A dedicated free PDF reader will let you do so much more than just open documents. If you want to merge several PDFs, convert them to a different format, extract images, tweak text or split them into individual pages, there's a free PDF reader that will make it straightforward.
Once you've installed a new PDF reader, it will display a prompt asking if you'd like to make it your default PDF reader. We recommend leaving your settings as they are until you've had a chance to try the new reader and see if it's right for you.
In this way, you can open documents to yourself, for example, in Preview on Mac - Inverted – here the colors are just reversed, everything is in reverse - Inverted with Sepia – the picture in the negative with the sepia added, which in my opinion further improves the comfort of reading in the dark.
If you're satisfied with its performance, you can make it your default PDF reader by right-clicking one and selecting 'Open with'. Browse to the EXE file for your new PDF reader, check 'Always use the selected program to open this kind of file', then click 'OK'.
1. Foxit Reader
A clear interface and every tool you could want in a PDF reader
Simple Pdf Reader For Windows 7
Foxit Reader is a joy to use, and makes working with PDFs effortless. Its ribbon-style interface is intuitive, and there's practically no learning curve if you're familiar with recent versions of Microsoft Office.
The ubiquity of the PDF format makes it a popular target for malware and virus developers, so Foxit Reader offers a Safe Reading mode that provides control over things such as internal links and Javascript integration.
Downloadable add-ons are available to convert PDFs to other formats (and vice versa) and to combine multiple PDFs into a single file. File conversion is incredibly simple thanks to the inclusion of an entry in Windows' context menu.
This power and flexibility makes Foxit Reader the best PDF reader you can download today. Try it now and you won't look back.
2. Nitro PDF Reader
A great PDF reader for collaboration, with tracked changes
Like Foxit Reader, Nitro PDF Reader bears more than a passing resemblance to Microsoft Office applications – and this is no bad thing. Right from the start this feels like a highly accomplished piece of software and there are plenty of document viewing options to choose from.
But this free PDF reader is about more than just viewing. As well as including an annotation and highlighting option, Nitro PDF Reader also lets you add sticky notes to the documents you open.
You can use Nitro PDF Reader to convert text documents to PDF format, and vice versa. You can also extract all of the images from a PDFs in one fell swoop, digitally sign electronic documents with an e-signature. This is without doubt one of the most polished free PDF readers out there.
3. PDF-XChange Editor
A classic free PDF editor, fully overhauled for Windows 10
The free edition of PDF-XChange Editor contains handy features such as tracked comments and the ability to insert or extract pages, but those marked 'Pro' in the menu are only available in the paid-for version.
This free PDF reader's killer feature is OCR (optical character recognition). You can scan printed documents, have the text converted into searchable format, and save the resulting document as a PDF.
While installing this free PDF readers, we recommend selecting the 'Custom' option rather than 'Complete', then deselecting the components you don't want to install. They are presented as an expandable tree, so make sure you click all the '+' icons to discover what's hidden there.
4. SlimPDF Reader
A frill-free PDF reader that barely makes a dent in your drive space
SlimPDF Reader is by far the smallest free PDF reader in this roundup, occupying just 1.43MB of space, and makes a virtue of its frill-free approach.
SlimPDF Reader really is little more than a viewer, but that's no bad thing. Controls and navigations are simple and self-explanatory, and the program benefits from being lightning-fast.
Search, print and rotate are the most advanced features you'll find, although you are invited to try a free trial of the PDF to Office converter.
If you're looking for a free PDF reader without the bloat, SlimPDF Reader could be the ideal choice. The only real drawback is the inability to view two pages side-by-side as a spread.
5. Icecream Ebook Reader
Icecream's great ebook reader is also a good choice for PDFs
As the name suggests, Icecream Ebook Reader is designed primarily for viewing EPUB and MOBI documents, but it doubles as a simple free PDF reader.
As this is an ebook reader, you-re encouraged to organize all of your books into a library, sortable by type and fully searchable – but there's nothing to stop you from just opening individual PDFs.
The program has a slightly unusual look, but it is a joy to use. Navigation of PDFs is wonderfully simple, and there are a number of viewing modes to choose from, including an eye-friendly night mode. You can quickly add bookmarks and create notes, which are accessed through the fly-out Contents pane.
