Best Pdf Reader For Windows



Whether it’s about reading a document or downloading a course material, PDF readers are still relevant in 2020. In fact, they are still as important as they were 20 years ago. While even the web browsers these days are equipped with the ability to read PDFs, you would still need advanced features like digital signature, annotation, etc.

  1. Best Pdf Reader For Windows 10 Free
  2. Best Pdf Reader For Windows 8.1 Free Download
  3. Best Pdf Reader For Windows 7 Free

As a PDF reader, the first name that comes into your mind is Adobe Reader. But there are many other PDF readers that are free and without the annoying adverts.

Sep 04, 2020 PDFescape lets you delete individual pages from the PDF, rotate pages, crop out parts of a page, reorganize the order of the pages, and add more pages from other PDFs. You can upload your own PDF file, paste the URL to an online PDF, and make your own PDF from scratch. Jun 04, 2020 SumatraPDF is an easy to use free PDF reader for Windows. While it is easy and simple to work with, it's also open for heavy customization if you so choose. Different types of viewing modes are available, like Single Page, Facing, Book View, and Presentation. The latter view is great for distraction-free reading. Foxit Reader is a smooth PDF reader that is also one of the best Adobe Reader alternative. It also provides functions such as annotation, form filling, and signature PDF. This PDF reader makes it easy for users to read and print PDF. Dec 04, 2019.

The 10 Best Free PDF Readers for Windows 10 and Earlier Version

To make it easier for you, we have handpicked some of the best free PDF readers for Windows. While some of them are lightweight, there are others that include work as a simple PDF editing tool and not so complicated.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe needs no introduction. It’s one of the most popular and widely used PDF readers across the world. Adobe falls in the category of advanced PDF readers because of its features that do a lot more than the basic. For instance, designing fillable forms that are beyond the capabilities of a basic PDF reader.

Features:

  • It converts almost any file or format into a top-quality PDF.
  • Easy to share and looks attractive.
  • It allows you to convert MS Word, MS Excel, and even MS PowerPoint to PDF format.
  • Option to convert camera clicks directly to PDF.
  • Facility to get a print of the PDF, turn HTML pages to PDF, and even convert the PDFs to Office use formats.
  • Option to edit data in scanned tables and right into the PDF.
  • Allows you to review the PDF generated, comment on it, merge or compare two files.
  • It makes it easy to get legal e-signatures, and even fill or sign any form, all online.
  • Lets you send the PDF files online and also keep track of them.

Interesting Fact:

Acrobat Reader allows you to turn the current forms to the fillable PDF version, effortlessly.

Get it here:https://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/?red=a

Price: Free trial available; pro version starts from $12.99/month

Foxit Reader

Foxit Reader is another great PDF reader that lets you read files in PDF format for free. It’s a simple application, where all you need to do is to choose and upload the file or simply drag and drop the file to be converted in the empty space. It allows you to convert the document to Word, JPG, or Excel. You can also merge the PDF, convert from Image to PDF, or Word to PDF.

Features:

  • Simple and easy to use application with the option to upload file or drag-and-drop.
  • It allows you to edit the PDF file when opened in Phantom PDF Online. Lets you fill forms, edit current texts in PDF and modify fonts, style, color, and size.
  • You also have the freedom to modify the document format by shifting the boxes, and even add or remove the text in the PDF.
  • From Windows or Mac to Linux, it’s compatible with a wide range of operating systems.
  • It also works seamlessly with different browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera, and Firefox.
  • It offers more editing PDF tools with the desktop version.
  • It can be accessed anywhere and all the time.

Interesting Fact:

Foxit Reader is cloud-based that offers similar functions to the PhantomPDF in editing PDF or adding text to PDF just like a word processor.

Get it here:https://online.foxitsoftware.com/

Price: Free limited version; pro version starts from $129.

PDFelement

With PDFelement, it’s easier to create PDFs. Moreover, you can also edit, convert, and sign the PDF documents online, on major platforms like Mac and Windows. Best of all, it enables you to read PDFs on desktops, laptops, Kindles, and more.

Features:

  • It offers a fully-featured word processor that allows you to create PDFs, effortlessly.
  • It helps you create some of the richest and most attractive PDF communications.
  • It allows you to turn PDFs to office documents with the same tables, formatting, and layout.
  • Teams can collaborate more efficiently and collect feedback from customers and co-workers, much faster.
  • Makes creating and sharing PDF forms effortless.
  • Easy to join gathered forms for investigation and export gathered information in a spreadsheet.

