Top 5 PDF Reader for Windows

July 31, 20231.6K views

If you want to open a PDF document these days, the first solution that comes to mind is the web browsers, most of which now have an inbuilt PDF reader. This has reduced the need for a dedicated PDF reader or PDF viewer software. However, features like digital signature, form filling, annotation, etc. are still the cup of tea for advanced PDF reader software.

For Windows 10/11, there are already tons of options if you want to download PDF viewer apps. But what are the ones you should go for? So, we've compiled a list of the best PDF readers for Windows PCs. The 2022 list includes the likes of WPS, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, SumatraPDF, Foxit Reader, etc. which are already known names.

If you are searching for a handy and powerful PDF Reader, then you've come to the right place! WPS Office provides you with a user-friendly PDF reader for free download. Follow the steps to get the PDF reader right now.

1: WPS PDF Reader

It is a module of WPS Office, which is the best alternative to Microsoft Office. WPS Office integrates all office processor functions such as Word, PDF, Presentation, and Spreadsheet, in one application. It's available on Windows PC, MAC OS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

If you love reading PDFs and editing PDFs, WPS Office's powerful PDF Reader is the best choice you could ever make. WPS PDF reader is free for reading PDF, taking annotations, compressing PDF files, converting PDF to JPG, highlighting specific passages, searching, processing , and editing PDF documents.

Steps to download WPS PDF Reader for free.

1. Go to WPS official site: WPS Office - Free Office Download for PC & Mobile, Alternative to MS Office.

2. Click Free Download at the center of the screen, and the installation file of WPS Office will be downloaded and saved in the specified location in your browser.

3. Open the installation file to install WPS Office on your device. Then open your PDF file in WPS PDF Reader, and you can use all the powerful and easy-to-use functions now!

Having downloaded WPS PDF Reader for free, you are recommended to learn more PDF reading and editing skills in WPS Academy.

2: Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

If you're looking for a powerful program to read PDF files, I'd like to recommend Adobe Acrobat Reader. It’s not uncommon to come across a PDF file that demands an advanced PDF reader. Here, I'm talking about the fillable forms that you can't take care of using a basic PDF reader software for Windows.

Adobe Reader for Windows provides different reading modes, text highlighting, adding notes, filling forms, digital signatures, add stamps, etc. Adobe's free PDF reader for Windows also supports a tabbed view, which means that you can open multiple PDF files simultaneously.

So, if your needs aren't simple, you don't want to just read PDF files, and you need advanced features, downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is the right choice. It's also the best PDF reader for large files that some lightweight programs are unable to process fully.

Pros

Cons

+ Can convert and edit PDF files
+ Offers advanced editing and signing tools
+ Offers multi-platform support

– Pro version with extra functionality is paid
– Minor app glitches

Supported Platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7, XP 

3. SumatraPDF

SumatraPDF is an open-source and lightweight PDF reader software that you can install and use on your Windows computer. Licensed under GPLv3 license, SumatraPDF supports formats other than PDF as well, including the likes of EPUB, MOBI, FB2, CHM, XPS, and DjVu.

As I mentioned above, this free and best PDF reader is very light, and its 64-bit installer is just about 5MB in size. So, if you're looking for a good PDF reader software that can deliver a fantastic reading experience with fast performance and essential features, SumatraPDF is the right PDF reader for you. But, it lacks advanced features like annotations, document signing, and form-filling.

It supports various keyboard shortcuts to help you navigate quickly and improve your reading experience. Sumatra also comes with easy previewing of LaTeX documents, and you can configure different text editors to integrate Sumatra. The free PDF viewer also supports running in restricted mode.

Pros

Cons

+ Offers support for various file formats including ePub
+ It’s a lightweight app

– No editing tools
– No support for any advanced features

Supported platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7, XP

4. Foxit Reader

If you're looking for a robust and free PDF reader for Windows 10/11 or older versions of Microsoft Windows, your search might end with Foxit Reader.

Just like Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, Foxit is a popular name in the world of document readers. However, compared to Adobe's PDF reading solution, Foxit is comparatively lighter.

A while ago, Foxit also introduced its new online ConnectedPDF Document Management System. Its Text Viewer mode removes complex formatting and displays a plain Notepad-like view of the file.

The collaboration features further improve your PDF experience by letting you work online and share it with others. It's an advanced software for reading PDF files, and it comes with all the necessary features.

Pros

Cons

+ Offers cloud sharing tools
+ Offers collaborative feature to work with others
+ Contains advanced editing features

– Minor app glitches on older Windows versions
– Consumes a lot of system resources

Supported platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7, XP

5. Expert PDF Reader

Another free-to-use software you can find is the Expert PDF Reader which is developed by Visagesoft. In terms of look and feel, it will give you the feels of old MS Office apps. But the fact that it's great at doing its job makes Expert PDF Reader an option worth considering.

Speaking of features, this Windows PDF reader can handle almost any document you throw at it. Also, you can modify annotations, add rubber stamps, etc. in existing files even if they're created using other software.

Furthermore, you can bookmark files, view page thumbnails, and use the tabs feature open to multiple PDF files at the same time with this free PDF viewer.

Pros

Cons

+ Supports various file formats
+ Handles large files efficiently

– Lacks advanced tools and features
– Not convenient for advanced users

Supported Platforms: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7

Free Trial of PDF Reader for Windows of WPS Office

In this article, you learned about the 5 best free PDF reader for Windows 10, which can help you view and even edit your PDF file with ease. Among those programs, we strongly recommend WPS PDF Editor. Because it not only allows you to read your PDFs but also enables you to create, edit, and manage the files with simple clicks. 

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.