Best PDF Reader for Mac: Uses and Features

When it comes to handling PDF files on your MacBook, a reliable PDF reader for Mac is indispensable. Mac users are often on the lookout for a PDF viewer...

When it comes to handling PDF files on your MacBook, a reliable PDF reader for Mac is indispensable. Mac users are often on the lookout for a PDF viewer that caters to their specific needs, whether it's for business or personal use. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about PDF readers for Mac, helping you make an informed decision.

What is PDF Reader?

A PDF reader is a software application designed to open and interact with PDF files. This tool allows you to read, search, and zoom in and out of PDF documents, providing a user-friendly interface for navigating through your files.

Top Use Cases of PDF Reader for Mac

1. View and Annotate PDFs
2. Edit Text and Images in PDF Files
3. Convert PDF Files to Other Formats like Word or Excel
4. Merge Multiple PDF Files into One
5. Fill Out and Sign PDF Forms

Viewing PDFs on Mac

MacOS has a built-in PDF viewer known as Preview that allows you to open and view PDF files with ease. To view a PDF on your Mac, simply double-click the file, and it will open in Preview by default.

Mac's Built-in PDF Reader

Apple's MacOS comes with Preview, a powerful PDF viewer that enables Mac users to read PDF files, annotate them, and even fill out PDF forms. It supports various file formats and offers a user-friendly interface for a seamless reading experience.

Adobe Reader DC for Mac: Key Features

Adobe Reader DC is a popular PDF reader for Mac, renowned for its wide array of features. Key features include:

1. View and Annotate PDFs
2. Fill Out and Sign PDF Forms
3. Convert PDF Files to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint Formats
4. Merge Multiple PDFs into One
5. Add Bookmarks and Hyperlinks

Top 5 Free PDF Readers for Mac

1. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
2. Foxit PDF Reader
3. PDFElement
4. PDF Expert
5. Preview

Editing a PDF File on Mac: Step-by-Step

1. Open the PDF file in Preview.
2. Click on the "Edit" button in the top toolbar.
3. Add or edit text and images as needed.
4. Use annotation tools to markup the document.
5. Save the changes.

Pros and Cons of PDF Reader

Pros:

• User-friendly Interface
• Wide Range of Editing Tools
• Compatibility with Various File Formats
• Cloud Integration for Easy Access
• Powerful PDF Conversion Tools

Cons:

• Some Features Might Be Overwhelming for New Users
• Limited Editing Options in Free Versions
• Potential Compatibility Issues with Older Operating Systems

Best PDF Readers for Mac

Speechify PDF Reader

Cost: Free to try

Speechify's PDF reader brings the transformative power of text-to-speech technology directly to the realm of PDF documents. This tool allows users to listen to their PDFs rather than read them, ensuring that dense, text-heavy documents are more accessible and digestible. Among its top features are:

1. High-Quality Voices: Converting PDF text into clear and lifelike audio, Speechify offers a range of natural-sounding voices for a genuine listening experience.
2. Text Highlighting: As Speechify reads out the content, it highlights the corresponding text in the PDF, enabling users to follow along visually and reinforcing comprehension.
3. Speed Control: Catering to individual preferences, listeners can adjust the reading speed, whether they need a quick overview or a deep understanding.
4. Navigation Tools: Speechify's PDF reader allows users to effortlessly navigate through pages, jump to specific sections, and bookmark crucial parts for easy reference later on.
5. Offline Access: Users can download and save PDFs within the app, facilitating offline listening and ensuring uninterrupted access to their documents, regardless of internet connectivity.
6. AI Chat: Interact with Speechify’s AI bot in your PDF reader to ask important questions about your PDF.

Overall, the Speechify PDF reader offers an innovative solution for those looking to transform the way they engage with PDF content.

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC for Mac

Cost: Free

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC for Mac is a powerful and intuitive PDF reader that allows you to view, print, and annotate PDFs with ease. With seamless integration with Adobe Document Cloud, it provides Mac users with a user-friendly and comprehensive PDF solution. It is available for free download from the Adobe website or the Mac App Store.

Top 5 Features:

1. View and annotate PDFs.
2. Sign PDF forms with ease.
3. Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint formats.
4. Add text boxes and hyperlinks to PDF documents.
5. Powerful OCR technology for editing text in scanned documents.

Foxit PDF Reader for Mac

Cost: Free

Foxit PDF Reader for Mac is a versatile and user-friendly PDF viewer that supports multiple file formats and offers a range of powerful PDF tools. With features like text markup, OCR technology, and the ability to fill out and sign PDF forms, Foxit PDF Reader is a great free alternative to Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available for download from the Foxit website or the Mac App Store.

