For some people, PDF is still a favorite document format due its portability. You can read PDF document without internet connection. PDF itself stands for Portable Document Format and as you know, Windows 10 has no built-in app to open a PDF document. You need to install a third party app to open a PDF document in Windows 10.

PDF document itself can actually be open via web browser, but I am pretty sure that it is not what you want. There are a bunch of free PDF readers out there you can install on Windows 10. From the mainstream one like Adobe Acrobat Reader DC to lesser known app like Evince.

Following are 9 of the best PDF readers you can use on Windows 10.

PDF Readers for Windows 10

1. Evince

Evince is a pretty simple PDF reader. It comes with a simple interface. It is a good PDF reader if you want to focus on reading document. This tool doesn’t come with too many distracting tools. It has a side panel for easier navigation if you are reading a long document. Presentation mode is also available to get rid of all of the distractions. Evince itself is an open source PDF reader. It is part of GNOME project and become a default PDF reader for some Linux distros, including Ubuntu. You can also install Evince on Windows 10. Although the developer of Evince doesn’t provide the binary file of Evince for Windows, there are some third parties that provide one. Some of which are Cnet and Softonic.

2. SumatraPDF

SumatraPDF is another open source PDF reader, but it is developed specifically for Windows instead of Linux. It also comes with a pretty simple interface with not much distracting tools. One the handy features offered by SumatraPDF is favorite. The feature allows you to quickly return to the page where you left. Unfortunately, there is no side panel that allows you to easily navigate between pages. Fullscreen mode is available in case you want to remove all of the distractions when reading a document. If you are a developer, you can see the source code of this app on its GitHub page.

3. Foxit Reader

Foxit Reader is a feature-rich PDF reader for Windows 10. Actually, it is not merely a PDF reader. You can also use this tool to edit your PDF documents like marking important sentences or adding signature. While you can use Foxit Reader offline without login, you can also create a Foxit account to collaborate with your teammates. Foxit Reader comes with a complex enough interface. There are lots of tools on the toolbar. Foxit Reader itself allows you to open multiple PDF documents at once. They will be open on different tabs. Although has a bunch of features, Foxit Reader can be used for free.

4. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC might is the most popular PDF reader for Windows. Adobe has renamed its PDF reader app a couple times from “Reader” to “Acrobat Reader”. Now, the latest name for Adobe’s PDF reader app is “Adobe Acrobat Reader DC”. DC itself stands for Document Cloud, a cloud-based suite software from Adobe. One the apps on this suite is Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. Even so, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC can be used offline without creating an Adobe account in case you just need to read PDF documents without any purpose to edit them. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC itself is a feature-rich PDF reader. Much like Foxit Reader which also offers tools to edit your PDF documents like marking certain sentences or adding signature. The changes can be saved offline. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC also comes with a tabbed interface. Meaning that you can open multiple PDF documents in a different tabs within a single window.

5. Nitro Reader

Nitro Reader offers the similar features as Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and Foxit Reader. In addition to reading PDF documents, you can also edit them like adding signature, highlighting certain sentences and so on. This PDF reader also comes with converter that allows you to convert the current PDF document you area reading into Word format or Excel. Nitro Reader itself also comes with a tabbed interface in case you want to open several PDF documents at once within a single window. Nitro Reader can be used offline without account although there are some advantages if you create a Nitro. Nitro Reader itself is a freemium PDF reader. You can use it for free, but with fewer features editing features. Nitro Reader allows you to import your PDF documents from Google Drive, Dropbox and box.

6. Expert PDF Reader

Expert PDF Reader is another free PDF reader for Windows that offers plenty of features. It is not merely a PDF reader. Expert PDF Reader can also be used to edit PDF documents, much like Nitro Reader and Foxit Reader. Regarding PDF editing, some things you can do with in Expert PDF Reader amongst other are adding stamp, adding signature, adding sticky notes, highlighting certain words/sentences and so on. Expert PDF Reader itself also support multiple tabs. It also has a bookmark feature that allows you to bookmark certain page and return there later quickly. Expert PDF Reader is free to use.

7. Javelin PDF Reader

Javelin PDF Reader is a simple PDF reader, much like Evince and SumatraPDF. But, it comes with slightly more features than the two mentioned PDF reader. Javelin PDF Reader allows you to add a sticky note to certain word/sentence as well as highlight certain words. However, more handy features like bookmark are not available. This PDF reader can only open a single PDF document.

8. PDF-XChange Editor

PDF-XChange Editor is another PDF reader for Windows that comes with the capability of editing PDF documents like Nitro Reader and Foxit Reader. There are plenty of tools available on the toolbar of this tool. If it bothers you, you can also hide the toolbar for more comfortable reading experience. There are much things you can do with PDF-XChange Editor regarding PDF editing. Like adding underlines to certain words, highlighting certain words, adding signature or stamp, adding sticky notes and so on. Handy features like bookmark are also available. PDF-XChange Editor has the capability of converting your PDF documents into formats like Word, PowerPoint, Excel and image. Furthermore, this tool also supports multiple tabs.

9. Slim PDF

Slim PDF is a purely PDF reader like Evince and SumatraPDF. Simplicity is something this app wants to offer. Slim PDF comes with very limited features. No bookmark nor side panel for easy navigation. Slim PDF can be a nice option if you are looking for a simple PDF reader. It doesn’t have the capability of opening multiple PDF documents in tabs. There is even no fullscreen mode.