If you have to read complex PDF documents regularly, your companion should be a feature-rich PDF viewer. And, thankfully, there are some great PDF viewers and readers out there. Here, we have enlisted some of the best PDF readers for Windows 11.
| Top Software Reviews | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| 1.Systweak PDF Editor | ||
| 2.Wondershare PDFElement | ||
| 3.Advanced PDF Manager | ||
| 4.SwifDoo PDF Editor | ||
| 5.Adobe Acrobat Reader | ||
| 6.Foxit PDF Reader | ||
| 7.PDFescape | ||
| 8.UPDF | ||
| 9.Nitro Pro | ||
| 10.Kdan PDF Reader | ||
As soon as you get a PDF document, you instantly search for a PDF viewer. Any PDF reader would open a normal PDF. But, but what if you have a PDF file with complex layouts? Or, what if you have to compare two PDF files side by side? Or, you have received a scanned image and you need to work on it? In situations like these, what you need is a feature-rich PDF reader.
In this post, we have carefully picked up some of the best PDF readers for Windows 10 and 11. We have tested these PDFs ourselves and can vouch for their performance.
Best PDF Viewers and Readers In Windows 11/10
- 1
Systweak PDF Editor- Edit text and images in PDF documents.
- Combine PDF files.
- Convert PDF files to various formats and vice versa.
- Protect PDFs with a password.
- $69.95 / year
- 2
Wondershare PDFElement- Batch converts PDF to not just Word but multiple file formats.
- Convert PDF to JPG in 600 dpi.
- Arrange and organize PDFs exactly the way you want.
- Convert files from various formats to PDF
- $79.99 / year Download Here
- 3
Advanced PDF Manager- PDF Viewer
- Manage PDF pages
- Add password to PDF files
- Split and merge PDFs
- $39.95 / year
- 4
SwifDoo PDF Editor- Convert PDF to Word in all formats (.doc, .docx)
- Convert files from other formats to PDF.
- Translate selected text in PDF.
- Annotate PDF.
- $5.75 / month Download Here
- 5
Adobe Acrobat Reader- Add, delete, or go to a specific bookmark.
- Other viewing modes are single-page, two-page, cover page, scrolling mode, reading mode, etc.
- Fullscreen read mode.
- Ability to go back to the previous view.
- $19.99 / month Download Here
- 6
Foxit PDF Reader- View PDF pages in reverse order.
- Safe Reading Mode gives you control over unauthorized data transmissions and actions.
- Auto-scroll functionality where you can adjust the auto-scroll speed.
- Read the text in the PDF aloud.
- Segregate and read just the text with the Text Viewer.
- $129.99 / year Download Here
- 7
PDFescape- You also can draw on the PDF.
- Add sticky notes, as per your needs.
- Add text, images, links, etc.
- Share PDFs easily online for Free
- $2.99 / year Download Here
- 8
UPDF- Navigate pages using bookmarks.
- Slideshow PDF documents – You can play from the start, or the current slide.
- A dedicated search bar to search for specific phrases and words.
- Comparison mode where you can compare two PDF files side by side.
- $39.99 / month Download Here
- 9
Nitro Pro- Batch processing functionalities
- Digital signature and ID certification
- Annotate and sign PDFs
- Scan and OCR your PDF files
- $149.99 / year Download Here
- 10
Kdan PDF Reader- Redact sensitive information in PDF documents such as phone numbers, credit card details, passwords, etc.
- Slideshow PDF document.
- Split view to watch two PDF files side by side.
- Arrange PDF pages.
- $59.99 / month Download Here
1. Systweak PDF Editor
First on our list of best PDF viewers and readers is Systweak PDF Editor. To begin with, we liked the software for its simplicity and the various viewing modes it comes with. Apart from being a PDF viewer and editor, Systweak PDF also comes with various security features. We have discussed all these features in depth in this Systweak PDF Editor review.
Notable Features
- Multiple viewing modes – PDF in actual size, fit page and width, scrolling, and single view.
- Zoom in and out of the page.
- Dedicated search bar to search for phrases.
