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Best Free Non-Adobe PDF Reader
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In a Hurry?
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Introduction
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This category includes desktop programs that can be used for reading and annotating PDF documents, other than the slow and bloated Adobe Reader. While I will admit that the Adobe product has improved in both speed and features in recent years, it still lags behind the products that are reviewed here. Picking the best software in this, or any category is a perilous task. Each user has his or her own needs and preferences that figure into the determination of "best in show". My personal criteria for evaluating this software include the following factors
One limitation of the testing process was that the software was not tested under Windows 8. |
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Discussion
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In my examination of most of the available free PDF readers two stood out from all the rest for their extensive capabilities to view and comment on PDF files. This full featured workhorse remains the top choice in this category. With the exception of the 3D files mentioned above. It was able to quickly open and accurately render all of the files in my test set of PDF files. Pages can be zoomed or rotated and can be exported in various image formats. When multiple documents are loaded, the tiled window interface allows opening either in document tabs or side-by-side comparison of files, with the additional option to view them in document tabs. Beyond its viewing capabilities, PDF-XChange has an extensive suite of tools for form annotating and bookmarking PDF documents. This extensive commenting capability includes many drawing tools, including the option to add a grid for precision. Comments can also be hidden, exported or imported. PDF-XChange has the ability to encrypt documents as well as managing document security and properties. Controls are easily accessible and easy to use. Unlike some other readers, PDF-XChange lacks the ability to add digital or electronic signatures. An important part of the reading experience for me is the ablility to search the text contained in the file. As a result, the one feature that makes PDF-XChange stand out from the other PDF readers is its ability to convert and save a scanned or imaged PDF document to one containing searchable text. The OCR process allows the converted document to be indexed and searched. I use the free version of Evernote extensively. It does not index scanned image based PDFs but can index them once they have been OCRed, making this function important to me. With all of its solid qualities this proven software is starting to show its age. While there is an wide range of features for customizing the graphical user interface (GUI), no amount of tinkering can remove its dated Windows XP look and feel. With the level of features and sophistication of the contents of the package, some modernization of the interface is in order. Unfortunately, the installation package installs the Tracker Ask browser toolbar by default. Users should use care in the installation process and most will opt out of the default to avoid including this annoying additional software. A worthy contender in this category is Foxit Reader, particularly if you do not need OCR capability. The software was able to open and accurately render the same files, perhaps a tad faster than PDF-XChange. It contains similar features for viewing and navigating documents, while adding the ability to read documents aloud. When multiple documents are opened they are loaded in tabs to allow easy switching between them. While other software in this category has been relatively static in its development, Foxit has been keeping in step with the state of both the computing and business worlds. Foxit most recent release offers both a "classic" and a "ribbon" interface that provides a modern look and feel to the software. The ribbon is similar to that included in the Microsoft Office toolbar. While I had a bit of trouble finding the cotrols for settiing and changing the format of annotations, I generally had the sense that the features for navigation and editing well organized, smooth and, for the most part, intuitive. The array of annotation tools were as impressive as those in the PDF-XChange reader. The user will be able to fill forms and fully annotate documents and save them as we should expect. Foxit includes some unique controls that permit adding images and multimedia files as well as attaching other files. The reader contains some interesting collaboration and social media features that provide interfaces with Evernote, Facebook, Twitter and SharePoint. Additionally Foxit provides for both electronically signing documents using the commercial DocuSign service and validating electronically signed PDF files. While Foxit can open encrypted files, regretably absent is the abillity to add and alter file security. The most disturbing feature of the software is that the installation package, by default not only installs the Foxit PDF Creator Toolbar and makes Ask the default search provider, but by default will also "set and keep" Ask.com as the browser home and new tabs page. Most users will want to be careful to unselect these undesirable changes during installation or install the portable version instead. In its latest version Foxit has added a multifaceted PDF creation facility, which may be of interest for some.
If all you are really looking for in a PDF reader is the ability to view and print a PDF file, Sumatra may be for you. It's a little short on features, and it has some limitations in rendering images, but it does have plenty of viewing options. No editing or annotations though.