Interesting Fact:

Manages documents in a manner that safely keeps sensitive data away from unauthorized access.

Get it here:https://pdf.wondershare.com/

Price: Free trial available; pro version starts from $6.99

PDF-XChange Editor

PDF-Xchange is Editor is known for its compact size, fast performance, and a gamut of features all for free. With the PDF viewer/editor, you can create, edit, view, digitally sign, annotate or OCR PDF documents. But, that’s just the start as it allows you to do a lot more beyond that.

Features:

  • It equips you with a wide range of Editing Tools, documents improvement features, navigation panel, and options to edit pages. This helps you to edit and update your PDF documents.
  • It allows you to change between the Classic/Ribbon interface and adjust the user-interface for mouse and touch-based actions.
  • Comes equipped with an improved OCR plugin which is optional.
  • Option to add comments and annotations to files in different formats that include shapes, audio files, hyperlinks, and text boxes.
  • Facility to create email documents and even get a print. You can also join the PDFs into one, create PDF files straight from the scanned material, and also convert files to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • It allows you to add or delete images, barcodes, backgrounds, and watermarks.
  • Freedom to create customized toolbars and include comfortable links to third-party applications using the launch preferences.

Interesting Fact:

On purchasing a license of the PDF-Xchange Editor you get a PDF-Xchange Life by Tracker Software, absolutely free.

Get it here: https://www.tracker-software.com/product/pdf-xchange-editor

Price: Pro version starts from $43.50

You may also like to know free Flowchart Software for Windows here in detail.

Sumatra PDF

Apart from being a PDF reader, Sumatra can also read eBooks, Comic books, XPS, DjVu, and CHM on Windows. This free and open-source PDF reader is known for its compact size, portability, and fast performance.

Features:

  • It helps you to view PDFs as quickly as possible.
  • Goes easy on system resources since it’s just a window that launches pretty fast.
  • Comes loaded with keyboard shortcuts and provides support for tabs that helps read PDFs even faster.
  • Supports different types of files like ebooks in Mobi and ePub, or comic books in CBZ and CBR formats.

Interesting Fact:

It comes with an integrated EasyStart function that saves your time and lets you convert previews.

Get it here: https://pdf.wondershare.com/top-pdf-software/free-pdf-reader.html

Price: Free

Javelin PDF Reader

Whether you want to view a standard PDF file or encrypted PDF files, Javelin PDF Reader makes it easy to read for you. This simple PDF reader also allows you to annotate the PDFs and even bookmark them.

Features:

  • It offers fast performance and comes with a straightforward and clean user interface.
  • Best option to read and take notes quickly on PDFs.
  • Provides support for internal and external hyperlinks, a variety of page display formats, markup, navigation trees, document text searching feature, and ore.
  • Digitally signed and virus free products.

Interesting Fact:

Option to apply limitations to printing permissions, the flexibility of expiring at a fixed time, or not viewable anymore.

Get it here: https://www.drumlinsecurity.com/javelindownloads.html

Price: Free

Nitro Pro 10

Although it’s a pro version, Nitro Pro 10 also comes with a 30-days free trial for users. It offers PDF solutions at the business level helping you get rid of the complex licensing process while focusing on user satisfaction. It helps you boost business productivity by providing employees with a profitable PDF solution. It helps employees to focus on boosting data security, lowering printing requirements, and minimizing paper waste.

Features:

  • It offers powerful performance and strong features at half the cost compared to other leading PDF readers.
  • Responsive interface inspired by MS Office and curtailed learning curve which is perfect even for beginners.
  • It helps you create universally compatible PDFs and printable file types.
  • It allows you to edit the PDF text like adding, removing, and changing text and images in different windows at the same time.
  • Converts any PDF file quickly and accurately to and from MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on any device.
  • Facility to merge PDFs and other file formats into a single PDF file.
  • Option to organize pages into PDF with the help of a useful Pages window.
  • Converts scan into editable, and searchable PDFs that are also size-optimized.
  • It allows you to create fillable forms so that others can fill or add their own details to a current form.
  • Option to add eSignature on your PDFs and send requests to others for adding their eSigns.
  • Facility to carry out uniform review and collaboration by implementing searchable commenting, markup, and version control.
  • Compare files and detect disparities and evaluate anomalies in text and images.

Interesting Fact:

It offers total protection and security by offering you to fix access and activity authorizations, add encryption, and hiding sensitive data.

