Portable Document Format, or PDF, emerged in the early nineties to replace various competing formats such as DjVu, Envoy, Fallaron, and PostScript during the nascent years of the World Wide Web. Adobe controlled it as a proprietary format until 2008, making Adobe Reader the default PDF Reader for most users. However, it’s bloated, slow, and the paid version is expensive. For a free and lightweight alternative, here are the top 10 Adobe Reader alternatives for Windows:
Best Adobe Reader Alternatives in 2020
- Sumatra PDF
- Foxit Reader
- PDF X-Change Editor
- STDU Viewer
- Nitro PDF Viewer
- SlimPDF Reader
- Evince
- PhantomPDF
- pdfDocs
- Web Browsers: Firefox, Chrome, and Edge
1. Sumatra PDF
Sumatra is a free and open-source PDF reader with a simple, intuitive user-interface, and is light on your computer’s resources. Released in 2006, it is hosted on Github, like many other open-source programs. Remarkably, Sumatra PDF is just over 4MB, compared to Adobe Reader’s 105MB.
Its speed sets it apart from similar programs. It starts up almost instantly and renders complex documents quickly.
Sumatra PDF, while lacking in features compared to some rivals, offers a wealth of keyboard shortcuts for efficient navigation. It is available in both portable and installer versions, allowing users to read documents from a USB flash drive on any computer.
Additionally, the program functions as a comprehensive ebook reader, supporting various formats such as ePub, Mobi, XPS, CHM, DjVu, CBZ, and CBR.
- Only 4 MB in size
- Completely free
- Open-source
- Exceptionally fast at opening PDF files
- Compatible with numerous file formats beyond PDF
- UI could be improved
- No annotation tools
Download Sumatra PDF (Free)
2. Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader, a top-tier alternative to Adobe Reader, offers many features lacking in Sumatra PDF. Though not as lightweight or fast, it excels for tasks beyond basic PDF viewing.
Foxit Reader enables users to annotate and fill PDF forms, distinguishing itself from most free alternatives. Additionally, it includes a Safe Reading Mode, safeguarding users from malicious links and offering control over JavaScript integration.
From the image above, Foxit Reader features an MS Office-like ribbon-based interface, reducing the learning curve for first-time users.
It offers free downloadable addons for converting PDFs to other formats via the Windows Explorer context menu. Overall, it ranks among the most powerful, flexible, and customizable PDF readers available, suitable for 99% of users.
- Free to download and use
- Supports PDF annotation
- Includes a safe reading mode to prevent malicious attacks
- Supports addons to enhance features
- Not as light or fast as Sumatra PDF
Download Foxit Reader (Free)
3. PDF X-Change Editor
PDF X-Change Editor is another Adobe Reader replacement. It comes in both paid and free versions. While the paid versions offer premium features, the free version is also feature-packed compared to other programs.
With the free version, you can insert or extract pages. It also includes OCR (optical character recognition) to scan printed documents and save text as a PDF.
PDF X-Change Editor offers more than just PDF viewing and editing options.
Supports 256-bit AES encryption, page markup, and text extraction, along with custom stamps for file saving. However, the free version does not allow PDF creation from scratch.
- Feature-packed free version
- Editing supported in free version
- Optical Image Recognition (OCR) support
Cons:
- Lacks modern UI
- Download PDF X-Change Editor: Free Version
- Download PDF X-Change Editor: Single User License ($43.50)
4. STDU Viewer
STDU Viewer is a compact 2.5MB download that serves as a document and image viewer, supporting an extensive range of file formats including PDF, TIFF, JPEG, GIF, DjVu, XPS, JBIG2, FB2, TXT, ePub, Mobi, CBR, CBZ, TCR, PDB, AZW, DCX, BMP, PCX, PNG, WMF, EMF, and PSD.
STDU Viewer offers multi-language interface support, allowing users to select from English, Russian, or French. The program features a tabbed interface and includes standard document viewer functionalities such as thumbnail view, page rotation, and text layer search.
Additionally, users can export pages or portions thereof as images and create custom bookmarks. STDU Viewer is free for non-commercial or educational use, with commercial usage requiring payment.
- Modern user interface
- Small download size (2.5 MB)
- Free for non-commercial use
- Supports multiple languages
Download STDU Viewer (Free)
5. Nitro PDF Viewer
Nitro PDF Reader is a comprehensive PDF viewer that, unlike PDF X-Change, enables users to create PDF files from scratch. Similar to Foxit Reader, it also boasts an MS Office-like interface and enables users to annotate, highlight, and add sticky notes to opened documents.
One standout feature is its split-screen view, facilitating comparison of two PDF files side-by-side. Additionally, the program offers drag-and-drop support, simplifying the creation of new PDF files by dragging any document onto the Nitro desktop icon.
Nitro PDF Reader offers two versions – a free option for non-commercial use and a paid version starting at $159.99. However, the free version is feature-packed, allowing users to extract images and digitally sign documents.
Overall, it’s a program worth considering as a free alternative to Adobe Reader.
- The free software version is feature-packed
- You can create PDFs from scratch
- Split-screen view for multiple documents
- You can extract images from PDFs
Cons:
- The paid version is costly
- Download Nitro PDF Viewer: Free Version
- Download Nitro PDF Viewer: License (starts at $159)
6. SlimPDF Reader
SlimPDF Reader, true to its name, is a compact PDF reader for desktop Windows. Weighing just 1.4MB, it’s the smallest actively-developed PDF viewer available.
