Good day!
Magazines, books, scanned documents, forms, drawings, and more are now often distributed in PDF format. Like it or not, but without special software for working with these formats - and not there, and not here... ✔
Actually, in this article I have collected some of the most popular products for working with this format. I think that the material will be relevant both for those who have encountered some kind of problem and cannot read a specific PDF file, and for those who are looking for a convenient tool for everyday tasks. 👌
The article will present programs of different directions, functionality, design, and demands on system resources. I hope everyone will be able to choose a "soft" for their current tasks.
And so, more to the point ...
👉 Remarque!
For example, formats such as txt, fb2, html, rtf, doc are much more convenient to read in special formats. readers than in Word or notepad.
Top 6 PDF Viewers
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Opened page of my site, saved in PDF
One of the most popular PDF readers (which is not surprising, because Acrobat Reader is a product from the developer of this format) .
It has some of the widest options for reading, printing and editing PDF. I note that not so long ago this reader was integrated with the "cloud" (Adobe Document Cloud), thanks to which, now it has become much more convenient to work simultaneously on a PC and mobile gadgets!
It must be said that Adobe Acrobat Reader has amazing compatibility : some PDF files (especially large ones), which are incorrectly displayed in any other readers, are presented here in normal mode.
Therefore, in my opinion, even if you do not specifically use this program, it would not be superfluous to have it in reserve ...
Add. opportunities:
- quick conversion of a PDF file to Word or Excel formats;
- now it is not necessary to have paper forms - you can fill them out electronically and send them by mail. Adobe Acrobat Reader allows you to do this;
- in addition to the Adobe Document Cloud, you can set up your system so that PDF will be available on such popular cloud drives as: Box, Dropbox and ;
- The reader allows you to create annotations and comments to the files you are viewing.
STDU Viewer
Very compact, free and versatile reader for various formats: PDF, DjVu, XPS, TIFF, TXT, BMP, GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, etc.
I would highlight the key advantages: low demands on PC resources, you can open several documents at once in one window, content with quick links is displayed on the panel on the side. A bookmark system is also conveniently built in, allowing you to return to the last read place with one click.
In addition, easy page scaling, page rotation by 90-180 degrees, document printing, gamma and contrast adjustment, etc. are available.
It is possible to convert PDF and 👉 files to text formats. In general, the program deserves attention and acquaintance!
Foxit Reader
A very handy PDF reader. I would like to immediately note its relatively low system requirements (in relation to the same Adobe Reader), convenient bookmarking system, side menu (with open book contents), modern interface.
In general, the abundance of all kinds of functions and possibilities is amazing (in fact, you can say: a multifunctional program).
Peculiarities:
- The program interface is as close as possible to Word, Excel, etc. (which causes an explicit disposition towards the product);
- the ability to quickly customize the toolbar (add what you often need and remove what you don't use);
- the program supports touch screen (in full);
- the ability to create a PDF portfolio;
- filling out PDF (Acroform) and XFA forms (XML form architecture);
- support for all modern versions of Windows 7, 8, 10.
Sumatra PDF
Supported formats: PDF, eBook, XPS, DjVu, CHM.
If you're looking for a very simple, compact and fast PDF viewer, I'm afraid to say that Sumatra PDF is the best choice! Both the program itself and the files in it open as quickly as your system allows.
Peculiarities:
- Designed in a minimalist style (so popular lately). Main priority functions: viewing and printing of files;
- support for 60 languages (including Russian);
- there is a portable version that does not require installation (you can carry it with you on a flash drive, and if anything, you can open PDF on any PC);
- unlike their counterparts (including Adobe Acrobat Reader), the program correctly scales pictures in black and white (very useful thing when reading books);
- correctly reads and recognizes hyperlinks embedded in PDF;
- Sumatra does not block open PDF file (relevant for those who work with TeX systems);
- supported by Windows XP, 7, 8, 10 (32/64 bits).
PDF-XChange Viewer
Multifunctional PDF viewer. Separately, I would note its relatively low system requirements, rich functionality, simple and convenient interface. By the way, the program supports the Russian language.
Peculiarities:
- detailed font settings, image display, navigation settings, etc. allow you to comfortably read even large files;
- Ability to view multiple files at once (including protected ones);
- detailed customization of the viewing area and toolbar;
- the ability to convert PDF documents to image formats: BMP, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, etc.;
- integration with popular translators ABBYY Lingvo and Translate It!
