The Best Open Source Foxit PDF Reader AlternativesTop PDF Readers & PDF Editors like Foxit PDF Reader

The best open source alternative to Foxit PDF Reader is SumatraPDF. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Foxit PDF Reader and many of them is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to Foxit PDF Reader are Okular, Evince, MuPDF and Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js).

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Foxit PDF Reader alternatives are mainly PDF Readers, but if you're looking for PDF Editors or Ebook Readers you can filter on that. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Foxit PDF Reader.
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Free, lightweight PDF viewer available on multiple platforms. Features include annotation, form-filling, signing, cloud integration, and more.

More about Foxit PDF Reader
Foxit PDF Reader alternatives page was last updated Jul 11, 2025
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  1. SumatraPDF icon
     1634 likes
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    This free, open-source viewer for Windows supports multiple formats like PDF, eBooks (ePub, Mobi), CHM, and Comic Books (CBZ, CBR). Prioritizing simplicity and speed, it offers a lightweight, portable design with a minimalist interface, catering to users seeking fast and efficient document viewing.

    108 SumatraPDF alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • PL flagPoland
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Optimal performance
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Low memory usage
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Tabbed interface
    4.  Portable
    5.  Multi Format Reader
    6.  No registration required
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Highlighter
    9.  PDF annotation
    10.  Global bookmarks
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  Quick search

    SumatraPDF VS Foxit PDF Reader

     
    Comments about SumatraPDF as an Alternative to Foxit PDF Reader
    Comment summary: Foxit PDF Reader is praised for its flexibility in managing annotations and its clear interface, though users dislike the promotional ribbon. SumatraPDF is favored for its lightweight, open-source design, supporting multiple formats, and handling vector graphics effectively. Many users appreciate SumatraPDF for being distraction-free and stable, while a minority criticize it for being overly simplistic with limited features.
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    Oct 8, 2017
    17

    Sumatra is a good alternative because 1) wide range of formats supported, and 2) it's open source.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    Aug 4, 2015
    28

    Foxit can edit PDF files too. Sumatra is just a viewer.

    Most Recent Comment
    idg
    Positive Sep 27, 2022
    0

    This is the best I'm aware of for now: You can remove or add annotations anytime, even after saving the document (unlike Okular). Most effectively clear interface (unlike Adobe Acrobat). Only bothering thing : the ad ribbon on the top-right for upgrading to a paid plan. BUT you get rid of it by selecting "Comment" or "View" in toolsbar and continue reading.

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    3 of 11 comments
    Foxit PDF Reader Icon
    SumatraPDF icon
    • Most users think SumatraPDF is a great Foxit PDF Reader alternative.

    • SumatraPDF is the most popular Windows alternative to Foxit PDF Reader.

    • SumatraPDF is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Foxit PDF Reader.

    • SumatraPDF is Free and Open SourceFoxit PDF Reader is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • SumatraPDF is LightweightFoxit PDF Reader is not according to our users
  2. Okular icon
     458 likes
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    Multi-platform document viewer offering extensive format support, including PDF, comics, images, EPUB, and Markdown, with annotation tools, sidebar previews, text-to-speech, DRM management, cross-platform compatibility, and integration with KDE Frameworks libraries.

    112 Okular alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • DE flagGermany
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • KDE Plasma
    • Snapcraft
    • Linux Mobile
    • Flathub
    • Haiku

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  PDF annotation
    2.  Text Highlighting
    3.  Tabbed interface
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Low memory usage
    7.  KDE
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Customizable shortcuts
    10.  Text to Speech
    11.  Fill PDF Forms
    12.  No Tracking

    Okular VS Foxit PDF Reader

     
    Comments about Okular as an Alternative to Foxit PDF Reader
    Most Recent Comment
    jadethaum
    Positive Jan 11, 2025
    0

    It's good, but clunky. I'll keep looking for something a little smoother but until then it's a good move to get away from Foxit.

    Guest
    Positive Mar 30, 2020
    1

    How it deals with comments is great and it's open source, on any platform I use.

    Guest
    Positive Sep 7, 2020
    0

    looks better than SumatraPDF and KDE is a respected company

    Foxit PDF Reader Icon
    Okular icon
    • Most users think Okular is a great Foxit PDF Reader alternative.

