Best PDF Readers for Windows

PDF, the acronym for Portable Document Format, represents one of the most popular information exchange formulas on the Web Adobe System launched in the early 90s this document format, whose main virtue is its independence from the operating system. The universality of the format has led to the existence of a wide variety of programs that read PDF documents.

In this article, we are going to review the best offer of existing PDF readers for Windows, both in desktop version and with Modern UI interface . The selected desktop version candidates are: Adobe Reader XI , Foxit Reader , Free PDF Opener and Nitro Reader .As for programs with Modern UI Interface, we have Adobe Reader Touch , Foxit Mobile PDF Reader , PDF Expansion Reader , PDF Reader and Soda 3D PDF Reader . There may be more, of course, but I understand that the sample is sufficiently representative.

h2. PDF readers with classic interface

h3. Adobe Reader XI

This application is the original of the company that invented PDF, so we can consider that it is the benchmark to follow. The user interface of Adobe Reader XI is well designed, with a modern appearance, and an arrangement of its elements in such a way that it allows easy learning and very easy use. intuitive program.

The complexity is found in the “Preferences” chapter, which provides endless possibilities for setting, including multimedia features. Despite being a desktop application, it has a “Touch” mode for handling with touch devices .

Besides the official application label, Adobe Reader XI is really good, with a powerful search option and the ability to send files by email, full screen reading mode, has the ability to add sticky notes, highlight text and has accessibility options, such as reading aloud. The downside of so many features is that Adobe Reader is a heavy program in terms of resource consumption. It has plugins for the main browsers.

Web | Download

h3. Foxit Reader

Foxit Reader is another heavyweight among PDF readers. In terms of functions for the task that is proper to it, it has a great set. Supports two possibilities when choosing a user interface: Classic and RibbonIn both it has more color richness than the official application. Shows a small advertising space, connected to products from the application manufacturer, which can be hidden in the “Preferences” section, less complex than in Adobe Reader.

Foxit Reader supports extensions, it is highly customizable, you can change the general aspect of the program through skins, it also has accessibility options, it is very fast on any machinethat meets the minimum installation requirements and allows you to have several documents open at the same time in multiple tabs. You can also configure whether or not you want to have multiple instances of the program running.

It has plugins for Firefox, Opera, Safari and Chrome. Finally, on the virtues side, there is the possibility of configuring the program as a virtual PDF printer and secure reading mode.In the shadows chapter is the interface, somewhat chaotic with so many options, very different depending on whether we opt for the Classic or Ribbon interface, the translation into our language it leaves a lot to be desired and the full screen option is basic. Despite the drawbacks, Foxit Reader is a great product.

Web | Download

h3. Free PDF Opener

Compared to the previous two products, Free PDF Opener is a toy. This is a very simple program that has the basic navigation options to read PDF documents, and when I say basic I mean the minimum ones: positive or negative zoom, jump to a particular page and search within the document. Perhaps most interesting is the “Album” view. The gray stripe at the bottom is completely useless and is displayed in both Windows 8 and Windows 7.

This simplicity has a great counterpart: the lightness of both the program and the interface, which is clear, clean and minimalist. On different shades of gray, the controls in blue tone stand out, of good dimensions without being grotesque. The translation into our language is incomplete. Free PDF Opener embodies the beauty of simplicity. It is a fast and light reader, which does not install any plugin, ideal for working occasionally with PDF documents.

Web | Download (Also available in the Windows app store).

h3. Nitro Reader

Nitro Reader is a product that is halfway between the complexity of Adobe Reader or Foxit Reader, and the minimalism shown by Free PDF Opener, although it is closer to the latter in terms of functions.

Nitro Reader has a paid Pro version, so the free one brings only a representative sample of its capabilities, which are more than enough to read PDF documents.An interesting feature is the possibility of generating PDF documents from others. such as those of Microsoft Office, Corel WordPerfect, HTML and several more. The Pro version supports up to 200 types of format.

