Are you looking for a go-to PDF viewer that does everything you need but doesn't cost a fortune in monthly subscription fees?
We've got some recommendations, whether you need to use it for all your work or just sometimes in your personal capacity.
Comparative Overview
Wondering what each of these readers can do with your PDF files? Have a look at each PDF editor to decide which features are right for you.
| Features | PDF Reader Pro | Adobe Acrobat | Foxit Reader | Nitro PDF Reader |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, web | Windows, Mac, Linux | Windows |
| Editing Tools | Advanced editing tools, including OCR support | Extensive editing capabilities, including OCR support | Comprehensive editing features | Editing tools with OCR support |
| Annotation and Markup | Extensive annotation and markup tools | Annotation and markup tools | Annotation tools | Annotation and markup features |
| Form Filling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Security Features | Password encryption, permissions settings | Password encryption, digital signatures | Password encryption, digital signatures | Password protection, digital signatures |
| Cloud Integration | Integration with iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc. | Integration with Adobe Document Cloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc. | Integration with Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive | Integration with Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive |
| Customer Support | Email, chat, phone support | Email, chat, phone support, knowledge base | Email, chat, phone support, community forums | Email, chat, phone support, knowledge base |
| Usability | Intuitive interface, feature-rich | User-friendly interface, feature-rich | User-friendly interface | User-friendly interface |
| Performance | Smooth performance across platforms | Smooth performance | Smooth performance | Smooth performance |
1. PDF Reader Pro
PDF Reader Pro stands out as an exceptional choice for handling PDF documents across various platforms. With its intuitive interface and robust feature set, it's a go-to solution for both casual users and professionals.
Image Source: PDF Reader Pro
Key Features:
- Cross-Platform Compatibility: PDF Reader Pro is available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices, ensuring seamless access to your PDFs across all your devices.
- Advanced Editing Tools: Edit text, images, and annotations directly within your PDF files with ease.
- OCR Support: Extract text from scanned documents or images with OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology.
- Annotation and Markup: Add comments, highlight text, draw shapes, and create custom stamps to enhance collaboration and document review.
- Form Filling: Easily fill out PDF forms and sign documents electronically.
- Security Features: Protect your PDFs with password encryption and permissions settings.
- Cloud Integration: Access and store your documents in popular cloud services like iCloud, Dropbox, and Google Drive.
Our Team's View
PDF Reader Pro offers a comprehensive set of features tailored for content teams. Its advanced editing tools, including OCR support, make it easy to work with PDF documents of any kind.
We found its annotation and markup tools to be extensive, allowing us to collaborate effectively on documents. You can download the latest version for Windows or Mac here:
2. Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is a widely used PDF reader known for its reliability and comprehensive feature set. It offers basic viewing and editing capabilities along with robust annotation tools.
Image Source: Adobe Acrobat
Learn how to redact sensitive information in Adobe Acrobat with our simple guide.
Key Features:
- View, Edit, and Annotate PDFs: Navigate, view, and annotate PDF documents with ease.
- Cloud Storage Integration: Access and store PDFs in Adobe Document Cloud.
- Form Filling and Signing: Fill out PDF forms and sign documents electronically.
- Collaboration Features: Share documents for review and feedback.
Our Team's View
The annotation and markup tools are robust, making it easy for us to provide feedback and collaborate on documents.
The form-filling feature works well, and its security options, such as password encryption and digital signatures, offer peace of mind for our team.
3. Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is a lightweight PDF reader that offers a range of features for viewing, editing, and annotating PDF documents. It's known for its fast performance and user-friendly interface.
Image Source: Foxit PDF Reader
Learn how to edit a PDF with Foxit using our step-by-step guide, making document modifications easy and efficient.
Key Features:
- Fast Performance: Load and view PDF documents quickly.
- Annotation and Markup Tools: Annotate PDFs with comments, highlights, and drawing tools.
- Form Filling: Fill out PDF forms and save them for future reference.
- Security Features: Protect PDFs with password encryption and digital signatures.
Our Team's View
Foxit Reader is a user-friendly PDF reader with a good balance of features. While its editing capabilities are not as extensive as Adobe Acrobat, it still offers a solid set of tools, including OCR support.
Foxit Reader is a reliable option for content teams looking for a straightforward PDF reader with essential features.
4. NitroPDF
NitroPDF Reader is a lightweight PDF reader with a focus on simplicity and performance. The user interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to use for content teams.
Image Source: Nitro PDF
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Key Features:
- Fast and Lightweight: Minimalistic design for quick PDF viewing.
- Portable: No installation required; can be run from a USB drive.
- Basic Viewing and Navigation: Navigate through PDF documents with ease.
Our Team's View
Our first impression is that this reader does not have the advanced editing features of PDF Reader Pro or Adobe Acrobat.
However, we chose it for the annotation and markup features that are basic but functional for collaboration. Plus, its security options offer basic protection for documents which puts our team at ease.
Choosing the right PDF reader depends on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you require advanced editing capabilities, cross-platform compatibility, or a simple viewing experience, there's a PDF reader on this list that's perfect for you.
