PDF format is one of the most common and familiar document formats for most people. However, to open a PDF file on your computer, you need to download PDF reader software.
This article provides you with:
- List of the most effective PDF file reader software.
- Software download links.
Like Word files, .PDF files are a popular and frequently used document format today. To read this file format, your computer must have specialized software installed. In this article, Taimienphi will introduce you to the Top 5 compact PDF reader software programs with many smart features to support users.
The best PDF file reader software for computers.
Table of Contents:
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 Using a Browser .
Top 6 PDF file reader software for computers
I. List of PDF file reader software
1. Adobe Reader is a tool for viewing PDF files.
When it comes to the best free PDF reader software for computers, Adobe Reader is also one of the most popular tools. The program also comes with useful annotation functions such as the ability to add notes to a document, highlight text, underline text, and more. These features are very useful for editors or content reviewers. In addition, users can add digital signatures to PDF documents directly within Adobe Reader without needing to export the content to word processing software. Similarly, for forms, Adobe Reader also provides the ability to fill in blank fields from the software interface. You can even easily attach files to PDF documents.
Adobe Reader's word and phrase search function is also highly rated, as users can search for specific words and phrases within PDF files, annotations, bookmarks, and even forms. For a free tool, Adobe Reader boasts many excellent features, making it worthy of being among the top free PDF readers for computers today.
Advantages:
- Supports note-taking, comments, text highlighting, file attachments, and text reading aloud.
- Fast word and phrase search function.
- Add electronic signatures and fill out forms.
Download Adobe Reader here:
Foxit Reader is a well-known name in the field of opening PDF files on computers . It's not simply one of the best free PDF readers available today, but also an excellent PDF creation software. You can create, 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 combine multiple PDFs into a single file.
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 activity, as well as edit, comment, and notify readers about new updated versions of the PDF file. Foxit Reader also offers many 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 file, Foxit Reader would be an ideal choice.
Advantages:
- Opens multiple PDF files simultaneously.
- Provides the ability to create, annotate, comment on, and merge PDF files.
- Supports custom keyboard shortcuts.
- Supports Vietnamese language.
Download Foxit Reader software here:
Alternatively, you can set Foxit Reader as the default operating system for opening PDF files to shorten the time spent selecting and converting files.
3. PDF viewer tool: Nitro PDF Reader for Windows 7
Key features of Nitro PDF Reader:
- Free software for creating, viewing, signing, and sharing PDF files.
- Create PDFs from almost any Windows application and from over 300 file formats.
- Customize your PDF files with tools like custom colors, embed fonts, page size, orientation, and output quality. Or keep it simple with the available options.
- Easily sign PDF documents and password-protect them to keep your signatures safe and secure.
- Add comments, feedback, highlight, underline, or strike through text to make collaboration easier.
- All PDFs created with Nitro PDF Reader are 100% compatible with other PDF readers, allowing for secure document sharing with anyone, anywhere, anytime.
- Download Nitro PDF Reader software here:
4. Sumatra PDF software for opening PDF files on Windows 10
Sumatra PDF is one of the lightest and easiest-to-use PDF readers for computers. While it doesn't offer editing functions or any other advanced features, it adequately meets the needs of users for viewing PDF files. A great feature of Sumatra PDF is that it supports not only PDF but also EPUB, MOBI, FB2, CHM, XPS, and DjVu formats. Therefore, you can also use Sumatra PDF as an ebook reader. Although this PDF opener lacks some features like annotation, document signing, or form filling compared to its competitors, many users particularly appreciate its speed and minimalist design.
Advantages:
- Opens PDF files quickly.
- Supports many file formats: PDF, EPUB, MOBI, FB2, CHM, XPS, DjVu.
- Download Sumatra PDF software here:
5. Cool PDF Reader is a software for opening PDF files.
Key features of Cool PDF Reader:
- Compact PDF reader software with an intuitive, easy-to-navigate interface.
- Provides the ability to view, extract, print, crop, and convert PDF files to TIFF, EPS, WMF, PNG, GIF, JPG, BMP, or TXT formats.
- Displays PDF text in full-screen mode.
- Supports 72 languages.
- Download Cool PDF Reader software here:
6. PDF reader software for PC: PDF XChange Viewer
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 to text.
Download PDF XChange Viewer here:
PDF-XChange Editor is a free PDF editing software that allows you to view and edit PDF files on an intuitive interface. The program possesses all the strengths of PDF-Change Viewer, with editing tools such as text highlighting, adding notes, freehand marking, and comments. Additionally, users can extract and delete entire pages from a long PDF file and embed new content such as text, images, blank pages, or the entire PDF document. PDF-XChange Editor also excels at converting documents between PDF and Word formats, and even includes an OCR tool to convert scanned documents into editable text.
II - How to read PDF files using a browser
Besides using the PDF reader software mentioned above to read PDF files, users can also quickly read PDF files using a web browser, such as Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox. Viewing PDF files using a web browser is very simple, and this method doesn't require you to install any supporting software or extensions. Here's how:
Step 1: Right-click on the downloaded PDF file 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 you have 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 the PDF file, and it will open in your chosen web browser.
Above are the top PDF reader software programs and instructions on how to view PDF files using a browser. Additionally, if you haven't installed PDF viewer software, you can also read PDF files online. This is also a very convenient method.