The PDF format is used to store electronic documents. Initially, only a program from Adobe itself was used to open PDF files. But over time, many solutions from third-party developers have appeared, which differ in their availability (free and paid) and availability additional functions. Agree, it’s convenient when, in addition to reading, there is the ability to edit the original content of a PDF file or recognize text from a picture. Therefore, there are a large number of different programs for reading PDF. For some, a simple viewing function is enough. Others need to change the source text of a document, add a comment to this text, convert a Word file to PDF, and much more.

When it comes to viewing PDFs, most programs are very similar. But there are exceptions here too. For example, some have an auto-scroll feature, while others do not. Below is a list of the most popular demons paid programs For PDF viewer.

The most famous program for viewing PDF files is Adobe Reader. And this is no coincidence, since Adobe is the developer of the format itself. This product has a pleasant appearance, presence standard features to view PDF. Adobe Reader is free application, but a number of features, such as editing and text recognition, become available only after purchase paid subscription. This is undoubtedly a disadvantage for those who need these features, but do not want to spend their money.

STDU Viewer

STDU Weaver positions itself as a universal combine for viewing a variety of various formats electronic documents. The program is able to open and convert Djvu, TIFF, XPS and many others file formats. The supported file also includes PDF. It is convenient when one program is enough to view a wide variety of electronic documents. You can also note the presence portable version STDU Viewer, which does not need to be installed. Otherwise, this product does not stand out among other PDF viewers.

Foxit Reader

Foxit Reader- it's practically analogous Adobe Reader except for some differences. For example, the program has the ability to enable automatic scrolling of document pages, which allows you to read a PDF without touching the mouse or keyboard. The program is also capable of opening not only PDF, but also Word, Excel, TIFF and other file formats. Open files You can then save it as PDF. At the same time, a minus this application is the inability to edit the source PDF text.

PDF XChange Viewer

PDF XChange Viewer is probably the best program presented in this article. It is absolutely free and allows you to edit the original PDF content. PDF XChange Viewer is also able to recognize text in an image. With this function you can convert books and other text on paper into digital format. Otherwise the application meets all standards software solutions for reading PDF files.

Sumatra PDF

Sumatra PDF - the most simple program from the list. But that doesn't mean she's bad. In terms of viewing PDF files, it is not inferior to others, and its simplicity appearance Perfect for those users who have just begun to get acquainted with working on a computer or are simply looking for a minimalist solution for viewing electronic documents.

Solid Converter PDF

Solid Converter PDF is a program for converting PDF to Word, Excel and other electronic document formats. The application allows you to preview the document before converting. The disadvantages of Solid Converter PDF include a shareware license: you can use it for free only for trial period. Then you will need to purchase the full version.

We looked at several applications through which you can open PDF files. The choice of the appropriate solution is up to you.

PDF (Portable Document Format)– a multi-platform format for printing content developed by Adobe Systems.

A distinctive feature of such documents is the ability to add images, external links and various multimedia inserts.

Due to its cross-platform nature, files open the same way on different operating systems. Instructions, e-books and magazines are supplied in this format.

More than one program has been developed to work with documents of this format. However, if you do not want or are not able to install them, there are several ways to view them without special applications.

ABBYY Transformer

A utility that combines the functions of viewing and editing PDF. The developers focus on simplicity and user-friendly interface. Can correct errors and make changes to the text part, create new PDF documents from other formats, convert and manage file protection. ABBYY Transformer easily interacts with Cyrillic and non-standard encodings.

You can download the trial version of the utility from the official website

Editing PDF files is very easy if you have the right tools. About best programs for working with PDF we will tell you in this article.

How to Edit PDF Files for Free

There are many paid programs for working with PDF, but this is not our choice. We've rounded up the best free alternatives.

  • For example, the program PDF24 Creator makes it possible to both create and edit PDF files, add text and notes to them. It will also help you extract all the images or text from and merge multiple files into one.
Download PDF24 Creator
  • Another alternative is PDFXChange Editor, the successor to PDF Change Viewer. The program differs from its predecessor in its new design, which makes it more modern and logical. It gives you a variety of tools for editing and marking text in PDF documents, and stamps and a comment feature let you add your own notes to the file.
DownloadPDFXChange Editor

How to edit PDF without special programs?

  • Some text editors also allow you to edit PDF files. If you have Word 2013 installed on your computer, you can edit the PDF directly in . True, first you will need a PDF in Word format(.docx), but during such transformations some information about the document may be lost.
  • You can also edit PDF using the free OpenOffice program with open source code. However for PDF downloads In OpenOffice, you must first download and install the appropriate extension.

