Top alternatives to Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader in 2024

PDF (Portable Document Format) files have become an important part of our professional and personal lives. They’re widely used for sharing documents, keeping...

PDF (Portable Document Format) files have become an important part of our professional and personal lives. They’re widely used for sharing documents, keeping formatting the same, and ensuring compatibility across different devices and operating systems. Adobe Acrobat, specifically Adobe Acrobat Reader, has long been considered the go-to software for viewing and managing PDF documents. However, as of late, there have been several alternatives available that offer similar functionality and additional features, making them great options for existing or past Adobe users. In this article, we’ll explore the top Adobe Acrobat alternatives for 2023, providing you with a deep dive into the alternatives to Adobe Acrobat PDF reader and help you find the right solution for your PDF needs.

Understanding the basics of PDFs

Before diving into the alternatives, let's understand the basics of PDF and explore Adobe Acrobat to gain a better perspective on why you might consider switching to an alternative.

What is a PDF?

PDF, or Portable Document Format, is a widely used file format for storing and sharing documents. It ensures that the formatting and content of the document remain consistent across different devices and platforms. PDF files can contain text, images, and even interactive elements such as forms and hyperlinks. They have become a standard format for sharing documents due to their versatility and compatibility.

What you need to know about Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a suite of software products developed by Adobe Systems that allows users to create, edit, and manage PDF documents. The three main versions of Adobe Acrobat are Adobe Acrobat DC, Acrobat Pro DC, and Adobe Reader DC. Adobe Acrobat DC is the full-featured version of the software, offering a wide range of tools for creating, editing, and managing PDFs. Acrobat Pro DC is a more advanced version, providing additional features such as electronic signatures and form creation. Adobe Reader DC, on the other hand, is a free software that allows users to view and interact with PDF documents.

Finding the right alternative: Why consider an Adobe Acrobat alternative?

While Adobe Acrobat offers a comprehensive set of features, it may not be the ideal choice for everyone. Here are a few reasons why you might consider exploring alternative PDF readers:

1. Cost: Adobe Acrobat can be quite expensive, especially if you need advanced features that are only available in the Pro version. Alternatives can give you similar functionalities at a lower cost or even for free.

2. Resource Consumption: Adobe Acrobat is a resource-intensive software, and running it on older or less powerful devices can be a bit sluggish. Alternatives often give you faster and more lightweight solutions.

3. Feature Set: Depending on your specific needs, some alternatives may offer features that Adobe Acrobat lacks, making them a better fit for your PDF needs.

4. User Interface: The user interface of Adobe Acrobat might not appeal to everyone. Exploring alternatives can help you find a PDF reader with a more intuitive and user-friendly platform.

Now that we’ve established the reasons to consider Adobe Acrobat alternatives, let's discuss some of the top alternatives available.

Evaluating the top alternatives to Adobe Acrobat PDF reader

When it comes to the top alternatives to Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader, it’s important to note that our evaluation covers the majority of prominent features you’ll need to make your PDF reading experience a good one. So, go ahead and get your pen and papers and let’s get started!

1. Speechify: a top alternative to Adobe Acrobat

Speechify is an emerging PDF reader that has gained significant popularity as a great alternative to Adobe Acrobat, especially for Android users. It offers a range of features that make it an attractive choice for individuals and businesses seeking a free PDF reader. While Adobe Acrobat is known for its extensive capabilities, Speechify focuses on providing a seamless PDF reading experience that gives you the ability to tap into its one-of-a-kind text-to-speech functionality and natural-sounding voices.

Enhanced productivity while listening and going through your PDF forms

Unlike Adobe Reader DC, Speechify gives you the option to be productive while interacting with your PDF forms. You can use Speechify’s AI to source through your PDF document and you can also listen to your documents with productivity in mind by listening to over 900 words per minute! Speechify provides you with a convenient and efficient way to handle and listen to your paperwork digitally.

Integration with Google Drive and other cloud services

One of the standout features of Speechify is its seamless integration with popular cloud storage platforms like Google Drive. This allows you to easily access and manage your PDF files stored in the cloud, providing flexibility and convenience. Whether you're working on your Android device or switching to a desktop computer, your documents are readily available, synced, and up to date.

Complementary PDF tools and viewer permissions

While Speechify focuses primarily on PDF reading, it also offers a range of complementary PDF tools to enhance your experience. These tools include features like text highlighting, annotation, and the ability to extract pages from PDFs. Additionally, Speechify provides customizable viewer permissions, allowing you to control who can access and modify your PDF docs. This can be particularly useful when collaborating on projects or sharing sensitive information securely.

Let Speechify read your PDF to you today!

