12 Best free PDF Readers for Windows, MAC and other Devices

 

Portable document format is a most secure and user-friendly document created by Adobe. The PDF format is a file which is used to exchange documents reliably, independent of hardware and software of the operating system. In 1991 Adobe co-founder Dr. John Warnock the digital paper with an objective to capture the data in the digital file from anywhere and can view and print them. After launched by Adobe there are many companies who have started their own PDF file format which has same based as Adobe. In the market, you will find both paid and free version. In this article will let you know all the free versions of PDF available for us.

Following are Free PDF Readers for Windows, Mac, and other devices

1. Adobe Reader

Adobe Reader is free and easily available over the internet. It has some additional features apart from viewing and printing. Like you can sign and create a pdf file. You can also Annotate pdf documents by typing text directly or can use sticky on to the page. This is the most secure format of a digital file which we use in almost everywhere be it office documents, bank statements, sending documents to a third party and any type of authentic exchange of digital files. An Adobe supports almost all the devices and their platforms. Including Linux, Windows, and Mac. For mobile phones, it is available for Windows, Android, and ISO.

2. Sumatra PDF

Sumatra provides one of the best free PDF readers, in fact, it can compete with Adobe. We all know Adobe is the founder of PDF format and also a leading service provider but Sumatra has changed the trend by providing some more additional features. it is light in weight and easy to use which gives users a faster navigation and it supports ebook, XPS, CBZ, EPUB, Djvu, Mobi, and CBR.

3. Foxit Reader Review

Foxit Reader is a PDF reader with some additional features like create PDF and add annotations. they also have Plugin which you can add to Microsoft programs and can create PDF files almost with every type of files. currently, we need some additional software to write the files in PDF. Like I use cute PDF writer to convert my word files to PDF. But with Foxit, you don’t need any additional software to download. One of the best features they have is their security toolbox. which prevents your document from hacking. It does allow any script to get the pass.

4. Evince

Quite good for those who are looking a faster PDF reader. it supports several files and formats. it has some amazing features like copy text from a document made from scanned images, copy data to the clipboard. It supports DVI, DjVu, XPS, CBR, CBZ, CB7 and MS.

5. Javelin 

Javelin is free PDF readers which support, MAC, Windows, Linux and mobile phones. As compared to others it does not have multiple features like editing and digital signature. However it does supports internal and external hyperlinks, a range of page display, formats, navigation trees, text searching, annotation, and Markup. Quite goods for those who usually need PDF software for viewing and printing purpose.

6. PDF-XChange Editor

A multi-purpose PDF reader which is available completely free. Create, edit, view, OCR, Annotate and sign PDF files with PDF Xchange editor. you can also use to open and convert Microsoft documents. This one of those free PDF readers which provide almost all the features which are currently prevailing in the market. There are almost 30 tools available for you to make required changes and look data presentable. About 85% of the features do not require any license but for rest 15% you need a license.

7. Nitro PDF Reader

Nitro is available free but with limited features like print, view, share, convert to pdf, MS Word, Excel, power points format, highlight underline, cross out, and add notes to text and pages. Whereas paid version has some additional significant features including searchable and editable with OCR technology and permanently redact information. After downloading free version you will also receive a complete guide how you can use Nitro PDF reader although navigation is quite user-friendly.

8.   STDU Viewer

STDU is free PDF readers which come with multi-language interface. You can choose the desired language by changing strings in XML external source. It also supports multiple formats including, FB2, TXT, TCR, PCX, DCX, TIFF, DjVu, JBIG2, It also supports multiple formats of images, like jpeg, GIF, WMF, EMF and PSD Files. STDU is quite helpful for managing multiple pages together. you can open multiple pages in tab and can easily navigate. It is a good PDF reader but has fewer features compared to PDF Xchange Editor.

9. Nuance PDF Reader

Nuance has recently made some changes and their latest free version is only available for 30 days. But you can download the older version from Softpedia. Or you can also go for 30 days trial if you want. It supports Windows XP and Vista including 64 bit.

10. Sorax Soft

One of the popular free PDF readers which comes with long list of features. It is small in size and faster than Adobe Reader. Some of the vital features include supports eastern Asian languages, export pdf to text, bitmap, XML Files, Advanced user interface, select text on the viewed pages and copies to the clipboard, and display document bookmarks and page thumbnails. It works only with Windows, Vista and XP version. It is also available in a portable version so you can access directly from CD and USB Flash Drives.

11. Expert PDF Reader

Exper PDF Reader is a free pdf reader which allows to view, print and modify existing documents. you can insert rubber stamps and can alter any annotation that was created from Exper PDF. you can also bookmark pages found in the PDF and files are visible in the side view section.

12. Microsoft Edge

It is a browser which supports Windows 10 and launched Microsoftoft but also provide the facility to convert the file into PDF.  It also has many advanced features like increasing the visibility area, can allow you to write on a web page, managing your favorite in one place and you don’t need to alt-tab to switch to other windows. In edge, you can do this right in front of your window impact on the same web page.

However, this tool is not as advanced as Adobe and Sumatra. But if you only need a PDF file then this can be a best free tool available.

13. Mupdf

It is also a lightweight PDF, XPS and ebook viewer and it has inbuilt with highest anti-aliased graphics. Which allow you to place the metrics up to a fraction of a pixel. And it supports many formats such as PDF, CBZ, OPEN XPS, XPS, and EPUB. Apart from this you can also annotate, edit and convert documents in many other formats such as SVG, PDF, HTML, AND CBZ.

 

Conclusion

Whether it is an important document or just a regular file which you want to share with other. We all use PDF reader because it is the best way to secure the document. It was initially introduced with perspective to make the documents secure and portable but since then it has gone with major changes. And nowadays you will find some enhanced features like digital signature and editing. Which also increases the demand for PDF readers in the market. Now there are numerous companies who are offering free pdf readers and this list which we have compiled are the best of them.

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