best viewer free download 16 Best Free Lightweight PDF Reader Software For Windows. Here is a list of best free lightweight PDF reader software for Windows . In these software, you can easily open up and read PDF documents. The advantage of having these PDF readers is that they are quite lightweight and consume very less space in memory, unlike many standard PDF readers. The setup size of all these readers is less than 25 MB . Plus, they also do not put much stress on a system. In these lightweight viewers, you can easily load and open up a PDF document. In some PDF readers, you can even open up multiple documents on side by side tabs. To properly view PDF documents and offer a good reading experience, some readers offer multiple viewing modes like single page, multipage, continuous view, etc. You can also find dedicated reading modes, night mode, etc., in some PDF viewers. Plus, standard features like page navigation, zoom, search, etc., are also present in most readers. Apart from PDF reading tools, some readers also offer PDF editing tools through which you can edit text, swap images, insert graphics, add tables to PDF, etc. You can also find multiple additional tools in most software that may come in handy. Some of the additional tools that you get in these PDF readers are Encrypt PDF, Convert PDF, and Extract Images . Go through the list to know more about these lightweight PDF reader software. My Favorite Lightweight PDF Reader Software For Windows: Cool PDF Reader is my favorite software because it offers dedicated reading modes to reduce strain on eyes while reading a PDF document. In addition to that, it also offers all the standard PDF reading and viewing tools. STDU Viewer is another good one. You can also check out lists of best free Lightweight PDF Editor, Lightweight Image Viewer, and Lightweight Code Editor software for Windows. Cool PDF Reader. Cool PDF Reader is a free lightweight PDF reader software for Windows. It is a simple PDF reader that offers a clean interface in which you can view and read a PDF document at a time. It also provides various PDF reading and viewing tools that improve the PDF reading environment. Now, check out the main features of this lightweight PDF reader. Main Features: Reading Modes : This software has three reading modes namely night reading mode, low blue light reading mode, and airplane reading mode . The night and airplane reading modes turn the background of a PDF document black to reduce the strain on your eyes during the night or dim surrounding light conditions. The low blue light reading mode applies a yellow filter over the PDF document to filter out blue light that causes harm to our eyes. Viewing Tools : Using viewing tools, you can easily open up a document in the full-screen mode, zoom in documents, and fit PDF document according to its height and width. Page Tools : Through page tools, you can move to the next or previous of a PDF document. It also lets you jump to any specific page of a PDF. Slide Show : It is a similar feature that you get in image viewers’ software. Instead of automatically switch images, it switches the pages of a PDF document. Additional Feature: Save As : You can use this feature to save PDF documents in JPG, GIF, EMF, EPS, TXT, etc., file formats. Final Thoughts: It is one of the best free lightweight PDF reader software that you can use to view and read PDF documents. 2021 | Top 10 Best Free PDF Reader for . The PDF file type is widely used in modern society. Having the right software to open and view PDF files is vital. If you are not familiar with this type of file, you should know that Windows 10 already comes with a default PDF reader called Edge. With this type of software, you can open and read PDF files that contain photos, tables, charts, and other types of data. However, it just offers limited functions for viewing . If you want to find an alternative or want to learn more best free Windows PDF readers, you will get your desired answer in this post. Now let's look at the top 10 best free PDF reader for Windows. Top 1. EaseUS PDF Editor. EaseUS PDF Editor is is an excellent alternative to Windows default PDF viewers. This software can be used by any user thanks to its simple user interface. To get started, all you need to do is install the program and open the PDF you want to read. Moreover, with this Windows PDF editor's help, you can also convert PDF files to other document and image formats with simple clicks. Also, it makes it easy to highlight PDF, electronically sign your documents, or add or remove watermark from PDF files. Pros: Wide variety of features Easy and simple user interface Gorgeous design It can open all sorts of document types You can convert PDF to other files. Cons: You might have to pay to gain access to some features. If you want to try this PDF reader, just click the below button to get it! Top 2. Reader. Adobe Reader has been around for several years as well. This is a good software to open and read any type of PDF document. Also, it has newer features to make your experience even better. For example, it has incorporated Adobe Acrobat Document Cloud to download, convert, and edit PDF files on your computer, tablet, or . Furthermore, there's also a new file comparison tool that compares two PDF files fast