Foxit PDF Reader: Everything Everyone Needs to Know

Managing and working with PDF documents can be a challenge, but Foxit PDF Reader offers an array of features to make your experience seamless. This article...

Managing and working with PDF documents can be a challenge, but Foxit PDF Reader offers an array of features to make your experience seamless. This article will deep-dive into what makes Foxit a formidable name in the PDF software industry.

What is Foxit?

Foxit is a powerful PDF software suite designed to create, edit, read, and manage PDF files and documents. Not just restricted to being a mere PDF reader, Foxit offers a plethora of functionalities that makes it a one-stop solution for all your PDF needs.

More Than Just a Reader: Can Foxit Edit PDFs?

Indeed, Foxit is much more than just a PDF reader. With Foxit PDF Editor, you can annotate, edit PDF files, create PDF forms, and more. Whether you need to sign PDF documents, add bookmarks, or even OCR capabilities, Foxit has you covered.

The Company Behind the Software

Foxit Software, the company that owns Foxit PDF Reader, was founded in 2001. It boasts millions of downloads and users globally. Headquartered in Fremont, California, the company employs several hundred people. The current CEO is Michael Barker.

What Makes Foxit Stand Out: Top Features

1. PhantomPDF: This is Foxit’s PDF editor suite, offering powerful PDF creation, editing, and management capabilities.
2. Foxit eSign: Facilitates secure electronic signatures on PDFs.
3. Admin Console: Useful for enterprise-level customization and workflows.
4. IFilter: A plugin that aids in indexing PDF documents.
5. SharePoint Integration: Foxit allows seamless integration with Microsoft SharePoint for easier document management.

Why Choose Foxit: Benefits Galore

Foxit PDF Reader offers a cost-effective, secure, and user-friendly way to handle PDFs. Its compatibility with Microsoft Office and cloud storage options like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox makes it exceptionally convenient for both individual and enterprise users.

The Good and the Bad: Foxit Pros and Cons

1. Pros: Efficient, high-speed, robust security, extensive features, affordable pricing.
2. Cons: Some features are limited to the paid version, interface may require a learning curve.

Installing Foxit: How to Download

To download Foxit PDF Reader, visit the official Foxit Software website and follow the on-screen instructions. Versions are available for Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux.

The Showdown: Foxit vs Adobe Acrobat

While Adobe Acrobat is a well-known name, Foxit offers a more budget-friendly, yet feature-rich alternative. Foxit’s ease of use, speed, and powerful PDF editing capabilities make it a tough competitor for Adobe.

Who’s Giving Foxit a Run for its Money?

Speechify PDF Reader, Adobe Acrobat, Nitro PDF, PDF-XChange, and Sumatra PDF are some of the biggest competitors of Foxit in the PDF software market.

Dollars and Cents: Foxit Reader Pricing

Foxit Reader is free for basic use, with advanced features available in the paid version, starting at $139 for Foxit PhantomPDF Standard.

Stay Updated: Latest Version of Foxit

As of my last update in January 2022, the latest version of Foxit was PhantomPDF 10. Check the Foxit website for the most current version.

Testing the Waters: Is There a Trial Version?

Yes, Foxit offers a 14-day free trial of its PhantomPDF software.

A Journey Through Time: Foxit's Release History

Foxit PDF Reader was initially released in 2004. Over the years, it has become a significant player in the PDF software market, offering a myriad of features.

## Alternatives for PDF Enthusiasts: Top 9

Top 9 Alternatives to Foxit PDF Reader

1. 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.

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

2. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Cost: Basic Reader is free; Acrobat Pro DC starts at $14.99 per month.

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is one of the most popular PDF readers and is often considered the industry standard. It offers robust features, but many are behind a paywall. It's available on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Top 5 Features:

• PDF creation and editing
• E-signature support
• Robust security features
• Integration with Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud
• Advanced search and indexing capabilities

3. Nitro PDF

Cost: Starts at $159 for the standard version.

Nitro PDF is a strong alternative for both individual and enterprise users. It offers excellent PDF creation, editing, and conversion tools. However, it is currently only available for Windows users.

Top 5 Features:

• PDF editing and annotation
• Convert PDF to Microsoft Office formats
• Batch processing
• Document security and password protection
• OCR capabilities

4. PDF-XChange Editor

Cost: Free version available; Pro version starts at $43.50.

PDF-XChange Editor is a lightweight and efficient PDF editor. It is known for its speed and simplicity, with a range of features that include OCR capabilities and extensive annotation tools.

Top 5 Features:

• Annotation and markup tools
• PDF creation and editing
• OCR functionality
• Extensive export options
• Tabbed interface for multiple PDFs

5. Sumatra PDF

Cost: Free

Sumatra PDF is a free, open-source PDF reader for Windows. It is known for its minimalistic design and lightning-fast speed, making it ideal for basic PDF viewing tasks.

Top 5 Features:

• Lightweight and fast
• Opens multiple document types, including eBooks
• Simplistic user interface
• Command-line options for automation
• Open-source

6. Soda PDF

Cost: Starts at $10/month for the Home edition.

Soda PDF is another versatile PDF tool. It provides a strong set of features for editing, creating, and converting PDFs. It's available as both a desktop and a web application.

Top 5 Features:

• PDF creation and editing
• E-signature support
• Collaboration features
• OCR capabilities
• Cloud integration

7. Wondershare PDFelement

Cost: Starts at $79 for the Standard edition.

Wondershare PDFelement offers a balanced set of features for both PDF editing and document creation. It has an intuitive interface and is available on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.

Top 5 Features:

• PDF editing and annotation
• Form creation and data extraction
• Batch processing
• OCR functionality
• E-signature support

8. PDFescape

Cost: Free online version; Desktop version starts at $2.99/month.

PDFescape is a free online PDF editor and viewer. While it doesn't offer as many features as some other tools, it's a good choice for quick edits or annotations without the need for software installation.

Top 5 Features:

• Online PDF editing
• Form creation
• Annotation tools
• Password protection
• Drag-and-drop interface

9. Okular

Cost: Free

Okular is an open-source PDF reader for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. It also has a version for Windows. Okular supports a variety of document formats and is highly customizable.

Top 5 Features:

• Open-source
• Multiple document format support
• Annotation and markup
• Customizable interface
• Text extraction

10. Skim

Cost: Free

Skim is a free PDF reader and annotation software for Mac users. It is particularly popular among researchers and students and is designed to help you read and annotate scientific papers.

Top 5 Features:

• PDF viewing and annotation
• Spotlight integration for search
• Full-screen mode
• AppleScript support
• Note-taking capabilities

Each of these PDF tools offers a unique set of features and capabilities, and the best choice will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

FAQs

Is there a Foxit Reader for Mac?

Yes, Foxit Reader is available for Mac.

Is Foxit Reader compatible with Windows 10?

Yes, it is fully compatible with Windows 10.

What is the best PDF reader?

The best PDF reader depends on individual or enterprise needs. Foxit, however, offers a strong balance of features, security, and cost.