In our increasingly digital world, reading PDFs is more popular than ever. For many, PDFs are the only way to access information that they need in their work.
But a PDF’s inability to adjust font sizes and zoom in on content can make it difficult to read, especially if you have poor vision or are using a small-screened device. Here are a few apps you can use to make reading PDFs easier:
Table of Contents
Best Apps For Reading Pdf
PDF reader apps have always been a pain in the neck. Generally speaking, there are two major use cases for PDF files. The first is for business, where you can create forms in PDF format and have people fill them out. The second is for reading e-books. The PDF is an easily accessible file that works well for reading. Usually, PDF reader apps only cater to one of two of these use cases and in this list, we’ve compiled a selection of the best PDF reader apps on Android for both. You can also check out the best PDF reader apps on other platforms by clicking here!
The best PDF reader apps for Android
Adobe Acrobat Reader
CamScanner
DocuSign
Fast Scanner
Foxit PDF Reader
Google PDF Reader
Google Play Books
Librera
Microsoft Word
MiXplorer Silver
Moon+ Reader
OfficeSuite
PDF Viewer Pro
WPS Office
Xodo PDF Reader
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A bit about PDF reader apps
There are two dominant types of PDF reader apps. The first is for business and professional use. These let you do things like open PDFs, fill it out if it’s a form, sign your name, annotate, and other similar features. They’re most useful for business professionals, students, or anyone who fills out forms and sends them back over email or otherwise online. Some typical examples of this include Adobe Acrobat Reader and DocuSign. Some apps, like CamScanner, add in things like document scanning and fax features for additional functionality and usability.
The other type of PDF reader is for recreational use. A lot of people format ebooks into PDF format. A proper PDF reader for books includes features like support for chapters, a reading mode, various scrolling modes, and other similar features. Apps on this list like that include Google Play Books, and Moon+ Reader. These apps almost always support other ebook types as well. This list has PDF reader apps for both types.
There is a third, less common type of PDF reader app as well. All-in-one style apps include PDF support along with other, non-PDF productivity features. For instance, CamScanner and Fast Scanner are actually document scanner apps with PDF reader functionality built-in. These apps are great for killing two birds with one stone and are also excellent for people who don’t want or need to carry around a bunch of apps when they can combine the functionality into a single app. We have a few of these types of apps on the list as well.
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Price: Free / $12.99-$14.99 per month
Adobe Acrobat Reader screenshot 2021
Adobe Acrobat Reader is the default choice for a lot of people. Most of the time it just works. The app also has other features, including the ability to annotate and take notes on PDFs, fill out forms, some cloud storage support, and sign your signature. You also get a full Material Design experience and support for 18:9 displays along with other aspect ratios. This is obviously more for business or professional use than for reading PDF books or anything like that, so we only recommend it for that use case. There is a subscription cost that unlocks features along with Adobe’s Creative Cloud storage option. It’s not bad for your basic stuff.
CamScanner
Price: Free / $4.99-$6.99 per month / Additional in-app purchases
CamScanner is one of the most powerful PDF readers and creators. It can import PDFs. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. It can also scan physical documents into PDF files on your phone. It has a variety of features to improve the scanning process which helps make some clean, crisp documents. You can annotate PDFs, share them with anyone, or even fax them for a nominal fee. The paid route brings additional features such as 10GB of cloud space, some editing features, and more. The free version should do well enough for simple stuff, though.
DocuSign
Price: Free / $10-$40 per month (three plans)
DocuSign screenshot 2021
DocuSign is a PDF reader for business use. The app’s primary function is to open documents, allow you to fill them out, sign them, and send them where they need to go. That part of the app is free. There are also a few subscription plans. $10 per month gives you a few additional features. The $25- and $40-per-month subscriptions simply build on that. Frankly, you don’t really need to worry about subscriptions unless you do stuff like this professionally.
Fast Scanner
Price: Free / $2.99
Fast Scanner is another PDF scanner app, but it isn’t as heavy as CamScanner. This nifty, simple app will scan documents using your smartphone camera and turn them into either JPEG or PDF files for future use. It comes with a variety of features to help sharpen and clean the scan as much as possible before finalizing anything. You can then use any PDF reader app to view it yourself. Most of the features, and all of the important ones, are available in the free version. You can also get the premium version free with Google Play Pass.
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Foxit PDF Reader
Price: Free / $0.99
Foxit PDF Reader screenshot 2021
Foxit is a lot like ezPDF. Both boast all-in-one solutions for PDF use. It features an organization system to keep your PDF files inline. You’ll also get ConnectedPDF support, the ability to fill out PDFs, and support for PDF files with certificates, passwords, and Microsoft’s RMS. It’s a good all-around option when you factor in the reading features as well. It’s mostly for business use whereas ezPDF is more for pleasure reading, but it works great for reading too. Foxit also has offers an app specifically for business use, which costs $15.99. This version only costs $0.99.