Get it here: https://www.gonitro.com/nps/pro/pdf-software

Price: Free trial available; pro version starts from $159.

You may also want to know about the best download manager software available for Windows.

Soda PDF

If you are looking for a dependable, responsive, and lightweight PDF software that can be used at home, Soda PDF could well be your answer. With the help of this program, you can access the features on any device in a web browser. From creating PDFs from more than 300 file formats, or converting to a wide range of file types to editing the content of the files, it can do anything you can think of.

Features:

  • Option to read the PDFs in 3D using exclusive page-flipping technology.
  • It allows you to create PDFs from any file, merge different files at one time, or convert PDF to Word, Excel, JPG, and PPT.
  • Facility to edit and modify the text and change the structure of the documents on your own as per your requirement.
  • Option to add notes into your PDF docs and collaborate with others.
  • Professional quality data protection with 256-bit AES password encryption.
  • Allows to create fillable forms, send and gather legal eSignatures.
  • OCR features let you convert scanned files and images to PDFs.

Interesting Fact:

Features can be used on almost any device and connect to Google Drive, Evernote, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Box.

Get it here: https://www.sodapdf.com/

Price: Free download available; plans start from $63.

Slim PDF

If you intend to work with only PDF documents, then Slim PDF is an ideal choice for you. It’s simple and easy to use PDF reader, perfect for opening PDFs and reading them.

Features:

  • A compact program that doesn’t occupy much space of your system.
  • It features a clean interface with no bloatware.
  • Converts PDF documents to MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
  • It allows you to create a PDF document from any file format that can be printed.
  • Option to sign PDF files with eSignatures.
  • Allows you to create fillable PDF forms, and even edit them.
  • Facility to edit PDF texts and files, and protect them with a password.

Interesting Fact:

It’s the smallest desktop PDF viewer and reader in the world with just 1/10th of the size of the Adobe Reader.

Best

Get it here: https://www.investintech.com/resources/freetools/slimpdfreader/

Price: Free download available; pro version priced at $149.95

MuPDF

MupDF is a portable PDF reader that also works as an XPS and e-book viewer. It comes equipped with a software library, command-line tools, and viewing tools for different platforms.

Features:

  • Renderer designed for superior quality anti-aliased graphics.
  • Compact, yet fast viewer that supports many document formats including PDF, EPUB, OpenXPS, XPS, FictionBook2, and CBZ.
  • It allows you to add notes to the PDF docs and fill forms.
  • Option to add notes, edit, and transform documents into different formats (PDF, HTML, CBZ, and SVG) using the command line tools.
  • Facility to write scripts for manipulation of documents using Javascript.

Interesting Fact:

Option to add or delete features since the library is written in portable C. Also features a Java library with the help of JNI that runs on both Android and Oracle’s Java.

Get it here: https://mupdf.com/

Price: free

Conclusion

Adobe pdf readerWindows

Apart from the top 10, you can also read PDFs on your web browser. Whether it’s Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox, all of these come with a built-in PDF reader. While these may not have advanced features, this is indeed quick to way to at least read PDFs when needed. Best of all, these save a lot of your system resources and are absolutely free. However, if you need advanced features like editing he PDF doc, signature facility, etc., it’s better to download one of the top 10 best free PDF readers for Windows or convenience.

PDF is still one of the most popular reading formats even after all these years. From reading an e-book or filling up an online form to creating user manuals, PF format is still the most preferred way of reading. While the web browsers are already equipped with basic PDF reading facilities these days, you would still need to download a PDF reader separately for functions like filling forms, adding annotations, etc.

So, as you are downloading a PDF reader for more features, you may feel overwhelmed with the hundreds of them available online with an exorbitant price tag. Therefore, we have curated a list of some of the best PDF readers offering more than just the basic features for free.



Google Drive

While the search giant has its own PDF reading facility attached with its browser and an exclusive app for those who don’t have access to the storage, you can view PDFs right in the Drive if you have access to it.

The Drive is the best place to access PDFs and even store PDF documents. It allows you to change any of your files, or spreadsheets into PDF format and also lets you add PDF documents to the cloud to view them as and when you want. Therefore, the Drive is especially the best option to read or convert documents into PDF.

Price: Free

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

This is undoubtedly the most popular PDF reader of all time. It helps you access, read, or edit your PDFs anytime, at any location. Those using it on a Windows platform, get a complete view and editing rights to different types of PDF and other files.

