewing and editing. Talking about the basics PDF viewing features, from multi-document tabbed viewing and reading modes to form-filling and annotation/highlights, SodaPDF has just about everything taken care of.
In addition, it also lets you add geometric shapes, textual stamps, and sticker notes to your PDF documents. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. SodaPDF makes it easy to create PDF documents from a truckload of different files, and supports batch mode for bulk creation as well. Apart from that, you can use it to reverse convert into other document formats such as HTML, TXT, and RTF.
The application includes the ability to securely sign PDF documents. As one of its unique features, includes a bunch of (paid) plug-ins, that can be used to convert images to PDF (via OCR functionality). To sum things up, if you’re looking for a professional-grade PDF reader, editor, converter (and then some more), and don’t mind shelling out a few bucks for it, SodaPDF is going to serve you just fine. The app also has an online PDF viewer and editor you can use and it’s one of the best tools around.
Platform: Windows
Price: Paid versions start from $48/year
5. View PDFs on Google Chrome, Firefox, or Edge
Surprised at seeing web browsers mentioned as PDF readers? Well, don’t be. Believe it or not, all modern web browsers include the functionality to view PDF files, baked right into them. So if you need a simple solution to view PDF files sometimes, you don’t even need to bother with installing a third-party PDF reader application. For those using the latest Windows, Microsoft Edge can open up your PDF files or even edit them for you. On the other hand, if your browser of choice is Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, you can use them to view PDF documents as well.
Platform: Windows, Linux, macOS
Price: Free
Due to their near ubiquitous nature, PDF documents are used by almost everyone. And thanks to the above-discussed PDF reader software programs, you can not just view them better, but also take care of the occasional editing. Want the absolute best PDF viewing and editing experience? Go for Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, Foxit Reader, or SodaPDF.
Don’t really care for all the extra stuff and just want basic PDF viewing capabilities? Try SumatraPDF, or even your favorite web browser(s). Try all of ’em out, and see which one(s) work out the best for you. If you know of any other PDF reader (and editor) applications, don’t forget to mention them in the comments below.
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