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EnglishWhich Free Software PDF Readers Are Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux?
Updated
pdfreaders.org lists Free Software PDF readers by platform, and several run on more than one operating system. If you want a quick pick: SumatraPDF for Windows, Skim for macOS, and Evince, Okular, or Zathura for GNU/Linux. All of the readers below are Free Software, which the site defines as respecting your four basic freedoms to use, study, share, and improve the software — giving you control over your computer and helping protect your privacy.
Readers by platform
| Reader | Platforms | What the site says about it |
|---|---|---|
| Evince | GNU/Linux | The document viewer of the Gnome project; displays many document formats besides PDF |
| Skim | Mac OS X | PDF reader and note-taker for OS X |
| SumatraPDF | Windows | Free PDF, eBook, XPS, DjVu, CHM, and Comic Book reader; powerful, small, portable, and starts up very fast |
| Okular | GNU/Linux, Windows | The document viewer of the KDE project; also displays postscript, doc, odt, and other formats; well integrated with the KDE web browser Konqueror |
| Xpdf | GNU/Linux | Lightweight, straightforward PDF viewer using a plain motif interface. Note: the XpdfReader builds are non-free, and the site advises against them |
| qpdfview | GNU/Linux, NetBSD, FreeBSD | A simple tabbed PDF viewer |
| gv | GNU/Linux, Mac OS X | Lightweight postscript and PDF viewer with an xaw3d interface; successor to ghostview |
| sioyek | GNU/Linux, Mac OS X, Windows | A PDF viewer designed for reading research papers and technical books |
| MuPDF | GNU/Linux, Android, Windows | Listed without further description |
| Zathura | GNU/Linux | Listed without further description |
How to choose
- Windows only: SumatraPDF is the standout for a small, portable, fast-starting reader. If you also want a KDE-style viewer that handles extra formats, Okular is available for Windows too.
- macOS only: Skim is the listed option built specifically for OS X, including note-taking. gv and sioyek also run on Mac OS X.
- GNU/Linux: You have the widest choice — Evince, Okular, Xpdf, qpdfview, gv, sioyek, MuPDF, and Zathura.
- Cross-platform: Okular (GNU/Linux, Windows), sioyek (GNU/Linux, Mac OS X, Windows), MuPDF (GNU/Linux, Android, Windows), and gv (GNU/Linux, Mac OS X).
- Reading research papers or technical books: sioyek is described as designed for exactly that.
- Minimal and lightweight: Xpdf, gv, and qpdfview are described as lightweight or simple.
Installation notes
Most Free Operating Systems provide package management systems, so you usually do not need to download files manually from project pages. The site points you to your distributor's website for installation instructions. The download pages it links to provide source code if you want to build the software yourself.
Why only Free Software readers
The site recommends Free Software readers because they respect your four basic freedoms and give you control over your computer and your privacy. It notes that proprietary alternatives to Adobe's PDF reader exist, but like Adobe's, their internal workings are a trade secret and they do not respect your right to control your own privacy and data. The site also suggests promoting PDF versions that are Open Standards, since Open Standards guarantee interoperability, competition, and choice.