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Google PDF Reader
Price: Free
Google PDF Viewer best PDF Reader apps for Android
Google PDF Reader is a plug-in for Google Drive. The plugin gives native PDF support for Google Drive users. This isn’t the most powerful PDF reader app. However, you can open and view PDFs as needed. You can also print, search, and copy from PDF files. This also works as a standalone application for those who need something very simple but don’t use Google Drive exclusively. There isn’t much else about it, honestly. It opens and lets you read through PDFs and that’s all it does. The app works perfectly for simple use cases.
Google Play Books
Price: Free
Google Play Books screenshot 2019 Final
Google Play Books is Google’s answer to Amazon’s Kindle. You can buy a variety of books from the store and read them wherever. It can also read PDF files. There is no business use here — this is just for pleasure reading. You can also upload the PDF (and EPUB) files to the cloud to access across devices. The books become a part of your library like any other book. It’s a great way to consolidate a large collection behind a service that lets you buy more books. The app is free but you can spend money on the books in the store, obviously. Google has another PDF reader that works with its Google Drive suite called Google PDF Viewer. That’s not a bad one for super basic use cases.
Librera
Price: Free (with ads)
Librera – best PDF readers for android
Librera is one of the more interesting PDF reader apps. It seems to change dramatically every time we update this list. These days, the app bills itself as an all-in-one e-book reader. It supports well over a dozen formats, including PDF, EPUB, EPUB3, MOBI, DJVU, ZIP, TXT, and others. It also features a modern design, a night and day mode for easier reading at night, and more. You can even listen to books using Text-To-Speech if you really want to. The app is a bit buggier than most others on this list, but it’s also completely free (with advertising). They also have another PDF reader in Google Play. It goes by the boring name PDF Reader and also works pretty well.
Microsoft Word
Price: Free / $6.99-$9.99 per month
Microsoft Word screenshot 2022
Microsoft Word is one of the most powerful word processors on mobile or on desktop. The app also supports PDF files. You can create PDF files and save them as that file type or you can open PDFs and view them through the app. Of course, Word does a host of other things as well including word processing, stuff like resume building, and more. Additionally, it even has features for ebook reading and other such PDF use cases. It’s a decent all-in-one solution for those who need a PDF reader as well as a word processor.
MiXplorer Silver
Price: $4.49
MiXplorer Silver screenshot 2021
MiXplorer Silver is an all-in-one file explorer. It does all of your usual file browser stuff. That includes browsing files, opening various types of files, dealing with archives, and support for most types of media sources. What makes this one special is that it supports all types of stuff via plugins. It has support for ebook formats along with PDF. A separate (free) plugin adds PDF reader support to MiXplorer Silver and a decent ebook reader experience with it. It’s not the most elegant solution for ebook reading, but it’s a good way to kill several birds with one stone. The main app is $4.49. The PDF add-on (and all of the other add-ons) are free.
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Moon+ Reader
Price: Free / $4.99 with in-app purchases
Moon Reader – best pdr reader apps for android
Moon+ Reader is one of the most popular e-book readers. It has a boatload of features like theming support, tons of visual options, auto-scroll, intelligent paragraphs, dual page mode (for landscape), and more. The app also supports a bunch of formats like EPUB, EPUB3, and, of course, PDF. It has the occasional rough edge, but it’s among the best options for those who read books in PDF format.
OfficeSuite
Price: Free / $29.99+
OfficeSuite is one of the most popular office apps on mobile. It can do a lot of things. There is support for documents (including from Microsoft Office), spreadsheets, presentations, and even PDF files. The PDF functionality is pretty much just business-focused. You can fill out forms, sign them, and add/access security features. This is a good option for those who need a traditional office app with PDF support. The premium version is fairly expensive, though.
PDF Viewer Pro
Price: Free
PDF Viewer – best pdf readers for android
PDF Viewer is a simple, basic PDF reader app. It carries all of the basic features, including annotations, cloud support, zoom, bookmarks, and more. The pro version adds themes, multiple customization options, and document merging into a single PDF. You also get Material Design and a somewhat easy UI overall. We didn’t have any problems during our testing. However, some have reported the occasional performance bug. Thankfully, the free version is free, obviously, so you can try it without paying anything. It’s above average, but more powerful options are available.
WPS Office
Price: Free / $29.99 per year
WPS Office screenshot 2021
WPS Office (formerly Kingsoft Office) is another all-in-one office solution. It’s mostly an office app and deals with various documents, spreadsheets, and the like, but also comes with PDF features. You can convert various documents to PDF and view PDF files natively. This is useful if you have a form or something that needs to be in a more official format. It’s not too heavy on PDF features, but if you need an office app and a PDF reader, this is a good way to kill two birds with one stone. The subscription adds a few additional, useful features and removes ads. It’s not wholly necessary, though.
