PDF Reader is a necessary tool to open, view, even annotate PDF files. We all know that Mac has its own PDF reader - Preview, but Windows does not exist built-in PDF reader like that. In particular, some windows 11/10 users may not know how to choose a PDF reader for their own, or feel that such software is very limited. In the 2024 newest review, we pick 12 best PDF readers for Windows 11/10, with paid or free readers also on the list.
Cisdem PDFMaster
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
At the beginning of review, follow our pace to see what the basic elements of the best PDF reader should have.
Comfortable reading experience: An excellent PDF reader will provide a variety of page display modes: single page, double pages, multiple pages, continuous pages, page by page. Most readers can also batch pages with thumbnails. In addition, considerate software will set the eye protection mode.
Annotation tools: If you have the need to take notes while reading, annotation tools are essential. Highlighters, brushes, various shapes, stamps, text boxes, sticky notes are all good helpers that can highlight important texts and improve reading efficiency.
User-friendly interface: The Microsoft-style interface may be more in line with the aesthetics and usage habits of Windows users, so you can check whether the interface and toolbar are intuitive from the official website.
Price: Most PDF readers on the market that provide basic functions such as viewing, annotation, and page management are free to use. But if your needs are higher and want to use more advanced functions such as editing, converting, OCR, signing, compressing PDF in your daily work, we suggest you choose an all-round editor. Of course, most of these products are paid for.
Let’s start with the most efficient and robust PDF reader - Cisdem PDFMaster. Users can open multiple PDF files as tabs, and all the files you have uploaded can also be found in Recent Files. The reading mode is quite rich: single page, double page, cover facing page, continuous page, page by page, etc. If you want to navigate all the pages, open the thumbnail panel and organize PDF pages effortless.
Strictly speaking, it’s a PDF editor that allows users to view, edit, convert, OCR, create, comment, sign, compress, encrypt and decrypt PDF files in one go. If your desktop lacks such a multi-platform and all-in-one editor, hurry up and download it for free to experience 14 days on Windows 11/10/8/7.
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
Rating: 4.5 stars
Best For: Users who need an affordable and robust PDF reader/editor
Pricing: a 14-day free trial, $49.99
Official website: www.cisdem.com/pdfmaster.html
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With this stable and intuitive PDF reader, users can experience different reading modes such as book mode for quick reading, slideshow for presentations, and thumbnail view for navigation. In addition to viewing PDF, you can enjoy other solid tools to simplify your workflows: convert, create, edit, merge, OCR, compress and protect.
Rating: 4.3 stars
Best For: Users who look for a reliable and multi-platform PDF viewer/editor
Pricing: $59.99/lifetime
Official website: www.pdfreaderpro.com
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Do you often see this tool when searching for online PDF tools on Google? Actually, it comes with a desktop program on Windows too. Its Microsoft-style interface makes differences with the online version. And you can use the flexible tab to view, comment, edit, convert & create, sign, OCR, merge & compress.
Rating: 4.2 stars
Pricing: $8-20/month
Official website: www.sodapdf.com
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Another PDF productivity solution for Windows 11 is Kdan PDF Reader, a one-stop and multi-platform tool that lets you read, edit, create, convert, manage, sign and protect PDF documents. In order to provide users with a comfortable reading experience, you can shift the background to day, night sepia to protect your eyes.
Rating: 4 stars
Pricing: $59.99/year; $19.99/quarter
Official website: www.kdanmobile.com/en/pdf-reader
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UPDF committed to providing users with the most comfortable reading experience: a single-page view, two-page view, auto scrolling, multi-tab view, slideshows. What’s more, it provides users an opportunity to switch to dark mode at night. As an almighty software, it covers editor, annotator, organizer, converter, OCR and more powerful features for Windows 11/10.
Rating: 4 stars
Pricing: $29.99/annual; $49.99/one-time
Official website: https://updf.com
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Similar to Soda PDF, Sejda is also a PDF brand known as an online website, but it actually supports multiple platforms. In fact, there are almost no differences in the interface and tools between the desktop version and the online version, but the desktop app can be free from network restrictions. 
Rating: 3.9 stars
Pricing: $7.95/week, $63/annual
Official website: www.sejda.com/desktop
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We are no stranger to Foxit Software. In fact, in addition to PDF editor, this brand also has a dedicated PDF reader: Foxit PDF Reader, the best free PDF reader on Windows 11 that enables you to read, comment, sign, protect, share and print PDF files. No matter the size of your PDF file, it can automatically scroll the file and display all the contents for you.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Best For: Users with greater demand for reading modes
Official website: www.foxit.com/pdf-reader/
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People always compare Foxit PDF Reader with Adobe Acrobat Reader, so let’s see what the difference is between them. Sign in your Adobe Document Cloud, users can process, share and save files across all the platforms. You can find almost all the basic annotating features in this best free PDF reader, but advanced features will require monthly/yearly subscription.
Rating: 4.2 stars
Best For: Users who want a free program that offers basic features for viewing and annotating PDF
Official website: https://get.adobe.com/reader/
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If the above 2 best free PDF readers cannot meet your requirements to edit the original text in PDF, here we show a free PDF editor that supports editing text, images, shapes and many objects in PDF for Windows. Icecream PDF Editor has 4 main functions: edit, annotate, manage pages and fill in PDF forms. One thing’s for sure, it’s absolutely free and you can use it with confidence.
Rating: 4 stars
Official website: https://icecreamapps.com/PDF-Editor/
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Google Drive is popular with users all over the world for storing files and sharing files in the cloud, but its functions are much more than that. It can open and view PDF, image files, video files, audio formats, text files, MS Office and almost any file format you will use. Plus, you can discover additional functions in add-ons.
Rating: 4 stars
Official website: www.google.com/drive/
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From 2013 to 2024, Smallpdf is serviced for more than a billion customers around the world. 24 spoken languages are available on this online free PDF viewer and editor. To make PDF tasks easier, it provides with 20+ tools like highlighting, drawing, adding text box and inserting images. However, only Premium can use editing features.
Rating: 4 stars
Official website: https://smallpdf.com/
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This free and lightweight PDF reader & viewer also provides light and dark themes like Kdan PDF reader. And how lightweight is it? It is only 1/10 of the size of Adobe Acrobat Reader. But don’t look at it so small, it has the basic tools such as annotation, form filling, and page management.
Rating: 3.8 stars
Official website: www.investintech.com/resources/freetools/slimpdfreader/
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We mentioned the basic elements that the best PDF reader should have, and provide detailed instructions for windows 11/10 users from features, price, key point, and limitations. Although most PDF readers are free, they are limited in functionality and do not meet the requirements for editing text. If you need, you can choose an all-in-one PDF reader & editor like Cisdem PDFMaster.
Bianca is a senior tech editor and strategist at Cisdem with Over 10 years of experience on PDF related solutions which covers all document editing, annotating, converting and managing etc.
