Adobe Reader is still most poples default PDF reader, but are there better alternatives available.
Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader has the best range of features of all the free PDF readers we tested. Its annotation tools are excellent, letting you attach notes or files to any section of a PDF or use the mark-up tools to indicate where text should be inserted, deleted or replaced. And when you’ve finished working on your PDF, you can use its helpful Summarise Comments option to create a PDF summary of all your annotations.
It doesn’t have OCR (optical character recognition), which is PDF XChange Editor’s (opposite page) best feature, but you can sign a form in your own handwriting using PDF Sign.
Foxit Reader provides a good range of viewing options and we particularly liked its Loupe and Magnifier tools, which let you enlarge a specific section of the layout without having to zoom in on the entire page. The Continuous Facing viewing mode, which displays the document as spreads rather than single pages, is particularly handy if you want to replicate a magazine layout or use the full width of a widescreen monitor.
The software’s user interface is easy to use and you can customise the ribbon toolbar to suit your requirements, even reverting to Classic Toolbar Mode if you’re not keen on the ribbon style. One of the things we most liked about Foxit Reader was that it appears as a PDF Printer option when you print in other programs, which is very useful if you want to convert documents to PDFs quickly and easily. If you’re working with drawings or plans, the program’s Measure tools and Rulers will also come in handy.
How it can be improved:
The addition of OCR and security tools (such as document encryption) would make Foxit a more complete PDF reader. Users of eBook readers might also appreciate ePub and Mobi file compatibility, too.
PDF XChange Editor
PDF XChange Editor’s standout feature is undoubtedly its optical character recognition (OCR). This handy built-in tool lets you turn image-based PDFs into files with selectable text, which is useful if you need to annotate, search or copy text from a scanned document.
This was the only PDF editor we tested, and it includes editing features that aren’t available in the other programs in this test, such as the Edit Content tool, which lets you change a file’s text. You can try PDF XChange Editors’ more advanced editing tools, but your documents will be marked with a DEMO stamp unless you buy the Pro version for $43.50 (around £28).
Like Foxit Reader, the annotation tools are easy to use, if a little less advanced. We were pleased to find that the Summarize Comments function was available when we tested it, despite being listed as a Pro-only feature on the program’s website. PDF XChange Editor’s security options will also appeal to those who want to password protect their documents.
How it can be improved:
PDF XChange Editor’s interface is cluttered with features that are only available when you upgrade to the Pro version of the software. Unlike Foxit Reader, you can’t use the program as a PDF printer and the option to add a signature to a document is only available when you buy a licence.
Adobe Reader
Adobe Reader’s annotation tools are as good as those of Foxit Reader. Whether you simply want to add sticky notes to your PDF or you need to mark up detailed text corrections, this program is perfect for the job. You can even attach a file or audio recording to your PDF.
It doesn’t have as many features as some of its rivals, but this means it has one of the simplest interfaces of all the software we tested. The toolbar contains only the most important features, while others can be selected from three sidebar tabs. Like Foxit Reader, Adobe Reader lets you add a signature to forms and there’s even an option to collect someone else’s signature using the Adobe EchoSign service.
How it can be improved:
Adobe Reader lacks some of the tools of our two top scorers and, like PDF Xchange Editor, some tools can only be unlocked if you pay. We also didn’t like the installation file being packaged with McAfee Security Scan Plus, which could clash with other security software.
Nitro Reader 3
Nitro Reader is a simple, easy-to-use PDF reader that offers tabbed viewing and basic annotation tools. Like Foxit Reader, you can use it to convert files to PDFs and to sign your documents. There's even a handy Getting Started dialogue when you launch the program to help you grasp its important features. Unfortunately, its annotation tools are basic.
Google Chrome
Chrome has its own built-in PDF reader that is enabled by default. It's very useful if you want to read documents without installing any other software. You can save, search and print PDFs using the browser, and it will also let you fill in forms. However, there are no options to annotate PDFs or convert files.
Sumatra PDF
Sumatra's unique selling point is that it lets you view ePub and Kindle files as well as PDFs. Indeed, its good range of viewing options and handy search function make it perfect for reading digital books on your PC. The developer also provides a portable version of the program, which is useful if you want to read PDFs on a PC without installing any software. However, Sumatra is very short on other features and it was the only program we tested that doesn't let you fill in forms.
In PDF-XChange Editor interface is very customizable (its default view is only with the most used features. Also it has free signing feature (even handwriting sign). As additional software to print to PDF I can recommend PDF-XChange Lite - very lite and very fast printer, that is also FREE). If compare with Foxit - PDF-XChange has more "+" (lightweight, cost, work speed, more features for free (more nuances), even paid feature you can try). Therefore, my choice is PDF-XChange Editor
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