- View page thumbnails and reorder them (if needed).
- Add bookmarks to navigate your PDF documents.
- Add text and images to your PDF.
- Convert scanned documents to editable and selectable PDFs using OCR.
- Annotate PDF using shapes, highlights, arrows, etc.
- Repair corrupted PDFS.
- Limited features in the free version.
2. Wondershare PDFelement
Primarily a PDF editing tool, Wondershare PDFelement enhances your reading and viewing experience when working with PDF files. Again, it is one of those PDF readers and viewers that offers various viewing modes. Plus, it comes with AI with which you can further understand your PDF documents better. To know more check out this Wondershare PDFelement review.
Notable Features
- Change page orientation as per your liking.
- Various options to adjust the page layout. For example, single/two-page view/scrolling, etc.
- Zoom a page up to 6400%
- In settings, you can set consistent viewing preferences across all your PDF files.
- AI Read Mode performs actions like summarizing, rewriting, proofreading, etc.
- Several viewing backgrounds/ themes to choose from.
- 3D read mode that emulates real-life page flipping.
- Variety of forms to choose from.
- Various editing options.
- Consumes system resources.
3. Advanced PDF Manager
Advanced PDF Manager is a straightforward PDF tool that offers a variety of features. To begin with, you can open, read, and analyze PDFs in the simplest way possible. Then, it offers a host of PDF management tasks such as letting you change the order of PDF pages, duplicating them, etc. And, not just with one, but with any number of PDFs.
Notable Features
- Multiple view modes – collapse view, single, small, medium, and large multiview.
- Open multiple PDFs in the interface at once.
- Perform operations on multiple PDFs simultaneously.
- Rearrange the order of PDFs.
- Duplicate the pages of PDFs or complete PDFs.
- Merge and split PDF files.
- Rotate PDF pages.
- Add and remove PDFs.
- Protect PDFs with a password.
- Can’t add bookmarks.
4. SwifDoo PDF
SwifDoo PDF is an all-in-one PDF editing and viewing tool. As a PDF reader and viewer, it offers various customizable modes with which you can view your PDfs the way you want. It also lets you run your PDF files as slideshow presentations and gives you the option to work with multiple PDFs simultaneously. To know more check out this SwifDoo PDF review.
Notable Features
- Slideshow mode to display PDF as a Powerpoint presentation.
- Customize PDF theme colors.
- Various basic reading modes – single page, two PDF pages side by side, continuous, reverse view, and continuous facing.
- Split current page view.
- Open multiple PDFs in tab format.
- Use incognito mode to view PDF files privately.
- Read PDFs aloud.
- Search for things that you want to replace.
- Translate PDF in various languages.
- Some users have noticed minute glitches when annotating.
5. Adobe Acrobat Reader
The list of best PDF readers and viewers will be incomplete without Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is a trusted global standard for PDF viewing, signing, sharing, printing, and annotating PDF documents. Apart from basic viewing modes, Adobe Acrobat Reader also lets you pan and zoom on specific locations in a PDF document.
Notable Features
- Add, delete, or go to a specific bookmark.
- Other viewing modes are single-page, two-page, cover page, scrolling mode, reading mode, etc.
- Fullscreen read mode.
- Ability to go back to the previous view.
- Functionality to pan and zoom.
- Using an AI assistant you can chat with your documents.
- Edit PDFs – add or replace text and images, add lines, etc.
- Redact confidential areas of your PDF files.
- Prepare forms from scratch.
- Limited functionality is available in the free trial.
6. Foxit PDF Reader
Foxit PDF Reader is not just a PDF viewer but several tools packed into one. With this PDF viewer for Windows, you can fill out forms, annotate your PDF documents, sign and secure your PDF files, and do so much more. It has a repute amongst users for its seamless integration with leading CMS and cloud storage platforms. Furthermore, it also comes with various AI-driven features.
Notable Features
- View PDF pages in reverse order.
- Safe Reading Mode gives you control over unauthorized data transmissions and actions.
- Auto-scroll functionality where you can adjust the auto-scroll speed.
- Read the text in the PDF aloud.