Features:

  • It allows you to view, edit, distribute files and add annotations to the PDF files.
  • You can also export the files and arrange them using notes and vibrant highlights.
  • Enables you to create your own PDF file from an MS Office document or from a web page.
  • It offers a quick and trusted way to access your PDF files on several types of devices.

Best of all, it also functions as an audiobook, reading the content out loud for those books that are difficult to read. Compatible with all major platforms, this PDF reader is perfect for anyone who wants to add notes to the PDF files while on the move.

Price: Free.

Slim PDF

If you are looking for a simple PDF reader that you want to work with, occasionally, then this is it. It helps you to open and view the PDF document without taking much of your computer’s space.

Features:

  • Fast in performance, it’s a lightweight and bloat-free application.
  • It also allows you to get a print of your PDF files.
  • It comes in a compact size and offers a secure way to view and print PDF files.

Moreover, it features a clean user interface and is far smaller than the Adobe Reader.

Price: Free.

Soda PDF

This is another great free PDF reader that offers a complete and user-friendly experience. It helps you to not just open and read PDF Files, but also allows you to create, edit, view, and even annotate PDF documents.

Features:

  • Offers free access to different PDF services.
  • It allows you to create PDF files from hundreds of file formats.
  • Enables you to convert PDFs into other different types of files seamlessly and with no data loss.

The ability to blend many different selected PDF files into a single convenient document or dividing the large-sized PDF files into various smaller documents are among its other major features.

Price: Free.

Foxit Reader

One of the most powerful PDF readers in the category, it helps you to create PDFs, view them, add notes, fill forms, and even create digital signatures on them. It’s a compact software that’s packed with features and perform fast.

Features:

  • It allows you to open, read, and print PDFs effortlessly.
  • Enables you to create documents in the PDF format and that work with other PDF products.
  • It helps you to increase flexibility at work and influence results by allowing you to share the PDF files and collaborate.
  • Protects the sensitive data on your documents with different security features.
  • It allows you to sign the PDF documents in your own handwriting or create a digital signature.

Offering cloud-based services for PDF files with the option to permit or refuse access to documents, and to keep a check on who has access to your document and send notifications accordingly, and effortlessly implementing the application to all the desktops in the company, are among its other major features.

Price: Free version available.

Nitro PDF Reader

This is one useful PDF reader that gains an upper hand over its competitors by allowing to read, create, edit, annotate and even review PDF documents. This offers more than just the basic features for free as compared to the other PDF readers.

Features:

  • It allows you to create PDF from almost any Windows app and from 300+ file formats.
  • Leets you drag-and-drop files to create a document on the fly.
  • It helps you to customize your PDF documents using tools that can change the resulting quality, ad your own colors, resize the page, embeds fonts, more.
  • It allows you to annotate, respond to feedback, highlight texts, and more.
  • Enables you to view PDFs, including text, and even collaborate with no additional knowledge required.

From the option to quickly sign your document right from your desk, or scanning a signature to make your own exclusive signature to encrypting your documents for security or the option to share your PDF documents with anyone, at any time and location, it offers a range of such major features.

Price: Free version available; Plans start from $159/user.

PDF-Xchange Editor

It’s a compact PDF viewer, reader, and editor that comes loaded with features. This fast-performing application offers an easy to use approach. It helps you to create PDF documents and even edit them from almost any Windows app making it extremely flexible.

Features:

  • It allows you to modify the parameters like the margins, image resolutions, page size, and orientation.
  • It also enables you to modify the default settings and the printing axes.
  • It helps you to convert PDFs in batches.

Moreover, it supports multiple languages and other features like syntactic identification that speeds up the PDF creation and conversion process, offers the option to customize its applications to fit your requirements, comes with Enhanced OCR plugins, and more.

Price: Free version available; Plans start from $43.50.

SumatraPDF

This is yet another PDF reader that offers all the basic PDF functionalities without slowing down your system. This lightweight application can also read eBook formats on Windows.

Features:

  • It allows you to open and read PDF documents effortlessly.
  • It offers multiple language options.
  • Provides quality zoom and search options.
  • Open large-sized files faster and effectively.
  • It comes with a range of hotkeys to make it easier to work with PDFs.

It’s simple yet faster and offers additional functionalities like the option to rotate pages, view PDFs in full screen, launches default email application, automatically attaches the PDF to the email, and more.

Price: Free

MuPDF

If you are looking for high-quality graphics along with a minimalist approach, then this PDF viewing software is just right for you. This lightweight tool allows you to view the PDF content without actually requiring an advanced PDF reader.

