Discover best PDF readers, including free and paid options, such as PDF.net, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit PDF Reader, and more.

PDF readers let you open and view PDFs exactly as they were created. Unlike web browsers and word processors, they keep the fonts, images, and formatting intact across operating systems and devices.

In this guide, we will introduce you to the best PDF readers, both free and paid, and examine their key features, as well as pros and cons. By the end, you will be able to make an informed choice about the tool that suits you best.

PDF.net, which is fully browser-based and incredibly intuitive, is one of the best PDF readers for students, freelancers, professionals, and small businesses.

Adobe Acrobat, Foxit, Xodo, PDFX-Change, and SumatraPDF offer software for opening and editing PDF files.

When selecting a PDF reader, you should look for customization options, easy upload options, and the capacity to load long PDFs quickly.

Compared to web browsers and word processors, PDF readers are more accurate, include better built-in tools, and process files faster.

Best PDF Readers Compared: Overview of Top 10 Tools

Let’s examine the top ten PDF readers you should consider:

 is one of the best PDF tools for opening and viewing documents online, especially when you are in a hurry; you just need to have a reliable Internet connection. The platform 

doesn’t require a subscription to read PDFs online

. However, if you want to download your files, you will need to choose a plan.

That said, you can choose from the following pricing plans:

If you are reading PDFs with sensitive information, rest assured that they will stay safe; PDF.net uses 

HTTPS connections and deletes your data shortly after processing

. For peace of mind, the tool even allows you to 

Here are some of the key features that you can enjoy with on this PDF viewer:

Support for opening large files without lag

Option to search for specific words or phrases

Page thumbnails panel to look through long PDFs easily

Wide set of PDF editing tools and AI features, such as 

However, as every tool, PDF.net has its pros and cons. Here’s a quick overview:

 students, freelancers, contractors, professionals in small teams, 

 who want to read PDFs online without having to overcome a steep learning curve or spend a lot of money on subscription will love this browser-based platform.

This is a free PDF viewer developed by the creator of 

, unless you want to use other features like their AI assistant. Also, if you are a mobile user, there is an app that you can download to 

Adobe Acrobat Reader offers several features, including:

, sizes, and line spacing to improve readability

Continuous scrolling and single-page view options

Support for bookmarks and table of contents links inside PDFs

Of course, aside from advantages, this PDF reader comes with certain drawbacks. Here’s a quick summary:

If you regularly view or review PDFs and 

prefer using offline software over an online option

, then Adobe Acrobat Reader is a good option. It is also suitable if you often 

. The PDF reader itself is free, however, other options, like editing, signing, and secure file sharing might require a subscription.

Aside from the above mentioned features, Foxit offers:

Integrations with Microsoft Teams and Salesforce

Compatibility with Windows 10 and 11 and macOS 10.15 to 14

Option to deploy the software at scale using Foxit’s MSI installer

Now, let’s take a quick look at Foxit PDF Reader’s pros and cons:

, with features like integrations and deployment support. Nevertheless, it’s still one of the best free PDF software if you need basic PDF viewing.

cloud-based platform for viewing and editing PDFs

, with more than 100 million users worldwide.

With this tool, you can choose between four pricing plans, including 

It comes with several handy features, which depend on the plan, such as:

Safe sharing with options to authenticate recipients

However, it's important to weigh in all factors before you decide on the best PDF reader for yourself. Here’s a quick overview of DocuHub’s pros and cons:

If you are already using Gmail, Google Drive, Google Classroom, or other

DocHub is a convenient and cost-effective option for viewing and editing PDFs.

, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, since it's available online and offline. Also, it supports multiple languages, such as English, Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Xodo PDF reader is free if you only use it to open PDF files. However, to use other tools, such as filling out 

 or applying e-signatures, you will need to choose a pricing plan:

Now, let’s take a look at Xodo’s pros and cons:

reading PDFs online in languages other than English

Also, if you are a business owner reviewing invoices, contracts, and proposals daily, you will like this platform for its security.

can be used online or as an app on tablets and phones

offers several subscription plans, including 

Some of Wondershare PDFelement’s key features include:

feature with options to set the reading range, voice, volume, and speed

Light mode, dark mode, and eye-protection mode for reading in various conditions

Option to customize the page layout (e.g., single page, two page, scrolling, split view)

Option to resize the page for a comfortable reading experience

However, as every tool, Wondershare PDFelement has its advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a short overview:

Overall, this PDF reader is an excellent choice if you want 

On the other hand, this is Wondershare’s 

. In addition to opening and viewing documents, it allows you to

Tools for highlighting, underlining, striking through, and 

 only available for Windows 11/10/8/7 (64-bit).

 That said, let’s take a quick look at its pros and cons:

If you are a student or professional who doesn't handle high volumes of documents but still wants a 

comfortable reading experience without the premium price tag, 

PDF-XChange was incorporated in 1997 and has established itself as one of the top names in the PDF industry. The 

 version starts at $62, but you can also upgrade to the 

10 Best PDF Readers: Full Guide With Free & Paid Options

The best way to sign documents online is to apply an electronic signature or digital signature. Read on and discover which online signing tools are best.

The best way to sign documents online is by using a simple, secure tool to apply an e-signature or digital signature. These wet signature alternatives are becoming increasingly important because work now happens across locations and devices.

Documents are often shared, reviewed, and legally signed remotely, so using online signing tools is a faster and more practical option than printing and scanning. In this guide, we will cover the top seven tools you can use to sign documents online and provide tips on how to do it securely.

Signing documents online involves typing, drawing, or inserting a signature into a file and saving or sending it electronically; in most cases, the document is a PDF.

PDF.net offers one of the best ways to sign documents online, as it doesn’t require registration right away and has an incredibly intuitive interface.

Other PDF signing tools to consider include Adobe Acrobat Sign, DocuSign, HelloSign, Smallpdf e-Sign, and airSlate SignNow.

To sign documents online securely, you should password-protect them, avoid using public Wi-Fi, store your signed files in protected folders, and save a copy for recordkeeping.

What Does “Signing Documents Online” Actually Mean?

“Signing documents online” usually refers to both 

electronic signatures and digital signatures

. However, they aren’t exactly the same.

An electronic signature, or e-signature, is any

 electronic way of showing intent to sign

Inserting an image of your signature into a document

 identity verification and tamper detection

. Therefore, it is considered more secure and is commonly used for 

Both types of signatures can be legally valid under the 

 and UETA in the United States. They regulate and recognize these signatures’ legality as long as there is affirmative consent from the signer and reliable recordkeeping of signed documents that are legible and reproducible.

However, certain documents, such as wills, 

 or additional formalities depending on state law, so electronic signing is not universally accepted for these documents.

In the context of signing documents online, the 

 is the most common because it preserves formatting and is widely supported across devices and platforms.

 and digital signatures. Here are a few reasons why you might want to use them:

multiple signers review the same documents

work across devices and operating systems.

 since they reduce printing, scanning, mailing, and document handling expenses.

 by providing you with a single space to upload, sign, send, and track documents. They also have notifications for reminders and status updates, along with audit trails and certifications.

These are the top seven tools that you can use to sign PDFs online based on features and ease of use:

 is a fully browser-based editor. It is the ideal e-signature solution for 

students, freelancers, small businesses, and everyday users

, as long as there is an internet connection.

The PDF editor offers the following features:

Option to save the e-signature for future use

Option to resize and reposition the e-signature easily when placed on the PDF

Option to adjust the color and opacity of the e-signature

, you can use PDF.net’s full suite of tools to 

. Aside from downloading, everything is available for you to use without registering for an account or purchasing a plan.