Xodo PDF Reader
Price: Free
Xodo is probably the best completely free PDF reader. It boasts quick loading and smooth navigation. You can also fill out PDF forms, sign them, and save your signature for future use. It also has support for note-taking, bookmarking, cloud storage, file management, and more. You can even take notes on blank PDFs if you really want to. It has a surprisingly good number of features considering it’s free with no in-app purchases. We also like that it works for both business and recreational use. There doesn’t appear to be advertising either. Honestly, we can’t find a lot wrong with it. However, you can find more features for either business or ebook reading with a dedicated app.
best pdf reader for windows 10
If you want to open a PDF document these days, the first solution that comes to mind is the web browsers, most of which now have an inbuilt PDF reader. This has reduced the need for a dedicated PDF reader or PDF viewer software. However, features like digital signature, form filling, annotation, etc. are still the cup of tea for an advanced PDF reader software.
For Windows 10/11, there are already tons of options if you want to download PDF viewer apps. But what are the ones you should go for? So, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best PDF readers for Windows PCs. The 2022 list includes the likes of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, SumatraPDF, Foxit Reader, etc. which are already a known name.
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Download PDF apps for other platforms:
8 Best Free PDF Readers For macOS
8 Best Android PDF Reader Apps
10 Best PDF Reader Apps For iPhone & iPad
10 Best PDF Readers for Windows (2022)
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
- SumatraPDF
- Expert PDF Reader
- Nitro Free PDF Reader
- Foxit reader
- Google Drive
- Web Browsers – Chrome, Firefox, Edge
- Slim PDF
- Javelin PDF Reader
- PDF-XChange Editor
Choosing the right PDF reader for Windows that suits your needs in the year 2022 isn’t a tough task, but you need to know about the available options. So, let’s tell you about different software for viewing and reading PDF documents and help you decide which one’s best for you: - Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
adobe reader
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If you’re looking for a powerful program to read PDF files, I’d like to recommend Adobe Acrobat Reader. It’s not uncommon to come across a PDF file that demands an advanced PDF reader. Here, I’m talking about the fillable forms that you can’t take care of using a basic PDF reader software for Windows.
Adobe Reader for Windows provides different reading modes, text highlighting, adding notes, filling forms, digital signatures, add stamps, etc. Adobe’s free PDF reader for Windows also supports a tabbed view, which means that you can open multiple PDF files simultaneously.
So, if your needs aren’t simple, you don’t want to just “read” PDF files, and you need advanced features, downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is the right choice. It’s also the best PDF reader for large files that some lightweight programs are unable to process fully.
Pros Cons
- Can convert and edit PDF files
- Offers advanced editing and signing tools
- Offers multi-platform support – Pro version with extra functionality is paid
– Minor app glitches
Supported Platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7, XP
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- SumatraPDFsumatrapdf reader
SumatraPDF is an open-source and lightweight PDF reader software that you can install and use on your Windows computer. Licensed under GPLv3 license, SumatraPDF supports formats other than PDF as well, including the likes of EPUB, MOBI, FB2, CHM, XPS, and DjVu.
As I mentioned above, this free and best PDF reader is very light, and its 64-bit installer is just about 5MB in size. So, if you’re looking for a good PDF reader software that can deliver a fantastic reading experience with fast performance and essential features, SumatraPDF is the right PDF reader for you. But, it lacks advanced features like annotations, document signing, and form-filling.
It supports various keyboard shortcuts to help you navigate quickly and improve your reading experience. Sumatra also comes with easy previewing of LaTeX documents, and you can configure different text editors to integrate Sumatra. The free PDF viewer also supports running in restricted mode.
Pros Cons
- Offers support for various file formats including ePub
- It’s a lightweight app – No editing tools
– No support for any advanced features
Supported platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7, XP
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- Expert PDF Reader
Free Expert PDF Reader Windows 10
Another free to use the software you can find is the Expert PDF Reader which is developed by Visagesoft. In terms of look and feel, it will give you the feels of old MS Office apps. But the fact that it’s great at doing its job makes Expert PDF Reader an option worth considering.
Speaking of features, this Windows PDF reader can handle almost any document you throw at it. Also, you can modify annotations, add rubber stamps, etc. in existing files even if they’re created using other software.
Furthermore, you can bookmark files, view page thumbnails, and use the tabs feature open to multiple PDF files at the same time with this free PDF viewer.
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Pros Cons
- Supports various file formats
- Handles large files efficiently – Lacks advanced tools and features
– Not convenient for advanced users
Supported Platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7
- Nitro Free PDF Readernitro pdf
Nitro Reader is another famous name in the world of office and productivity software. I personally like this free PDF document reader as it tries to strike the perfect balance between usability and features. It doesn’t come loaded with tons of unnecessary features that one never uses. Its slick interface looks like just any other application from Microsoft’s Office suite.
