Adobe Acrobat alternative

I'm looking for a preferably open-source alternative to Adobe Acrobat. All I need to do with my PDFs is read them -- and at times highlight or add notes in the margins. What do you use & why?

 

Have you tried Foxit?

 

Foxit is now spyware.

The best free PDF Viewer is:

PDF-XChange Viewer = http://www.tracker-software.com/product/downloads

 

Thanks for the heads up! Haven't needed to use foxit in ages...

 

YEAH just try to install it and see the spare it trues to install. Off XCHNGE is totally free and had the best interface IMHO. I bought the pro version myself to be able to edit PDFS but for reading g the free is all u need

 

I use the 64-bit version of Sumatra PDF found here. Extremely minimalistic and lightweight. It's also open source. All the full-featured PDF readers like Foxit and PDF-XChange Viewer are too bloated and contain features I never use. The only downside of Sumatra is its single-threaded render engine, which means high-quality, image-heavy PDFs take longer to render. If you want one with more features and a multi-threaded render engine, I suggest 64-bit PDF-XChange Viewer, which also includes a PDF plugin for 64-bit browsers. I used to use Foxit Reader but don't recommend it anymore since it is still 32-bit.

 

I'm curious, on any decent quad core ivy bridge or later, does the single threaded performance cause any issues?

 

Yeah, let's say I view a 300+ MB Witcher 2 art book PDF. In Sumatra there is noticeable lag navigating between pages and each new page takes a second or two to fully render. Only 1 thread on my i7 is fully maxed out.

 

Thank you! I saw on Wikipedia that FoxIt was definitely a no-download for me. Any program that installs malware and/or phones home even when opting out is junk. What a shame because it otherwise has good reviews. I'll investigate the other mentions on here

 

Well the OP wants to edit and I don't think the free version PDF-XChange Viewer will do that. Also that website scares the hell out of me.... "Tracker-Software"?

 

^LOL good point

 

They have it - it is called Adobe Acrobat Reader....it's free...and it updates automatically....Now if you want to edit and do more with pdf files...then you either have to use the paid version Adobe Acrobat Pro this is paid but for it's money nothing can compare to it. So I will iterate your reply about Adobe Acrobat is to general and there is actual two version that you need to separate...

1. Adobe Acrobat Pro - paid and the most powerful version though not cheap also integrates well into IE and FF, I know I tried it and it can make web pages into pdf files so that makes this a big plus
2. Adobe Acrobat Reader - free but no editing of pdf files and works very well unless you need to edit pdf file

Regardless of the the "love and hate" relations with Adobe this Acrobat is one of the very best programs out there and all others more or less compare to it or tries to emulate Acrobat features and options.

 

And I figure this would eventually happen to foxit it was good when it came out now it has become the problem...

I figure this would soon come to a head...was free and now is spyware and wants to track you. So looks like what was free shareware now has become spyware...what a outcome we have...at least with Adobe Acrobat Pro you pay for it and you don't get spyware or malware as long as you update your protected. This is what makes paid program a far better alternative here.

 

yeah good strategy heh? release an excellent and lightweight product, let millions of users like it and spread it around and let it get great reviews.....then when everyone caught the bait......convert it silently into a spyware and makes millions.....chances are the ones who already use it are so used to it and won't even bother switching.......

 

There is a free version of Acrobat still out there. It's version 8 and very old and may not run well on newer OS's. http://downloadcrew.com/article/29244-adobe_acrobat_professional

However, I have found a good alternate that does most of everything the Professional Acrobat can do and it's a lot cheaper. (Not free but only $20.00) http://www.pdfill.com/

I use this for all of my pdf forms that require fields that can be filled in by the user and printed or saved.

 

What are you saying there is already a free version of Acrobat it's called Acrobat Reader 11.x and it's free why tell others to use outdated and security prone software for? This is so far off the wall makes one wonder where their getting their info from. As to not run well on newer O/S that is why you need Acrobat Reader 11.x and I think that version works fine on older O/S as well otherwise why would Adobe create such software for. I don't recall hearing issues with using 11.x on older O/S.

 

No I meant Acrobat. I know the difference between the reader and the full Acrobat. Do you need a link?

