This article provides you with:
- A list of the most effective PDF reader software.
- Download links for the software.
Just like Word files, .PDF files are a common and widely used document format today. To read this file format, your computer must have dedicated software installed. In this article, Mytour introduces you to the Top 5 compact PDF reader software with many smart features for users.
Best PDF Reader Software for Computers
I. List of software.
1. Adobe Reader (widely used).
2. Foxit Reader (Free).
3. Nitro PDF Reader.
4. Sumatra PDF (easy to use).
5. Cool PDF Reader.
6. Sumatra PDF.
II. Reading PDF files with browsers.
Top 6 PDF Reader Software for Computers
I. List of PDF Reader Software
1. Adobe Reader PDF Viewing Tool
When it comes to the best free PDF reader software for computers, Adobe Reader is also one of the highly favored tools. The program comes with useful annotation features such as the ability to add notes to a document, highlight text, underline text, and more. These features are handy for editors or content reviewers. Additionally, users can add digital signatures to PDF documents right within Adobe Reader without exporting the content to text processing software. Similar to forms, Adobe Reader allows filling in form fields directly from the software interface. Users can even attach files to PDF documents with ease.
The search function for words and phrases in Adobe Reader is highly praised, as users can search words and phrases as desired within the PDF file, annotations, bookmarks, and even forms. For a free tool, Adobe Reader possesses many excellent features, deserving a spot among the top free and best PDF reader software for computers today.
- Explore Now: How to Read PDF with Adobe Reader
Advantages:
- Supports note-taking, commenting, text highlighting, file attachments, and text zooming.
- Quick word and phrase search functionality.
- Allows adding electronic signatures and filling forms.
- Download Adobe Reader software here:
2. Foxit Reader PDF Viewer Software
Foxit Reader stands out as a renowned application for viewing PDF files on your computer. It goes beyond being just one of the best free PDF readers today; it also serves as an excellent PDF creator. You can generate, share, and secure your PDF files in the cloud. To create PDFs, you can upload scans, convert Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and Excel spreadsheets, and even merge multiple PDF files into a new one.
If you want to collaborate with someone on a PDF, you can grant and revoke document access, track who opens your document and view their activities. Additionally, you can edit, comment, notify readers about new updates, and more. Foxit Reader provides various security options to keep your PDF files safe and private, such as passwords, digital signatures, and encryption. If you frequently work with PDF files and need a way to collaborate on the same document, Foxit Reader is an ideal choice.
Advantages:
- Open multiple PDF files simultaneously.
- Provide capabilities to create, annotate, comment, and merge PDF files.
- Support custom keyboard shortcuts.
- Support Vietnamese language.
- Download Foxit Reader software here:
You can also set Foxit Reader as the default PDF viewer to streamline the process of opening PDF files and save time on file conversion.
- Learn more: How to set Foxit Reader as the default PDF opener.
3. Nitro PDF Reader - A PDF viewer for Windows 7
Key features of Nitro PDF Reader:
- Free software for creating, viewing, signing, and sharing PDF files.
- Generate PDFs from almost any Windows application and over 300 file formats.
- Customize your PDFs with tools like custom colors, embedded fonts, page size, orientation, and output quality. Or keep it simple with available options.
- Easily sign PDF documents and secure them with passwords to keep your signatures safe and protected.
- Add comments, feedback, highlights, underline or strike through text to make collaboration easier.
- All PDFs created with Nitro PDF Reader are 100% compatible with other PDF readers, allowing secure document sharing with anyone, anywhere, anytime.
- Download Nitro PDF Reader software here:
4. Sumatra PDF - PDF Viewer for Windows 10
Sumatra PDF is one of the lightweight PDF readers, most user-friendly for computers. It doesn't provide editing functions or other advanced features but meets users' PDF viewing needs effectively. Sumatra PDF's excellence lies not only in supporting PDF format but also in formats like EPUB, MOBI, FB2, CHM, XPS, and DjVu. Therefore, you can use Sumatra PDF as an ebook reader as well. While lacking some features like annotations, document signing, or form filling compared to competitive counterparts, many users particularly appreciate its speed and simplicity.
Advantages:
- Swift PDF file opening.
- Support for various file formats: PDF, EPUB, MOBI, FB2, CHM, XPS, DjVu...
- Download Sumatra PDF software here:
5. Cool PDF Reader - PDF Viewer
Key features of Cool PDF Reader:
- Compact PDF reader software with an intuitive interface for easy navigation.
- Provides the ability to view, extract, print, crop, and convert PDF files to TIFF, EPS, WMF, PNG, GIF, JPG, BMP, or TXT formats.
- Text presentation in PDF displayed in full-screen mode.
- Supports 72 languages.
- Download Cool PDF Reader software here:
6. PDF XChange Viewer - PDF Reader for PC
Key features of PDF XChange Viewer:
- Easily edit, add, or delete text.
- Add comments and annotations to documents in various formats, including geometric shapes, text boxes, hyperlinks, and audio files.
- PDF XChange Viewer uses 40/128 bit RC4 and 128/236 bit AES Encryption to maximize document security.
- Integrates with Sharepoint, Dropbox, Google Drive, and MS Office 365 to open documents directly from the cloud.
- OCR tool to convert scanned documents into editable text.
Download PDF XChange Viewer here:
PDF-XChange Editor is a free PDF file editing software that allows you to view and edit PDF files on an intuitive interface. The program possesses all the strengths of PDF-XChange Viewer, with editing tools such as highlighting text, adding notes, freehand drawing, or comments. Additionally, users can extract and delete entire pages from a long PDF file and embed new content like text, images, blank pages, or entire PDF documents. PDF-XChange Editor is also excellent for converting documents between PDF and Word formats, and it even includes an OCR tool to convert scanned documents into editable text.
II - How to Read PDF Files Using a Web Browser
In addition to using the PDF reader software introduced above, users can swiftly read PDF files using web browsers such as Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox. Viewing PDF files in a web browser is a simple process, requiring no installation of additional software or support tools. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Right-click on the downloaded PDF file on your computer and select Properties.
Step 2: In the Properties window of the PDF document, click the Change button.
Step 3: Choose one of the web browsers installed on your computer to open the PDF file from the provided list.
Step 4: Click OK and Apply to save the changes.
Step 5: Double-click on the PDF file, and it will open in the web browser you selected.
Here is the top PDF reader software and a guide on viewing PDF files using web browsers. Additionally, if you haven't installed PDF viewing software, you can also read PDF files online, which is a very convenient option.
- See how: Read PDF files online
