PDF (Portable Document Format) is one of the most widely used file formats in the world. Whether you are a student, professional, or business owner, you need a PDF reader to view, edit, highlight, or share documents. While Adobe Acrobat Reader is the most popular choice, it’s heavy and comes with limited free features.
The good news? There are plenty of free PDF readers for Windows and Mac in 2025 that are lightweight, fast, and feature-packed. In this article, we’ll look at the top 10 best free PDF readers you can download right now.
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Why Use a Free PDF Reader?
Lightweight performance – won’t slow down your PC
Free editing tools – highlight, annotate, add notes
Cross-platform support – works on Windows & Mac
Secure viewing – protects from malicious PDF files
Cost-effective – zero cost for personal or professional use
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Top 10 Free PDF Readers for Windows & Mac (2025 Edition)
1. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
Features:
Trusted industry standard
Cloud storage integration
Supports e-signatures
Pros: Most compatible PDF reader
Cons: Heavy on system resources
👉 Best for: Professionals who need reliability.
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2. Foxit Reader
Features:
Fast & lightweight
Collaboration features (share reviews, comments)
PDF creation & editing
Pros: User-friendly, powerful editing tools
Cons: Some features locked in paid version
👉 Best for: Users who need advanced tools without paying.
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3. SumatraPDF
Features:
Extremely lightweight (just a few MB)
Open source, fast loading
Supports eBooks (EPUB, MOBI)
Pros: Very fast, portable version available
Cons: No advanced editing features
👉 Best for: Users who want a simple, no-bloat PDF reader.
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4. Nitro PDF Reader (Free Version)
Features:
Convert PDFs to Word/Excel
Annotate & highlight text
Easy-to-use interface
Pros: Professional-grade features for free
Cons: Limited compared to paid Nitro Pro
👉 Best for: Students & professionals needing conversions.
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5. PDF-XChange Editor
Features:
Edit text directly in PDF
OCR (scan-to-text) feature
Highlight & annotate options
Pros: Advanced tools even in free version
Cons: Slightly complex interface
👉 Best for: Power users who want editing features.
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6. Slim PDF Reader
Features:
Minimal design
Fast and lightweight
Supports all basic PDF functions
Pros: Smallest PDF reader (15 MB)
Cons: Limited features compared to big players
👉 Best for: Users with low-end PCs.
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7. Google Drive PDF Viewer
Features:
Works online in browser
Supports sharing & collaboration
Auto-saves on Google Drive
Pros: No installation needed, cloud-based
Cons: Needs internet connection
👉 Best for: Users who want cloud-based PDF access.
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8. Evince
Features:
Open source, cross-platform
Supports PDF, DjVu, TIFF, XPS
Simple interface
Pros: Lightweight, reliable
Cons: Limited editing options
👉 Best for: Linux/Windows/Mac multi-users.
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9. Okular
Features:
Multi-platform PDF viewer
Supports annotations
Open-source & lightweight
Pros: Versatile and fast
Cons: Lacks modern UI
👉 Best for: Open-source lovers.
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10. STDU Viewer
Features:
Supports PDF, TIFF, DjVu, comics (CBR, CBZ)
Tabbed interface
Lightweight and fast
Pros: Multi-format support
Cons: UI looks old-fashioned
👉 Best for: Users who need a reader for multiple formats.
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Quick Comparison Table
PDF Reader Best For Pros Cons
Adobe Acrobat Professionals Most compatible Heavy
Foxit Reader Editing + collaboration Fast & feature-rich Some features paid
SumatraPDF Lightweight Ultra-fast No editing
Nitro PDF Conversions Word/Excel export Limited free
PDF-XChange Advanced users OCR + editing Complex
Slim PDF Low-end PCs Tiny size Limited
Google Drive Cloud lovers Online access Needs internet
Evince Multi-platform Open-source Limited editing
Okular Open-source fans Cross-platform Basic UI
STDU Viewer Multi-format readers Tabbed view Old design
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How to Install a Free PDF Reader (Windows & Mac)
1. Go to the official website of the PDF reader.
2. Download the installer for Windows or Mac.
3. Run the installer and follow setup instructions.
4. Open any PDF file and set it as default reader.
5. Explore features like annotation, highlighting, and printing.
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FAQs
Q1: Which is the lightest PDF reader in 2025?
SumatraPDF and Slim PDF are the lightest options.
Q2: Can I edit PDFs with free software?
Yes, Foxit Reader and PDF-XChange Editor allow editing in free versions.
Q3: Which free PDF reader is best for Mac?
Adobe Acrobat Reader, Skim (Mac-only), and PDF-XChange Editor are great choices.
Q4: Do free PDF readers support e-signatures?
Yes, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC offers e-signatures in the free version.
Q5: Which PDF reader works online without download?
Google Drive PDF Viewer works directly in the browser.
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Conclusion
Choosing the right free PDF reader for Windows & Mac in 2025 depends on your needs. If you want speed, go with SumatraPDF or Slim PDF. If editing is important, choose Foxit Reader or PDF-XChange Editor. For professionals, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC remains the most reliable choice.
No matter which one you pick, these top 10 free PDF readers are safe, fast, and feature-rich – making your PDF experience smooth and secure.