and precisely to discover any changes. If you want to compare several revisions of the same piece of work, this could be useful. Pros: It has excellent accessibility features You can open multiple PDF files at once. You can protect your sensitive data It works across different platforms like PC, tablet, and smartphone. Cons: It can work slow when editing too many files at once. Top 3. Foxit PhantomPDF Reader. PhantomPDF is among the best free PDF reader for Windows. It delivers a range of cloud-based features that allow you to open and customize PDF documents. The program will enable you to produce and change PDFs while also providing various sophisticated management, security, and collaboration functions. You can control who has access to documents, track who opens them, send document requests to colleagues, and inform readers of document revisions. Beyond that, this program also includes several essential editing tools. For example, you may adjust the layout of a document, rearrange PDF pages, and add stamps, watermarks, headers, and footers to make your papers look more professional. Pros: It allows you to read in full-screen mode You can merge several PDF documents You can upload files to the cloud. Cons: It has a complex user interface. Top 4. Kofax Power PDF. Kofax Power PDF allows you to open, read, edit, annotate, and distribute PDF documents rapidly. There are various versions of the software available, each with its own set of features. It has a Standard version that lets you create, convert, and merge PDF documents and fill out forms. It also has scanning and OCR functionality that allows you to convert scanned images of invoices and receipts into PDFs. You can select different versions according to your needs. Pros: You can open several tabs of PDF documents at once You have many security features available It allows you to convert scanned documents into PDFs. Cons: The advanced version is expensive. Top 5. Soda PDF. Soda PDF is another great software to open and read any PDF document. It helps you study, annotate, send, and track documents from a single user interface. This program may now be linked to Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox, making document download and distribution much simple. Another fantastic feature of the program is its batch processing capability, which allows you to produce and convert several PDF files at once. You may also use the e-sign option to build and share PDF-based contracts with clients or partners. Pros: Compatible with any type of PDF document Wide variety of editing tools for PDF files Compatible with Google Drive and other cloud platforms. Cons. Not a wide variety of editing features. Top 6. Microsoft OneNote. Microsoft OneNote is a productivity tool that works on Windows, mobile devices, and the web. It can also be used as a free PDF viewer for your important PDF document. The advantage of using OneNote is that you can store all of your documents in the cloud. This means that you can access your documents no matter wherever you are, even if you are offline. Also, you have access to some editing features. Pros: It includes many PDF editing options You can access it on any device You don't have to store the documents on your computer since you have access to the cloud. Cons: It can be slow at times. The online app's search is deficient. Top 7. Nitro Reader. Nitro Reader is one of the best free Windows PDF readers. You can use it to open any kind of PDF no matter the size and content. What's more, it is also useful for all basic PDF editing features, which means users can easily split, merge, add items, or do other editing work to their PDF documents without hassle. Most importantly, users can also use it to produce PDFs from scratch. Pros: Open several PDF file tabs at once Merge and compare PDF documents It comes with a complete set of free PDF editing tools. Cons: With heavy PDF, OCR is ineffective. Top 8. Expert PDF Viewer. Expert PDF Viewer is a free PDF viewer application for Windows, which allows you to open and print PDFs. You can also use it to make simple changes to existing PDF documents. Furthermore, you can use it to add stamps and edit document outlines and annotations. It is straightforward and quick to use. Despite not having many editing features, it is still good software for opening and reading basic PDF files. Pros: It has text and image editing capabilities You can compress PDF files. Cons: Offer basic editing tools. Top 9. PDF Exchange. PDF Exchange is a feature-rich free Windows 10 PDF reader with a lot of reading options. You can view, create, and edit PDF documents as you want. And there are also features to OCR scanned documents and digitally sign files. If you need more features, you can upgrade to the pro version, which allows you to create and edit PDF fillable forms, and make other adjustments to your PDF files. Pros: It has text editing capabilities You can convert PDF files to images You can compress and merge PDF files. Cons: The advanced version is expensive. Top 10. Qiqqa. Qiqqa allows you to safeguard and organize your PDF files, making them instantly accessible and searchable across your devices. Because it includes automatic tagging, identification, and categorization, you'll never have to waste time looking for missing