22/05/2017

Cool PDF Reader – convenient program for viewing and pdf conversion files, distinctive feature which is small size and an abundance of functions. This program is considered one of the smallest - its size is less than one megabyte, but the program has enough functions for the average user who only wants to view and convert pdf files. The program allows you to view documents in full screen mode, as well as print them in just a few clicks. In addition, you can easily change the scale of the document, or rotate it at an angle convenient for you. Another feature of the program is conv...

12/12/2016

Foxit Reader is an alternative popular package for working with pdf files. The program has a very clear interface, the ability to view files in several tabs, high speed operation and full compatibility with popular operating systems. An important factor is the presence of the Russian language in the program, which greatly facilitates working with it. The program has the ability to view documents in full screen mode, leave comments and graphic bookmarks in the text, print documents, view files without leaving Windows Explorer and install various plugins, skins, mods...

26/09/2016

PDF-XChange Viewer - fast viewer of famous PDF format, characterized by high speed and a variety of various functions. For example, the program allows you to easily add comments and annotations to PDF documents, as well as set a password for opening these files. In addition, the program has the ability to easily scan text and images and add them directly to PDF files, which is quite convenient. It is also possible to import and export any file content. It doesn’t matter whether it’s text or pictures. You can add any images to the file, or vice versa, cut out these images...

04/05/2015

PDF Shaper – collection the right tools For optimal performance with PDF files. The program can convert a PDF document, or several at the same time, into MS Word, or rather into RTF format. But converting documents from PDF to Word is not the only advantage of PDF Shaper; it can also extract certain elements, such as pictures, tables, etc. In addition to these functions, it can split one PDF document into several, or, conversely, combine several documents into one. At the same time, the program works with encrypted documents, and can also restrict access with a password. Very easy to use, even a beginner can...

28/04/2015

IN Lately More and more e-books, magazines, brochures are appearing on the Internet, and all these files are usually in PDF or DjVu format. This program will help you view DjVu, PDF, TIFF and similar files on Windows OS. STDU Viewer is lightweight, simple and a worthy replacement for Adobe Acrobat. Everything is included in the program necessary tools to read and search for fragments in a document. The program is available in several languages, including Russian. Among the advantages, we can note a wide range of scaling options: scale to the screen, scale to the selection, display the entire page on the entire screen or only...

28/03/2015

PDF Architect is a simple program designed to convert a range of texts, images into a convenient PDF format. The utility allows you to read created documents and any files with a similar extension. For ease of interaction with the application, you can create a number of bookmarks with the necessary documents, and when you need to switch between them. PDF Architect allows you to resize the document and rotate it. To create your own document with this format, you must complete activation via email. Thanks to this function, any user can create a PDF file from a taken image, text or Comicbook file. The program allows...

24/03/2015

SoftDigi PDFViewer is a small application created specifically for viewing various files with the PDF extension. The program has a visually pleasing interface that allows you to combine various PDF documents into one shared file. Allows you to set minimum document security parameters, necessary information O this file. The application has functions such as moving pages, deleting unnecessary pages, exporting, changing places. SoftDigi PDFViewer allows you to easily insert fragments from other files into a PDF document, as well as quickly export pages to a number of different graphic formats. Effectively exports pages...

27/01/2015

Sumatra PDF – in full free program to view formats such as XPS, CBR, DJVu, CHM, CBZ and PDF. The program has a very modest interface, since the developers focused on its speed and minimalism. Unlike the popular Adobe Reader viewer, this program works much faster, has only a set of necessary functions and allows you to edit documents that are simultaneously open in other applications. In addition, Sumatra PDF has a special plugin that can be embedded in a number of popular browsers. This will allow the user to open files directly from the browser window...

10/12/2014

Adobe Reader is one of the most popular programs for working and viewing PDF files. The PDF format is used to create a kind of e-books, but its capabilities are not limited to this. Some user manuals or training materials are often written in PDF format. IN latest versions format, it became possible to embed Flash video into a document. Adobe Reader perfectly supports all these features and allows you to view all types of documents, regardless of what format modification was used to create them. Among other things, the main Adobe Reader package also includes...

If you have ever downloaded books, reports, or other text documents from the Internet, then you have probably come across files that have pdf extension. Finding themselves in such a situation, users often do not know how to open a PDF file. As a rule, programs for working with PDF are simply installed on the computer, which confuses many. In this article we will briefly look at a number of popular programs that allow you to open PDF files.

One of the most popular programs is certainly Adobe (Acrobat) Reader. This program is developed by Adobe. Adobe Reader provides the user with a full set of basic functions for reading and viewing PDF documents. If this is your first time encountering this type of document and you don’t know how to open a PDF file, then Adobe Reader is the perfect choice for you.