If you have a Word document or ebook that you'd to convert to PDF format, or vice versa, you might like Icecream PDF Converter, from the same developer.
- Discover how to convert PDFs to Word documents with our guide
If you’re still using Adobe Acrobat Reader for PDF documents, it’s time for you to move on. It’s one of the most notorious programs to ever exist because it hits the trifecta of poor user experience: slow to launch, bloated and unnecessary features, and too many security vulnerabilities.
With so many alternatives available, there’s no reason to keep using Adobe ReaderThis Is Why You Don't Need Adobe ReaderThis Is Why You Don't Need Adobe ReaderAdobe Reader is bloated, slow, and a liability. In short, it's unnecessary. Do you need a PDF Reader at all? We show you how to open PDF files without Adobe Reader.Read More. In fact, most modern systems come loaded with apps that can read PDFs, and if you don’t have one, then you can always rely on your web browser. These days, browser-based PDF readers are more than good enoughPDF Reader vs. Browser: Which PDF Viewer Is Best for You?PDF Reader vs. Browser: Which PDF Viewer Is Best for You?A PDF reader is often one of the first tools people install on their new computer. It's not glamorous or sexy, but it's a vital tool in your productivity arsenal. Or is it?Read More if all you need is the ability to read (not edit).
That said, it’s still smart to keep a lightweight PDF reader on your system. Get rid of Adobe Reader and start using one of these alternatives instead. You’ll wonder how you ever lasted this long on the worst PDF reader known to man.
Best Pdf Reader For Macbook Pro
1. Sumatra PDF
Supported Formats: CBR, CBZ, CHM, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, XPS
Sumatra PDF is the best option for lightweight PDF reading. There’s simply no contest. It’s been around for more than a decade and it’s still actively developed. I’ve used it as my primary PDF reader for close to five years and I’ve never once considered looking for a replacement.
It has three main advantages that put it above all others. First, the executable file is under 7 MB, which is remarkable compared to the 150+ MB of a bloated app like Adobe Reader. Second, it’s lightning fast, and loads even large PDF files in the blink of an eye. Third, the interface is extremely minimal as to maximize screen estate. This is wonderful for smaller-screen devices.
And it comes in both portable and installable versions. It’s tiny enough to carry around on a USB flash drive of any size and you’ll be able to read PDFs anywhere you go.
Download — Sumatra PDF (Free)
2. SlimPDF Reader
Supported Formats: PDF
SlimPDF Reader is very much like Sumatra PDF in many ways. They have the same goals as far as design and intention, and the differences between them are rather minor. Long story short, these two apps are your best bet for lightweight PDF reading, and you should try both of them to see which one feels better to you.
One thing you’ll notice right away is its minuscule size. Whereas Sumatra PDF’s executable comes in at around 7 MB, SlimPDF Reader’s full installation doesn’t even take up 5 MB. Of course we’re talking pennies in the grand scheme of modern terabyte-sized hard drives, but tiny apps like this are so rare that it’s impressive to see.
Its only major drawback is the lack of a portable version, which usually wouldn’t be an issue worth mentioning, except portability is a big reason to use a lightweight app over a full-featured alternative, and that’s certainly true for PDF readers.
Download — SlimPDF Reader (Free)
3. PDF-XChange Viewer
Supported Formats: PDF
PDF-XChange Viewer has actually been discontinued, with all of its features having been ported over and included in PDF-XChange Editor. However, you can still download the latest version of PDF-XChange Viewer and use it as a lightweight PDF reader. Just don’t expect any updates.
Why use this app when Sumatra PDF and SlimPDF Reader already exist? Because PDF-XChange Viewer doesn’t aim to be a super-lightweight or barebones. It’s a middle-of-the-road solution: reasonable install size and fast performance, but packed with nifty features like tabbed browsing, OCR for images, comments and annotations, encryption and passwords, bookmarks, and more.
PDF-XChange Viewer is available in several installation formats as well as a portable version, which comes in at just over 21 MB. If you can get over the outdated interface, this is the best choice for when you need a compromise between speed, size, and features.