2. Foxit Reader and Foxit PDF editor

Foxit Reader and Foxit PDF Editor are both popular alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. Foxit PDF editor offers a comprehensive set of features comparable to Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, making it a solid option for professionals and organizations looking for a versatile PDF editing solution with a range of features that make it a reliable PDF reader and editor. Both tools are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, giving you the compatibility you’ll need with different operating systems.

Foxit Reader has a user-friendly interface and a comprehensive set of tools to view, annotate, and edit PDF documents like adding an e-signature. It supports multiple file formats and offers features like OCR (Optical Character Recognition), allowing you to convert scanned documents into editable text. Foxit Reader also allows you to add digital signatures and watermark documents, giving you an additional layer of document security and authenticity. With its lightweight design and fast performance, Foxit Reader is an excellent choice for people looking for a powerful and efficient PDF reader.

3. Nitro PDF

Nitro PDF is another popular alternative to Adobe Acrobat that offers advanced features for PDF editing and management. It has a user-friendly interface and a wide range of tools to create, convert, edit, and annotate PDF documents. Nitro PDF supports various file formats and allows you to convert PDF files into Microsoft Office formats like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, making it easier to work with PDFs in your existing workflow. It also offers features like redaction, allowing you to securely remove sensitive information from PDF documents. Nitro PDF is available for Windows and offers both a free version and a paid version with added features.

4. Sumatra PDF

If you're looking for a lightweight and minimalistic PDF reader, Sumatra PDF is a great choice. It’s an open-source software available for Windows and offers a streamlined platform focused on simplicity and speed. Even though this platform is lightweight in design, Sumatra PDF supports various file formats and provides essential features such as text search, bookmarks, and the ability to view and print PDF documents. While it may not offer advanced editing features, Sumatra PDF does a great job of providing a fast and efficient PDF reading experience.

5. PDFelement

PDFelement is a powerful PDF editor that has a comprehensive set of features for creating, editing, and managing PDF documents. It’s available for Windows, macOS, and iOS, which gives you cross-platform compatibility. PDFelement allows you to edit text, images, and pages in PDF files, and it has advanced features like form creation, digital signatures, and OCR. It also offers cloud storage integration, allowing you to seamlessly access and work with your PDF documents across different devices. PDFelement combines advanced functionality with an easy-to-use user interface, making it a top choice for people looking for a feature-rich PDF editor.

6. PDF-XChange Editor

PDF-XChange Editor is a feature-packed PDF editor that gives you a wide range of tools for creating, editing, and annotating PDF documents. It’s available for Windows and provides an extensive set of editing features, including the ability to add comments, annotations, and digital signatures. PDF-XChange Editor supports multiple file formats and allows you to convert PDF files into other formats like Microsoft Word, Excel, and HTML. It also offers advanced redaction capabilities too, ensuring the secure removal of sensitive information from PDF documents. With its powerful editing tools and top-of-the-line feature set, PDF-XChange Editor is a top contender among Adobe Acrobat alternatives.

7. PDF Expert

PDF Expert is a highly regarded PDF reader available for macOS and iOS devices. It offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features for viewing, editing, and annotating PDF documents. PDF Expert provides advanced editing capabilities, including the ability to add and delete pages, merge documents, and fill out forms. It also offers excellent annotation tools, like highlighting, underlining, and adding comments. With its seamless integration with cloud storage services like iCloud and Dropbox, PDF Expert ensures easy access to your PDF files across devices. Its powerful features and intuitive interface make it a top choice for macOS and iOS users.

8. PDFescape

PDFescape is a web-based PDF reader that offers a range of features for viewing and editing PDF documents. It’s accessible through a web browser, eliminating the need for software installation. PDFescape allows users to open and read PDF files, make basic edits like adding text, images, and annotations, and fill out PDF forms. It also provides options for password protection and document permissions. PDFescape stands out for its ease of use and convenience, as it can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. This makes it a suitable choice for users who require basic PDF viewing and editing capabilities without the need for dedicated software.

9. Google Drive PDF viewer

Google Drive's PDF Viewer is an embedded PDF reader that allows users to view and interact with PDF files directly within the Google Drive cloud storage platform. It supports basic viewing features such as scrolling, zooming, and searching within PDF documents. People can also add annotations and comments to PDFs. The integration with Google Drive gives you seamless access to PDF files stored in the cloud and is easy to share with collaborators. Google Drive PDF Viewer is really useful for people who rely heavily on Google Drive for document storage and collaboration, giving you a convenient way to view and work with PDFs within the familiar Google Drive interface.