However, like every tool, PDF.net has its pros and cons. Here’s a quick overview:

Overall, PDF.net offers one of the best ways to sign documents online when you are tight on time and just want a 

. With three pricing plans starting at $1.45 weekly for limited access, $1.95 weekly for full access, and $19.95 per month annually, it is a 

if you are concerned about affordability.

This digital signature software caters to 

, with plans starting from $23.99. It is best known for 

Integrations with Microsoft Word, Teams, Workday, Salesforce, and more

 for sharing quickly and easily, especially on the go

Live status updates and notifications for tracking

Reusable forms and templates with the option to apply custom branding

 make it suitable for enterprise users as well. It 

, manages users’ identities, maintains 

, encrypts documents and assets at rest with AES 256-bit, etc.

That said, let’s quickly examine Adobe Acrobat Sign’s advantages and disadvantages:

Generally, if you are already working within Adobe Acrobat’s ecosystem, it makes sense to opt for this digital signature software. It can handle high volumes of documents and complex processes easily.

 that started as a tool for signing documents online. It has over one million customers and is widely adopted by Fortune 500 companies. The platform includes features like:

Document generation and creation with 20+ tags and fields

Five routing options and seven authentication options

Open APIs and integrations to customize your flow of signing and collecting signatures

However, despite several advantages, DocuSign has its disadvantages as well. Here’s a quick overview:

excellent option if you want a scalable way to 

. You can integrate it with third-party software such as Salesforce, Workday, SAP, Oracle, as well as extension apps such as HubSpot, Slack, Monday.com, Asana, Jira, etc.

HelloSign, now Dropbox Sign, is another option you can consider when looking for the top e-signature tools. It allows you to:

To ensure secure e-signatures, this tool provides a non-editable audit trail that thoroughly tracks and 

 every action taken on a document. You can also manage team permissions and settings from a centralized dashboard, so everything stays safe.

Now, let’s see some of the pros and cons of HelloSign:

already use Dropbox for managing documents, 

you should choose this e-signature solution; it is more convenient and cost-effective this way. However, be ready to spend some money, as the less expensive 

($25 per month) plans are both rather limited in terms of features.

Smallpdf offers a free PDF signer that works on Mac, Windows, iOS, 

, and Linux. However, with their free plan, you are limited in the number of documents you can sign per month. If you want unlimited access to Smallpdf e-Sign, you can subscribe to 

 ($216 per month) with minimal 2 users, and 

With e-Sign, you get the following features:

Documents are automatically deleted after one hour

Integration with Google Workspace, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dropbox

Despite being free at first, Smallpdf e-Sign has other pros, as well as drawbacks:

Smallpdf e-Sign is worth considering if you want to 

. It is designed to be simple, so you won’t have to worry about overcoming a steep learning curve. However, without a subscription, it is not the best PDF signer for businesses.

This is another e-signature solution that you can consider when seeking the best way to sign documents online. It stands out with an 

 where you can manage all your contacts and documents. It provides the following key features:

Options to add signature fields to documents, request attachments, set notifications, and create customized signing invitations

Kiosk mode options for collecting signatures on iPads and iPhones

Four authentication methods and a document ID for each PDF

Now, let’s examine the pros and cons of airSlate SignNow:

SignNow from airSlate is a good option if you are seeking an 

solution for your small to mid-sized business

. However, it can be an overkill for students, freelancers, and professionals who work with lower volumes of signed documents.

can be used to sign documents. All of these options are convenient for one-time signatures, as you don’t have to install additional software.

 You won't get audit trails, multi-signer capabilities, or tracking notifications, so you should reserve them for informal approvals.

Here’s a quick overview of their advantages and disadvantages:

If you need to electronically sign a PDF 

when you don’t have a reliable Internet connection 

and can only work offline, built-in tools are your best bet. However, these are only recommended for occasional signing of documents that don’t require legal compliance.

