Since the American multinational software company, Adobe, developed and introduced a file format dubbed PDF in 1992 and it has developed into one of the most well-known and widely utilized file formats around the world!
The PDF format typically contains text pictures graphics, fonts, and multimedia. It is the ideal format to protect your documents from any kind of interference or modification.
What is a PDF Reader?
PDF, when expanded is Portable Document Format, a popular file format which is simple to share and print. But, PDF files can’t be altered or restored to the original format.
The purpose of PDF readers is to use the code needed to interpret data in the PDF file. This will then instruct the program to display the different elements on each page of the PDF. They are the primary way to understanding and displaying every bit of data documents contain.
Why Use a PDF Reader?
- The reduction in paper-based processes. This makes it economical and green.
- The chance to design and produce stylish reports, documents, brochures and much more.
- Incorporate multimedia files such as audio and video, as well as creating electronic forms that can be filled out electronically.
- The ability to create fully searchable documents
- Finding a faster and more secure method electronic signatures.
- Complete control of the pdf documents that are inserted into your company.
- Ability to protect passwords and encryption documents, secure files and allow permissions.
List of 11 Free PDF Readers You Must Explore!
1. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
Let’s begin by introducing Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, an absolutely free PDF reader compatible with a wide range of operating systems and devices. It allows you to view and read, write and even share PDFs. It can open multiple PDF files simultaneously without risking the possibility of crashing.
A unique feature in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is that it features a text-to speech mode that lets you read out your text aloud and assist you with documents that can be difficult to read.
2. Foxit Reader
If you’re looking to collaborate with the PDF files you have, then Foxit Reader is a great choice for you. It’s a PDF reader on the cloud that allows you to create PDFs by uploading scans, or changing Excel sheet, Word documents, or PowerPoint presentations.
Foxit Reader allows you to combine multiple PDFs into one file, and then transfer them to the cloud. It comes with amazing security features including encryption, passwords and digital signatures to help keep your files secure and confidential. It also has a secure reading mode that can block JavaScript embedded in PDF files.
3. Nitro Reader
One unique feature that is unique to Nitro Reader is that it has a touchscreen option for working with a tablet. This is fantastic to read e-books since it lets you flick across the page. Regarding security the PDF reader is equipped using digital certification and has a digital signatures that allow you to allow you to sign in and open PDF documents.
Nitro Reader is loaded with great collaboration capabilities that permit users to add annotations to documents by highlight, underlining, and strikethrough. You can also make comments by using sticky notes inside the document. In addition, Nitro Reader allows you to convert between PDF and different document formats.
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4. Slim PDF
Are you searching for a lighter PDF reader due to little space on your drive? Slim PDF is a great option for you. It is among the slimmest portable PDF readers for desktops on the market, with just 1.43MB of download size. 1.43MB Download size.
Slim PDF is an user-friendly, simple and a distraction-free layout. It lets you view, read and print PDF documents. It also offers other features that are standard including the ability to rotate, text searching zooming in, zooming out, and zooming-in.
5. PDF-XChange Editor
On the next list, we’ve got PDF XChange Editor, a free PDF editor and reader application for Windows. It comes with standard features, such as the ability to read, view, making annotated, saved images printing, as well as adding notes, signatures, and other text in pdf files.
What is it that makes PDF XChange Editor unique is it comes with it’s Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tool that detects and scans text of printed documents as well as photocopies. It assists with editing and converting them to searchable documents. It also lets you modify text and transform it to different fonts.
6. Javelin PDF Reader
The following is Javelin PDF Reader, a similar lightweight program with download sizes of as little as 2 MB. It’s easy and fast with a simple and clear interface that lets you review, annotate and save PDFs. It also lets you print PDFs that are standard and encrypted.
The unique aspect in Javelin PDF Reader is that you can open your PDF documents with any of the various options for screen-viewers, including full-screen, side-by-side, or continuous mode. It also functions as an application specifically for Digital Rights Management (DRM) encrypted PDF files, which allows it to access secured files that require encryption keys to access.
7. Google Drive
Because Google Drive does not offer editing options, it’s only useful if need to read and view PDF documents. However, the fact that it is a standard PDF reader on Google Chromes allows it to be extremely simple to connect external Google applications.
When you use Android, Google Drive allows users to scan documents using your smartphone camera and then convert them to PDFs. After the document has been scanned and stored to your drive, it is searchable making use of Google Drive’s search engine.
8. Xodo PDF Reader and Annotator
The Xodo PDF reader and annotation is a highly efficient PDF reader that allows you to read and add annotations to PDF documents. As with different PDF-based readers, it lets you to read, open and edit PDFs. It includes other standard features such as bookmarks, search chapters, rotation, chapter section zooms that are high-end, and more.
Through Xodo PDF Reader, you can open the most complex documents in few seconds. It lets you open various formats of files, including PPT, Doc, Docx and many others in editable PDF documents. You also have the options for viewing your documents in one either double, page, or in an uninterrupted scroll.
9. PDF Expert
PDF Expert is efficient, quick and easy to use It lets you effortlessly transfer documents between Apple devices. You can select between dark, light, or sepia modes to enjoy an the most enjoyable reading experience. It also lets you quickly find items using search indexing.
With PDF Expert it is possible to collaborate with other users by adding notes or comments in your document. It lets you keep relevant information in your search history. It also lets you sign contracts too.
10. Sumatra PDF
For E-books, we’ve got you covered with Sumatra PDF, a basic lightweight, open-source PDF reader created to aid in the creation of PDFs and E-books of various types. It features a simple interface with a variety of keyboard shortcuts, command line arguments, as well as fullscreen and presentation modes.
Another benefit of Sumatra can be found in the fact that it’s an all-language PDF reader that can be used in 69 language and languages as well as translations. As it is tiny in dimensions, it’s extremely quick compared to its rivals and has less time waiting.
11. Ease PDF
Ease PDF allows universal conversion. This means that it lets you convert various file formats including Excel, PPT, jpg, HTML, etc. to PDF formats, and vice versa.
This platform is constantly updated and can perform the automatic removal of links and files within all hours of the day. Additionally it also provides security for your documents with the 256-bit SSL encryption, which makes it a secure and safe PDF reader.
Conclusion
We’ve all encountered PDF documents in our professional and personal lives on a frequent on a regular. This is the reason PDF reader are necessary tools that we should use on our smartphones and laptops.
We hope this blog post has been useful in empowering you with the expertise of some of the most popular PDF readers available!
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