- there are plugins for IE and Firefox browsers;
- the ability to send PDF directly from the viewer window (very handy when you have a lot of scanned documents);
- allows you to extract text from PDF, and much more...
Hamster PDF Reader
Simple, convenient, tasteful! Hamster PDF Reader (preview from the main page of the site)
Hamster PDF Reader is a relatively new program that allows you to view not only PDF, but also such formats as XPS, DjVu. The program interface is made in the style of Office 2019 (similar to Foxit Reader).
The program is not replete with features, but there is everything that most people need: view settings (font, sheet, brightness, full screen, etc.), printing, bookmarks, etc.
Another plus: the program does not have to be installed (there is a portable version). Thus, it can be written to a USB flash drive and always have it on hand to work with PDF.
In general, an interesting and not cluttered product that allows you to solve the most mundane tasks.
👉 By the way!
Hamster has some more (supports working with cloud drives, allows you to compress and decompress all known archive formats in 1-2 clicks).
For convenience, we distinguish four types of programs: viewers (for reading and annotating), editors (for editing text and other content), managers (for splitting, compressing and other file manipulations) and converters (for converting PDF to other formats).
Most applications can be attributed to several types at once.
- Type: viewer, editor, converter, manager.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.
A very intuitive and user-friendly program with an impressive number of features. When you launch Sejda PDF, you will immediately see all the tools grouped by category. Select the one you need, drag the necessary file into the program window and start manipulations. Most of this application can be done in a few seconds, even if you are using it for the first time.
What you can do in Sejda PDF:
- edit text, add images and shapes;
- convert PDF to Excel, JPG (and vice versa), Word (and vice versa);
- merge and split files by pages, compress their size;
- protect documents with a password;
- add watermarks;
- discolor documents;
- crop page area;
- sign documents.
The free version of the program has limitations. For example, files should not be larger than 200 pages and larger than 50 MB. In addition, you can not perform more than three operations with documents during the day. The full version of Sejda PDF is $5.25 per month.
- Type: manager, converter, editor.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, .
PDFsam cannot boast of a polished, user-friendly interface. In addition, the program does not allow you to convert PDF and edit the content of documents for free. But it has several useful managerial functions available to everyone without payment and any restrictions.
What you can do in PDFsam:
- combine PDF in several modes (glue in parts or mix page by page);
- split PDF by pages, bookmarks (in places with the specified words) and size into separate documents;
- rotate pages (if some of them were scanned upside down);
- extract pages with specified numbers;
- convert Excel, Word, PowerPoint formats to PDF;
- convert PDF to Excel, Word, and PowerPoint formats ($10);
- edit text and other file content ($30).
- Type
- Platforms: Windows.
A very functional program with a classic interface in the style of Microsoft office applications. PDF-XChange Editor is not very beginner friendly. To master all the features of the program, you need to spend some time. Fortunately, all internal descriptions and tips are translated into Russian.
What you can do in PDF-XChange Editor:
- add annotations and highlight text;
- edit text and other content;
- recognize text using OCR;
- extract pages from documents;
- encrypt documents (for a fee);
- convert PDF to Word, Excel and PowerPoint formats and vice versa (for a fee);
- compress files (paid);
- sort pages in any order (paid).
These are not all the features you can find in PDF-XChange Editor. The program is available in several versions with a different number of features. Paid versions start at $43.5.
- Type: viewer, manager, converter, editor.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS.
A popular universal program for working with PDF from the company. The free version is a very convenient document viewer, the rest of the functions are available by subscription at a price of 149 rubles per month.
What you can do in Adobe Acrobat Reader:
- view documents, highlight and comment on text, search for words and phrases;
- sign documents (for a fee);
- edit text and other content (for a fee);
- merge documents into one file (for a fee);
- compress files (paid);
- convert PDF to Word, Excel and PowerPoint formats (paid);
- convert JPG, JPEG, TIF and BMP images to PDF (for a fee).
All these features and more are available in desktop versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Mobile versions of the program only allow you to view and annotate documents, and - after subscribing - convert them to different formats.
- Type: viewer, converter.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.
Fast and convenient PDF reader with different viewing modes. Ideal for users who want a simple document reader without too many extras. The program is available on all major platforms.
