Adobe Acrobat Reader Alternatives for Mac

There are many alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best Mac alternative is Foxit Reader. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try PDF Reader or Xournal++. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 50 alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader and many of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader are Preview, Qoppa PDF Studio, Chrome PDF Viewer Plug-in and Skim.

Adobe Acrobat Reader alternatives are mainly PDF Readers but may also be PDF Editors or Ebook Readers. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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Adobe Acrobat Reader

433

Freemium • Proprietary
PDF Reader

Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad

View, sign, collaborate on and annotate PDF files with our free Acrobat Reader software. And to easily edit and convert...

Learn more about Adobe Acrobat Reader

Foxit Reader
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Proprietary
PDF Reader
PDF Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Windows S
Android Tablet
Windows Phone
iPad
ReactOS
111 alternatives to Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is a free and light-weight multi-platform PDF document viewer. Its core function is compatible with PDF Standard 1.7.
Suggest and vote on features
Foxit Reader Features
1. PDF annotationFoxit Reader support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
2. Fill PDF FormsFoxit Reader supports forms in PDF files.
3. Sign PDF filesFoxit Reader support signing a PDF document digitally on a touch screen etc.
4. LightweightFoxit Reader consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
5. Support for scriptingFoxit Reader supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
6. Text to SpeechFoxit Reader allows you to transform written text into spoken text.
7. Spell CheckingFoxit Reader can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
8. PortableFoxit Reader can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Highlighter
Tablet support
Booklet printing
Print to PDF
Text Highlighting
Support for Javascript
Multiple languages
Modify filesystem timestamps
Scan to word
Tabbed interface
Bundleware
The installer tries to install McAfee WebAdvisor and PhantomPDF Business. These can be skipped by clicking Decline on each.

Foxit Reader vs Adobe Acrobat Reader
Most users think Foxit Reader is a great alternative to Adobe Acrobat Reader.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
danielcastelli
Best full featured alternative
Top positive comment• ago

2

Guest
Better than SumatraPDF because of Form field.
Top positive comment• ago

0

Guest
ease to use, customizable view, good searching interface
Positive comment• ago

1

Notiz_Me
Has the ability to print in booklet format, which a lot of other readers lack.
Positive comment• ago

0

wlfzsyhhc
Available on Gnu/Linux, FOSS
Positive comment• ago

1

Guest
Excellent interface and qucik and easy to use.
Positive comment• ago

0

Guest
The accessibility of the commands is great, the most important features are free. I haven't felt the need to change to a third pdf viewer. Plus, you can print to PDF when many other software started eliminating this option.
Positive comment• ago

2

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7 of 14 comments
PDF Reader
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
PDF Reader
PDF Editor
Mac
Windows
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
234 alternatives to PDF Reader
PDF Reader is the ideal app for anyone who works with PDFs in the office or at home. PDF Reader allows you to organize all annotated information with a few taps.
Suggest and vote on features
PDF Reader Features
1. Sign PDF filesPDF Reader support signing a PDF document digitally on a touch screen etc.
2. PDF compressionPDF Reader can reduce the size of your PDF without losing quality
3. PDF annotationPDF Reader support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
Freehand Writing
Multiple languages
Create PDF files
Tabbed interface
Edit PDF
Digital fax
Built-in File Manager
Watermark images
Print to PDF
Convert PDF to Word document
PDF Reader vs Adobe Acrobat Reader
Almost everyone thinks PDF Reader is a great alternative to Adobe Acrobat Reader.
daynabarber3
More versatile than the Adobe Reader.
Positive comment• ago

1

charlesjones86
The free version provides all functions needed for the regular user.
Positive comment• ago

17
Xournal++
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
Chrome OS
Android Tablet
Self-Hosted
36 alternatives to Xournal++
Xournal++ (a fork of Xournal) is a handwriting Notetaking software with PDF annotation support. Written in C++ with platform independent GTK, supporting Linux, e.g. Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, Suse, macOS and Windows 10. Supports Pen input like Wacom Tablets.
Suggest and vote on features
Xournal++ Features
1. Handwritten NotesXournal++ supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
2. PDF annotationXournal++ support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
3. Works OfflineXournal++ can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
4. Pressure SensitivityXournal++ can change attributes like thickness or opacity, based on how much force you apply to your stylus/finger.
5. Support for LaTeXXournal++ supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
6. Ad-freeXournal++ doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. PortableXournal++ can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Support for styluses
Export to PDF
Handwriting
LaTeX Math
Pen Support
Multi layer drawing
Audio with notes
Highlighter
Freehand Writing
LaTeX equations
Preview
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Image Viewer
PDF Reader
Mac
149 alternatives to Preview
Preview is a simple and elegant application by Apple for viewing and working with images and PDF documents.
Suggest and vote on features
Preview Features
1. Fill PDF FormsPreview supports forms in PDF files.
2. PDF annotationPreview support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
Edit PDF
Image resizing
Built-in Image converter
Preview vs Adobe Acrobat Reader
Most users think Preview is a great alternative to Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Guest
Easy, Very Fast, basic editing options.
Positive comment• ago