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Related Products and Links
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Last Update: March 5, 2013
Last Update: April 16, 2013
Portable version: http://portableapps.com/apps/office/foxit_reader_portable
Last Update: January 12, 2013
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Editor
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This software category is maintained by volunteer editor jdefgts. Registered members can contact the editor with any comments or questions they might have by clicking here. |
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Tags
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best free pdf reader, top free pdf reader, read pdf files, pdf viewer, best free pdf viewer, top free pdf viewer, annotate pdf, add comments to pdf |
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PDF-XChange Viewer

Comments
I installed all of the Sumatra PDF viewer, the Nitro PDF viewer, the PDF-XChange viewer and the Foxit PDF viewer. I don't compare the possibilities of the software! For me it was interesting to compare the visualising of one and the same PDF file.
I took a file with text (letters) and at the same zoom level compared one and the same place of the text how it looks on screen.
Sumatra PDF viewer and Nitro PDF viewer fell behind with not so good quality.
PDF-XChange viewer and Foxit PDF viewer are with a much better quality of displaying, with Foxit being a bit better than PDF-XChange.
Hence I would vote for Foxit reader - as good viewing, for which the reader is ment, is for me the most important characteristic of a "Viewer"!
I have been using Sumatra a long time; using it now with Windows 8. An excellent and fast little program. It's updated regularly.
When you update the article, it's easy to assume that all info is updated...
I installed PDF-Change Viewer on Windows 7 Home Premium a few months ago when Foxit had security problems. After a few files it would 'close' but not go away, and couldn't be shut down in Task Manager. After a couple of attempts my system would lock up. Uninstalled and reinstalled and it just happened again. It's a nice program but there is an issue, so I'm uninstalling and going back to Foxit.
I am not aware of any widely reported general compatibility problems between PDF-XChange Viewer and Windows 7 Home Premium. In my experience using them together for several years I have not encountered the problem you are reporting. Your issue could be with the specific .pdf files that you are trying to view or with some incompatibility with other software installed on your computer, for example with your anti-virus software. I'm sorry that you this recommendation doesn't work for you.
I don't understand how the file or Kaspersky could be the reason the program can't be closed, even in Task Manager. There's a lot to like about it, until it crashes and locks up my system. I have to do a forced restart (power off-on). The first time I had to use System Restore to get Windows working right. As I mentioned, thinking the executable itself somehow got corrupted, I uninstalled it, and downloaded and installed a fresh copy. After last night's crash I decided to give up. The file that killed it last night was about 35 MB, and I think the one that caused the first crash was of similar size. So maybe it just doesn't like big files? I'd say give the program a try, and see how it works for you. It just didn't work out well for me.
Now that you mentioned Kaspersky I took a look over at the Kaspersky forum (http://forum.kaspersky.com) and there are several reports of similar problems with their antivirus software and PDF-XChange viewer in the 2009-2010 timeframe. You might take a look at these reports and track down a solution.
My experience is that PDF-XChange does not have a problem with large files. I have loaded 100MB+ files with no difficulty.
Thanks. Read through the comments, including the ones in German. They seem to refer to the Kaspersky firewall, Kaspersky Internet Security. I have only the a-v version. But it got me to inspect the log, as the a-v checks apps when loaded. PDFX-Change Viewer never got flagged by Kaspersky. I guess I could add it to Trusted Applications, but for now I'll go with Foxit.
Many types of Windows programs can be so affected by security software although granted this is usually connected with HIPS or behavior blocking components. If an AV has some sort of "trust level" filtering, then this could also be the culprit. I've also seen the same mix of programs react different on XP and 7. MC - Site Manager.
I guess, but it's too late when the application is already open. :) Good old foxy Foxit is doing fine.
Very true. I too have been using PdfXchange Viewer since a long time, and haven't faced any kind of problems. I earlier used it on XP, and now using it with Windows 8.
Foxit Reader no longer provides the .msi version which previously didn't have any toolbar bundled along with the software.
You really MUST include Nitro Reader. One thing I need to make a lot of PDFs "readable" is the ability to convert them to plain text, eliminating tiny serif fonts and eye-tiring long lines. Nitro does excellent text conversion. It also extracts images better than most.
I gave up on Foxit and its naggy ways as soon as I tried out Nitro. The divorce is final.
Have to say, though, that for Plain-and-Portable you can hardly beat Sumatra, and it does some ebook formats rather well too.
