Best free PDF readers of 2024

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REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
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REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID

The best free PDF readers are more than just document viewers - they come packed with extra tools for editing and collaboration, without any hidden costs. 

If you just need occasionally open and read a PDF document, we recommend using your browser. It's limited, but quick. But for anything more than highlighting and sharing, a PDF reader is essential. After reviewing all the best PDF editors and best free PDF editors, we wanted to know which is the best free PDF reader on the market. So, we did what we always do: we put them to the test. 

During our testing process, we assessed platform compatibility, cloud storage extras, large file handling, and overall performance. We tried out all the features and functionalities of the software, and highlighted pricing upgrades - while making sure all our picks are completely free PDF readers. 

The best free PDF reader in 2024

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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best free PDF reader options in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

Best free PDF reader overall

(Image credit: Adobe)
Top free PDF viewer to read PDF files

Specifications

Operating system: Windows, macOS

Reasons to buy

+
Flawless free tools
+
Multi-platform support
+
Clean and simple interface

Reasons to avoid

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Incessant 'upgrade to Pro' ads
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Core tools paywalled

If you want to read, comment, annotate, fill, or sign documents, Adobe Acrobat Reader is a seamless experience. But the free version is hamstrung with core features locked behind subscription plans. 

As you expect from Adobe, Reader’s interface is intuitive, easy to find what you need. However, many of the tools aren’t really available. PDF conversion, document editing, this level of file control requires a subscription. They’re an enticing glimpse of all the power you’ll wield by subscribing to the Standard or Pro version. With two permanent upgrade ads on the screen, it’s impossible to forget what you’re missing out on. And it harms an otherwise clean user experience. 

Of the tools available to you, there’s the free PDF reader and the ability to annotate, add comments, shapes, drawings. Filling and signing forms is excellently handled, with the app capable of highlighting sections that need attention. During our time here, this auto-detection function worked flawlessly. 

It’s still one of the best free PDF readers out there - Adobe invented the filetype, after all. You can read PDFs on any device, it’s simple to use, with some great default tools. But we’re starting to wonder where Reader fits into the office landscape except as an entry point to the much more useful Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Read our full Adobe Acrobat Reader (2024) review 

Best free PDF reader for cross-platform support

(Image credit: Foxit)
The ultimate free PDF reader, creator and converter for Windows and beyond

Specifications

Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Citrix

Reasons to buy

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Allows you to create PDFs
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Safe mode disables Javascript
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Lightweight download

Reasons to avoid

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Some features require extensions
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No OCR in free version

Foxit PDF Reader is more than just a free PDF reader – you can also create PDFs from scratch using this software. Integration with Microsoft Office allows you to easily turn documents you’re working on into PDFs. Or, you can scan a document or image and turn it into a PDF using Foxit Reader. The only thing that’s lacking in the free version is support for optical character recognition in scanned documents.

The software can be a little intimidating at first, but it’s relatively straightforward to navigate. That’s thanks to the fact that it uses the same ribbon-style menu as Microsoft Office. Tools for editing, signing, highlighting, and commenting are fairly easy to access. You can also merge or split PDFs by downloading free add-ons for the software. 

Another advantage to Foxit PDF Reader is that it offers security. There’s a Safe Reading mode that allows you to automatically disable Javascript embedded in downloaded PDFs.

Note that with the software's latest update, Foxit seems to have removed its PDF virtual printer driver, meaning you can no longer use the software to create PDFs.

Read our full Foxit PDF Reader review

Best lightweight free PDF reader

(Image credit: Investintech)
We found this one to be fast and lightweight

Specifications

Operating system: Windows, macOS, Linux

Reasons to buy

+
Small download size 
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Loads extremely quickly
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Can convert file types

Reasons to avoid

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No editing 
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Not many features overall

Slim PDF is the best free PDF reader if you’re looking for something incredibly lightweight. The software download is really small, so is the perfect choice if you’re limited by hard drive space. Plus, that means that it’s able to open and load your documents faster than most of its competitors.

In our review, we called it "a sleek, minimalist PDF reader that only takes up a couple of megabytes on your hard drive." The downside to this small size is that Slim PDF is pretty basic. You can search and rotate documents, but that’s about it. 

And you have to go in knowing that. Slim PDF feather-light when it comes to features. If you're looking for a PDF editor, you won't find it here. Nor will you find tools for signing, filling, commenting, or highlighting, let alone multiple reading modes. This application reads PDFs plain and simple, cut and dry. 

While there is a menu option to convert a PDF to a Word document, doing this requires another software download. On the other hand, if your needs are similarly simple, the free PDF reader might just be the solution for you.

