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Top 10 PDF Readers (PDF Viewers)

Portable Document Format or PDF files are something that generally contains a lot of useful information. Be it a personal usage or any kind of commercial business purpose, these PDF files are quite useful and handy too. But these PDF files can only be read properly if you have efficient and reliable PDF Reader installed on your desktop or a PC. Here's a list of the top ten PDF Readers available for the Windows operating system.

Part 1The Ultimate List of PDF Readers for Windows 10/8.1/8/7

1. Wondershare PDFelement

pdf reader for windows

Wondershare has released this wonderful PDF Reader - PDFelement that is loaded with numerous features & facilities that will intrigue both professional users & beginners too. This software provides a great compatibility with the various Windows versions, starting from Windows XP right up to the latest Windows 10.

With its ample number of useful features included in the complete suite, this efficient tool, Wondershare PDFelement is anticipated to be the most popular among its users. Hence, it is the best PDF reader for windows among the rest.

Pros:

  • It supports various features including reading PDFs, converting PDFs, creating PDFs, markup PDFs, editing PDFs, adding watermark, resizing & rotating any graphical object with your PDF, and even securing PDFs with a password protection.
  • It has a brilliant OCR feature supporting 17 popular languages.
  • You can change viewing modes quickly with its drag-and-drop function.
  • The ribbon-like interface presents all potential functions thus allowing the users to load more than 300 different formats.
  • You can also view the scanned images clearly using its built-in OCR feature.

2. Nitro Pro 10

pdf reader window 7

Nitro Pro is another popular PDF Reader and extends an outstanding viewing interface with least burden on your available computer resources. The software has a compatibility with Windows Vista, 7, 8 & 10.

Pros:

  • It has a Microsoft-style ribbon interface, so its users will get a familiar setup.
  • Its optimization provides a user-friendly interface.
  • The available features are the best in its class.
  • Reviewing of files is pretty simple with markups & sticky notes.
  • Special features are also clearly visible on the ribbon.

Cons:

  • This software only has the paid version.
  • Audio & video files can't be aimed into a PDF document.

3. SodaPDF

pdf reader for window 8

When it comes to the useful features of a PDF Reader for Windows, SodaPDF can be another great option too. You can spend hours after hours to explore its features that are far beyond the simple PDF viewing & editing.

Pros:

  • It supports multi-document tabbed viewing, different reading modes, form-filling & annotation/highlights.
  • It allows you to add geometric shapes, sticker notes, and textual stamps to your PDF documents.
  • It supports various types of file conversion and a batch mode for bulk PDF creation as well.
  • This software has a facility of cloud storage services including Google Drive & OneDrive.

Cons:

  • The licensed version of SodaPDF is pretty costly.
  • OCR crashes sometimes.

4. PDF-Xchange Viewer

pdf reader for pc

PDF-Xchange Viewer has an excellent PDF Reader and Viewer utility. Additionally, it is packed with a versatile number of extra features. It is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista & XP.

Pros:

  • It features a tabbed interface in order to work with multiple PDF files at a time.
  • The standard features including reading modes & bookmark support are convenient.
  • It can create PDF files from specified URLs, even from the existing files.

Cons:

  • The trial version is quite restricted in terms of the features.
  • The paid version is much costly compared to the other products.

5. Foxit Reader

download pdf reader

This PDF Reader for Windows application has been quite popular among its users. It works seamlessly with Windows 10 and other older versions of Windows such as Vista.

Pros:

  • It has a familiar interface like Microsoft products.
  • You can view text within PDF portfolios.
  • Tabs can be also created for customized views.
  • Managing comments are simple with the commands like export, import, e-mail, pop-up notes, and comments are available.
  • It has a better controlling feature like the Group Policy.

Cons:

  • Several users have faced problems while viewing & opening a PDF file in Windows 7 using this tool.
  • The system crashes frequently.
  • Software trials are totally different while updates are initiated.

6. PDF Reader

pdf reader for windows

This is multi-purpose PDF Reader that assists both your primary & advanced document management requirements at your office. With it, you can create, edit, view, and annotate your PDF files on your Windows platform.

Pros:

  • It is fully featured with multiple features and facilities.
  • It has an easy, simple, and intuitive interface.

Cons:

  • The OCR crashes a bit, hence sometimes the users may experience a slower performance.

7. Adobe Acrobat Reader

pdf reader window 7

Adobe has released this PDF Reader since more than 20 years from now. This new PDF Reader is clearly an advanced & latest version in terms of creating, viewing, and managing PDF files. The software is compatible with Windows 2012 R2, server 2008 R2, 7, 8, & 10.

Pros:

  • It's undoubtedly one of the best PDF readers with its versatile readers.
  • It has a fast performance levels allowing the users to seamlessly complete the tasks.
  • The User Interface is well-matured to give the users a sophisticated outlook.

Cons:

  • The available Features are still very limited as compared to the other PDF suites.
  • The export function has a relatively slower speed, hence the PDF conversions take a considerable amount of time.

8. Expert PDF Reader

pdf reader for window 8

If you're in need of the basic PDF reader which can handle some occasional annotation & editing tasks, then Expert PDF Reader will be just apt for you. It is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista & XP.

Pros:

  • It supports all the basic features like create PDF, edit PDF, view PDF etc.
  • It has a pretty simplistic interface.

Cons:

  • The software really lacks with the number of its supported features.
  • It can be only convenient for very few simple PDF usages, not for the advanced users.

9. Sumatra PDF Reader

pdf reader for pc

This is a lightweight PDF Reader that doesn't complicate the functions. It is packed with the necessary features which allow a seamless operation. It is compatible with the older versions of Windows like XP, Vista, 7, 8 as well as the latest Windows 10.

Pros:

  • It has the built-in EasyStart which saves time & allows conversion previews.
  • Advanced features like creating custom profiles, watermarking, and merging are clearly visible.
  • It provides one of the simplest viewers.
  • CBR or comic book reader format is also supported.

Cons:

  • The available features are very limited.
  • The optimization controls are not that efficient.

10. SlimPDF Reader

pdf reader for windows

SlimPDF Reader claims to be the all-in-one PDF Reader & PDF editor. It supports various Windows platform.

Pros:

  • It is a pretty light-weight application, hardly takes a fraction of your disk space.
  • The controls & navigation are easy, simple & self-explanatory.

Cons:

  • It only supports the basic PDF features.
  • It lags behind compared to the other competitive PDF suites available on the market.

Part 2Tips on Choosing the Right PDF Viewer

Windows 10 has brought loads of new features that have greatly improved the users' experience on this particular operating system compared to its earlier versions. Even, Windows 10 has the integrated native feature, Print to PDF and the Edge browser as the default PDF viewer. So, if you want a reliable yet powerful PDF reader, then you might need these tips while choosing the right product.

Overall, the Wondershare PDFelement has all the necessary features to facilitate the best PDF reading and viewing experience.

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