- Segregate and read just the text with the Text Viewer.
- Rotate clockwise and counterclockwise.
- Night mode.
- Request signatures.
- Add comments and annotate on your PDF.
- Some users have reported that it performs slowly with large PDF files.
7. PDFescape
From opening a PDF to editing it, PDFescape is a tool that lets you perform every possible task related to your PDF. It offers a clear and efficient PDF viewing experience. There are various tools with which you can ease your navigation. For instance, you can add bookmarks to navigate or head to a specific page of your PDF document.
Notable Features
- Multiple page views – fit page, fit width, actual size.
- Various options to view two PDFs side by side and compare them.
- Take snapshots if required.
- Convert PDF documents to various file formats.
- Create blank PDF documents.
- Secure and sign forms.
- Search and redact sensitive information.
- Working with multiple PDFs simultaneously is difficult.
8. UPDF
UPDF is probably one of the best-looking PDF readers. And, as decent as it looks, its functionality is great too. What makes it one of the best PDF readers available is that it is powered by GPT-4. The AI integration lets you translate, summarize and even chat with your PDF.
Notable Features
- Navigate pages using bookmarks.
- Slideshow PDF documents – You can play from the start, or the current slide.
- A dedicated search bar to search for specific phrases and words.
- Comparison mode where you can compare two PDF files side by side.
- Ability to customize the page display mode.
- Various annotation and markup tools.
- Use AI to get the main points of a PDF.
- Dark and light mode.
- Occasional lags and crashes.
9. Nitro Pro
Nitro Pro is a professional-grade PDF editor and creator with which you can open, view, and edit documents. It can be used for both professional as well as personal tasks. With Nitro Pro, you can edit a variety of components in your PDF documents such as text, images, vector graphics, etc. To know more, read this inside-out review of Nitro Pro.
Notable Features
- Batch processing capabilities.
- Track comments by the author.
- Scan OCR PDF files.
- Expansive palette of various digital stamps.
- Sign PDF documents.
- Embed links and files.
- Digital signature and ID certification.
- Some advanced tools are lacking for the price charged.
10. Kdan PDF Reader
Last but not least, we have Kdan PDF Reader. It is one of the highest-rated PDF readers and viewers on the Microsoft Store. One of the highlights of this PDF viewing software is the AI auto text redact feature. With the help of this feature, you can redact sensitive information in your PDF document before sharing it with someone else.
Notable Features
- Redact sensitive information in PDF documents such as phone numbers, credit card details, passwords, etc.
- Slideshow PDF document.
- Splitview to watch two PDf files side by side.
- Arrange PDF pages.
- Annotate on PDF pages especially, while you are using the slideshow.
- Encrypt PDFs with a password.
- AI auto redaction.
- Signing up is required even in the free version.
Which is Your Favorite PDF Reader?
Choosing a PDF reader and viewer is crucial if you have to work with PDF documents day in and out. Instead of sticking to just one PDF that you might be using for a long time, you can instead switch to alternative PDF readers. This way you will see how some of the best PDF readers can enhance your PDF viewing experience and help you increase productivity.
With that, we come to the end. Do let us know in the comments section below, which is your favorite PDF viewer and reader. You can also reach out to us on Facebook, Flipboard, and Pinterest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PDF reader?
As the name suggests, a PDF reader is software that lets you open, view, and interact with PDF documents. You can read documents, search text within the document, and even perform various editing functions.
Which is the best PDF reader and viewer for Windows 10 and 11?
We have enlisted some of the best PDF readers in this post such as Systweak PDF Editor, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Wondershare PDFelement, Advanced PDF Manager, and many others. Each offers many different tools that can enhance your productivity around PDFs.
Is it safe to download a PDF reader?
Downloading a PDF reader is safe provided you download it from a trusted website or the official app store. To further ensure the authenticity and also check the PDF reader for malware and other malicious threats, it is recommended that you install antivirus software on your PC.
How do I know if a PDF is secure?
To ensure that PDF is secure, first, ensure that you receive it from a trusted source. You can also look for digital signatures, or encryption settings that further indicate security measures.
