6 Various PDF Readers For Home windows

PDF information are so frequent these days that there are many apps that can help you view it. Whereas the default is the Adobe’s PDF reader, it has change into bloated and tough to make use of. On this article, we’ll take a look at six free various PDF readers for Home windows.
1. Foxit
Value: Free / €75.06 yearly
Foxit is likely one of the greatest options to Adobe Reader. It’s a strong and feature-rich PDF reader that gives many advantages for customers who have to work with PDF paperwork.
Foxit PDF reader is understood for its quick efficiency and fast loading time. This software program provides note-taking instruments, highlighting, textual content manipulation, and digital kind filling. The software program permits customers to customise the interface, add plugins, and modify the settings in response to their wants.
Execs
- Quick and environment friendly
- Function-rich
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Customizable
Cons
- Ads
- Restricted free model
2. Sumatra PDF
Value: Free
Sumatra PDF reader is a light-weight and open-source software program designed for viewing PDF paperwork. Whereas it lacks superior options and enhancing capabilities, its light-weight and user-friendly interface makes it a preferred alternative for a lot of customers. Nonetheless, the software program might not be appropriate for customers who have to work with advanced PDF information or require superior options.

Sumatra PDF reader is understood for its small dimension and fast loading instances, making it a fantastic alternative for customers who desire a easy and quick PDF reader. It additionally provides a conveyable model that may be run from a USB drive, making it handy for customers who have to entry PDF information on a number of gadgets.
Execs
- Light-weight and quick
- Consumer-friendly interface
- Open-source
- Transportable model
Cons
- Restricted options
- No enhancing capabilities
- Compatibility points
3. PDF-XChange Viewer
Value: Free/ $56.00
PDF-XChange Viewer provides a variety of options, together with note-taking instruments, highlighting, textual content manipulation, and digital kind filling. These options make it a flexible software for working with PDF information.

The software program permits customers to customise the interface, add plugins, and modify the settings in response to their wants. PDF-XChange Viewer provides a conveyable model that may be run from a USB drive, making it handy for customers who have to entry PDF information on a number of gadgets.
Execs
- Quick and dependable
- Function-rich
- Customizable
- Transportable model
Cons
- Ads
- Restricted options within the free model
- The interface will be overwhelming
4. Google Docs
Value: Free
Google Docs just isn’t primarily designed as a PDF reader, however it’s able to opening and displaying PDF information. Though Docs lacks options present in most PDF readers, the truth that it’s accessible within the cloud makes it extremely helpful when you’re at a pc with out a PDF viewer put in.

Google Docs permits a number of customers to collaborate on the identical doc concurrently, making it a fantastic software for group initiatives or teamwork. PDF information typically include advanced formatting, and whereas Google Docs is able to displaying these information, some formatting could also be misplaced or altered within the course of.
Execs
- Straightforward to make use of
- Collaborative
Cons
- Restricted performance
- Formatting points
- Safety considerations
5. Google Chrome (or Firefox)
Value: Free
Chrome (and Firefox) has an built-in PDF reader that may open PDF information immediately within the browser with out extra software program or plugins. Since Chrome is a broadly used browser, many individuals could have already got it put in on their computer systems, making it a handy choice for viewing PDF information.

Chrome’s built-in PDF reader is comparatively primary and lacks a few of the extra superior options that devoted PDF readers provide, equivalent to Foxit or Adobe Reader. Like different internet browsers, Chrome’s PDF reader could not show advanced formatting in PDF information precisely.
Execs
- Built-in reader
- Straightforward to make use of
Cons
- Restricted options
- Formatting points
- Safety considerations
6. Nitro Reader
Value: €223.19
Nitro Reader provides many options, together with note-taking instruments, highlighting, textual content manipulation, and digital kind filling. These options make it a flexible software for working with PDF information. Nitro Reader has a clear and intuitive interface, making it straightforward to navigate and use.
Moreover, this software program shows adverts selling its paid merchandise, which will be intrusive and annoying for some customers.
Execs
- Quick and environment friendly
- Function-rich
- Consumer-friendly interface
Cons
- Ads
- Restricted options in free model
- Lack of assist
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Why would you want an Adobe Reader various?
Whereas Adobe Reader is a superb software for viewing and printing PDF information, some customers could choose various PDF readers for a wide range of causes, equivalent to value, options, or compatibility points.
Can these various free PDF readers be used to transform PDF information to different codecs?
A few of these various free PDF readers, equivalent to Nitro Reader and PDF-XChange Viewer, include the function to transform PDF information to different codecs, equivalent to Phrase or Excel. Nonetheless, this function might not be accessible in all free variations of the software program.
Is Foxit Reader higher than Adobe Reader?
Foxit Reader is a well-liked various to Adobe Reader, and plenty of customers choose it for its quicker efficiency, smaller file dimension, and streamlined interface. Moreover, Foxit Reader provides extra superior options in its free model than Adobe Reader does, equivalent to the flexibility to create and edit PDF information.
Nonetheless, some customers could choose Adobe Reader on account of its familiarity and intensive vary of options, notably for customers who work extensively with PDF information. In the end, the selection between Foxit Reader and Adobe Reader is determined by particular person preferences and desires.
Picture credit score: Laptop computer pc displaying brand of Adobe Acrobat file by 123RF. All screenshots by Farhad Pashaei.