Top 10 Best PDF Reader for Windows/Mac/iOS/Android

The PDF file format is more than 30 years old, but its use is still ubiquitous and growing. Thanks to the proliferation of mobile devices and cloud computing, the days of printing documents are almost over.

PDF documents make it easy to view, edit and share documents across devices. Therefore, it's important to have a PDF reader on your computer, tablet, or phone. Which is the best PDF reader? That answer depends on a few factors. This post will walk you through the top 10 PDF readers across the platforms.

1. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

Adobe Acrobat is the most popular PDF reader globally, and you probably used it before. It is available for free on both desktop and mobile, and it helps you view, create, and share PDFs.

While any PDF reader can do the job, but if you need to open multiple PDF files, compare them side by side, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. If you plan to use it, sign up with Adobe to unlock more features, especially the sharing.

Pros:

• Convert Word/PPT/JPG to PDF along with size-reduction
• Fill in and sign any PDF forms
• Add Stamp, digitally sign documents
• Measuring tool for objects
• A great PDF voice reader to read your PDF loudly

Cons:

• Only useful when it comes to heavy usage
• Most of the advanced features are behind a paywall

URL: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge

2. EaseUS PDF Editor

Compatibility: Windows 10/8.1/8/7

This versatile Windows PDF reader is also integrated with the PDF editor and the PDF converter. When it comes to reading a PDF file on the computer, it provides nearly all the tools you need.

For instance, sometimes, you may want to take some notes or write down some ideas in the reading process, and this editor helps you add annotations to the PDF effortlessly. You can add lines, arrows, rectangles, or other shapes to help you understand the PDF context.

When you want to stop reading the PDF for a while, adding a bookmark to the PDF enables you to restart the reading without effort the next time.

3. Microsoft Edge (Windows)

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

Microsoft Edge is the new default web browser in Windows 10, and it supports PDF files right out of the box. If you need to view PDF instantly after downloading, it is the best PDF reader you have on Windows 10.

It also comes with annotation tools to mark part of the file and then save the file with those annotations. The browser also supports printing multiple pages.

Pros:

• Highlight part of the PDF file using colored annotations
• Setup thickness of annotation tools
• Rotate PDF files
• Zoom in and Zoom out

Cons:

• No option to edit the text part of the file
• Cannot convert other documents to PDF files

URL: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge

4. Skim

Compatibility: macOS X

It's a lightweight PDF reader for MacBook, which can also take notes. The reader supports annotated PDF papers as well. As to reading, the reader offers a one-swipe mode to enable highlighted text, add notes to each page, use it for presentation with built-in transitions.

The software supports interaction with LaTeX, SyncTeX, and PDFSync Integration with BibDesk and other third-party applications.

Pros:

• Full-screen reading with notes and highlights
• Reading bar, Zoom mode, and smart cropping
• Add Bookmarks, save PDF password in Keychain
• Export notes as text

Cons:

• Downloading remote PDF can be a problem
• Some features like bill-desk might not be useful for some

URL: https://skim-app.sourceforge.io/

5. Foxit Reader

Compatibility: Windows, macOS, and Linux

It's a mighty and feature-rich PDF editor which is available across platforms. The software offers a Microsoft Office-style ribbon menu to find anything quickly. Overall it's a great alternative to Adobe Acrobat and offers a full-featured PDF solution.

It doesn't offer any bloatware or hidden cost to operate. When opening a heavy PDF file full of images and multimedia, it performs well compared to others.

Pros:

• Support form filling
• Accessibility features
• Signature support 
• Annotation to highlight text

Cons:

• The comment layout is not good
• Random error opening pdf files has been reported by many

URL: https://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf-reader/

6. Documents by Readle

Compatibility: iOS

If you are looking for a central hub for all your files, especially PDF, this fits well. Not only it allows PDF management, but it also works with documents and books.

You can also connect with external services like iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, import the files, and manage them. On top of this, it also offers a secure VPN to stay anonymous while downloading the files.

Pros:

• Read books and annotate PDF files
• Modify PDF text and images
• Manage pages in your PDFs
• Convert anything into a PDF

Cons:

• Features like a music player and the option to search are not of much use
• Downloading files show advertisements

URL: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/documents-by-readdle/id364901807

7. Google Play Books

Compatibility: Android and iOS

While it's an app built for Google Play Books, it equally serves as a PDF reader. You can also import your PDF files and EPUB files and manage them from a single place.

If you have multiple Android devices, it will also sync the files across. To open PDF in Play Books, make sure to share the file with it. Once imported, you can quickly view it.

Pros:

• Quickly launch PDF files
• Support dictionary
• Nightlight settings
• Support audiobooks

Cons:

• No support for annotations and highlights
• Cannot lock PDF files with password

URL: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.pdfviewer

8. Apple Books

Compatibility: iOS

If all you want is a first-party app for all the PDF files on your iPhone or iPad, then nothing beats Apple Books. It is the built-in app that can manage all PDFs, eBooks and deliver an immersive reading experience.

It is also part of the books sold via the app store, and because of the integration, you also get recommendations for more books.

Pros:

• Auto night and day mode with clear text support
• Instantly open PDF from an email attachment
• Sync PDF files across multiple devices
• Print PDF using Air Print printer

Cons:

• It could be overwhelming if all you need is a PDF reader
• No support for reflow

URL: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apple-books/id364709193

9. Xodo PDF Reader

Compatibility: Android, iOS, and PC

This PDF reader is one of the fastest ones for smartphones and is optimized for it. It can open any PDF file created using the PDF standards and supports reading and annotating, and saving as PDF.

You can also use it to open Office documents if you don't like using any other app. The app also offers PDF editing with options to sync with Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.

Pros:

• Fast PDF viewing engine with smooth navigation
• Support change of text size, crop images, print pdf files
• Real-time collaboration to annotate PDF files
• Tab view to manage multiple files

Cons:

• No password protection
• Menus are hard to find
• OCR mode doesn't create PDF files

URL: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xodo.pdf.reader

10. Google PDF Viewer

Compatibility: Browser Extension and Android

If you do not need any extra jazzy feature but a simple PDF reader, then Google's PDF reader is perfect for you. You can read, print, and copy the text on the go with this one. The app also makes sure you get the sharpest text within a pdf.

The advantage of using this PDF viewer lies in its simplicity. If you need a PDF reader on the go, this will not disappoint you.

Pros:

• Integration with Google Docs
• Convert photos into PDF

Cons:

• Not remember the last page you read
• Not support other file formats

URL: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.pdfviewer

Conclusion

A PDF reader is important software to have, and what is even more important is that you can use features such as highlight text, search within PDF, add a signature, on top of everything loads up quickly.

These PDF readers are some of the best on their platforms, and some are available on multiple platforms. We recommend EaseUS PDF Editor as the most suitable one for beginners as it offers you easy-to-use tools to edit the PDF and make it more convenient to read.