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With the increase in online communication, the use of PDF files has become more widespread. PDF files offer a level of security because they cannot be edited or altered easily. These files are used for various purposes, including sharing documents, filling out forms, and more. However, unlike other file formats, PDF files need a dedicated reader to open them. While Macs come with a built-in PDF reader, known as Preview, it doesn’t always fulfill user needs. That’s where third-party PDF readers come in, which offer additional features and better performance. In this blog post, we’ll explore the best PDF readers for Mac and how they can improve your PDF reading experience.
Video Tutorial:
What is a PDF Reader?
A PDF reader is a program that enables users to view and interact with PDF documents. PDF readers allow users to zoom in and out, search documents, annotate, and more. Besides the basic features, there are several advanced features present in PDF readers, such as the ability to add digital signatures, combine different PDF files, and extract data from PDF forms.
Top 5 Best PDF Readers for Mac
Here we have a list of the top 5 best PDF readers for Mac.
Top 1 – Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
Adobe Acrobat Reader is one of the most used PDF readers on the market. It is free to use and available on various platforms, including Mac. Acrobat Reader DC is packed with features such as the ability to fill out PDF forms easily, add annotations, and highlight text. The software allows users to search for specific text or phrases within the document and add digital signatures to the document. In addition, the reader enables users to combine multiple PDF files into one document.
Pros:
Q1. What are the pros of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC?
A1. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is free to use, and it has a user-friendly interface. The software allows users to fill out PDF forms easily, add annotations, and highlight text. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC enables users to search for text and phrases within the document and add digital signatures to the document. Additionally, this software lets users combine multiple PDF files into one document.
Cons:
Q2. What are the cons of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC?
A2. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC isn’t designed for heavy editing or creation of PDFs. Also, there have been complaints about slow performance and lack of customer support.
Top 2 – PDFelement
PDFelement is a powerful and affordable PDF reader that allows users to read PDF files and edit them. The software comes with features like annotation, page management, and OCR. OCR technology allows users to edit scanned documents with ease. Besides the basic features, PDFelement has a redaction tool that lets users remove sensitive information from the document easily.
Pros:
Q3. What are the pros of PDFelement?
A3. PDFelement is affordable, and it has a user-friendly interface. The software has OCR technology that lets users edit scanned documents with ease. PDFelement comes with a redaction tool that allows users to remove sensitive information from the document easily.
Cons:
Q4. What are the cons of PDFelement?
A4. PDFelement doesn’t offer advanced editing features that can be found in other software like Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
Top 3 – Foxit PhantomPDF
Foxit PhantomPDF is a powerful PDF reader that comes with advanced editing features. The software has a user-friendly interface and is available for Windows and Mac. The software is packed with features like electronic forms, annotation, and document manipulation. PhantomPDF’s unique feature is that it converts PDF files to PowerPoint presentations.
Pros:
Q5. What are the pros of Foxit PhantomPDF?
A5. Foxit PhantomPDF has a user-friendly interface. The software is packed with advanced editing features like electronic forms, annotation, and document manipulation. PhantomPDF converts PDF files to PowerPoint presentations.
Cons:
Q6. What are the cons of Foxit PhantomPDF?
A6. Foxit PhantomPDF can be quite expensive compared to other PDF readers on the market.
Top 4 – Skim
Skim is a free and open-source PDF reader that is solely available for the Mac platform. The software has an intuitive user interface, enabling users to take advantage of its annotation tools and note-taking features.
Pros:
Q7. What are the pros of Skim?
A7. Skim is free and open-source, and it’s speedy. The software has an intuitive user interface, and it enables users to take advantage of its annotation tools and note-taking features.
Cons:
Q8. What are the cons of Skim?
A8. Skim lacks some advanced features that can be found in paid PDF readers like Foxit PhantomPDF and Adobe Acrobat Reader DC.
Top 5 – Nitro PDF Reader
Nitro PDF Reader is a powerful PDF reader packed with advanced features like form-filling, signing, and document manipulation tools. Additionally, the software is available for Windows and Mac platforms.
Pros:
Q9. What are the pros of Nitro PDF Reader?
A9. Nitro PDF Reader is free to use, and it has advanced features like form-filling, signing, and document manipulation tools. The software is available on both Windows and Mac platforms.
Cons:
Q10. What are the cons of Nitro PDF Reader?
A10. Nitro PDF Reader lacks some editing features that can be found in other paid PDF readers.
Our Thoughts on the Best PDF Readers for Mac
After reviewing the top 5 PDF readers for Mac, we have concluded that Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is the best PDF reader for Mac. Although it may not have all the advanced features that other PDF readers offer, it has all the essential features in a free software that can meet almost everyone’s needs. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is user-friendly, efficient, and offers good security features. The software can be quickly installed if not already available on your Mac.
FAQs
Q1. How much does Adobe Acrobat Reader DC cost?
A1. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is a free software.
Q2. Can I edit PDF files with PDFelement?
A2. Yes, you can edit PDF files with PDFelement.
Q3. Is Foxit PhantomPDF available for Mac?
A3. Yes, Foxit PhantomPDF is available for Mac.
Q4. Is Skim better than Preview?
A4. Skim offers better annotation and note-taking features than Preview.
Q5. Is Nitro PDF Reader compatible with Windows?
A5. Yes, Nitro PDF Reader is compatible with Windows and Mac.
In Conclusion
Choosing the best PDF reader for Mac can be a daunting task. We hope this blog post has helped you make an informed decision based on your specific needs. In summary, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is the best free PDF reader that is available for Mac. However, if you need more advanced features, you can opt for paid software like PDFelement or Foxit PhantomPDF. Lastly, don’t forget to compare the pros and cons before making a final decision.