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PDFs or Portable Document Format files have become essential parts of work, education, and personal lives of people worldwide. These files provide secure and pristine features which make documents viewable on different platforms. With the increasing usage of PDF files, it has become important to have an application installed in your device, which can smoothly perform various operations on PDF files.
There are several PDF readers you can find online, but not all of those readers are efficient to work with. Therefore, in this blog post, we will share the top 5 PDF readers that you need to try today.
Video Tutorial:
What is a PDF Reader?
PDF readers are software applications that allow you to open, view, create, edit, and modify PDF files. These applications perform tasks such as extracting images, adding signature, or creating forms from PDF files. This software enables easy navigation through document pages and provides tools for highlighting, bookmarks, and commenting on texts.
Top 5 Best PDF Readers and Pros & Cons
1. Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat Reader is one of the most popular PDF readers on the market. Adobe offers all the essential features required to view, edit, and manipulate PDF files. The application has great features like password-encryption, electronic signatures, and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) capability. Adobe Acrobat Reader offers convenience and ease in accessing and managing PDF documents.
Pros:
- Free to use and offers document cloud storage service.
- Robust and user-friendly interface.
- Offers excellent security features for PDF files.
Cons:
- Requires high processing power to operate.
- It can be a bit slow while opening and performing complex operations.
2. Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is a light-weight PDF reader with an array of features. It has a user-friendly interface and efficient reading experience. Foxit Reader allows you to fill out forms and create PDF documents. The software offers high-quality text and image rendering, and that makes it an ideal option for viewing PDF files.
Pros:
- Light-weight and performs at high speed.
- The software provides a platform for creating forms and PDF documents.
- Offers excellent functionality with cloud services.
Cons:
- The application can be a bit overcomplicated due to its extensive functionalities.
- Foxit Reader requires additional add-ons for some features, which can be a bit annoying.
3. Nitro PDF Reader
Nitro PDF Reader is a software that offers useful PDF capabilities and a user-leading interface. The application supports a range of formats, including Microsoft Office, which allows exporting PDFs from the familiar desktop applications. Nitro PDF reader is an all-in-one tool for creating, editing, and writing PDFs, with a powerful OCR function.
Pros:
- Easy to navigate and efficient to work on.
- Compatible with many file formats.
- OCR feature is available for free.
Cons:
- The free version does not include all the features offered in the enterprise-grade version.
- The application can go unresponsive during the use of OCR feature.
4. Sumatra PDF
Sumatra PDF is a user-friendly, minimalist, and open-source PDF reader with efficient operations. It loads PDF files at a much quicker rate than most counterparts software and is highly recommended for those looking for an uncluttered interface. The software supports an extensive range of formats, including comic book formats like CBR and CBZ.
Pros:
- The software is open-source and free to use.
- Loaded with features, including bookmarks, quick browsing, and full-screen reading.
Cons:
- The number of features may be limited compared to the competition.
- Sumatra PDF does not support editing or annotating PDF documents.
5. STDU Viewer
STDU Viewer is a multi-purpose document reader that supports a variety of file formats, including PDF, TIFF, DjVu, and several others. The software is free to use and provides an extensive range of features. It offers the most useful and straightforward interface for viewing PDF documents.
Pros:
- Capable of viewing multiple documents simultaneously.
- Multiple document formats support available.
- Fast in opening large-sized PDF files.
Cons:
- Interface design could be more improved.
- The features are a bit limited compared to counterparts software.
Our Thoughts
After researching and testing various PDF readers, we have concluded that Adobe Acrobat Reader is our top pick. Adobe Acrobat Reader is well-established and offers everything you need it to have, from basic viewing to advanced editing, security, and other features. Despite the memory usage, which might be slightly high for devices with low specifications, the user experience with Adobe Acrobat Reader is unmatched.
FAQ’s
Q:Do I have to pay for Adobe Acrobat Reader?
A: No, Adobe Acrobat Reader is free to use and download. The software offers various additional paid plans depending on the user’s needs.
Q: How do I set up Foxit Reader’s privacy settings?
A: Foxit Reader has a privacy setting section under its preferences menu. You can select the settings you want to enable and disable, according to your privacy requirements.
Q: How can I extract text from a protected PDF document?
A: To extract text from a password-protected PDF document, you need to unlock it first by entering the correct password. Once you have accessed the file, select the text you want to extract, copy it, and paste it into other documents, such as word processing or spreadsheet tools.
Q: Can I use Nitro PDF reader offline?
A: Yes, Nitro PDF reader can be used offline. However, some of the advanced features that require internet connectivity might not be available.
Q: Is Sumatra PDF compatible with all operating systems?
A: Yes, Sumatra PDF is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems.
Conclusion
With the increasing usage of PDF files, having the right PDF reader that meets your viewing, editing, and sharing requirements is essential. The software applications that we have listed in this blog post should cater to your PDF editing and viewing requirements. You can choose any of the applications mentioned based on their features, user interface, and other parameters.