Top 5 Features:

1. View and annotate PDFs.
2. OCR technology for editing scanned documents.
3. Fill out and sign PDF forms.
4. Collaborate and share PDFs with others.
5. Add watermarks to PDF documents.

PDF Expert for Mac

Cost: $79.99 (One-time purchase)

PDF Expert is a professional and comprehensive PDF editor for Mac that provides a user-friendly interface and a range of powerful editing tools. With features like text editing, OCR technology, and the ability to convert PDFs to other formats, PDF Expert is perfect for Mac users who need a powerful PDF solution. Available for download from the PDF Expert website or the Mac App Store.

Top 5 Features:

1. Edit text and images in PDFs.
2. Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, and other formats.
3. Annotate PDFs with a range of markup tools.
4. Fill out and sign PDF forms.
5. Add bookmarks and hyperlinks to PDF documents.

Preview for Mac

Cost: Free

Preview is a built-in PDF viewer for macOS that provides a range of basic PDF viewing and editing tools. With features like text annotation, form filling, and the ability to add bookmarks, Preview is a convenient and user-friendly option for Mac users. It is available for free with macOS.

Top 5 Features:

1. View and annotate PDFs.
2. Fill out and sign PDF forms.
3. Add bookmarks to PDF documents.
4. Merge multiple PDF files.
5. Print PDF files with ease.

PDFElement for Mac

Cost: $79.99 (One-time purchase)

PDFElement is a versatile and powerful PDF editor for Mac that provides a range of features for editing, annotating, and converting PDFs. With an intuitive interface and compatibility with multiple file formats, PDFElement is a great option for Mac users who need a comprehensive PDF solution. Available for download from the PDFElement website or the Mac App Store.

Top 5 Features:

1. Edit text and images in PDFs.
2. Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, and other formats.
3. Annotate PDFs with a range of markup tools.
4. Fill out and sign PDF forms.
5. Add watermarks to PDF documents.

Soda PDF for Mac

Cost: Free with in-app purchases

Soda PDF is a versatile PDF viewer for Mac that provides a range of features for viewing, editing, and converting PDFs. With an intuitive interface and compatibility with multiple file formats, Soda PDF is a great option for Mac users who need a powerful yet user-friendly PDF solution. Available for download from the Soda PDF website or the Mac App Store.

Top 5 Features:

1. View and annotate PDFs.
2. Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, and other formats.
3. Edit text and images in PDFs.
4. Fill out and sign PDF forms.
5. Add bookmarks and hyperlinks to PDF documents.

Skim for Mac

Cost: Free

Skim is a free and open-source PDF reader for Mac that is specifically designed for academic and research purposes. With features like text annotation, bookmarks, and the ability to highlight text, Skim is a great option for students and researchers who need a simple yet powerful PDF viewer. Available for download from the Skim website or the Mac App Store.

Top 5 Features:

1. View and annotate PDFs.
2. Add bookmarks and highlights to text.
3. Fill out and sign PDF forms.
4. Search and zoom in on text.
5. Print PDF files with ease.

GoodReader for Mac

Cost: $5.99

GoodReader is a powerful and user-friendly PDF reader for Mac that is specifically designed for reading large PDF files. With features like text annotation, bookmarks, and the ability to convert PDFs to other formats, GoodReader is a great option for Mac users who need a robust PDF solution. Available for download from the GoodReader website or the Mac App Store.

Top 5 Features:

1. View and annotate large PDF files.
2. Add bookmarks and hyperlinks to text.
3. Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, and other formats.
4. Fill out and sign PDF forms.
5. Print PDF files with ease.

Kami for Mac

Cost: Free with in-app purchases

Kami is a cloud-based PDF viewer for Mac that provides a range of features for viewing, editing, and annotating PDFs. With an intuitive interface and compatibility with multiple file formats, Kami is a great option for Mac users who need a flexible and user-friendly PDF solution. Available for download from the Kami website or the Mac App Store.

Top 5 Features:

1. View and annotate PDFs in the cloud.
2. Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, and other formats.
3. Edit text and images in PDFs.
4. Fill out and sign PDF forms.
5. Collaborate and share PDFs with others.

FAQs:

Which PDF Reader to Use for Mac?

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and PDF Expert are two of the most popular options.

Why Can't I Open a PDF File on Mac?

The file might be corrupted or incompatible with your PDF reader.

Is There a PDF Reader That Can Open on Mac?

Yes, there are several, including Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, Foxit PDF Reader, and PDF Expert.

How Do I Open a PDF File in Adobe Reader on My Mac?

Download and install Adobe Reader, then open the application and select "File" > "Open" to choose your PDF file.