PDF documents again. Also, this Windows 10 PDF reader can highlight, edit font size and color, and place annotations on the text. Pros: Download multiple PDF papers more quickly. It has plenty of PDF editing features You can open PDF files straight from the web. Cons: It is not user-friendly. Conclusion. In this article, you learned about the best free PDF reader for Windows, which can help you view your PDF file with ease. Among those programs, we strongly recommend EaseUS PDF Editor. Because it not only allows you to read your PDFs but also enables you to create, edit, and manage the files with simple clicks. The 15 Best Free PDF Readers of 2021. Access 6 different designs across Adobe, Google, and Microsoft Software. Even though they’re over 25 years old, PDFs are still one of the main types of documents on the internet. Whether you’re trying to access your W-2, a contract, or an eBook, it’ll probably be in the form of a PDF. But to view these important documents, you need to download a PDF reader on your computer. There are hundreds of PDF readers and some can cost you almost a thousand dollars per year, so we sifted through the internet to find the best free PDF readers that you can download online. Below, we created a list of 15 of the best free PDF readers whose capabilities range from only viewing PDFs to creating, editing, and securing them. The 15 Best Free PDF Readers. The 5 Best Free PDF Readers for Windows and Mac. 1. . Foxit Reader is like the Google Docs of PDF readers. You can create, share, and secure your PDFs all on the cloud. To create PDFs, you can upload scans, convert Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and Excel sheets, and even combine multiple PDFs into a new 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, edit, comment, and also notify readers about new updates to your PDF. Foxit reader also provides multiple security options to keep your PDFs safe and private, like passwords, digital signatures, and encryption. If you create PDFs regularly for your job and need a way to collaborate on the same file, Foxit would be a good option. 2. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. Adobe’s free PDF reader, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, connects to the Adobe Document cloud and other cloud storage systems like Box, Dropbox, and Microsoft OneDrive, letting you open, view, share, and comment on PDFs from anywhere and on any device you want. Acrobat Reader DC coolest feature is that it can read text out loud, guiding you along any document that’s challenging to read. Adobe’s free PDF reader is great for any busy professional who needs to annotate PDFs on the go or on their commute. 3. Javelin PDF Reader. Javelin PDF Reader is a straightforward PDF reader that lets you launch and print standard and encrypted PDFs, annotate them, and bookmark them. Since its download size is two MB and it doesn’t have extra features like editing, the PDF reader is fast with a simple and clean user interface. If you want to read and take notes on PDFs quickly, Javelin is probably the PDF reader for you. 4. Google Drive. Google Drive is the most accessible PDF converter and PDF storage system. On the platform, you can convert any of your documents, presentations, and sheets into PDF files and upload any PDFs to it for your own viewing purposes. If your only use for PDFs is viewing them or converting files into them, Google Drive is the best option for you. 5. Your Web Browser. Web browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari all have integrated PDF readers. To view a PDF on your browser, all you have to do is click on the PDF link. You can also open PDF files that are already stored on your computer by dragging them to an open tab in your browser. Additional features included in most browsers' PDF readers are rotate, download, print, and adjust text size. If you don’t need to convert files into PDFs and you only need to view PDFs, you don’t need to download a PDF reader. You can just use your web browser. The 5 Best Free PDF Readers for Windows. 1. Nitro Reader. Nitro Reader has a reputation for striking a good balance between usability and advanced features. The platform has an intuitive and slick interface, but you also have access to a wide variety of tools to create, review, secure, and share PDF files. To create new PDFs, all you have to do is drag and drop your documents into the reader. Then, you can design your PDF draft with custom colors, font embedding, and orientation. When you want to review a document, the PDF reader’s review pane helps you edit, comment, and address feedback. To secure your PDF files, Nitro Reader uses QuickSign to password-protect and sign your documents. Sharing documents is also simple and secure -- you can share documents with anyone since the PDFs you create in Nitro Reader are compatible with almost every other PDF reader. If you’re a PDF power user, Nitro Reader could be your best option. 