1

Guest
Unlike Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, which allows you to edit and erase certain parts of PDF files, Preview won't let you do it if it's only 1 page. I suggest getting a different PDF viewer, reader, and editor.
Negative comment• ago

-5
Qoppa PDF Studio
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
PDF Reader
PDF Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Chrome OS
182 alternatives to Qoppa PDF Studio
Create, Convert, Review and Edit PDF Documents on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Suggest and vote on features
Qoppa PDF Studio Features
1. Sign PDF filesQoppa PDF Studio support signing a PDF document digitally on a touch screen etc.
2. Dark ModeQoppa PDF Studio supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Text to SpeechQoppa PDF Studio allows you to transform written text into spoken text.
4. PDF annotationQoppa PDF Studio support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
5. Combine PDFCombine, merge and arrange PDF files into one document.
6. Fill PDF FormsQoppa PDF Studio supports forms in PDF files.
7. OCRExtract the text from a screen capture or file and paste it into another document for edits.
Scan to PDF
Edit PDF
PDF Redaction
Convert PDF to Word document
Measurement-Tools
Create PDF files
Bates numbering
Batch processing
Themes
PDF OCR
Chrome PDF Viewer Plug-in
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
PDF Reader
Mac
Windows
Linux
Google Chrome
60 alternatives to Chrome PDF Viewer Plug-in
In version 8, Google Chrome introduced a free PDF viewer, installed by default. While this plug-in lacks many features of the Adobe Acrobat Plug-in, it is much faster and lighter, and updates with the browser rather than an external utility.
Suggest and vote on features
Chrome PDF Viewer Plug-in Features
Convert PDF to Word document
Chrome PDF Viewer Plug-in vs Adobe Acrobat Reader
Most users think Chrome PDF Viewer Plug-in is a great alternative to Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Skim
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
PDF Reader
Note-taking Tool
Mac
75 alternatives to Skim
Skim is a PDF reader and note-taker for OS X. It is designed to help you read and annotate scientific papers in PDF, but is also great for viewing any PDF file.
Suggest and vote on features
Skim Features
1. LightweightSkim consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Ad-freeSkim doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. PDF annotationSkim support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
Clean design
Note extraction
Export annotations
Skim vs Adobe Acrobat Reader
Some users think Skim is a great alternative to Adobe Acrobat Reader, some don't.
Butterfly
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Note-taking Tool
Digital Painting Tool
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Android
Android Tablet
F-Droid
Self-Hosted
28 alternatives to Butterfly
Butterfly is a note app where your ideas come first. You can paint, add texts, and export them easily on every device. This app works on android, windows, linux, and in the web.
Suggest and vote on features
Butterfly Features
1. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Butterfly without registration.
2. Dark ModeButterfly supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
3. Ad-freeButterfly doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. No TrackingButterfly will not track you or use your personal data.
5. Handwritten NotesButterfly supports writing by hand (or a stylus) and your text will be converted to text.
6. LightweightButterfly consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. Works OfflineButterfly can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
8. Privacy focusedButterfly is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
9. PortableButterfly can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Built-in Note Taker
PDF annotation
Customizable
Decentralized
Cloud Sync
End-to-End Encryption
zathura
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
PDF Reader
Mac
Linux
BSD
MacPorts
Homebrew
64 alternatives to zathura
zathura is a highly customizable and functional document viewer based on the poppler rendering library and the gtk+ toolkit. The idea behind zathura is an application that provides a minimalistic and space saving interface as well as an easy usage that mainly focuses on keyboard...
Suggest and vote on features
zathura Features
1. Lightweightzathura consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Extensible by Plugins/Extensionszathura can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
Vi keybindings
Keyboard navigation
Vim key mapping
zathura vs Adobe Acrobat Reader
This alternative is disputed. zathura is still a legitimate alternative to Adobe Acrobat Reader, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
Sioyek
Is this a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
PDF Reader
Mac
Windows
Linux
19 alternatives to Sioyek
Sioyek is a PDF viewer with minimal interface optimized for reading research papers and technical books.
Suggest and vote on features
Sioyek Features
1. Dark ModeSioyek supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
2. LightweightSioyek consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
3. PDF annotationSioyek support PDF Annotation for highlighting, notes etc
Keyboard focused
Sioyek vs Adobe Acrobat Reader
pros, cons and recent comments
onkoe
It's a minimalist PDF reader for programmers and other such nerds. Includes dark mode, keyboard navigation, and a minimalist UI that allows for great focus.
Positive comment• ago

0