    • Okular is the most popular Linux alternative to Foxit PDF Reader.

    • Okular is Free and Open SourceFoxit PDF Reader is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • Okular is Lightweight and Privacy focusedFoxit PDF Reader is not according to our users
  3. Evince icon
     456 likes
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    Evince (or GNOME Document Viewer) is a document viewer for multiple document formats: PDF, Postscript, djvu, tiff, dvi, XPS, SyncTex support with gedit, comics books (cbr,cbz,cb7 and cbt) and others. See Supported Document Formats for details.

    116 Evince alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    • GNOME

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Minimalistic
    3.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  PDF annotation
    2.  Invert colours
    3.  Multiple languages
    4.  Dark Mode
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Portable
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  No registration required
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Handwriting recognition
    11.  Windows Compatible

    Evince VS Foxit PDF Reader

     
    Comments about Evince as an Alternative to Foxit PDF Reader
    tibi97427
    Negative Jun 8, 2020
    -3

    Because Evince is only for Linux

    Foxit PDF Reader Icon
    Evince icon
    • Some users think Evince is a great Foxit PDF Reader alternative, some don't.

    • Evince is Free and Open SourceFoxit PDF Reader is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • Evince is Lightweight and Privacy focusedFoxit PDF Reader is not according to our users
  4. MuPDF icon
     156 likes
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    MuPDF offers a highly versatile PDF, XPS, and eBook interpreter, customizable as a renderer, viewer, or toolkit. Features include digital signatures, redactions, form filling, annotations, and page manipulation, ideal for mobile, eBooks, and embedded apps supporting Java, C++, and Python.

    89 MuPDF alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • F-Droid
    • Xfce

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Portable
    2.  Ad-free
    3.  Vim Key Mapping
    4.  PDF annotation
    5.  Sign PDF files
    6.  PDF compression
    7.  Combine PDF
    8.  Split PDF files
    9.  Fill PDF Forms

    MuPDF VS Foxit PDF Reader

     
  5. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    PDF Viewer (aka pdf.js) is a new revolutionary extension using web standard technologies that allows you to display within Mozilla Firefox almost all PDF files found on the web without a plugin.

    82 Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Google Chrome
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Browser integration
    2.  Add/remove pages
    3.  PDF annotation
    4.  Ad-free
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Works Offline
    8.  Full-Text Search
    9.  No registration required
    10.  Browser extension
    11.  Opera extension
    12.  Support for Javascript

    Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) VS Foxit PDF Reader

     
    Comments about Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) as an Alternative to Foxit PDF Reader
    Guest
    Positive Jan 28, 2020
    1

    Integrated, no bloatware, light

    Foxit PDF Reader Icon
    Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) icon
    • Some users think Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) is a great Foxit PDF Reader alternative, some don't.

    • Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) is Free and Open SourceFoxit PDF Reader is Free Personal and Proprietary
    • Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) is Lightweight and Privacy focusedFoxit PDF Reader is not according to our users
  6. MJ PDF Reader icon
     27 likes
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    A totally free of cost and ads PDF documents reader.

    71 MJ PDF Reader alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  Works Offline
    3.  Dark Mode
    4.  Full-Text Search
    5.  No registration required
    6.  No Tracking
    7.  PDF annotation

    MJ PDF Reader VS Foxit PDF Reader

     
  7. Sioyek icon
     19 likes
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    Sioyek is a PDF viewer with minimal interface optimized for reading research papers and technical books.

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Keyboard focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Support for Themes

    Features

    1.  Dark Mode
    2.  PDF annotation
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  Full-Text Search

    Sioyek VS Foxit PDF Reader

     
  8. xournal icon
     74 likes
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    Xournal is an application for notetaking, sketching, keeping a journal using a stylus. It is free software (GNU GPL) and runs on Linux (recent distributions), Windows and other GTK+/Gnome platforms.

    50 xournal alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Discontinued

    It hasn't been updated since 2017, but there is an active fork Xournal++ icon Xournal++

    xournal Features

    1.  PDF annotation
    2.  Handwritten Notes
    3.  Edit PDF
    4.  Support for styluses
    5.  Drawing Tablet Support
    6.  Sketching

    xournal VS Foxit PDF Reader

     
8 of 37 Foxit PDF Reader alternatives