Programs to read PDF
A friend of yours has emailed you a very interesting article that you can’t wait to read: unfortunately, it is in PDF format and, from the moment you try to open it, an error message appears. The problem is very simple and is given by the fact that you do not have software capable of reading this format. Don’t worry, I know exactly what you need, this is a common problem and I can happily give you a hand to solve this little hitch of yours.
To open a PDF file all you need is a PDF reader. There are several programs to read PDFs on your computer, there are available for both Windows and Mac and there are both free and paid programs. Given the exorbitant amount of software with the most disparate characteristics, I decided to write this guide. My intent is to help you choose the program to read PDF that best suits your needs, indicating and explaining in detail what are the main features of the best programs to read PDF.
How do you say? Are you particularly interested in this and are you looking forward to learning more? Very well, then you’ve come to just the right place and at the right time. To begin to find out which are the best programs to read PDFs , what I suggest you do is get comfortable in front of your PC and take a few minutes to calmly read this guide of mine. In the following lines I will tell you in detail about the best programs to read PDFs available for Windows PCs but also for Macs. I will also explain their noteworthy features, so that you can choose the one that suits you best. Are you ready to get started? As usual, I wish you a good read.
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (Windows and Mac)
I want to start this guide dedicated to what are the best programs to read PDFs by telling you immediately about Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, the program par excellence for the category of software designed to read PDF.
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is one of the best known PDF reading software and is available in two versions: one completely free and one paid . In particular, the free one, in addition to reading files in PDF format, offers some basic functions for editing PDF documents. For example, you can insert digital signatures, add annotations and export the file in various other formats such as .docx or .rft format). The paid version (called Adobe Acrobat Pro DC has prices ranging from € 30.49 per month without annual restrictions up to € 218.36 per year) instead includes advanced features such as editing texts.
The software is perfectly compatible with both Windows and Mac and compared to previous versions of a few years ago it is much more functional. It is also a software completely in Italian that integrates with the main Web browsers, allowing you to open files in PDF format that are on the Internet. If you want to know more and for more details, I recommend that you read my guide on the subject .
You can also go to the Adobe Reader website to download (and possibly also evaluate the purchase of the full version) of the software on your computer: click on this link which leads to the official Adobe Acrobat Reader website .
Sumatra PDF (Windows)
Among the most used programs to read PDF there is also the Sumatra PDF program which stands out for being a solution completely dedicated to those looking for a light and essential software . In particular, if you have a slow computer , Sumatra PDF is the ideal software for you: easy to use, with a simple and minimal user interface and also available in the Portable version . It is in fact a version designed to avoid tedious installation procedures: you can in fact download and run it without performing any installation and you can also carry the software around by copying it for example on a USB stick.
Among the main features of Sumatra PDF there is the presence of several features and not only those for viewing a file in PDF format. The software allows you to edit documents and search for certain terms within them. Furthermore, in addition to the support of PDF files, e-book files in ePub and Mobi format, XPS, DjVu and CHM documents and electronic comics in CBZ and CBR format are also supported.
Consequently, if you are looking for a software to read PDF that is as immediate as possible and that can also be good for a slightly old PC, I recommend that you absolutely give Sumatra PDF a chance. You can download it for free from the official website .
PDF-XChange Editor (Windows)
PDF-XChange Editor is one of the best programs to read PDF which is proposed as a valid alternative to the famous Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. I decided to include it in this guide of mine because it is a noteworthy resource that is available for Windows PCs. What is striking about the PDF-XChange Editor software is its sleek user interface as well as its multiple additional features.
PDF-XChange Editor allows you to view more than one PDF file at the same time, through a convenient and useful tabbed user interface. You can also underline or highlight text by scanning it, using the built- in OCR functionality.
It is also quite lightweight software that is available for Windows. In addition to the aforementioned free version, PDF-XChange Editorr is also available in a paid version (which can be tried for free for a limited time). Among the outstanding features of the paid version is the ability to edit PDF text, merge multiple PDF files, add notations as well as edit PDF pages and several other advanced features.
PDF-XChange Editor is also available in PDF-XChange Editor Plus and PDF-XChange Pro versions . These are paid versions that are also available for free download with limited functionality.
To connect to the PDF-XChange Editor website and download the software to your computer click here . Through the official website of PDF-XChange you can also find the PDF-XChange Lite Free version and you can also make a comparison between the other versions, possibly evaluating whether to make the purchase.
Foxit Reader (Windows / Mac / Android / iOS)
Foxit Reader is a free software to read PDF, among the first software born as free and complete alternatives to the popular Adobe Acrobat Reader DC software. Over time, however, the characteristic of lightness that distinguished it has been somewhat lost. Now the software has become a little more “commercial”, it has become heavier and also offers the availability of a paid version , allowing only by paying to have additional features available.
In any case, if you want to use it as a software to read PDF , you can download it in its free version . Its free features are certainly valid: Foxit Reader allows you to view more than one PDF file at the same time, through a tabbed user interface, allows you to edit documents, offers the ability to add annotations and much more.
The paid version of Foxit is the version called Foxit PhantomPDF which, as you can see when trying to download the software, can also be installed in the form of a trial version, which can be downloaded and activated even during the installation of the free Foxit Reader version. Among the features of the paid version just mentioned there is the possibility to perform file recognition through OCR.
I also want to inform you about the availability of the mobile version of Foxit Reader. The latter called Foxit MobilePDF is available as a free application for Android and iPhone / iPad . You will then be able to take advantage of many features of this PDF reader even on your smartphone. Among the features available there is the ability to view documents in PDF format, edit them by adding writings and much more. The Foxit MobilePDF version is also available in an alternative paid version. In fact, there is the possibility to purchase the Foxit PDF Business version , designed mainly for companies, at a cost of € 17.99.
Nitro Reader (Windows)
Available only for PC with Windows operating system, Nitro Reader is one of the best free programs among the category of software designed to read and edit files in PDF format, through various integrated tools. What is most striking about the Nitro Reader software is its attractive user interface which is somewhat reminiscent of the programs in the Microsoft Office package.
Nitro Reader can be downloaded for free from the official website, but since it is a free version, there are only a few features: it is in fact possible to make changes to documents, add writings, notes, highlight part of text, extract images from the file and more. However, if you want to take full advantage of the software, using all its features, you will need to purchase the Pro version . The latter is available in a Personal or Business version but its prices are very high; may not be within everyone’s reach. I’m talking about spending € 147.99 for the Personal version which can be used up to a maximum of 10 users. Instead, companies wishing to purchase the software in the Business version should contact the company and explain their needs should they want more information on pricing.
However, individuals and companies can try the Pro version, which is available for free for a limited time. To do this, you need to register your data ( name , surname , email ) using the form available on the official website.
To download the free version of Nitro Reader as a program to read PDFs, try the paid version and possibly evaluate the purchase, go to this link that leads to its website.