Here it is: http://downloadcrew.com/article/29244-adobe_acrobat_professional

If you don't like that site then do a Google search on 'Free Adobe Acrobat Professional 8' and you will get more options.

 

Sumtra PDF is awesome. The reason why I'm ditching Adobe Reader is because it is extremely bloated. There was no way to disable the "Tools & Sign In" pane that would load up for every PDF opened, constantly forcing me to close it. The stupid popups telling me that I can sync my PDFs across all mobile devices is also f* annoying. Bye Bye Adobe.

Adobe Reader also takes 4x the amount of RAM that Sumtra does.

 

ughhh... that's for Windows XP!

 

Fwiw, google chrome can open and display pdf's. Anyone tried using that as their default pdf reader? I may give it a try.

 

You most certainly can, I just like having Sumatra installed so I can see PDF preview in Windows Explorer:

 

If you want more security holes go right ahead and use Acrobat 8 and malware/virus would love you for doing that but don't let your back thinking affect others to secure their system.

 

Sumatra is great -- used it extensively over the past day doing work. There isn't a clear cut way on how to enable highlighting of text, but a Google search reveals it's possible by adding some lines to the preference file. For now I'm just ALT-TAB between notepad which is fine.

I really love how lightweight this program is. Even some massive PDFs (200+mb with graphics) this thing works great. So glad I uninstalled Adobe Reader.

 

Just remember this is how FoxIt started out as well....just remember if it wasn't for Acrobat creating a pdf reader you wouldn't be able to open or read pdf files. But people seems to have a selective memory loss how important Adobe made PDF possible. I have no problem with massive 200mb files with Adobe Acrobat Pro 11.xxx so I can say the same with your own line in with Acrobat so your own words have little support to it. I'll say it again for the savvy users you can choose your pdf Reader all you want but don't tell everyday jon and jane doe to use your specific software since most want a reliable pdf reader like Acrobate Reader that will update itself and one they can trust to always be there and free and not have to constantly look for a new Reader to replace a outdated Reader.

 

Why get so antagonistic and defensive over a simple PDF reader? ROFL. Get over it, man. We get you love Adobe, but aren't you ignoring your own advice by pushing your agenda on other people? The thread title is Adobe alternative.

Sumatra is open source and has been around for just as long as Foxit without blowing up in size or becoming adware, so your point is moot.

Edit: I didn't realize @Rad Gravity is the OP. Looks like the thread has been solved, so no more need to belabor the point.

 

Checked Sumatra PDF; simple, surprisingly fast, css-ish customization ( 'Settings' > 'Advanced Options') and has a portable version (put a copy on the office-to-go-USB-stick). However, it doesn't support 3D pdf, ~450MB+ files, layers, measuring or geo-reference, so still need an Adobe version alongside.

 

I always used Foxit. It opens pretty quick for me.

 

Sumatra for viewing, reader/acrobat for real pdf or forms. Some form with script wont work at all w.o adobe stuff.

 

Well that basically says it all if this info is correct.

 

yes and infects your PC with malware even faster.

 

Really? I should really uninstall it but it does work for me.

 

Funny thing is every time I update Adobe flash player I have to remember to untick automatic installation of McAffee that comes with it, so installation of unwanted software is rather wide spread and includes commercial program offerings as well. As as far as Foxit goes I used it in the past and never had any issues with it, but never used installer, they do have portable version which I prefer. As a matter of fact I only install programs where there is no other way and many programs this days have portable versions, including Sumatra, Foxit and PDFXCview, just to name few PDF readers.

 

Well if you don't mind keeping spyware on your computer then use it and be vulnerable.

 

Where do you get your Adobe Flash Player from? I never EVER get any bundleware with it.

Always grab it from the source not from shady websites:
Adobe Flash Player

 

https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
I get redirected to this website when adobe flash player tells me there is update and it is legit Adobe website. I knew there is a website where you can download whole thing (this only downloads installer which then downloads actual update, which is most stupid way of doing things, especially when you have 4 computers, like I do and need to maintain), but I could never find it, when need it.
Thanks, I will bookmark it for future.

 

Or try this site this is the full download not webdownload install it post the most latest version to download without having to go to Adobe as that version is the webinstall...not the offline installer. And if you scroll to the bottom you get both links to IE and Non-IE versions.

http://www.filecroco.com/download-flash-player-non-ie