Pdf Reader reviews from Reddit

Summary

We analyzed 479 Reddit reviews across 51 subreddits and 93 posts to rank the best Pdf Reader brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/linuxquestions, r/macapps, r/androidapps, r/Windows11, r/rpg. Top-rated brands include PDFGear (4.3/5), Preview (4.6/5), Okular (4.2/5).

Stats

Reviews479

Subreddits51

Posts93

Brands95

Products10

Top communities

r/linuxquestions61 r/macapps60 r/androidapps38 r/Windows1131 r/rpg26

479 reviews from

and

By Brand

By Product

PDFGear

4.3

(32)

"PDFgear is the tool you are looking for. It's free."

"Free (at the moment) and fully featured."

"PDF Gear."

"Is just perfect."

"It's free and it just works."

"I think PDFgear is the best.. offers editing features for FREE."

"Great for reading PDFs in low-light environments."

"PDFgear"

"Just get PDFGear and you will get more than you expected all for free!"

"PDFgear is one of the best free pdf readers/editors"

Preview

4.6

(27)

"Its free and works very well."

"Perfect and comes by default."

"Will do most, if not all PDF things for you."

"Preview is great - I was very pleased when I switched to MacOS and discovered that"

"Preview."

"Preview. Works great for all my assignments from professors that are in PDF format."

"Just use Preview and keep Acrobat Reader DC (which is free) around for those times when it’s needed."

"Preview is great - I was very pleased when I switched to MacOS."

"I have always used Preview. It’s a standard app and I have never needed anything more."

"Preview"

Okular

4.2

(28)

"For reading PDFs, there’s for example Okular. Easily one of the best PDF reader out there."

"Okular is the best!"

"Have been using Okular here without issues"

"Okular is the best pdf viewer if you are using kde."

"Okular might interest you. There are annotations of multiple types."

"I use both Okular and the Calibre e-book viewer"

"Okular don't hesitate."

"For computer Okular and Xournal++."

"Okular"

"Okular opens anything you want it to."

Xodo

4.3

(26)

"Xodo is highly recommended. It’s fast, easy to use, and allows you to hide most interface elements to maximize the reading area."

"I personally enjoy using Xodo as my pdf reader + annotations."

"[Xodo]. Free and simple to use."

"Yup this is the king of all free pdf readers."

"Xodo."

"I've been really happy with Xodo for TTRPG books."

"Xodo works best for PDFs for me."

"Xodo. It's not on Linux though, quite frankly it's the only reason I still have a WTG."

"Xodo"

"One up to xodo. Been using for a long while now and no complaints."

Foxit Reader

4.0

(23)

"Easily the best actual Adobe reader alternative."

"Foxit reader"

"The only PDF reader that support text reflow with reader mode are Xodo, Adobe, Moon+ Reader, Foxit Reader."

"Foxit reader is cool"

"I've been using the Foxit Reader for a couple of years now."

"Foxit PDF Reader."

"I was using Sumatra too but moved to Foxit Reader."

"I like Foxit PDF Reader."

"I use Foxit Reader (free version)"

"Foxit pdf reader for linux works well but is not open source"

Microsoft Edge

4.2

(17)

"Edge: - you can edit - draw on it - you can use 'read aloud'."

"Yeah gotta hand it to Edge, the PDF reader is just the best implementation in browser out there right now."

"Edge is the best any other browser would be a downgrade."

"There is no rival to Edge in this area."

"Free: Microsoft Edge Reader - doesn't work for commute but great for free on desktop"

"Edge for reader, pdf gear for editor."

"The best one for me is Microsoft Edge."

"If you just want a basic reader that lets you annotate and is good for touch, then Edge is plenty good."

"Microsoft Edge browser -> drop in a PDF -> 'Read Aloud -> choose a Microsoft AI voice. Free, fast.'"

"Has all you want for a pdf viewer."

PDF Expert

4.2

(17)

"Even it opens up at the exact same page you left it."

"For power users definitely the paid version of PDF expert."

"I’ve been using pdfexpert for more than a decade now. Excellent support, excellent reader."