2. PDF-XChange Editor. PDF-XChange Editor is one of the more robust free PDF readers out there. You can create, view, add notes, record and attach audio, highlight text, attach files, strikethrough words, and add signatures. But the PDF reader’s coolest feature is its Optical Character Recognition tool -- it can scan printed documents and convert the text into a searchable document. If you need to create, edit, and share PDFs at work a lot, PDF- XChange Editor could be the PDF reader for you. 3. MuPDF. MuPDF is a standard PDF reader for viewing and editing PDF files. You can fill out text forms, annotate documents, and use it to convert PDF files into other file types like HTML, SVG, and CBZ. You can also write scripts in Javascript to alter your documents. If you want a low-memory PDF reader that you can easily edit and view files on, MuPDF is your best option. 4. SumatraPDF. Even though SumatraPDF lacks some advanced features like annotation, document signing, and form-filling, Sumatra PDF provides an intuitive and fast reading experience -- it has multiple viewing modes like single page, , and presentation and shortcuts that help you navigate any PDF file. If you just need to read PDFs for work, consider using SumatraPDF. 5. Slim PDF. Slim PDF is one of the smallest PDF readers in the world, taking up just 15 MB of space on your computer. Despite its tiny size, this free PDF reader comes with a lot of advanced features that complement core functionalities such as those allowing you to print, search, zoom and rotate PDF files. If you are looking for a solution that strikes the perfect balance between being lightweight and powerful, Slim PDF is a great choice. It’s available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. The 5 Best Free PDF Readers for Mac. 1. PDF Reader Premium. With over 50 million downloads, PDF Reader Premium is one of the most popular PDF readers for Apple Devices. It has powerful functionality that lets you view your PDF in multiple tabs, annotate your document with images and sticky notes, organize your files with tags, sign signatures and fill out forms on your PDF, and store and transfer PDFs through a variety of cloud services. Anyone who frequently uses PDFs for work should consider downloading PDF Reader Premium. 2. Preview. Even though Preview is the pre-installed PDF reader on every Mac, it’s more powerful than you think. On Preview, you can view and annotate your documents, combine documents, fill out and sign forms, edit images, share files, and even export a password protected PDF, if there’s sensitive information on your document. Preview is the best choice for someone who wants to use one PDF reader for personal and professional matters. 3. Skim. Skim is PDF reader that was originally designed to help academics read and annotate scientific papers in PDF format, but they’ve now improved their functionality to let anyone view any type of PDF file on the reader. On Skim, you can highlight text, take notes, take snapshots, export notes as text, and integrate with third party apps like BibDesk, a bibliography manager. 4. Soda PDF. Soda PDF is one of the best PDF readers for reading visual documents like digital catalogues, magazines, and comic -- you can even view files in 3D. The app also lets you create and edit PDFs from scratch. Soda PDF sells an online PDF platform too, so they drive demand for it by offering free PDF tools on their website like convert to PDF, convert from PDF, merge, split, & compress, sign & secure, and insert elements like watermarks and page numbering. You can use these online tools as a proxy for a downloadable PDF reader if you want to save space on your computer. 5. Haihaisoft Reader. Haihaisoft Reader is a fast, low memory PDF reader. It’s only three MB, so it has basic functionality like rotate, full screen, presentation mode, search, and zoom. Even though it’s small, it still supports over 40 languages and has high security -- it only connects to the internet with the user’s permission. Haihaisoft is best for casual PDF users. Nitro PDF Reader review. A remarkable powerful free PDF reader that's packed with handy features you'll use time after time, all presented in a clear, adaptable interface. Annotation and text formatting tools Built-in document converter Clear interface with optional touchscreen mode. Against. Requires you to register. Windows 10’s built-in PDF reader is very simple – you can use it to view and print documents, and not much else – so it’s well worth downloading a third-party tool like Nitro PDF Reader. Nitro PDF Reader is a slimmed-down version of Nitro Pro, but although it lacks the more advanced features of its premium counterpart (such as OCR for turning scanned PDFs into searchable documents, and the ability to insert, remove and reorder pages), it’s still an excellent tool that will make everyday document-wrangling much easier. Unlike Microsoft's basic Reader app, Nitro PDF Reader allows you to add comments to documents before sharing them with others – a feature that’s invaluable for collaborative projects, or suggesting amendments . You can’t actually edit the document text using the free software, but you can highlight, underline and strike through text to track changes or clarify points. You can also convert other file types to PDF (including images and text documents) without the need for a separate PDF printer driver, extract the images from a document, or save it as plain text. It’s a very impressive feature set for a free program, and unlike some similar software, there are no attempts to trick you by offering advanced tools then refusing to