PDF is one of the most commonly used file types due to its compatibility with different operating systems and the fact that it preserves the formatting of the document most of the time. Also, PDF files are difficult to edit, which maintains the integrity of the document and that is why most of the confidential documents are shared in PDF format.
Almost all operating systems these days have a built-in PDF reader that opens any PDF effortlessly. However, sometimes, you might want to improve your PDF reading experience so you want to check out the best options.
In such cases, you may need third-party PDF reader software with advanced features. In case you are looking for the best PDF readers for Mac, we have compiled some of the best possible options.
The Best PDF Readers for Mac for 2020
1.Adobe Reader for Mac
What could be the most efficient software to open a PDF file than the one from the company behind the PDF format? Adobe Reader for Mac is a very efficient and easy to use software that is available for free. You can view, print and annotate PDF documents using this free PDF reader software. Adobe Reader for Mac also supports Adobe Document Cloud using which you can access your files from anywhere on different devices.
Adobe Reader offers basic tools. If you want advanced tools, including some PDF editing features, you can download Acrobat Pro DC, which is a paid PDF viewer.
Price: Free / Premium
2. PDFElement
If you want a feature-rich PDF reader for your macOS device, choose PDFElement. This software has some powerful features like adding text, images, links, OCR technology, text highlighting and is extremely user-friendly due to its user interface. PDFElement is not just a PDF reader, it also brings some PDF editing tools that you can use to annotate PDFs or add text/images. Moreover, it provides the option to password protect PDF files.
PDFElement is the best Adobe reader alternative for Mac devices. Moreover, it is a free PDF reader, so you don’t have to pay any money to upgrade your PDF reading experience. There is also a paid version with advanced functionality starting at $59.95.
Price: Free and $59.95 for advanced features
3. PDF Reader – Document Expert
One of the highest-rated apps on the App Store, PDF Reader – Document Expert makes it easy to read, edit, and sign PDFs. You can annotate PDFs, highlight text, add shapes, and insert links into a PDF file. For PDF reading, there’s a night mode, PDFs can be presented as a slideshow, and you can lock your files with a password, Touch ID, or Face ID.
It has a user-friendly interface. PDF Reader – Document Expert also allows you to view multiple PDF files as tabs for easier reading. It is a full-featured PDF app if you opt for the subscription. There is also a free trial version if you don’t want to spend money on a PDF reader app.
Price: Free trial, $4.99/month when billed annually
4. PDF Professional
PDF Professional as the name suggests is a professional PDF application for Mac devices. This software includes functions for reading, annotating, editing and converting PDF files. It is one of the best PDF readers for Mac because of its meticulously designed user interface and abundant tools for editing and reading PDF.
You can add links, images, view and reply to comments in comments, fill out static PDF forms and much more with this free PDF viewer. It also gives you the option to password protect your PDF files in case you have sensitive data. PDF Professional also has a Text-to-Speech feature where you can select the text or document you want to read.
Price: Free
5. Skim
Skim is an open-source PDF reader. Its website says it's designed to "help you read and annotate scientific papers in PDF," but it's just as useful for reading eBooks.
Skim supports Spotlight, which means you can search for text directly from Spotlight. Full-screen mode and exporting notes as text are important and useful features of Skim. Its neat interface is another reason why we included the free PDF reader in this list.
The lack of OCR capabilities could be a deal-breaker for some, but if you want a document software just for reading eBooks in PDF format, this is what we recommend. Another downside is that the software hasn't been updated since 2017, and there may be potential security risks.
Price: Free
6. iSkysoft PDF Editor
iSkysoft PDF Editor is a great software for viewing as well as editing PDF files. It has an easy to use interface and a Microsoft-style ribbon interface. In the free trial, of course, you miss out on some features like OCR function, you cannot convert more than 5 pages to PDF and combine more than 50 files at a time, but the software is perfect for viewing PDFs.
iSkysoft is a paid software, but there is a free trial that could be used for reading purposes.
Price: Free trial, $99.95 for full version
7. Foxit PDF Reader
If you are looking for a PDF reader that is small in size but has powerful features, try Foxit PDF Reader. It is a small, fast and feature-rich PDF reader that also allows you to create, view comments and edit PDF files. The software has an intuitive user interface and also offers customization options for reading PDF files.
Additionally, Foxit PDF Reader is one of the few PDF readers that offers features like form filling, data import/export, and integration with cloud storage options like OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box.
Price: Free
8. Haihaisoft PDF Reader
This is an underrated PDF reader for Mac devices that is specifically designed for simple PDF reading. With a file size of just 4 MB, it is much better than other heavy PDF readers for Mac. One of the key features of Haihaisoft PDF reader is that it can open a PDF document even if it is protected by the DRM-X platform.
However, this free PDF reader does not connect to the Internet without users' permission. This makes it a safe program if you want a PDF reader to view confidential documents.
Price: Free
Choose the best PDF reader for Mac according to your requirements!