"IOS and Mac : PDF Expert"

"I use PDF Expert on the Mac"

"(that's strange, yes) logseq."

"Served me very well."

"You can compare it with Adobe Acrobat."

"PDF Expert and sometimes DevonThinks Buildin reader."

"Has a good feature for exporting annotations."

Evince

4.0

(15)

"Simple? Evince."

"[Evince](https://apps.gnome.org/en/Evince/)"

"Evince or Papers?"

"Using evince rn, Okular is good too."

"Evince or Okular."

"Iam using classic evince since years."

"Evince"

"Evince aka "Document viewer" or Okular, they both works well."

"Best readers are Evince and Okular."

"AFAIR __evince__ (GNOME's default "Documents" application) can do that."

Zotero

4.5

(11)

"The UI UX is so great. It's clean but rich in features."

"Try Zotero + sync it with [https://koofr.eu/blog/posts/koofr-with-zotero-via-webdav](https://koofr.eu/blog/posts/koofr-with-zotero-via-webdav)"

"Very efficient."

"Another +1 for Zotero. It’s 40% the reason why I was able to get my degree."

"Zotero "

"Using the Zotero PDF reader"

"Zotero checks all boxes."

"I use Zotero to manage, read, annotate and cite my collection of pdfs."

"Zotero and PDF Expert/Xodo"

"Zotero... has a built in pdf annotation+note taker that is surprisingly capable."

#10

SumatraPDF

4.0

(11)

"Is fast and free"

"I never needed any other one than SumatraPDF"

"SumatraPDF is lightweight and distraction-free, but it lacks annotation features."

"I use SumatraPDF but for reading only"

"Are good."

"Is good."

"No doubt, plus it does or used to read ebooks."

"But Sumatra is what I use 99% to just open and read files."

"Sumatra PDF & CDisplayEX."

"One of these programs may not be bad. Foxit Reader PDF-XChange Editor or SumatraPDF (free)"

#11

Firefox

4.0

(11)

"Firefox is good at opening them."

"I use firefox for pdf"

"It has a built-in PDF reader that is pretty good."

"Firefox has a built in pdf reader and editor."

"I would say firefox."

"Firefox."

"Firefox, or even Libre Writer."

"From my experience they have all the features I need from a pdf reader."

"You can now annotate (add text, images and draw) on a pdf directly in the browser window."

"I use Firefox or Okular to view PDF files."

#12

Adobe Acrobat

4.3

(10)

"It does everything, creation, modification, merge."

"There is no way Acrobat won't open a PDF perfectly."

"I’m using adobe acrobat CC pro."

"Adobe acrobat for all pdf reading+writing."

"Try Adobe Acrobat."

"Your browser or Adobe Reader."

"I used Microsoft PDF Until I got acrobat."

"I've been happy with my Galaxy Tab S6 Lite using Adobe Acrobat."

"For professional use, Acrobat is still the standard."

"Adobe made a Chrome Acrobat plugin that works really well."

#13

UPDF

4.6

(9)

"You wont regret it. Read and edit."

"Stands out with the best and smoothest experience."

"UPDF"

"The best PDF reader for your research needs is UPDF."

"Let me change the format from PDF to use with excel, word with no restrictions."

"For editing."

"Check out UPDF—it's a great alternative that works beautifully on Mac."

"I use UPDF. UPDF is a great option for Mac users."

"Updf is amazing and very affordable too."

#14

Sioyek

4.2

(9)

"Sioyek is great, takes the entirety of the window and is keyboard-centric!"

"I use [Sioyek](https://github.com/ahrm/sioyek)."

"As a CS person you might be interested in sioyek."

"1. Sioyek [best features: highlights, links(internal/external), diagram/ref peak, dark mode, configurable keys]."

"I've used Sioyek, skim, qpdfview and zathura."

"Made for researchers has highlighting."

"[sioyek](https://github.com/ahrm/sioyek)"

"I recommend [Sioyek]: it has multiple highlighting colors and styles."

"I am the developer of an open source PDF viewer names sioyek."

#15

ReadEra

4.2

(9)

"ReadEra has been absolutely fucking excellent."

"Readera on phone and tablet."