let you save your work if you use them. Need something more comprehensive? We've also rounded up the best free PDF editors, which make editing PDFs as straightforward as adjusting a text document. User experience. Before you can download Nitro PDF Reader, you’ll be asked to share your name and email address, with the option to sign up for Nitro’s newsletter. The software comes with an optional extension for Firefox and Internet Explorer too, so make sure you click the ‘Configuration’ button in the installer if you’d rather give it a miss. These are the only inconveniences you’ll face, and they’re both very minor. The first time you launch Nitro PDF Reader you’ll be offered a quick start guide to show you the ropes, but the interface is so clean and well designed, you won’t need it. All the tools you need are presented as clear icons in a simple ribbon (the essentials like annotation are under Home, while secure document signing options are under Advanced). If you’re using a tablet or touchscreen PC, tap the small icon to the right of the Undo button to switch to Touch mode. This option makes Nitro PDF Reader fingertip-friendly with larger, well spaced buttons. You can also customize the top toolbar for quicker access to the settings you use most often; just click the button to the immediate right of the Touch/Mouse toggle. If you’re still using Microsoft’s Reader app, try switching to Nitro PDF Reader – we think you’ll be glad you did. Foxit Reader review. The ultimate free PDF reader, creator and converter for Windows. Our Verdict. Much more than a replacement for Microsoft's Reader app, Foxit PDF reader has all the tools you could want for creating and working with PDFs. PDF creation and editing features Built-in security tools Microsoft Office plugins. Against. No OCR in free version. Foxit Reader is a PDF reader – and much more. As well as providing a way to view PDF files, the program can also be used to create this type of file, sign PDFs, and add annotations. Download here: Foxit Reader. : Windows, Mac, Linux. Version: 8. There are also Foxit Reader plugins for Microsoft Office programs (including Word, Excel and PowerPoint) that make for easy conversion of common file types, and open up the possibility of create PDFs from pretty much any file you can open. Ultimately, Foxit Reader is a PDF viewer with a handful of tricks up its sleeve to entice you away from the competition. One of our favourite Foxit Reader features is its security toolbox. We particularly like the handy JavaScript security option, which prevents unauthorized scripts transmitting data. It's hugely useful when you've downloaded a PDF from the internet and aren't certain of its provenance. The ability to create PDF files from scanned documents is also incredibly useful, although it's a shame that OCR support isn't available in the free product. The browser-style plugins are a great way to extend Foxit Reader's capabilities further still, but the free edition has pretty much all of the bases covered already. Foxit Reader is possibly the most feature-packed free PDF reader around – powerful, feature-packed and remarkably fast. User experience. If you've never created a PDF before, the prospect might be a little daunting, and Foxit Reader's interface can seem overwhelming. While the look is not too far removed from that of Microsoft Office – there is a very familiar ribbon toolbar in place, for instance – it somehow manages to look complex in a way that will be off-putting to some. Thankfully, it's possible to minimize the ribbon to reduce screen clutter, freeing up the interface for the PDF you're viewing; something that's improved even further by the distraction-free full-screen mode. You can also minimize the entire program window to a system tray icon, which occupies less space than an entry in the Windows Taskbar. When it comes to simply viewing PDFs, Foxit Reader is easy to get into. A second row of tabs makes it simple to work with multiple files at the same time, and another toolbar – vertical this time – allows for navigation of bookmarks, tables of contents and so on. Latest updates. The latest version of Foxit Reader provides ease of use enhancements, and a plugin that generates a link that enables you to share a PDF via email or social media. For a full list of changes, see the release notes. The competition. Sofia is a tech journalist who's been writing about software, hardware and the web for nearly 20 years – but still looks as youthful as ever! After years writing for magazines, life moved online and remains fuelled by technology, music and nature. Having written for websites and magazine since 2000, producing a wide range of reviews, guides, tutorials, brochures, newsletters and more, Sofia continues to write for diverse audiences, from computing newbies to advanced users and business clients. Always willing to try something new, sharing new discoveries is a major passion. Sofia lives and breathes Windows, Android, iOS, macOS and just about anything with a power button, but particular areas of interest include security, tweaking and privacy. Sign up to get breaking news, reviews, opinion, analysis and more, plus the hottest tech deals! Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. You will receive a verification email shortly.