Best Way to Sign Documents Online: 7 Top PDF Signing Tools

The answer to “How to sign an NDA?” is simple: you should read it thoroughly, confirm the accuracy of the details, and add a signature to it.

To sign an NDA, you must first read through it carefully and confirm that all details are accurate. Once the document is ready, the next step is simply to sign it using the format provided, which is typically electronic for digital agreements and handwritten for printed ones.

NDAs are commonly used as a condition for employment, partnership, and other business deals or activities, so knowing how to sign them properly is essential. They are usually PDFs, so in this guide, we will explain the key steps of signing an NDA in this format and cover common mistakes you should avoid.

An NDA protects certain confidential information from being shared; it can be unilateral, bilateral, or multilateral.

It can be used by employers and their employees, freelancers, investors, and partners; plus, it is common for situations involving outsourcing, product testing, and settling legal situations.

To sign an NDA, you need to start by reading all clauses carefully and verifying the details; then, you sign it according to the format provided and return it to the other party.

You can sign an NDA using our PDF editor and return it to other parties by email, mail, or fax.

, is a contract between at least two parties that 

prevents confidential information from being shared

you can face damages, fines, lawsuits, or court orders. 

For example, in Ajaxo Inc. v. ETrade Financial Corp, ETrade violated an NDA it signed with Ajaxo by using the latter’s wireless-trading technology and was 

What details are considered confidential (e.g., business plans, procedures, designs, client lists, etc.)

Who is allowed to access the information, and within what capacity

There are several types of NDAs, including:

 This is when only one party shares confidential information and the other party agrees to keep it private. It is often used with freelancers, investors, and employees. According to a 

 Both parties share confidential information with each other and agree to protect it. This is frequently used in partnerships, joint ventures, or when two businesses are collaborating.

 There are more than two parties involved, and at least one shares confidential information that the others must keep private. This is useful when multiple companies or teams are working together.

Companies have NDAs to protect their proprietary assets, tools, systems, etc. Employees are often required to sign NDAs before onboarding or attending a meeting where confidential information will be discussed.

 Information is usually shared with these individuals, but they are not legally tied to the company long term, so NDAs ensure they can’t take the information to other clients or competitors.

New companies have ideas, business models, prototypes, and patent-pending innovations that act as their competitive advantage. To avoid these from being shared or copied, investors are typically required to sign NDAs.

Sensitive information, such as pricing structures, is often shared between companies in collaboration. However, they still want to keep it protected, so they will have NDA signature requirements.

 To make sure the vendors they are hiring can complete their tasks properly, companies will have to share insider information. NDAs ensure this stays within the scope of the vendors’ outsourced work.

Before release, products are often beta-tested by people outside of an organization. However, to prevent pre-launch leaks, they are generally asked to sign an NDA. For example, if you are invited to try out a new game, the NDA prevents you from sharing screenshots of the design.

NDAs are sometimes also used in these situations to keep details like terms, payment amounts, and allegations private and avoid reputational damage. In the U.S., though, most states now restrict the use of 

Is an Electronic Signature Legally Valid for NDAs?

for NDAs if it meets the criteria of the ESIGN Act and UETA. The 

 is a federal law that gives e-signatures the same legal validity as wet signatures. The UETA has the same purpose but is a model state law. It has been adopted by 49 states; New York is the exception, with its own set of rules under 

So, when is an electronic signature legal for NDAs? It is when you

 comply with these requirements from the ESIGN Act:

The person signing has to clearly demonstrate affirmative consent.

The NDA must be kept in records reliably and accessibly.

The NDA must be reproducible in a legible format.

Your NDA can be signed electronically even if it 

If your NDA is attached to documents like wills, trusts, codicils, or family matter papers, which can’t be signed electronically, it is best to 

. For NDAs involving highly sensitive intellectual property (IP), trade secrets, or cross-border parties, you will also want to 

How to Sign an NDA: 4 Key Steps Explained

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