"ReadEra is incredible."

"ReadEra"

"I prefer ReadEra and in case I need PDF on PC it adds notes and comments to file."

"Check ReadEra."

"Another android alternative is E-reader Prestigio."

"I found this totally free and amazing pdf reader."

"Readera, which is a e-book reader, shows document outlines for me."

#16

Zathura

4.1

(9)

"Zathura is the way. I use it on my i3 setup."

"For reading only, zathura. It's the cleanest, uses vim commands, pure bliss."

"Zathura"

"Distrobox + zathura-pdf-mupdf (arch or fedora) Extremely lightweight"

"Zathura, sioyek"

"Zathura"

"Minimal: Zathura, GUI friendly: Okular."

"Zathura is a simple pdf reader, may be too simple."

#17

Apple

4.9

(7)

"1. preview 2. sioyek"

"It has to be preview. No other options"

"If you spend a little time learning Preview, you will be more than happy."

"Preview, especially since it allows to import from my printer/scanner!"

"I use Preview and also I can read/annotate in Emacs. Both are great."

"Comes with the Mac and does a phenomenal job"

"Preview and marginnote"

#18

Foxit

3.7

(9)

"It is most definitely Foxit, in my TOTALLY unbiased opinion."

"Foxit or pdf xchange, you can customize their appearance."

"Foxit is really good and lighter than Adobe."

"I think a cross platform pdf reader will do the trick. Like Foxit, Xodo etc."

"Foxit is my go to."

"Foxit"

"For more extensive stuff I use foxit. Also available for iOS as well"

"I can't really *recommend* it."

"Stay away from that one, as it is memory hungry and no better than qpdfview."

#19

Xournal++

4.7

(7)

"Xournal++ is by far the best PDF manipulation option on Linux."

"The best solution for annotating pdfs on Linux (with a touch/pen input) is xournal++."

"I use xournal++ for the awesome handwriting support on my surface device."

"I use xournal++ because if I care at all about the program opening PDF files."

"I use Xournal++ to edit PDFs, really good!"

"Try xournal++ v. 1.2.2."

"I use xournal++ for this."

#20

Adobe

3.3

(10)

"I've tried and loved the new adobe extension for chrome."

"I use a snap (plus WINE) of Adobe Reader."

"The only PDF reader that support text reflow with reader mode are Xodo, Adobe, Moon+ Reader, Foxit Reader."

"For poweruser and professional work."

"Adobe acrobat for pdf. Free on play store"

"Have you tried the adobe acrobat AI assistant? Is not genius but ok for large PDF’s"

"If you need to digitally sign a document... then you (probably?) have to use Adobe Acrobat."

"Adobe can search among multiple PDFs at once."

"Not Adobe! 😂"

"Acrobat AI assistant is probably the worst PDF tool integrated with AI—I unsubscribed and uninstalled Adobe months prior"

#21

Calibre

4.6

(7)

"Install Calibre It brings with it,an ebook reader, which behaves itself beautifully"

"Calibre is extremely powerful. It's not designed to "look good," it's designed to have 1000 awesome features and support every format ever created."

"Calibre is the most complete ebook app that I know."

"Calibre for Windows is the best for this."

"Calibre is good for epub. Thanks. It looks crap in light mode. But great in dark mode."

"Calibre."

"The standard open-source ebook reader/manager for PDF/EPUB/MOBI is Calibre."

#22

Sumatra PDF

4.0

(7)

"PDF gear or Sumatra pdf."

"Sumatrapdf?"

"I still find Sumatra to be the fastest and smoothest."

"It's completely free, doesn't have a paid plan."

"Either browser pdf or Sumatra pdf"

"Sumatra PDF."

"On Windows you can try SumatraPDF."

#23

Librera

4.2

(6)

"I second Librera. A truly fantastic reader."

"Any version you'd like to try from the author's web https://librera.mobi/download/"

"I like librera as others have suggested."

"Librera can do all that"

"Librera is good and it can reflow really well."

"Libera is really good! Open source and free with some real good features."

