Good day!
Magazines, books, scanned documents, forms, drawings and more are now often distributed in PDF format. Whether you like it or not, 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 a 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 requirements for system resources. I hope everyone will be able to choose a "soft" for their current tasks.
And so, more to the point ...
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👉 Remark!
In this article I cannot but recommend the specials. software for reading e-books. For example, formats such as txt, fb2, html, rtf, doc are much more convenient to read in special. readers than in Word or notepad.
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Top 6 PDF viewers
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Official website: //get.adobe.com/
Opened a page of my site, saved in PDF
One of the most widely used PDF readers (which is not surprising, because Acrobat Reader is a product from the very developer of this format) .
It has some of the most comprehensive PDF reading, printing and editing capabilities in its arsenal. 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 PCs and mobile gadgets!
I must say that Adobe Acrobat Reader has amazing compatibility: some PDF files (especially large ones), which are not displayed correctly in any other readers, are presented here in normal mode.
Therefore, in my opinion, even if you do not use this particular program, it would not be superfluous to have it in reserve ...
Add. capabilities:
- fast 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 configure your system so that PDF will be available on popular cloud drives such as Box, Dropbox and OneDrive;
- the reader allows you to create annotations and comments for viewed files.
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STDU Viewer
Official website: //www.stdutility.com/
STDU Viewer - main program window
A very compact, free and versatile program for reading a variety of 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, the sidebar displays content with quick links. Also, a bookmarking system is conveniently built-in, which allows you to return to the last read place in one click with the mouse.
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 DjVu files to text formats. In general, the program deserves attention and acquaintance!
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Foxit Reader
Official website: //www.foxitsoftware.com/
Foxit Reader - example of an open page with text
Very handy PDF file reader. I would like to immediately note its relatively low system requirements (in relation to the same Adobe Reader), a convenient system of bookmarks, a side menu (with the contents of an open book), a modern interface.
In general, the abundance of all kinds of functions and capabilities is amazing (in fact, we can say: a multifunctional program).
Features:
- the program interface is as close as possible to Word, Excel, etc. (which causes an obvious disposition to the product);
- the ability to quickly customize the toolbar (add what you often need and remove what you don't use);
- the program supports the 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.
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Sumatra PDF
Official website: //www.sumatrapdfreader.org/
Supported formats: PDF, eBook, XPS, DjVu, CHM.
Sumatra PDF - viewing previously opened books (preview from the developer's site)
If you are looking for a very simple, compact and fast PDF viewer, then I'm not 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.
Features:
- the design is made in the style of minimalism (so popular recently). The main priority functions are: viewing and printing files;
- support for 60 languages (including Russian);
- there is a portable version that does not need installation (you can carry it with you on a flash drive, and if anything, you can open PDF on any PC);
- unlike its counterparts (including Adobe Acrobat Reader), the program correctly scales pictures in black and white (a very useful thing when reading books);
- correctly reads and recognizes hyperlinks embedded in PDF;
- Sumatra does not block an open PDF file (useful for those who work with TeX systems);
- supported by Windows XP, 7, 8, 10 (32/64 bits).
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PDF-XChange Viewer
Official website: //www.tracker-software.com/
PDF-XChange Viewer - main program window
Multifunctional program for viewing PDF files. Separately, I would like to note its relatively low system requirements, rich functionality, simple and user-friendly interface. By the way, the program supports the Russian language.
Features:
- detailed setting of the font, displaying pictures, setting navigation, etc. allows you to comfortably read even large files;
- the ability to view several 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 by e-mail directly from the viewer (very convenient when you have a lot of scanned documents);
- allows you to extract text from PDF, and much more ...
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Hamster PDF Reader
Official website: //pdfreader.hamstersoft.com/
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 functions, but there is everything that most people need: viewing settings (font, sheet, brightness, full screen mode, etc.), printing, bookmarks, etc.
Another plus: the program does not have to be installed (there is a portable version). Thus, you can write it to a USB flash drive and always have it at hand to work with PDF.
In general, an interesting and uncluttered product that allows you to solve the most ordinary tasks.
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👉 By the way!
Hamster also has a rather interesting archiver (it supports working with cloud disks, in 1-2 clicks it allows you to compress and unpack all known archive formats).
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PS
As a complement, I would recommend a couple more articles on 👉 how to create PDFs and 👉 how to edit them. After all, sometimes you need not only to view, but also to be creative?
Is not it!? ✔
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Additions on the topic are welcome ...
All the best and good reading!
👋
First publication: 14.05.2018
Correction: 11/10/2020
