Adobe Acrobat Reader was a unique software as far as PDF files are concerned. Apart from the fact that it has become slow and has a lot of annoying windows, you practically do not need it to open PDF files.
Adobe Acrobat Reader has a big name and reputation, as it has pioneered the enforcement of PDF text files. Almost every website on the internet uses a pdf file when it wants to deliver text to you.
But Adobe Acrobat Reader has become cumbersome and sluggish over time, with lots of distracting windows , and a long list of security flaws. For many users, Adobe Acrobat Reader is simply too much for reading PDF documents.
So the question is, do you need Acrobat Reader installed? Or, are there better alternatives to reading PDFs?
Adobe Acrobat Reader is one of the most popular PDF readers. Available in two main versions: Free and Premium. The free version lets you view, print, and annotate PDF files, while the premium version includes tools for editing, scanning, digital signature, file conversion, and more.
For most people, the advanced options available in Adobe Acrobat Pro (premium version) are too much. If you just occasionally read a PDF or print a document or form, your regular browser can do the job.
Adobe Reader also has a history of vulnerabilities. Security incidents in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2019 required serious and immediate patching to address critical vulnerabilities. Most of the vulnerabilities stem from JavaScript vulnerabilities in Adobe Reader, allowing an attacker to exploit the program to gain access to the host computer.
Is Adobe Acrobat Reader Safe? If you keep it up to date, then you should logically be safe. Adobe launches updates to its applications on the first Tuesday of each month as part of Patch Tuesday, which means the company is constantly working on its program.
Reading patch notes reveals that it is not just Adobe Reader that receives critical updates. All Adobe products require a major patch from time to time.
Adobe Acrobat Reader lets you view and print PDF files. But your browser can do just that without having to download and install an additional program.
Google Chrome and Brave
Google Chrome and Brave have a built-in PDF viewer. Makes opening web PDFs extremely fast by uploading it directly to your browser. Unfortunately, the Chrome and Brave PDF viewer does not have many features. Or rather, it has virtually none, unless rotating your PDFs is absolutely necessary.
However, it is fast. Google Chrome can also function as the default local PDF viewer. Right-click on your PDF and select Properties. Select Change and then Google Chrome. Then select OK and the pdf files will open with Chrome.
Note that this procedure is the same for Brave, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or any other PDF viewer you want to use by default.
Mozilla Firefox
Like Google Chrome, Firefox has a built-in PDF viewer. In fact, Mozilla has grouped a PDF viewer from Firefox 19, and now we use Firefox 94. Who said Mozilla is not innovative ?!
Firefox PDF Viewer also comes with some useful features. For example, if you have a PDF with interactive fields, such as a form, you can use the built-in PDF viewer to complete them.
Microsoft Edge
The native Windows 10 browser, Microsoft Edge, also includes a built-in PDF reader.
Microsoft Edge PDF Reader has options for designing your PDF using the Design menu, as well as options for highlighting and coloring text using the Highlight menu.
If you are bored, there is also the option for your computer to read your PDF (pronunciation). You can use the Microsoft Edge PDF reader to fill out basic forms.
Microsoft Reader is no longer available and, therefore, is not included in the Windows 10 installation. You can still download and use Reader through the Microsoft Store.
Other operating systems also do not require Adobe Acrobat Reader. MacOS users have a Preview, while Linux distributions come with Okular or Evince, depending on the environment. Android has a built-in PDF viewer, as does iOS.
While Adobe Reader is available on all of these operating systems, there's really no reason to use it. Because there are better and free PDF reading options available, both for each operating system and completely online.
If you are not satisfied with the ready-made built-in pdf reading plugins of browsers and you want to save and install a standalone program, this is no longer necessary to be Adobe Reader. There are many free PDF reader options for Windows.
Such as Kindle, Sumatra PDF, Foxit, PDF Exchange Viewer, PDF Browser, etc. These options represent some of the best available Adobe Reader alternatives, with many options that include functionality similar to Adobe Acrobat Pro.
Have you read why you no longer need Adobe Reader? Between the web browsers with built-in PDF viewers and the free alternative PDF readers, you are fully covered.
Since most PDFs are just documents intended for viewing in a specific format (this is what PDFs eventually do) most of the alternative PDF viewers will offer the same, if not better experience.
Dimitris hates Mondays...
4 Foxit 2011.x. Even sumatra is slower. For editing pdf xchange editor portable.
There are so many great programs, in 2021 it would be crazy to use Adobe Reader, this obsolete application. The best application I have tried so far, which even in the free version is top, is called pdf xchange viewer of the British company Tracker, with a lot of goodies, while if you buy it it becomes an editor with visual character recognition and yes, it includes Greek
Xodo on Android, Foxit on Windows
Sumatra PDF. It is very light. For the rest you mention I have no opinion.
When you have to read 200-300 pages of notes, every week - to understand them - to edit them - to make a document map - and to make notes with your voice, (the alternative ες manuscripts !! ?? ..rejected indisputably) ..on the document… !!! directly !!!! .. (. without file attachments and other disgusting ..) Ι WHICH PROGRAM DO YOU CHOOSE ???