Top best PDF reading software 2023 for free on PC, laptop

If you are looking for the best PDF reading software to serve your working and studying needs on your computer, please refer to TipsMake's article below. Below we will introduce to you 15 of the most commonly used specialized PDF file reading software, helping you read all files in PDF format.

What is PDF format?

PDF (also known by its full name Portable Document Format) is a quite popular text storage file format from Adobe Systems. Similar to the Word format, PDF supports saving and presenting text with a variety of fonts, graphic images, sounds and a variety of other effects. 

With current market demands, using PDF format to share information and data is no longer strange. However, not all computer devices can open PDF files on your computer , you must install specialized software used to open, read, and edit PDF files on your computer device.

Top 15 best free PDF reading software

Below, TipsMake will introduce to you 15 PDF reading software as well as the features and advantages of each software.

The best PDF reader software – Foxit Reader

Foxit Reader is the first thing that TipsMake wants to introduce to you and is extremely familiar and popular software with all users who often have to work with PDF files. 

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Foxit Reader is software that fully supports the functions and tools necessary for you to process a PDF file. Including opening, reading files, creating PDF files or editing operations if necessary. In addition, this software also has more advanced functions such as creating notes, signatures and even setting file passwords to protect PDF file security.

Increasingly, this software is improving and providing more features to meet the needs of users:

1. With the latest software version, you can display multiple PDF files at the same time, making it more convenient to manage and track documents without having to work on one tab like before.
2. In particular, the most appreciated feature is the ability to link to a bookmarked website on a PDF page to the corresponding browser. This feature helps users have quick access in an emergency.
3. Additionally, Foxit Reader is the best, most powerful PDF reader software available. The software allows you to view, annotate, fill out forms and sign PDF files on any electronic device such as computers, mobile devices and even websites.

Foxit Reader's main features include:

1. Read and print PDF with full functionality so you can easily read and print PDF when equipped with standard PDF and XFA form filling functions.
2. Read PDF anywhere, whether at home, in the car, etc. because the software is available on all devices, from Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, websites, Linux, etc. From there, it brings you a great reading experience. consistent, limit errors.
3. Collaboration and sharing capabilities with leading cloud storage services and popular enterprise CMSs let you collaborate, share documents, and provide feedback for corrections and improvements. files with many annotation tools. 
4. You can easily add images, videos and attachments to documents thanks to the support tools of Foxit Reader software.
5. Protect and sign in handwriting or use an electronic signature on PDF documents to quickly handle important tasks. In particular, the software still ensures security and safety by using Trust Manager/Safe Mode, ASLR & DEP,. and security warning dialog boxes.
6. The software uses Group Policy for menu and configuration settings, SCUP Catalog helps you import, customize and deploy updates through Windows Update Services, XML Configuration,…

Software to read PDF files on Windows – Adobe Reader

The next best PDF reader software we want to introduce to you is the free software Adobe Reader. The software allows you to open PDF files, print files or annotate documents quickly and easily. With this software, you can solve tasks online, even when you are far away. 

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It can be said that Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is a free but extremely reliable global standard for viewing, printing, signing, sharing and annotating files in PDF format. This PDF viewer lets you open and interact with all types of content, including forms and multimedia on any device, from anywhere.

1. Tool to easily annotate PDF documents with sticky notes; type text directly onto the page; Note, highlight, bookmark, underline, strikethrough, and draw on the screen with freehand drawing tools. 
2. You can comment and comment on the content in the document using available tools such as in Acrobat Reader for mobile phones.
3. Fill & Sign tools powered by Adobe Sensei give you an intuitive experience that automatically recognizes PDF files with form fields, to get work done quickly and easily. 
4. With Acrobat Reader DC, you can also unlock more premium features when you purchase paid versions to do more. However, if you do not have much need to handle specific tasks, the free version can fully meet your needs.

Free PDF reader software – Nitro Reader

1. Link to download Nitro PDF Reader software for free.

Possessing basic working features, Nitro PDF Reader software helps users open PDF files on their computers , read files, and edit with the ability to intervene more deeply into the file's internal content. Or you can create your own PDF file from any source and then share the file with everyone in different ways.