Similar to Sumatra PDF, it boasts a minimalist interface and functions precisely as expected. With its small size, it understandably lacks additional features.
If bloatware on your PC concerns you and you only need to view PDF files without creating or annotating them, this software is worth considering.
While it lacks some features found in programs like Adobe Reader, SlimPDF Reader excels at providing a basic PDF viewing experience with minimal footprint. However, it lacks a portable version, which is unusual for a program promoting small size.
- Small and light-weight (1.4 MB)
- Minimal interface
- Fast PDF file opening
- Not as feature-rich as other options on this list
Download SlimPDF Reader (Free)
7. Evince
Evince, a free and open-source (FOSS) document viewer, is available on Windows, Linux, and Unix-like operating systems. It serves as the default PDF viewer in Fedora, Debian, and Ubuntu. Originally designed for the GNOME desktop environment, it supports various file formats such as PDF, PostScript, DjVu, TIFF, XPS, and DVI.
Similar to Nitro PDF, Evince displays two pages simultaneously and supports full-screen and slideshow modes. Users can also select, highlight, and copy text from PDF files, provided they contain OCR data.
Evince stands out for enabling users to copy, convert, and print DRM-protected PDF files, with the option to disable this feature if desired, catering to those seeking liberation from restrictive DRM measures.
- Free and open-source
- Supports various file formats: PDF, PostScript, DjVu, TIFF, XPS, and DVI.
- Minimalistic UI
- Enables copying, converting, and printing of PDF files
Download Evince (Free)
8. PhantomPDF
PhantomPDF, a full-featured paid PDF Reader software from Foxit Software, offers a Ribbon-based interface akin to MS Office and provides PDF editing and encryption features.
The program converts various file types to PDF and vice versa, including MS Word documents. PhantomPDF supports 41 languages, slightly fewer than Adobe Acrobat but more than most competitors.
PhantomPDF offers OCR for editing and searching scanned documents. However, unlike some programs here, it requires a separate module for OCR activation. On a positive note, the software enables users to embed audio and video in PDFs and apply password protection.
Pros:
- Packed with professional features
- Supports PDF encryption
- Supports multiple languages
Download PhantomPDF ($129)
9. pdfDocs
pdfDocs, the final paid PDF reader on our list, is developed by DocsCorp. It’s described as a “project-centric PDF management application,” offering features akin to productivity suits like Google Docs.
The software enables users to create, redact, annotate, and edit PDF files. Additionally, it allows users to collate and secure PDFs, as well as print, email, and save documents from within the Organizer workspace. This workspace can be set up for specific projects and shared on a network drive among colleagues.
Being a business-oriented software suite, pdfDocs allows users to create electronic PDF binders automating the process of converting numerous documents into a single PDF file.
It isn’t the smallest or the fastest reader we’ve tested, but speed wasn’t going to be its unique selling point anyway, given its focus on office productivity.
Note: Even the trial version of the software isn’t readily available for download. Registration on the website is required, followed by waiting for the download link.
- Includes all pro features
- Enables creation, redaction, editing, and annotation of PDF files
- Compatible with popular project management software such as Office365, SharePoint, and more.
Cons:
- No free version available
Download pdfDocs ($85)
10. Web Browsers: Firefox, Chrome, and Edge
This option wouldn’t have been included a few years ago. Major browser vendors now include a native PDF viewer with their web browsers. Consequently, almost everyone already has a PDF viewer on their computers.
Firefox was the first to integrate the PDF viewer, using the pdf.js platform for parsing and rendering PDF files. Google followed suit with Chrome, and now even Microsoft Edge can natively render PDF documents in Windows 10.
If you don’t require many complex features from standalone programs, using your favorite web browser as a PDF viewer will save disk space and prevent unnecessary software clutter.
You may miss some advanced features found in dedicated PDF management software, but browsers can quickly and accurately render standard PDF documents without overloading your system.
- No need for a separate app installation
- Simple to use
- Enhance features with add-ons like Chrome extensions
- Unable to manage a large number of PDFs
- No OCR or PDF editing capabilities
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What’s an alternative to Adobe Acrobat?
We’ve listed 10 Adobe Reader alternatives. Depending on your needs, choose one. For instance, if you just need to read PDFs, use your browser. For a lighter option, try Sumatra PDF. Find what suits you.
Q. Which is the best free PDF reader?
Sumatra PDF is generally considered the best. It’s free, compact (4 MB), and light on system resources.
Q. Is there a free Adobe Reader version?
Yes, Adobe Reader is free. However, it’s only for reading PDFs, not editing.
Q. What’s the difference between Adobe Reader and Adobe Acrobat?
Aforementioned, Adobe Reader, crafted by Adobe, offers free PDF viewing. For PDF manipulation and editing, Adobe Acrobat software is required, starting at $14.99/month.
Top Adobe Reader Alternatives for Windows PC
Besides the mentioned programs, other Adobe Reader substitutes exist. For Windows 8 or 8.1 users, there’s a built-in PDF viewer named ‘Reader’. Additionally, Office suites like MS Office and Libre Office enable PDF reading, creation, annotation, and editing. If you have either installed, MS Word or Libre Office Writer can serve your needs. With these varied alternatives, which one intrigues you the most? Share your preference in the comments.
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