In addition to Adobe Reader, Adobe produces software For PDF creation documents. This is an Adobe Acrobat program. This program is paid and is available in two versions: Acrobat Standard and Acrobat Pro.

Screenshot of Adobe (Acrobat) Reader:

Find out more about Adobe program Reader is available from the official website.

Another quite popular program for working with PDF documents. Foxit Reader has gained popularity due to its simplicity and low requirements for system resources. Foxit Reader can be used without problems even on the most weak computers. For a long time this program was distributed without an installer, just like EXE file ready to go.

At the same time, Foxit Reader is practically in no way inferior to Adobe Reader. It has all the necessary functions to fully work with PDF files. When people ask me how to open a pdf file, I recommend this program.

It should be noted that Foxit Reader is a cross-platform solution. Now there are versions of this program for such OS How: Microsoft Windows, Windows Mobile, Linux, iOS, Android and Symbian.

Screenshot of Foxit Reader:

To know more about this software, visit the official website.

Another easy one fast program For reading pdf documents. Except simple reading pdf documents Cool PDF Reader is equipped with a number of other features that set it apart from its competitors.

Let's take a closer look at the main features of the Cool PDF Reader program:

  • View and PDF printing documents;
  • Convert PDF documents into formats such as: TXT, BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG, WMF, EMF and EPS;
  • Extract text from PDF format to TXT;
  • Support for everyone PDF versions format;
  • Supports 68 different languages;
  • View PDF files as slide shows;

Moreover, the program is only 808 kilobytes in size and is not very demanding on computer resources.

Screenshot of Cool PDF Reader:

You can learn more about the Cool PDF Reader program on the official website.

Sumatra PDF is an open source program. In addition to PDF files, it can also work with files in ePub formats, XPS, MOBI, CHM, DjVu, CBZ and CBR. This program is available both as an installer and in a portable version.

Other features of the Sumatra PDF program include:

  • Simple and intuitive interface;
  • Supports more than 60 languages;
  • Correct smoothing of images when scaling a document;
  • Regular updates;

Screenshot of the Sumatra PDF program:

You can find out more about the program on the official website.

STDU Viewer is universal program to view electronic documents. The STDU Viewer program supports a large number of formats and is equipped with all the necessary functions to work with them. Having installed this program, you will no longer have questions about how to open a PDF file, or a document in another format. STDU Viewer will solve all your problems.

Let's take a closer look at the main features of the STDU Viewer program:

  • View documents in formats: PDF, Comic Book Archive (CBR or CBZ), DjVu, FB2, XPS, TCR, ePub, multi-page TIFF, TXT, EMF, WMF, PalmDoc, BMP, JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, PCX, DCX , PSD, MOBI and AZW;
  • Simple and intuitive interface with tab support;
  • Ability to customize document display parameters (brightness, contrast, etc.);
  • View page thumbnails;
  • Creating custom bookmarks;
  • For text documents, the user can control the size and color of fonts;
  • Powerful search in text documents;
  • Support for several languages, including Russian;
  • Ability to print documents;

STDU Viewer is a fairly young program. The first version of STDU Viewer appeared in 2007. Then the program supported only three formats: PDF, DjVu and TIFF. As you can see, the program has come a long way during its development and now allows you to open a large number of different formats.

Screenshot of the STDU Viewer program:

You can find out more about this program on the official website.

A few words about PFD format

PDF or Portable Document Format is one of the most common electronic document formats. This format was developed by Adobe Systems. The first version of the format appeared back in 1993. After this, the format actively developed. Almost every year it added support for new functions. Thus, during development, the following features were added to the Portable Document Format: password protection, Unicode support, interactive elements, links, digital signatures, transparency, text layers, forms, encryption and much more.

The main purpose of PDF is the publication of printed products in in electronic format. Most professional printing equipment supports the format and can print such documents without additional processing or conversion.

At the beginning of its journey, the PDF format was not very popular. And there were objective reasons for this:

  • The necessary software to work with the format was paid;
  • The format did not support external links, which did not allow it to be fully used on the World Wide Web;
  • PDF files weighed significantly more than regular text documents. This also created barriers to using it online;
  • Document processing in this format required significant system resources, which led to slow document display on weak computers:
  • In addition, there were other formats that created competition.

Now, none of these issues are relevant to the PDF format anymore. Adobe has released free version programs for viewing PDF files; programs from other manufacturers have also appeared.

Over more than 10 years of existence, the format has come a long way in development and this moment is a very powerful and flexible document creation tool.