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Some outstanding features of this software:

Feature 1 – Create PDF files:

1. Create PDF files from any Windows application in over 300 file formats.
2. Drag and drop any file into the software to instantly create PDF files.
3. View and print standard PDF files.

Feature 2 – Recheck:

1. Highlight, add notes, underline, strikethrough, and comment to share feedback.
2. Easily check if files have digital signatures, comments or bookmarks for faster review.
3. Easily share and collaborate on PDF files like Microsoft Office applications.

Feature 3 – Sign documents:

1. The Quick Sign feature helps you or anyone else sign any document, anywhere.
2. Easily enter, draw or upload signature images and initials to create your own signature profile.

Feature 4 – Document sharing:

1. Attach PDF documents in emails with one click.
2. Using an integrated Nitro Sign account allows you to share documents with multiple people.

PDF file reading software – Cool PDF Reader

Cool PDF Reader is software that reads PDF files quickly and easily with simple functions. When using Cool PDF Reader, it won't take you too much effort to learn how to use the software because the command icons come with descriptions that appear when you hover over them. 

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You can quickly open your document and start reading or editing it with diverse features such as file conversion, zoom in and out, bookmarks, notes, etc. Another interesting aspect of the browser See on this best PDF reader software the Slide Show option that helps you turn pages automatically.

The best, most professional PDF reading software – Sumatra PDF

Sumatra PDF is open source and lightweight PDF reader software that can be installed and used regardless of the computer capacity you are using. In addition to PDF format, the software also allows you to open and edit files to formats such as EPUB, MOBI, FB2, CHM, XPS and DjVu.

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As the lightest software, the 64-bit installer only has a capacity of about 5MB, so it can be said that this is the best PDF software that provides a great reading experience with fast performance and is fully equipped with Necessary features. 

1. Sumatra PDF supports keyboard shortcuts that help you navigate quickly and upgrade your reading experience across various text editors for Sumatra integration.
2. Sumatra works as smoothly as e-books, for many file types.
3. If you want more document customization options or settings adjustments, the only way is through HTML code. 
4. The only downside of the software is the lack of features like annotations, signatures, and form filling.

However, with its capacity, Sumatra is still one of the impressive lightweight PDF readers and helps you meet all your work needs.

PDF file reading software – Javelin PDF Reader

For users who want a simple, lightweight  PDF reader to meet the most basic needs, you can use Javelin.

Javelin PDF Reader only has the ability to quickly open and annotate and take notes on the content of the file without requiring advanced features or the ability to streamline usage operations.

PDF reader software – MuPDF

Similar to Javelin, MuPDF is a compact PDF reader that allows users to view and edit PDF files, fill out forms or leave comments on documents. 

In addition, MuPDF is also equipped with the ability to convert your PDF files to other formats such as HTML or SVG. 

PDF file editing software – PDF-XChange Viewer

The need to use documents in PDF format is increasing and popular, so PDF reading software is increasingly developed to meet the needs of reading, creating and sending documents while still maintaining the same properties.

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Among them, PDF-XChange Viewer is one of the popular options with the ability to edit, create and convert files to PDF format.

1. PDF-XChange Viewer supports users to read all files in PDF format at fast speed and integrates many features such as adding text, notes, magnification, etc.
2. The main control panel has a File menu and a toolbar fully equipped with buttons with many different features and functions such as changing background color, background style, font, color, etc.
3. The software is lightweight but still meets your needs with standard PDF viewing tools: Zoom in and out, rotate, open from URL,.
4. PDF-XChange Viewer allows you to extract part of a document or take pictures and save them as separate files for your records, bookmarks, etc.

Software to open PDF files on computers - Expert PDF Reader

Another free PDF software that TipsMake would like to introduce to you is Expert PDF Reader. This is software that allows you to open, view, edit, stamp and print PDF documents on Windows operating systems. Expert PDF Reader's interface will give you the same feel as the interface of old MS applications with all the necessary features you are looking for.

1. This PDF reader can process almost any document you throw at it and can also modify annotations, add marks, etc. even if they were created with other software.
2. You can bookmark files, view page thumbnails and use the feature to open multiple PDF file tabs at the same time.
3. The software is equipped with many editing and editing functions that are very useful so you can handle work anywhere.
4. You can add your own comments to documents, create or delete favorites, and more. 