Features:

  • Portable in nature hence does not need to be installed and can be carried on a portable device.
  • No Windows updates with fresh entries, and no unused files left behind on the hard drive once the application is deleted.
  • It offers the option to save to any computer and directly run the executable file.
  • Find and open a PDF using the dialog box that pops up on initialization.
  • Sports a simple interface with a regular window with handy keyboard shortcuts.

Among its other major features is a built-in search function to find and highlight the very first entry it locates, zoom in and out features, changing to full-screen mode, page rotation, and using minimum system resources.

Price: Free.

STDU Viewer

This one is a versatile document viewer allowing you to open and read even the scientific and technical documents that include PDF, WWF, DjVu, JBIG2, and more. It can also open many image files like the ones in CBR and CBZ formats.

Features:

  • Sports a user interface that supports multiple languages.
  • Helps translate the interface into your preferred language by switching strings in XML.
  • It comes with an advanced tabbed user interface and all the basic features.
  • Enables you to export text from text layer-based documents.

Moreover, it also works a converter for files that need to be converted from PDF or DjVu to PNG, GIF, etc., can also export a complete page or a section of a page to an image file, allows you to create your own bookmarks, and more.

Price: Free.

Javelin PDF Reader

If your intention is to view PDF files and protect your PDF files from unwanted access, then this software can just be the right choice for you. This completely unified and encrypted PDF reader is perfect for market research agencies, publishers, educationists, government establishments, etc.

Features:

  • Provides support for internal and external hyperlinks.
  • It offers content or navigation trees, a collection of page display types, document text searching, and more.
  • It allows you to annotate, highlight, and even mark up.
  • Safeguards the content of the encrypted files from getting copied, and prevents them from getting shared.

Moreover, it also allows you to add limitations like setting permissions for printing, how long to be viewed, etc.

Price: Free version available; Plans start from $199/Year.

Expert PDF Reader

This is among the lightweight PDF readers that convert your files to PDF format and get a print in just a couple of clicks. The best part is, this software loads much faster compared to the bigger names in the category.

Features:

  • It allows you to edit the current PDF documents.
  • Enables you to change the outlines, add rubber stamps, and change any comments that have been added from the PDF reader.
  • It helps you to open PDF files, save them, email them as attachments and get a print.

Equipped with a known hand cursor, displaying PDF files in a neat manner, the option to attach files and sticky notes to the comment section, adding comments using text, highlights, stamp, etc., are among its other significant features.

Price: Free.

Cool PDF Reader

PDF readers are good, but something that slows down your documents can be frustrating. This software makes it easier and faster to read your PDF documents making it a great alternative to the bigger names.

Features:

  • Sports a user-friendly interface that’s also easy to understand.
  • The interface is loaded with command symbols followed with descriptions as you roll the mouse on them.
  • Smallest PDF reading software in the world loads faster, and convenient to read.
  • It allows you to open PDF files, read the files, view, them, and even edit files or convert them to other formats like JPG, TIFF, TXT, EPS, and more.
  • Enables you to zoom in and zoom out, rotate pages, create bookmarks and PDF slideshow, can be used as a built-in PDF reader, and more.

Moreover, it also allows you to copy any text and images from PDF files, in a couple of clicks, displays slideshows in full-screen, allows you to read in low light reading mode, and in other reading modes like Citrix mode, night reading mode, etc.

Price: Free

Sorax

This is another trusted PDF reader in the list that’s compact and offers fast performance. From opening and reading files to exporting documents to different formats, it does all the basic job of a good PDF reader. It also allows you to get a print of the PDF file.

Features:

  • Lighter on the system allowing it to load faster and is user-friendly.
  • It offers a drag-and-drop function that helps you to open several documents swiftly and conveniently change between them.
  • Sports a tabbed user-interface.
  • Allows you to view your PDF files in single-page mode or in double-page mode, organize pages in an uninterrupted column, scroll through documents automatically, and more.
  • Enables you to click pictures of the existing document and saves it in the clipboard.

Best Pdf Reader For Windows 10 Free

A simple user interface with basic functions and that can be completely customized (lets you insert or delete different toolbars) is another great feature.

Price: Free.

Conclusion

Whether you are looking for a lightweight application with a minimal approach, or applications that offer more than basic features like the option to highlight or adding e-signature, the above list of free PDF readers offers all that for a complete experience. So, choose the one that meets your needs and enhance your reading experience.

Best Pdf Reader For Windows 8.1 Free Download

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Best Pdf Reader For Windows 7 Free

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