Top PDF Reader & Viewer for Windows 11/10/8/7 (2022 Edition)

PDFs are one of today’s most commonly used file formats, and they’re utilized in all sorts of business and personal endeavors. It can be challenging to find a PDF Reader & Viewer that actually functions efficiently. There are hundreds of PDF readers and some can cost you almost a thousand dollars per year, so we sifted through the internet to find the best PDF reader & viewer (free & paid) that you can decide to choose the suitable software for your personal needs. 

 

 

Below, we created a list of the best free & paid PDF readers whose capabilities range from only viewing PDFs to creating, editing, and securing them. Start with PDF Reader Pro For Free Today.

 

 

 

 

1. Foxit Reader

If you are looking for a robust & fastest PDF Reader for Windows 10, 8, 7, and other versions, choose none other than Foxit Reader, the Industry’s most powerful PDF reader. Foxit PDF Reader is also available on macOS, iOS, android, the web, and Linux, providing a consistent reading experience no matter where you are and what device you’re using. It even supports collaborating with your friends, colleagues – – simply grant the access, and you can keep track of who opened the doc, edit it, and view all their activities in real-time. Foxit Reader is a great workflow solution indeed.

 

- Pros:

• Has a Full-Screen Mode for a better viewing experience

• Leverage existing forms and workflows with standard Acroforms & XFA form filling

• SCUP Catalog to import and deploy updates through Windows Update Services

• Offers support for drawing tools & adding signatures

• Allows you to open multiple PDF files, each in separate tabs

 

- Cons:

• The trial version is different after updates are initiated

 

Price: Free

 

2. EaseUS PDF Editor

As a new entrant in the category of Best PDF Editing Software (2022), EaseUS PDF Editor starts strong, as it provides versatile functionalities like document editing, converting, merging, splitting, e-signing, watermarking, adding strong encryption, and more. Besides this, with the help of this all-in-one PDF Maker, Reader, Editor for Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, you can even take advantage of tools to insert text, reorder pages, extract images, crop a PDF, edit scanned documents, compress them, and so on.

 

- Pros:

• Clean and easy-to-use dashboard

• Supports converting PDFs into 10+ file formats

• Uses OCR technology to make scanned docs editable

• Value of money, especially when you go with lifetime licensing

 

- Cons:

• The free version of  PDF Editing Tool adds a watermark

 

Price: Free, PRO Version = $19.95/month | $49.95/year | $79.95/Lifetime

 

 

3. Google Drive 

If you want to access, read and take notes on PDFs instantly, Google Drive is the Best Free PDF Reader available for you. You can open, view, convert, and share any of your PDF Files across the cloud on the platform. It’s the best & free PDF Reader for anyone who has a Google account (which probably we all have) and just needs to read, edit, print PDF files quickly online. Additionally, you can rely on this online PDF Reader to convert your files into an editable doc format with just a few clicks.

 

- Pros:

• Straightforward & clean interface

• Store videos, PDFs, presentations, and photos

• Supports SSL encryption

• Allows you to access your docs from anywhere

 

- Cons:

• While using the drive, we need to be connected to the Internet

 

Price: Free, Paid plans start from $1.99 per month

 

 

4. Kofax Power PDF

Kofax Power PDF is an easy-to-use piece of software that lets you create, edit, annotate and share documents quickly. There are various versions of the Windows 11 PDF reader and editor available, each with its own set of features.

 

It has a Standard version that lets you view, create, convert, and merge PDF documents and fill out forms. In addition, this Windows 11 PDF viewer and editor also has scanning and OCR functionality that allows you to convert scanned images of invoices and receipts into PDFs. You can select different versions according to your needs.

 

- Pros:

• Office-style interface optimized for Windows 11 desktop

• Open several tabs of PDF documents at once

• Create, edit and review PDFs in real-time across devices and platforms

• Scan paper forms and convert to interactive PDF fields, checkboxes and more

 

- Cons:

• The price is vary from version and all are tad expensive

• Enhanced security, Bates stamping, redaction capabilities for advanced version

 

Price: Free Trial, Standard version $129 |  Advanced version $179

 

 

5. Qiqqa

Qiqqa is a free and open source software that allows researchers to work with thousands of PDFs. It combines PDF reference management tools, a citation manager, and a mind map brainstorming tool. Top-notch built-in PDF reader with annotation, highlight, automated jump links, and so much more. Create printable summaries of notes, mindmaps of your thoughts, and directly cite your references and automatically create bibliographies within the Microsoft Word word processor.

 

Qiqqa allows you to safeguard and organize your PDF files, making them instantly accessible and searchable across your devices. Because it includes automatic tagging, identification, and categorization, you'll never have to waste time looking for missing PDF documents again. Also, this Windows 10 PDF reader can highlight, edit font size and color, and place annotations on the text.