#24

KDE

4.8

(5)

"Okular integrates well with cinnamon and gnome and hadn’t failed me this far"

"Okular from KDE"

"Okular or Firefox"

"Maybe check out KDE Okular?"

"As a sociologist i use [Okular](https://okular.kde.org/), it has a really customizable interface and tools."

#25

PDF-XChange Editor

3.8

(6)

"Both are Freeware for Windows."

"The free version of PDF-XChange Editor."

"The free version is fine."

"I use PDF-XChange Editor (Windows, Freeware, Portable) to do the searching for words and phrases."

"I used PDF-XChange Editor for just PDF reading."

"The least bad is PDF-Xchange Editor."

#26

GoodReader

4.6

(5)

"Another vote for GoodReader. It’s the best."

"I've used GoodReader for years, love it."

"In order of preference: 1. Goodreader"

"Great combination, I have used it since the original iPad days."

"I've got a dumb wifi only Ipad 4 with Goodreader and it does great!"

#27

Skim

4.6

(5)

"I love Skim"

"Skim is the best."

"I personally think Skim is the best pdf reader on Mac. Free and great."

"Lightweight and gets the job done."

"Skim"

#28

MuPDF

4.2

(5)

"U/Appropriate-Sea-Dog `mupdf` !"

"Try mupdf"

"Big fan of mupdf for quick, bloat-free reading."

"It's very minimal and no-frills (therefore lightweight), perfect for quickly looking at PDF."

"If you have large pdf's i have found mupdf is many times faster than others."

#29

Kindle

4.0

(5)

"I'd recommend the Kindle Scribe."

"Kindle (Scribe)"

"If you don't want a light you could look at the ReMarkable 2, Supernote, or Boox Go."

"The most affordable and accessible solution is probably the Kindle Scribe"

"The android kindle app works pretty well."

#30

Moon Reader

4.5

(4)

"This is it...one app to rule them all. Moon+ Reader Pro link is below."

"Moon reader"

"Moon reader has good UI and features."

"Moon reader."

#31

PDFelement

4.3

(4)

"I tried Wondershare PDFelement Online Free PDF Tools and this by far is the best tool I've used."

"PDFelement is also worth considering for its clean design and distraction-free reading mode. It’s lightweight and straightforward for reading PDFs."

"PDFelement is another solid choice—it lets "

"Someone just recommended PDFElement to me"

#32

Highlights

4.3

(4)

"Highlights, available on the app store. Is very good for studying."

"Try highlights."

"I enjoy using the Highlights app on iOS and Mac."

"Minimalist UI, which is great for reading."

#33

LiquidText

4.3

(4)

"Pra mim o melhor app é liquidtext. Caro mas vale cada centavo."

"This one has always looked quite useful, but I haven't tried it: https://www.liquidtext.net/"

"I like liquid text, but there’s a learning curve."

#34

Adobe Reader

3.2

(5)

"Adobe reader is free. I use acrobat Pro on my computer so I'm also able to use that same account on Mobile."

"I use the free version of Adobe."

"Preview, and sometimes Adobe Reader to check digital certificates."

"It is only worth reading."

"Just delete adobe reader forever. That thing stinks."

#35

Foxit PDF Reader

4.0

(4)

"Foxit PDF Reader allows highlighting and commenting, making it better for studying."

"One of these programs may not be bad. Foxit Reader PDF-XChange Editor or SumatraPDF (free)"

"Foxit PDF-reader does this."

"Foxit PDF Reader"

#36

Moon+ Reader

4.0

(4)

"The only PDF reader that support text reflow with reader mode are Xodo, Adobe, Moon+ Reader, Foxit Reader."

"Moon reader has that. It's a little pricey but best ebook reader I have tried."

"Really good app."

"I really like the job Moon+ Reader does with my RPG books."

#37

Drawboard PDF

3.8

(4)

"Drawboarder"

"Best PDF annotation tool for a windows tablet is Drawboard PDF."

"Drawboard PDF"

"It is the best solution I have found for Windows."

#38

Xpdf

3.8

3.0

(1)

"I like Marginote 3 better, but their sync is completely unreliable."

#95

Overdrive

3.0

(1)

"Overdrive isn't bad."

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