As a result, Slim PDF is truly just a PDF reader. It does a good job at this, though, leaving out the toolbars that can distract you from what you’re reading. If you frequently need to print PDFs, Slim PDF is one of the fastest and most simple options available.

Read our full Slim PDF review

Best free PDF reader for tools

(Image credit: Nitro)
A document reader that's feature-rich and packed with tools

Specifications

Operating system: Windows, macOS

Reasons to buy

+
Touchscreen mode 
+
Plenty of annotation tools
+
Simple ribbon-style menu

Reasons to avoid

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No document signing or filling
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Lacks advanced features found in Nitro Pro

The Nitro PDF Reader is another powerful free PDF reader in the vein of Foxit Reader and Adobe Acrobat DC. What makes this tool different is that it has a touchscreen mode that’s perfect if you’re working on a tablet. Touchscreen mode is especially nice for reading e-books, since you can flick the pages rather than scroll or click on a button.

While you can’t fill and sign PDFs with Nitro Reader - this is, after all, a pared back version of Nitro's Pro PDF editor, with no OCR or the ability to insert, remove,  and reorder pages) - it remains an excellent tool that will make everyday document-wrangling much easier.

The software does a nice job of enabling collaboration. You can annotate documents with underlining and strikethroughs in addition to highlighting. Comments are also supported, and they appear like sticky notes that are easy to spot as you read through a document. Helpfully, the software also allows you to convert between PDF and other document formats.

The software has a ribbon-style menu that will be familiar to Microsoft Office users. The menu is pretty easy to navigate since there aren’t all that many options available in Nitro Reader. Overall, we found the app to be a remarkably powerful free PDF reader that's packed with handy features you'll use time after time, all presented in a clear, adaptable interface.

Read our full Nitro PDF Reader review

Best free PDF reader with built-in OCR

(Image credit: Tracker Software)
Perfect if you need a free PDF reader with OCR included

Specifications

Operating system: Windows

Reasons to buy

+
Optical character recognition
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Text editing
+
Splits and extracts pages

Reasons to avoid

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Free version watermarks documents
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PC-only

Rather than just being a free PDF reader, PDF-XChange Editor is also a free PDF editing program for Windows. The interface is a little more complex than some others but gives you easy access to plenty of helpful features. 

For most users, the main reason to use PDF-XChange Editor is the fact that it comes with inbuilt Optical Character Recognition (OCR). This means that if your original PDF document is a photocopy, PDF-XChange will still recognize the text and allow you to edit it. Also, PDF-XChange Editor lets you reformat text, and even convert it into fonts that aren’t already loaded on your computer. You can use this platform to merge or split individual PDF files. 

It's not the perfect free PDF reader, however. There is one big, unignorable disadvantage to using the app: it'll stamp a 'Created with PDF X-Change Editor' watermark on any PDF file you export. That disappears once you sign up to the Pro version, but it's still an issue that's going to put some people off. 

During our tests, we ultimately felt that while nothing stood out as incredible, there was also nothing that stood out as frustrating or annoying either. Under the right circumstances, it's a great product that has the ability to be your one and only PDF editor without any compromise.

Read our full PDF-XChange Editor review

Best free PDF reader for viewing only

Interface

(Image credit: airSlate)
If you only need to read PDF files, this one has you covered

Specifications

Operating system: Web, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android

Reasons to buy

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Cross-platform with apps for online, on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android
+
Customer support is responsive
+
Plenty of editing tools
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No sign-up to read PDFs

Reasons to avoid

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Full toolkit  requires subscription
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Advanced tools may prove steeper learning curve than most

pdfFiller serves up a very simple free PDF reader experience. If your needs are basic, it’s quick and easy to upload your document and read it via your browser, or through the Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS apps. Not only is the PDF viewing process free, you won’t even need to sign up to read files. 

However, the platform is actually a full PDF editor, with plenty of additional features for document creation and editing like fillable forms, data redaction tools, online collaboration, digital signatures, and PDF converters. After a thorough review process, we ultimately felt that the platform is “a very versatile PDF document management system” for both personal and business use. 

When it comes to a straight PDF viewer, pdfFiller’s free service feels hobbled by the inability to do anything beyond reading files. You can tweak documents, but they’ll remain locked on your dashboard and unavailable as a PDF file. To really get the most from the service - and, to be fair, it offers a fair amount - you’ll need to subscribe to one of three monthly/annual subscription plans. Enterprise licensing is available, too, for teams of ten or more. 

Read our full pdfFiller review 

Best free PDF readers: FAQs

What is a PDF reader?

