Best Free PDF Viewers
PDF viewers are essential tools for reading digital documents. With many options available, finding the best free PDF reader can become a daunting task.
This article explores the top 3 free PDF viewers in 2024, one for Windows PCs, one for macOS, and one for online use. We'll detail their key features, pros, and cons, helping you choose the perfect PDF reader for your needs.
How we picked the best PDF readers
To compile this list, we considered the following key aspects:
- Intuitive interface, so working with documents is easy even if you're using the PDF viewer for the first time.
- Annotation tools to add comments or highlights to PDFs while reviewing.
- Security features for those handling confidential data.
- Search functionality that allows to quickly find specific words within a long PDF.
- Additional features like form filling, digital signatures, or converting.
Top choice for Windows: Icecream PDF Editor
Icecream PDF Editor is a popular software among individuals who require a robust yet easy-to-use program for their digital document management needs. This Windows PDF reader allows you view and annotate electronic papers.
With the PDF viewer, you can also edit your documents: add text, images, shapes, draw, write on your PDFs, etc.
This free PDF reader for Windows stands out as the perfect choice for several reasons:
- Allows users to create, view, and edit PDFs with ease.
- Provides the capability to add new and customize the existing text, images, and metadata.
- Supports adding notes, drawing, and applying stamps to documents.
- Offers tools to manage pages, fill in forms, and protect PDF documents with a password.
- Includes the ability to convert PDF to different formats, for example to JPG or PNG, enhancing its versatility.
With its sleek design, extensive toolkit, and smooth performance, Icecream PDF Editor emerges as the best free PDF viewer for Windows. It's lightweight and doesn't slow down your computer like some other heavy-duty software do.
Best solution for macOS: Preview
Preview is the default PDF viewer on macOS devices. This program to read PDFs has the capability to manage long documents without any lag. This makes it perfect for professionals who frequently deal with complex files.
This Mac PDF viewer is known for its minimalistic design, allowing users to focus on their documents without distraction. Users can highlight important text in their PDF, add comments, and draw shapes to emphasize key sections.
This is the best PDF reader for macOS due to numerous reasons:
- Includes tool to highlight text, sign documents, add text and shapes, and leave notes.
- Lets users delete, extract, rearrange, and insert pages into a PDF.
- Has an option to choose between single or two-page views and employ bookmarks for easy navigation.
- Offers several exporting options, including PDF/A, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and some more.
Cons:
- This PDF editor does not have tools to add PDF pagination or change the existing text.
For those who use Mac computers, when seeking a dependable and effective free PDF viewer, Preview is the ultimate choice. With its simple yet powerful features, it is undoubtedly the best option for reading and managing your PDF documents on Apple computers.
Great online PDF viewer: Xodo
Xodo is a web-based platform that among its many tools has one for reading PDFs online. Whether you're using a computer or mobile device, this PDF viewer is easy to navigate thanks to its clean and intuitive design.
You can view PDFs, and annotate them with highlights, comments, and drawings. There are also built-in PDF form filling and digital signature tools.
Pros:
- Includes annotation features, bookmarks, highlighting options, and the ability to add notes.
- Has tools to insert text, add signatures, and delete PDF pages with ease.
- Supports conversion to various formats such as JPG, PNG, and PDF/A.
- Integrates with its own Xodo drive, providing a convenient place to save and access files.
Cons:
- Limits users to one free action per day, although a 7-day trial is available.
- The pro version starts at $14.99 per month.
The online PDF viewer by Xodo brings a wealth of features to the table, making it a standout choice for those who need a versatile and accessible tool to read their PDFs.
Free PDF viewer: FAQ
- Can I customize the display settings of a PDF reader?
- Yes, the majority of PDF viewers allow you to customize the display settings. For example, you can choose to see one or two pages at a time or zoom in and out. Explore the possibilities of the program you pick to see what it has to offer.
- Can I print my document using a PDF viewer?
- Some PDF readers have such functionality. Usually, you can find if there's a print option under the "File" menu. Ensure that your device is connected to a printer.
Conclusion
Choosing the best free PDF viewer depends on your specific needs and preferences. In this article, we provided you with the top 3 suggestions:
- Icecream PDF Editor stands out for its extensive features and user-friendly interface, making it the best choice for those requiring comprehensive Windows PDF editing and viewing software.
- Preview is perfect for users seeking a simple and free Mac PDF editor and reader with basic annotation tools.
- Xodo is a capable online PDF reader that offers excellent accessibility and cloud-based document management features.
By evaluating these options, you can select the optimal solution for your unique needs.
Expert Tech Writer