Apart from all the basic features, Nitro Reader also comes with a handy QuickSign feature that makes digitally signing documents a simple task. You can also secure your documents and make sure that they are opened by the people who’ve received a digital certificate from you. So, go for Nitro Reader if you wish to use a no-nonsense PDF reader for Windows that also has a beautiful UI.
Pros Cons
- Easy to use interface
- Offers various advanced features
- Some features are unique to this app – Forces users to use a free trial of the pro version
– Disables various features in the free version
Supported Platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7, XP
- Foxit reader
foxit
If you’re looking for a robust and free PDF reader for Windows 10/11 or older versions of Microsoft Windows, your search might end with Foxit Reader.
Just like Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, Foxit is a popular name in the world of document readers. However, compared to Adobe’s PDF reading solution, Foxit is comparatively lighter.
A while ago, Foxit also introduced its new online ConnectedPDF Document Management System. Its Text Viewer mode removes complex formatting and displays a plain Notepad-like view of the file.
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The collaboration features further improve your PDF experience by letting you work online and share it with others. It’s an advanced software for reading PDF files, and it comes will all the necessary features.
Pros Cons
- Offers cloud sharing tools
- Offers collaborative feature to work with others
- Contains advanced editing features – Minor app glitches on older Windows versions
– Consumes a lot of system resources
Supported platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7, XP
Also Read: 6 Best Free PDF Editors To Edit And Annotate PDFs
- Google Drive
google drive pdf reader
Just like your web browser, Google Drive is another way of opening a PDF file without any external tools. However, what it offers is an online PDF reader instead of other full-blown Windows apps on this list.
It offers basic features such as PDF printing, download, and lets you find content in the document. You can simply choose the option to open a PDF via Google Docs and convert that PDF into an editable doc format.
Apart from opening a PDF in its bare minimum format, you can connect external Chrome apps to this PDF reader and extend its functionality. Overall, it can turn to be a great alternative to traditional PDF viewers if you mostly store documents in your Google Drive.
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Pros Cons
- Convenient usage via browsers or other devices
- Can access PDF files from any device – Lacks advanced editing features
– Only has an online version
Supported Platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7, XP
- Web Browsers – Chrome, Firefox, Edge
chrome browser
If your primarly goal is viewing PDF files and you don’t need features that come with advanced PDF reader software for Windows, you don’t need dedicated software. Your web browsers, like Google Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Opera, come with a free PDF reader built-in.
They are a part of your web browser and updated regularly with new features alongside your browser. As you click on a PDF link, the web browser starts opening the PDF file on its own and provides you a clutter-free reading experience. All browsers allow you to use features like adjustable text size, rotation, download, and printing.
Just in case you want to open locally stored PDF files using your web browser, you need to simply drag it to an open browser window. You can also right-click on the file to choose your browser using the “Choose Another App” option. If you don’t open or view PDF files regularly, your web browser is the best PDF viewer you can get.
Pros Cons
- Efficient PDF handling
- Convenient for most users – Lacks editing features
– Unsuitable for advanced users
Supported platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7
- Slim PDF
slim
Just like SumatraPDF, Slim PDF is another lightweight to consider if you’re searching for the best PDF reader for Windows 10/11 OS. Slim PDF calls itself the world’s smallest desktop PDF reader.
It’s an easy to use PDF reader for PC users and has recently been updated with a redesigned UI and support for the dark mode the many would fancy. Just as one would expect, this free PDF software is simply focused on reading, viewing, and printing your PDF files.
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Slim PDF loads very quickly and lets you complete your job in less time. Please note that this Windows PDF reader doesn’t support many popular keyboard shortcuts, so don’t get disappointed. Also, it doesn’t let you highlight your text word by word. Anyway, it’s a portable PDF reader software that just works.
Pros Cons
- It’s a lightweight application
- Easy to use interface – Lacks advanced features
– Less efficient file handling
Supported Platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7, XP
- Javelin PDF Readerjavelin pdf reader
The second-last entry on our top PDF readers list for 2022 is Javelin PDF Reader. It comes with all the basic PDF reading functionality that one needs to complete daily chores. The overall interface is super clean, and you can choose from most of the common reading modes like full screen, continuous, side by side, etc.
With just 2MB download size, Javelin is pretty lightweight when compared to the likes of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and Foxit Reader. This free PDF viewer for PC can open DRM-protected files with any issues and provides markup and annotation.
Pros Cons
- It’s a lightweight application
- Convenient for users who only want to view PDFs – Lacks editing features
– Unsuitable for advanced users
Supported Platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7, XP
- PDF-XChange Editor
PDF-Exchange Editor Best Windows 10 PDF Reader
Conclusion
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