A PDF reader is a program used to open, view, and print PDF (Portable Document Format) files. First introduced in the 1990s, PDF files are an excellent way to distribute documents containing text, images, and various other media types.

Many modern browsers can read PDF files, but the best free PDF readers still have their place. These dedicated programs give users more ways to interact with the file and offer greater control over how the document appears on the screen.

PDF files were designed to appear and function the same on any piece of hardware, so you'll find the best PDF readers for Android and other mobile devices too.

Do I need a PDF editor or a PDF reader?

Deciding between a PDF editor and a PDF reader comes down to how you'll use the software. PDF readers are primarily designed to view documents - although many include the best online collaboration tools like commenting, highlighting, and annotating content. Altering a PDF file is often limited to small edits and manipulation. A PDF editor lets you design and create documents from scratch and make large changes. They almost always include powerful tools for power-users, like built-in OCR software and digital signature tools. 

Are free PDF readers safe?

Are the best free PDF readers worth it?

The best free PDF readers feature plenty of tools for viewing and sharing PDF files - however, they're often slightly more limited compared to paid-for counterparts. In many cases, they offer a taste of how the software works, with upgrades and subscriptions that add more tools. If you're only reading PDFs on your computer or mobile device, a browser will likely meet your needs. If you're frequently in and out of documents, making minor edits, and sharing files, a full PDF reader will likely suit you best. 

How to choose the best free PDF reader for you

When deciding which PDF reader is best to download and use, first consider which parts of your PDF file you need to change. If you’re just trying to add information to a form digitally, you’ll only need a basic editor that supports text insertion.

However, if you need to change the content of a PDF substantially, you’ll require a more powerful PDF software program that can make modifications to text or images already stored in the file. In some cases, especially if you want to change almost all the content of your file, it may be better to use a fully functioning PDF Editor or even the best PDF to Word converter instead.

How we test the best free PDF readers

Our team of expert reviewers have gone hands-on with a massive range of PDF editing software and PDF viewers, including the best PDF readers for Windows and the best PDF readers for Mac. So, we know what to look out for - and what to avoid - when you need the best free PDF readers. 

We test the best free PDF readers against the factors that users care about - from the interface and experience to performance and platform availability.

We also assess each tool against its use-case. Some want a lightweight reader, others need one packed with plenty of other PDF utilities for professional use - so we look at how well the free PDF readers deliver for their intended audience. 

We also ensure that free means free - no hidden charges. Any subscriptions, lifetime licenses, and upgrade fees must be clearly signposted. While reviewing these programs and apps, we've highlighted any optional pricing structures. 

Today's best PDF reader deals

Adobe Acrobat DC

<a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/adobe-acrobat-dc" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"">Adobe Acrobat DC: the best PDF editor right now
Adobe Acrobat offers the tools needed to create, edit, and read PDFs on desktop or mobile. It's available on a subscription, with all the tools casual and power-users demand. But, as the creator of the PDF filetype, what more would you expect?

See our guide <a href="https://www.techradar.com/how-to/try-adobe-acrobat-dc-for-free-or-with-creative-cloud" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" data-link-merchant="techradar.com"" target="_blank">How to try Adobe Acrobat for free or with Creative Cloud

pdfFiller: 30-day free trial

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pdfFiller offers powerful online tools for editing, managing and collaborating on PDF documents. Its responsive customer service and all-in-one solution make it a Techradar top-rated option for PDF editors. <a href="https://pdffiller.pxf.io/c/221109/1308487/15962?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pdffiller.com%2F" data-link-merchant="pdffiller.com"" data-link-merchant="pdffiller.com"">Start today w<a href="https://pdffiller.pxf.io/c/221109/1308487/15962?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pdffiller.com%2Fen%2Fservices.htm" data-link-merchant="pdffiller.com"" data-link-merchant="pdffiller.com"" data-link-merchant="pdffiller.com"">i<a href="https://pdffiller.pxf.io/c/221109/1308487/15962?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pdffiller.com%2F" data-link-merchant="pdffiller.com"" data-link-merchant="pdffiller.com"" data-link-merchant="pdffiller.com"" data-link-merchant="pdffiller.com"">th a 30-day free trial.

Steve Clark
B2B Editor - Creative & Hardware

Steve is TechRadar Pro’s B2B Editor for Creative & Hardware. He explores the apps and devices for individuals and organizations that thrive on design and innovation. A former journalist at Web User magazine, he's covered software and hardware news, reviews, features, and guides. He's previously worked on content for Microsoft, Sony, and countless SaaS & product design firms. Once upon a time, he wrote commercials and movie trailers. Relentless champion of the Oxford comma.

With contributions from