Download — PDF-XChange Viewer (Free)
4. MuPDF
Supported Formats: CBZ, EPUB, PDF, XPS
MuPDF is so lightweight that it doesn’t even have a graphical interface — you have to launch it from the command line using mupdf [path-to-file.pdf] and certain options can only be set using launch parameters (for example, -p [password] to open password-protected documents).
It’s not for everyone, but it’s excellent for command line fanatics and veterans.
Once a PDF document is opened, all navigation is done using keyboard shortcuts. Check the MuPDF user manual to see what those shortcuts are. It’s actually quite productive if you can get over the initial learning curve. Notable features include transparency, annotations, encryption, searching, and more. Plus it’s open source, so you can extend it yourself if you wish.
One other aspect to note is that MuPDF is specifically tailored for PDF fidelity. It is the most faithful when it comes to PDFs with high-resolution, anti-aliased graphics. Of course this only matters if you have high-quality PDF documents to begin with, but if you do, then you’ll notice the difference.
Download — MuPDF (Free)
What Do You Use to Read PDFs?
If these apps are perhaps too lightweight for you, or if you’ve decided that a lightweight reader isn’t exactly what you need, then we recommend checking out these excellent PDF readers for Windows. And why stop there? Consider installing a lightweight alternative for reading Office files6 Light Alternatives to Open Office and PDF Files6 Light Alternatives to Open Office and PDF FilesDon't clog your system down with superfluous bulk. For the occasional viewing of PDF and Office files, you can use compact apps and you might not need any additional software at all.Read More, too.
Note that you can do more than just “read” PDFsHow to Edit, Combine, and Sign a PDF File for FreeHow to Edit, Combine, and Sign a PDF File for FreeWe show you how to split, merge, downsize, and do all kinds of magic with PDF files. Read on if you're ready to take your PDF documents to the next level!Read More. There are tools out there for extracting images from PDF documents5 Tools to Extract Images From PDF Files5 Tools to Extract Images From PDF FilesSometimes you need to extract images from PDF file and use them in Word documents, web pages, and PowerPoint presentations. Keep these five tools close for the job.Read More and several ways to reduce or compress PDF filesHow to Compress a PDF, Reduce the File Size, and Make It SmallerHow to Compress a PDF, Reduce the File Size, and Make It SmallerThis guide covers how to make a PDF smaller using simple programs and tools.Read More, for example. Using a lightweight PDF reader is only the first step to mastering a productive PDF workflow.
So what’s your favorite way to read PDFs: in browser or with a dedicated app? Are there any good alternatives, tips, or tricks that we missed? Let us know in a comment below!
Image Credit: Africa Studio via Shutterstock.com
Explore more about: Adobe Reader, Digital Document, PDF.
I do really think Adobe is a great and professional PDF product, but it is expensive and most of its features need to pay, which means I can use nothing but just read PDF with it. So I would much appreciate LightPDF, a free online PDF tool, which is a fair alternative and is light as its name implies. People should try this. It is really great.
I dislike Adobe Reader, not because of speed--it's much faster than any alternative I've tried. It is bloated and always wants to connect to the internet. Too many features and no way to clean up the screen of extra menus and toolbars etc.
Irfanview works and lets me crop pages. However, it renders so slowly, I only use it when I want to take advantage of cropping.
I've been using Foxit for many years and find it efficient and lightweight. Editor etc. can also be downloaded and are basically good to use.
Also edge browser supports built in read aloud option for best alike audio books
I prefer Sumatra
Xodo PDF reader is the best reader for me. It is available on windows store.
Xodo PDF reader is the best. It is available in Windows store.
Excellent choice - PDF-XChnage Editor/ The new version is better Abode
On phones and tablets: with the 1 or 2 or 3 PDF viewer apps that you already have - that the device came with or was installed as part of Google's apps, or what have you. The Adobe Reader app? I know it exists, I installed it once several years ago on a tablet when I wanted to give it a shot. But....
I have tried Sumatra PDF and confirm it is light and simple to use. Also used PDF-Xchange - they have a good range of PDF products ( if a little confusing distinguishing the different products) - we use the
paid editor product and find it good for editing PDFs. Haven't tried the others so can't comment on themHi Joel
I 'm using pdf xchange viewer because I wanted some app able to preview pdf files within windows 10 explorer as thumbnails in view panel and it does the job well .