While Adobe Acrobat has long been the industry standard for PDF document management, there are several alternatives available that provide similar functionality and additional features. Foxit Reader, Nitro PDF, Sumatra PDF, PDFelement, and PDF-XChange Editor are just a few of the top Adobe Acrobat alternatives for 2023. These alternatives offer a range of features, including PDF viewing, editing, annotation, conversion, and advanced security options. By exploring these alternatives, you can find the perfect PDF reader or editor that suits your requirements, whether you're looking for a free version, cross-platform compatibility, advanced editing features, or a lightweight and efficient solution. Embrace the power of choice and discover the best Adobe Acrobat alternative that enhances your PDF workflow and meets your specific needs.

Our guidelines for testing Adobe Acrobat alternatives and comparing reader alternatives

In order to evaluate the top Adobe Acrobat alternatives, we did our research and our evaluation was based on the following factors:

Features and functionality:

We assessed the range of features provided by each alternative, comparing them to the functionalities offered by Adobe Acrobat, including the ability to read PDFs, view PDFs, and open PDF documents effortlessly. Additionally, we considered features such as markup tools, toolbar options, compatibility with other file formats like EPUB and MS Office, and seamless integration with popular cloud storage platforms like Dropbox.

Ease of use and user experience:

We reviewed the comments about the user interface and overall user experience to determine how intuitive and user-friendly each alternative would typically be. This includes evaluating the ease of navigation, locating essential tools, and performing common tasks such as searching for keywords, bookmarking pages, and adjusting viewing settings. We also took into account the availability of user guides, tutorials, and customer support resources to ensure a smooth user experience.

Compatibility with devices and platforms:

We checked the compatibility of the alternatives with different operating systems and devices, ensuring they can be used across various platforms. This includes assessing compatibility with Windows, macOS, Linux, as well as specific mobile platforms like iOS on iPad and iPhone devices. We also considered whether the alternatives provide consistent performance and functionality across different devices and screen sizes.

Performance and resource efficiency:

We reviewed information on the speed and resource consumption of each alternative to determine how efficiently they operate, especially on older or less powerful devices. We also took into account how quickly the alternatives load and render PDF documents, as well as their responsiveness when performing tasks such as scrolling, zooming, and searching within documents. Additionally, we considered the impact of resource usage, such as CPU and memory usage, to ensure smooth performance without excessive strain on system resources.

Security features and document protection:

We researched the security features provided by each alternative, focusing on encryption, password protection, and document access controls. We looked into whether the alternatives offer secure handling of sensitive documents, protecting them from unauthorized access and potential threats. This includes features such as restricting printing, copying, or editing permissions, as well as the ability to add digital signatures for document integrity and authenticity.

Following these guidelines, we found our app, Speechify, to be one of the top Adobe Acrobat alternatives for 2023. It offers a feature-rich and user-friendly experience, supporting essential tasks such as reading PDFs, viewing PDFs, and opening PDF documents smoothly. Moreover, Speechify provides cross-platform compatibility, ensuring that users can access and work with their PDF files on devices like iPad, iPhone, and various operating systems. With its lightweight design and efficient performance, Speechify is an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable PDF reader alternative.

Choosing Speechify as your go-to Adobe Acrobat alternative

Overall with our intuitive interface, cross-platform compatibility, and lightweight design, Speechify offers a seamless PDF reading experience. It also provides robust security features for document protection. Explore alternatives like Speechify for a feature-rich PDF reader that meets your needs in 2023 and beyond!

FAQs

Can I annotate and highlight PDFs with alternative PDF viewers?

Yes, many alternative PDF viewers offer robust annotation and highlighting features. While Adobe Acrobat is well-known for its annotation tools, several other PDF viewers have stepped up their game and now provide similar functionalities. These alternatives often allow you to highlight text, add comments, draw shapes, underline or strike through content, and even attach sticky notes to specific sections of the document. Some PDF viewers also support advanced features like adding bookmarks, creating form fields, and digitally signing documents.

Are alternative PDF viewers compatible with various operating systems?

Absolutely! One of the advantages of using alternative PDF viewers is their cross-platform compatibility. While Adobe Acrobat Reader is available for Windows and macOS, alternative PDF viewers are designed to work on multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. This means you can access and view your PDF files across different devices without any compatibility issues. Whether you're using a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, you'll find alternative PDF viewers that cater to your preferred operating system.

Are alternative PDF viewers secure and reliable?

Yes, alternative PDF viewers prioritize security and reliability just like Adobe Acrobat. These viewers often employ encryption and other security measures to protect your PDF files from unauthorized access and potential threats. They also provide regular updates to ensure compatibility with the latest security protocols and to address any vulnerabilities. Additionally, alternative PDF viewers undergo thorough testing and development processes to offer a reliable user experience. While Adobe Acrobat may be the industry standard, many alternative PDF viewers have established themselves as trustworthy options that deliver on both security and reliability fronts.