10 Best Free PDF Readers for PC & Mac 2023

PDF reader is one of the most important tools for any digital user. It allows you to easily open, view and share documents in a standard format. What is the best PDF reader? It should be easy to use, powerful enough on reading and compatible with various PDF documents, from basic-formatted files to heavy-formatted ones.

There are several PDF readers available in the market today, each with a set of features and capabilities. From basic viewers to full-fledged editors, there is something for everyone when it comes to choosing the best PDF reader. In this article, we will introduce top 10 free PDF readers for Windows and Mac respectively.

Below, we make a list of 5 best free PDF readers for Windows. All of them have better compatibility and powerful features to help you open, view and do easy editing on Windows 11, 10 and previous versions.

iTop PDF

iTop PDF is a new start in the best PDF reader list. It offers a comprehensive range of features that makes it to be a versatile free PDF manager for PC. You can easily open and view any type of PDF documents. It offers a great view experience and all the formats can be well maintained. Also, It provides support for multiple languages so that you can read documents in your preferred language.

What makes iTop PDF a must-have software?

• Edit PDF smoothly without hassle
• Convert PDF to any format in high quality
• Split and Merge PDF files easily and quickly
• Add e-signature effortlessly to your PDF

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Besides as a PDF viewer, it works as a PDF editor and converter. You can use it to edit text, insert images, highlight text, add bookmark, protect document with password etc., as well as convert PDF files to editable Word, Image, Excel and vice versa.

Pros:

• Ease of use

• Compatibility with multiple platforms

• High level of security

• User-friendly interface

Cons:

• Some advanced features are paid version only

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Another recommendation for a Windows PDF reader is Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is one of the most popular PDF readers available in the market. You’re free to view, edit and print PDF files using this tool. The free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader has basic features including annotation, commenting, text search, and more. This software also allows you to convert PDF to Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents.

Pros:

• Free to download and use

• Supports opening all types of PDF files

• Official support guide in multiple languages

Cons:

• Too many paid tools

• Large in file size

• Lack of advanced features like text recognition or OCR

Foxit Reader

Foxit Reader is also one of the best free PDF readers available in the market. It is a lightweight and fast PDF reader great for both personal and professional use. It offers a wide range of features and tools that make it easier to read, annotate and edit PDF files. Foxit Reader has advanced security features, making it an ideal choice for those who need to protect their documents. It also supports multiple languages making it easy to use for everyone.

Pros:

• Open large files quickly without lag

• It offers featured tools like sticky notes and drawing tools

Cons:

• Limited customization options

• Lack of support for certain file types like XPS documents

Soda PDF

Soda PDF is a powerful and popular document management system that can be used as a good PDF reader. Besides basic features like reading, editing, converting, and signing PDF documents, Soda PDF also provides users with the ability to create PDFs from other file formats such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

Pros:

• User-friendly interface

• Robust security features

• Fast loading speed

Cons:

• Limited customization options

• Limited support for certain file formats

XChange Editor

XChange Editor is a powerful and feature-rich PDF reader for those who need to work with PDFs on a daily basis. It is a great choice for anyone looking to read, edit and manage PDF documents. It supports a wide variety of file formats such as DOCX, PPTX, TXT, HTML, and more. It also allows you to annotate documents with text and shapes.

Pros:

• A batch of additional features

• Supports popular formats including Microsoft Office

Cons:

• A complex interface can cause confusing

• A little bit slow when loading large files

As a matter of fact, some of the top PDF readers for Windows can support macOS. But, the following list shows you professional choice for macOS. Please check now.

Apple Preview

Apple Preview is a built-in macOS application for users to view and read images and PDF files. You can annotate and highlight text, create links, and export documents to other formats with Apple Preview. It outperforms other third-party PDF readers in the fast responding speed. It also supports multiple page viewing modes and has a simple user interface.

Pros:

• Fast, lightweight, and easy to use

• Open and load large documents quickly

• Available for both online and offline documents

Cons:

• Does not support all file formats

• Poor annotation tools

Skim PDF Reader

Skim is the best Mac PDF reader for those looking for an efficient way to read and manage their documents. It is good for reading and annotating long text and searching through PDF files with a lot of annotations. Skim also offers a variety of features, such as advanced search capabilities, annotation tools, and bookmarking.

Pros:

• Quickly search through large documents

• Accurately display text in an easy-to-read format

• Clear and user-friendly interface

Cons:

• Notes in Skim can’t be exported as a .pdf and read in Preview

• Not an ideal choice for reading casual text or articles

Haihaisoft PDF Reader

Haihaisoft PDF Reader is a lightweight software with a file size of only 3MB. Due to its small file size, Haihaisoft has an extremely fast launch speed, which is highly praised by many users. It is completely free to download and use. Besides being a fast PDF reader, you can use Haihaisoft as a printer, too.

Pros:

• Free

• Doesn't take up much space on your hard drive

• Easy-to-use interface

Cons:

• No advanced features

• No option to convert files to other formats

Kdan PDF Reader

If you’re looking for a free PDF reader for Mac, then Kdan PDF Reader is an excellent option. You can use it on both your Mac and your mobile phone. Kdan PDF Reader allows you to open, view, print and convert PDF files on your computer. It has all the basic features that you'd expect from this type of program. You can even extract text content from images through its OCR converter.

Pros:

• Available on multiple platforms: macOS, iOS, Android, Windows

• Smooth reading and loading experience

• Supports transferring files from email

Cons:

• The interface is not simple enough

• Users need to spend some time figuring out how to use this tool

Readdle PDF Expert

Readdle PDF Expert is perfect for users who need to manage and edit PDF files on a regular basis. It has the ability to run large PDF files in a few seconds and it enables users to sync annotations on other devices. The basic features of Readdle PDF Expert including edit, rearranging, deleting, rotating, and merging PDF files. It also supports protecting users' sensitive data by redacting information or encrypting it with a password.

Pros:

• No delay or lag in opening large PDF files

• Supports syncing changes through different Apple devices

Cons:

• No Windows or Android versions

• Only offers a 7-day free trial

Conclusion

Finding the best PDF reader can be a daunting task, as there are so many different options available. However, with the right research and consideration of features, you can find the perfect reader for your needs. We have rounded up the list of best PDF viewers for PC and Mac. All programs are powerful to read PDF files. iTop PDF is an all-in-one free PDF reader and editor that can create, open, and edit PDF documents for free. It is a highly recommended program to view and edit PDFs on Windows for beginners.