The interface of the program is Ribbon-style, although the icons are more filled with color than in the case of Foxit Reader, favoring the understanding of the functions that are triggered. It has open documents in tabs, and two full screen modes: normal and faced. It does not install plugins and although its functions are somewhat limited, it allows you to add notes and texts to the PDF document. The main virtue is its great performance .

Web | Download

h2. PDF Readers with Modern UI

h3. Adobe Reader Touch

While Adobe's desktop product is the benchmark, the Modern UI option is simply disappointingYou have access to bookmarks (document index), single page mode or continuous viewing, searching and printing of the document. Lacks the ability to rotate the document.

The only interesting option is the ability to see the entire document, page by page, represented by a reasonably legible thumbnail, navigable by horizontal scroll. I believe, without fear of being mistaken, that is the worst Adobe product I've ever seen

h3. Foxit Mobile PDF Reader

Foxit Mobile PDF Reader can be leveled with the same criticism as Adobe's product: the feature shortage However, there are Mitigating factors in this case, since it is not an official product and incorporates some more features than that, accessible through the More control: rotation to the right of the document and access to its properties.Lacks print option. Foxit Mobile PDF Reader is another product that is a far cry from what it provides on the desktop

h3. PDF Expansion Reader

PDF Expansion Reader continues the trend of misery in terms of features. However adds some extras compared to previous PDF readers with Modern UI interface, such as horizontal navigation through the document using a scroll bar, ideal for touch devices , multiple display formulas, and left and right rotation of the document. It also has various options for fitting the document on the screen, index presentation and access to the document properties. The combination of display settings can be saved

h3. PDF Reader

PDF Reader is a very simple product, although it has more features than the official Adobe reader, without providing the possibility of printing. Viewing options are all visible in the bottom bar, and document rotation is only possible to the right. Provides document information and provides a control to close the current PDF file.

h3. Soda 3D PDF Reader

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Soda 3D PDF Reader is the most complete PDF document reader of those analyzed with Modern UI interface. The 3D>"

In addition to the visual extra, Soda 3D PDF Reader allows you to print, send by mail, convert to PDF (you don't really know what), view document properties, including permissions enabled on it, rotate in anti-clockwise direction of the document, access to the index (bookmarks), and save the document with another name.Soda 3D PDF Reader has a couple of bugs : In vertical continuous display mode, all pages are blank. It has a slick navigation bar, which appears when it wants to.

h2. PDF readers for Windows, conclusions

h3. Desktop PDF Readers

Adobe Reader is the most professional product.

The offer in the PDF reader market is broader than that offered in the article, but those included can give a good idea of ​​what is available. Adobe Reader is the most professional product, with adjustment capabilities superior to the needs of the home user. Includes access to paid services.

Foxit Reader is the most complete reader.

Foxit Reader is the most complete reader of the comparison, it has so many options that you get lost. It's the reader I use regularly, albeit a less sophisticated version than seen here (v6).The bad translation into our language and the chaotic interface (due to the difference in the arrangement of elements between the classic view and Ribbon), tarnish a great product.

Free PDF Opener is the easiest option.

Free PDF Opener is the easiest option for users who handle PDF documents occasionally. With a download size less than 2MB you can't expect much, but what it does, it does well. If you want a light reader, even if you have installed another for complex tasks, this is the candidate.

itro Reader is the most balanced product.

Nitro Reader is the most balanced option for moderate use of PDF documents. Since the free version is seen as a sales pitch for a larger product, the constant push to upgrade to the Pro version becomes annoying.

h3. PDF Readers Modern UI

Modern UI PDF readers are a far cry from desktop versions, offering very basic features.

Today, Modern UI options for PDF readers are limited and this type of software is literally in its infancy. I have searched for the best and have only found mediocrity. Removing Soda PDF Reader and despite the failures pointed out, the benefits of the others are too basic. Adobe's offering borders on teasing, honestly.

If you have a touch device and want to view a simple PDF file, you can use the Modern UI reader of your choice. If working with these types of devices requires more features, my advice goes to Adobe Reader desktop with Touch enabled