 

- Pros:

• Superb reference and document management

• Import PDFs into separate libraries securely

• Full-text search, duplicate paper detection with ease

• Download multiple PDF pages more quickly

• Unlock PDF functionality with powerful built-in OCR

 

- Cons:

• Poor interface and it is not user-friendly

 

Price: Free, Premium version $6.67/month |  Premium version $41.67/month

6. Expert PDF Reader

Expert PDF Reader is a free PDF viewer app for Windows 7, 8, 10. which allows you to open and view any PDF file or 3D digital book in .epub, .cbr or .cbz format. You can also edit and modify your PDFs easily. Furthermore, it allows you to convert PDF documents into over 200 different formats (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, images) and vice versa. It is straightforward and quick to use. 

 

Despite not having many editing features, it is still good software for opening and reading basic PDF files. Quickly markup and add comments to the pages of your PDF documents using the different tools available in the Expert PDF software (highlight and underline text, annotate with the pencil tool, customized stamps, etc.).

 

- Pros:

• Create PDFs from any type of file

• Turn your scanned documents and images into editable PDFs

• Sign all your documents, invoices and contracts with an electronic signature

• Secure and protect your confidential documents using passwords and access rights

• Compress your PDF files without losing quality

 

- Cons:

• Can’t open PDF files which are very large in size

• More versions can be confusing

 

Price: Free, Paid plans start from $39.99 per month

 

 

7. Microsoft OneNote

Microsoft OneNote is a productivity tool that works on Windows, mobile devices, and the web. It can also be used as a free PDF reader for Windows 11 and Windows 10 to open and view your important PDF document. 

 

The advantage of using OneNote is that you can store all of your documents in the cloud. This means that you can access your documents no matter wherever you are, even if you are offline. Also, you have access to some editing features. Before you can annotate a PDF file, you need to add it to OneNote but as a printout. Check the point above to know how to do that. OneNote will scan the PDF and create an image which you can then annotate as you desire.

 

- Pros:

• One cross-functional notebook for all your notetaking needs

• Revise PDF notes with highlighting or ink annotations

• OCR reader which can read text from images

• Search for text inside PDF files using the printout

- Cons:

• It can be slow at times

• The online app's search is deficient

 

Price: Free

8. Perfect PDF Reader

The Perfect PDF Reader as an eBook Reader for Windows. Perfect PDF Reader is a free, fast and user-friendly application for viewing and printing PDF and XPS files across platforms (Windows 10, Windows 8.1) and devices (PCs, tablets and smartphones). The multiview (multiple files in own windows) possibility is on board now!

 

- Pros:

• Quickly open PDF, XPS & OXPS files. Multiple views (windows) are possible

• Various viewer layouts, fit modes, zoom tools

• Print documents with different layout options

• Navigate using links, bookmarks, outlines and/or semantic zoom

• Search text, including extended search function

 

- Cons:

• Limited features as compared to other Free PDF Readers

 

Price: Free

 

 

9. PDF Reader Pro for Windows

Beloved and trusted by 90M+ users, PDF Reader Pro is one of the best PDF readers, editors, converters 2022 for Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, an alternative to Adobe Acrobat Reader. PDF Reader Pro is a global software brand with a mission to empower modern professionals to better leverage their productivity.

 

With reliable, stable and lightning fast PDF viewer and smooth liquid text navigation, PDF Reader Pro for Windows is a free PDF viewing and markup tool. PDF Reader Pro is also compatible with other PDF readers and supports standard PDF annotations. Besides common functions, PDF Reader Pro offers more. Let’s explore the developments of the Windows PDF Reader Pro (exe version)  from its first release to latest updates.

 

PDF Reader Pro for Windows

 

Tips on Choosing the Right PDF Reader Software for Windows (2022)

Well, if you want a reliable yet powerful PDF Reading application for your Windows system, keep in mind the following factors:

• The free versions are useful for Beginners only with limited functionalities. If you are a novice and want the Fastest PDF Reader for viewing & basic editing, then choose a PDF Viewing & Reading tool that has a clear interface to ease the entire navigation process. Foxit Reader for an excellent viewing experience you could try.

• For advanced use, choose a free PDF Reader that offers features for editing, annotating, sharing & more. PDF Reader Pro is a top-notch choice to enjoy these functionalities.

• Choose a Windows PDF Reader that has high compatibility with all popular file formats. Try using Google Drive for handling different kinds of files.

 

Hope you found our today’s top list for Best Windows PDF Reader Software useful. You could also check our 2021 list to make good choices. The 2021 list includes the likes of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, SumatraPDF, Nitro Reader, etc. which are already a known name. There are already tons of options if you want to download PDF viewer apps for your Windows, but what are the ones you should go for?

 

In short, PDF Reader Pro is our top choice of PDF Reader & Viewer for Windows, which 'does' every PDF work imaginable, such as converting, signing, creating and editing documents. Should you be mulling a purchase, the good news is that there’s a Free Download so you can test out the software first. If you’re a current educator or student who has an eligible Edu email address, you can get a special discount with 50% off for your purchase and save more money.