Probably we must be careful with installing Foxit. Read please this article http://www.macworld.com.au/news/foxit-reader-security-flaw-reportedly-al...
I used to have Acrobat, PDF-XChange, and Foxit.
PDF Viewers Full of 'Bells & Whistles' I Never used any of them!
As you correctly write: "but almost 99.9% of the time, what most folks want from a PDF reader is to be able to read PDFs."
True! How true!
For more than a year, I have switched to the Sumatra PDF Viewer, and it is a Keeper!
'Happy New Year' to all TSA Members!!!
PDF-XChange Viewer now has picture-to-text capabilities, also known as "optical character recognition" (OCR). If you want to use it in portable version, do this:
1. Visit the download site http://www.tracker-software.com/product/pdf-xchange-viewer.
2. Check “Portable Version (OCR Lang Files) | 8 MB”
3. Click Download Now
4. Extract the folder inside “ocrdats” into the application directory
That's it.
Others can confirm / refute my RECENT experiences w/ Foxit.
A few yrs ago, Foxit Reader used considerably less CPU / RAM vs Adobe; was certainly smaller installed; faster to startup / open many files.
In last few wks, did side by side comparison of latest Adobe / Foxit readers (in Aug 2012).
Opening same pdfs, same time on same machine, saw little difference in CPU / RAM use between them. In past, Foxit was much lighter on resources vs Adobe.
Foxit may still be a *bit* faster to open, but not by much. Appears Adobe improved and / or Foxit got worse.
Used Foxit several yrs. Had to uninstall / reinstall it to "fix various problems" (often suggested to me by support) MORE than most apps I use. Most apps, I NEVER need to uninstall / reinstall. Don't use Adobe a lot, but doesn't seem to mess up / need reinstalling, as Foxit does.
Foxit seems to have sporadic printing problems. Not frequent, but...
Why not try other suggestions for the category, rather than sticking with Foxit? I have been using PdfXchange since a few years now, and I am quite happy with it.
Maybe my experience is unique to my PC...however Version 5.1, version 5.3, etc. of Foxit: Bloatware. Hogs up too much memory. I installed it. Dragged my system down to a crawl. According to my Windows Task Manager, CPU usage was 100% with these latest versions of Foxit. Switched back to Foxit version 3.1506 and everything is fine. Amazing when a software genius screws with an amazing special application,and turns it into a piece of junk. Try Version 5.3 of Foxit but don't break your arm in your haste to uninstall it. Glad I saved an install .exe file for Foxit version 3.1506. I recommend 3.1506 for you if you can dig it up on the web.
agree
When you are installing ANYTHING Foxit, you must CAREFULLY select everything as you install. You must be careful to uncheck boxes that do not apply. If you are not careful, you will install all sorts of software and toolbars which you do not want (and will drag down the performance of your system).
You make a great point, Steve. This is good advice when installing any freeware, shareware, or paid-ware. In my work as an IT consultant, I constantly encounter users with multiple toolbars, malware, and extraneous software because they failed to read the screens when installing something. If a box is checked, read what's next to it. Do not simply click "next." My advice is "RTS" - READ THE SCREEN.
You could become an editor of this page and add the reviews yourself. I'd say they are not included because there is noone to update the page.
Good observation. :)
Foxit Reader cannot print! I have to deinstall this crap cos that missinformation. And I personaly dont like any of those programs you have displayed functions in your toolbar which are only availabe in a "pro" version like XChange it does. Those programs might be slim and fast but can absolutely not reach the functionality of Adobe! In my opinion, not worth it!
hmm..my foxit reader can print. i print alot of banking statements with it and have no problems.
Evince is also available for Windows:
http://projects.gnome.org/evince/
After the last autoupdate of Foxit Reader without my knowledge or at least the right to choose there was installation of a toolbar, change of Home page and Search engine...
At least they could have offered me the freedom of choise.
Is there a PDF reader that open a new document in a new window instead of a new tab in the application?
In PDF-XChange Viewer you can choose Edit-Preferences-General- and then Single Document (Apply). And then you need to reopen PDF-XChange Viewer
i like sumatra pdf reader.....bcoz i cant install adobe reader in my pc...due 2 sum kind of errors....bt sumatra pdf is compleatly installed without any errors....