It can be said that Expert PDF Reader is the best PDF reading software, the ideal solution to help you view PDF documents quickly and reliably.

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PDF Reader Pro Free software

PDF Reader Pro Free is one of the most popular PDF reading software among users using Apple devices. 

With this tool, you can annotate any document with text or images, insert signatures and connect to the cloud,. and many more features.

Software to view PDF files with Skim

Skim is a lightweight PDF viewer with many basic functions that allow you to highlight text, take photos, add notes, etc. easily. This software was initially developed to meet academic needs but has since expanded its functionality to more users, with more features.

However, thanks to its ability to connect to third-party applications like BidDesk, this software is still a great choice for academics.

The main functions of the best PDF software for academics Skim are:

1. View all files saved in PDF format.
2. Add and edit notes in the body of the document.
3. Mark, remember, comment on important text with one swipe.
4. Create a snapshot and save it as another file for easy reference later.
5. Navigate documents using the table of contents or thumbnails with a visual history section. Or view notes and highlighted highlights quickly.
6. Read conveniently with full screen feature.
7. Provides built-in transitions to make your presentation stand out.
8. Handy preview if you include internal links.
9. Focus using the reading bar.
10. Smart zoom in, zoom out, expand, crop, etc. tools.
11. Bookmarks.
12. Save passwords in a keychain to increase document security.
13. Automatically download PDF files remotely or with Apple remote support.
14. Interoperates with LaTeX, SyncTeX and PDFSync.
15. Integration with BibDesk and other third-party applications is highly customizable.

Software to read and edit PDF files with Slim PDF Reader

When installed on your device, Slim PDF Reader only takes up about 15MB of space. Although small in size, this software comes with great features such as editing, sharing, searching PDF files and is available for all operating systems such as Windows, Mac, Linux,.

New features of Slim PDF Reader include:

1. Completely new interface, giving you something new. Besides, light and dark themes are also supported.
2. Navigation capabilities when using the software are improved so you have a simpler experience viewing and reading PDF files.
3. The software is fully equipped with advanced, customizable annotation tools, instant interactive PDF form filling, and signature verification.
4. The software installation process is extremely quick and easy on the system, without bloatware and is only 1/10 the size of Adobe Reader software.

Software to open PDF files with STDU Viewer

STDU Viewer is not only a PDF viewer but you can also use this software to open many types of files in other formats such as WWF, JBIG2 and CBR. Anyone looking for the best PDF reader software capable of converting between different file types and working in multiple languages ​​cannot ignore STDU Viewer.

1. The software is fully equipped with functions for users to use such as viewing thumbnails, searching by text layer, rotating pages, etc.
2. STDU Viewer's tabbed interface is modern and easy to use.
3. The software is also equipped with a number of extended features such as exporting a page or part of a page into a separate image file, creating your own bookmarks or setting actions for touch screens.

Read PDF files using a web browser

You may not know that web browsers support the ability to read files in PDF format. Therefore, if your job does not often work with PDF files, there is no need to download the above software to your computer, just right-click on the PDF, then click Open with , select the browser you want to use . to open the PDF.

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You can also print PDF files right from your browser and can also annotate PDFs if you use Microsoft Edge.

View PDF files using Google Drive

Just like web browsers, Google Drive is also a way you can use to open PDF files without downloading external PDF reading software . However, Google Drive is only capable of reading PDF online and does not provide full features like the software that TipsMake introduced to you in the list above.

1. Features that Google Drive offers include PDF printing, downloading, and searching content within documents. 
2. All you need is to select the option to open PDF files via Google Docs, then convert that PDF file into a document format to perform editing operations.
3. You can connect external Chrome apps to the Google Drive PDF reader and extend its functionality. 

Epilogue

Above are the 15 best PDF reading software that TipsMake would like to introduce to you. Hopefully you will choose the most suitable software to handle your work requirements with PDF format. If you have any other questions related to these PDF reading software , please leave a comment below, TipsMake experts will be ready to assist you.

Kareem Winters

Update 10 October 2023