The 6 Best PDF Readers of 2024 for Students

For students, PDF files are an essential part of the learning experience. Whether it's lecture notes, research papers, textbooks, or assignments, PDFs are the go-to format for educational content.

However, to get the most out of your PDFs, you'll need a reliable PDF reader that not only opens the file but also offers advanced features to annotate, highlight, and organize your documents.

Megon Venter

B2B SaaS Content Writer

Megon is a B2B SaaS Content Writer with 7 years of experience in content strategy and execution. Her expertise lies in the creation of document management tutorials and product comparisons.

We've rounded up the 6 Best PDF Readers of 2024 for Students, starting with PDF Reader Pro.

1. PDF Reader Pro

Best for Comprehensive Features and User Experience

PDF Reader Pro stands out as one of the best PDF readers for students in 2024 due to its balance of functionality and ease of use. Whether you're reading, editing, annotating, or managing PDFs, PDF Reader Pro covers all the bases. This app is packed with powerful features that cater to the needs of both casual readers and power users alike.

Key Features:

• Annotation Tools: Highlight text, add sticky notes, draw shapes, and even underline or strikethrough text. These features make it ideal for marking up lecture slides or research papers.
  
  

• Text to Speech: PDF Reader Pro can read text aloud, making it a great tool for auditory learners or for those who want to multitask.
  
  

• Form Filling: If you're dealing with forms or worksheets, the app lets you easily fill out forms and sign documents.
  
  

• PDF Merging & Splitting: Combine multiple PDFs into one or split a single document into multiple parts without needing third-party software.
  
  

• Cloud Integration: Sync documents across devices using cloud storage services like Google Drive, iCloud, and Dropbox, ensuring access to your documents anytime, anywhere.

Why It’s Great for Students

PDF Reader Pro’s clean and user-friendly interface makes it easy for students to navigate through lengthy PDFs without getting lost in unnecessary complexity. The range of editing tools ensures that students can make notes, highlight important sections, and manage their study materials with ease.

You can download the latest version of PDF Reader Pro for Windows or Mac here:

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2. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Best for Compatibility and Collaboration

Adobe Acrobat Reader has long been the standard in PDF reading, and its 2024 version continues to be a top choice for students. Known for its compatibility with all types of PDF files, Acrobat Reader DC allows for easy viewing, annotation, and form filling.

Key Features:

• Cloud Storage Integration: Access your files across devices through Adobe Document Cloud.
  
  

• Commenting and Annotation: Add comments, highlight text, and use drawing tools to annotate documents.
  
  

• Sign Documents: Easily sign documents electronically, perfect for assignments and paperwork.
  
  

• Free and Premium Versions: While the free version offers essential features, the premium version unlocks advanced editing tools.
  
  

Why It’s Great for Students

Adobe Acrobat Reader’s popularity in the academic world means that it’s compatible with nearly every PDF document out there. Plus, its cloud storage and collaboration features make it easy to share documents with classmates or professors.

3. Foxit PDF Reader

Best for Speed and Lightweight Performance

Foxit PDF Reader is a fast and lightweight alternative to heavier PDF readers. It’s known for its speed and minimal resource consumption, making it perfect for students who need a simple, no-frills PDF experience without compromising on essential features.

Key Features:

• Annotation and Commenting Tools: Add text annotations, highlight, and add shapes or stamps.
  
  

• Text to Speech: Similar to PDF Reader Pro, Foxit offers text-to-speech functionality.
  
  

• PDF Creation and Editing: Foxit allows users to create PDFs from various file formats and even edit text and images within the document.
  
  

• Multi-Tab Support: If you often work with multiple PDFs open, Foxit’s tabbed interface makes it easy to switch between documents.
  
  

Why It’s Great for Students

Foxit is a great choice for students who need speed and efficiency. The lightweight nature of the app ensures it runs smoothly even on older computers, making it an excellent option for students who don’t want their devices to lag while reading or annotating PDFs.

4. Sumatra PDF

Best for Minimalistic Design and Speed

Sumatra PDF is known for its ultra-lightweight and minimalistic design. It’s perfect for students who just need a PDF reader that gets the job done without any additional features or distractions.

Key Features:

• Extremely Fast: Sumatra PDF opens large PDF files in a split second.
  
  

• No Bloat: With no unnecessary tools or features, Sumatra is a simple, clean reader.
  
  

• Supports Multiple Formats: Besides PDFs, Sumatra can open eBooks, comics, and even ePub files.
  
  

• Portable Version: For students on the go, Sumatra offers a portable version that doesn’t require installation.

Why It’s Great for Students

Sumatra PDF is perfect for students who prioritize speed and simplicity. If you don’t need advanced editing tools and just need a straightforward PDF reader, this is the app for you.

5. Xodo PDF Reader & Editor

Best for Comprehensive Free Tools

Xodo offers a robust set of features, all for free. This versatile PDF reader and editor is a popular choice for students who need a wide variety of tools without paying for premium features.

Key Features:

• Annotating & Editing Tools: Highlight text, add comments, underline, and draw freehand.
  
  

• Collaborative Features: Real-time collaboration on PDFs, making it a great choice for group projects.
  
  

• Cloud Sync: Sync documents with cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
  
  

• Form Filling & Signing: Quickly fill out forms or sign documents electronically.

Why It’s Great for Students

Xodo’s free features give students everything they need for academic work—annotation, collaboration, and cloud syncing—all in one app. The real-time collaboration feature is especially helpful for group study sessions or collaborative projects.

6. Nitro PDF Reader

Best for Business-Ready Features

Nitro PDF Reader is a feature-packed tool that’s often used in business and professional settings, but it can be incredibly useful for students who need advanced PDF manipulation tools.

Key Features:

• Advanced Editing Tools: Modify text, images, and even page layouts within a PDF.
  
  

• Conversion Tools: Convert PDFs to and from various formats, including Word and Excel.
  
  

• Cloud Integration: Save documents to cloud services and easily share them with others.
  
  

• Batch Processing: If you have multiple PDFs to process, Nitro lets you work on them in bulk.

Why It’s Great for Students

Nitro PDF Reader is perfect for students who need powerful features like text editing, conversion, and batch processing. If you’re working on a lot of research papers or documents that need to be converted or edited, Nitro offers a comprehensive solution.

When it comes to managing your academic PDFs, the right reader can make a world of difference.

From simple, no-fuss tools like Sumatra PDF to feature-packed options like PDF Reader Pro and Nitro PDF Reader, the best PDF readers of 2024 cater to a wide variety of student needs.