Best Adobe Reader Alternative for Mac

Audrey Goodwin

2022-04-22 14:06:17 • Filed to: Mac Software Comparison • Proven solutions

Like to have an Adobe Reader alternative for Mac to read PDF files? Adobe Acrobat Reader for Mac has various features for viewing PDFs, however, it requires users to purchase its various functions. Therefore, if you are looking for great alternatives to free Abode Reader for Mac, let this post help you with choosing the right one! This article will also tell you how to read and edit with the best Adobe Reader for Mac alternative.

5 Best Adobe Reader for Mac Alternative

1. PDFelement

Wondershare PDFelement - PDF Editor is a smart application for iMac, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air to read PDF files, draw attention to PDF content, change text, edit pages, and fill out PDF forms. It is compatible with macOS X 10.12, 10.13, 10.14,10.15 Catalina, and 11 Big Sur. And unlike Adobe Reader for Mac, it responds faster when you open a PDF file with it.

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PDFelement is undoubtedly the best Adobe Reader for Mac's competitor. Not only is it the most cost-efficient, but also incredibly feature-rich to cater to business as well as individual needs. Whether it is paragraph editing or changing various aspects of the font, PDFelement can be referred to as the superhero of PDF editing.

Features:

Edit PDF files with complete ease
Create and fill forms
Layered security features
Put your stamp on the PDF file
Share your files without any trouble
Split and merge pages and much more

Pros:

Annotate PDF files easily
Create forms and save templates
Password protection
Put a watermark on the file
Ability to sign PDF files
Convert, merge and split files with ease

Supported Systems: Mac, iOS, Windows, Android

Price:$69

Download this Mac Adobe Reader alternative to have a try.

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How to Use the Best Adobe Reader Alternative for Mac

1. Fill and Save PDF Forms

Adobe Reader cannot save filled PDF forms on the computer. It only lets you fill out a form for printing. As the best Mac Adobe Reader for Mac, PDFelement not only lets you fill a form, but also save forms with data filled. So after filling the form, you can email forms to people without going through the procedure of printing, scanning, and sending.

2. Change PDF text, images, and pages

If you like, you're capable of adding new text, correcting typos, adjusting images on a PDF file. With simple clicks, you're able to insert, extract, and delete PDF pages, merge, and split PDF files. And these are not available on Adobe Reader for Mac, but it's an alternative.

3. Convert PDF to Word Doc

To reuse PDF content, click "File" > "Export To" > "Word" to export PDF to Microsoft Word. After the conversion, you can copy text and rearrange the content.

4. Display PDF documents in 4 modes

Adobe Reader for Macintosh display PDF documents in 2 modes: single and single continuous. As the best Adobe Reader for Mac, PDFelement lets you view PDF files in 4 modes: single, single continuous, facing, and facing continuous. For me, facing is really helpful when you need to check the info side by side.

5. A range of annotation tools to draw attention to PDF content

Of course, with Adobe Reader for Mac, you can highlight, underline, strikethrough PDF text, add sticky notes and a text boxes to comment on the idea. Actually, PDFelement offers more intuitive tools to do the job. Aside from the features that have already been mentioned, there are also shape drawing tools available like circles, clouds, arrows, etc.

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2) PDF Expert

PDF Expert is a popular PDF editing software for Mac. This simple yet professional program lets users add bookmarks, as well as edit text and images within your PDF file. This alternative to Adobe Reader for Mac has many robust features that let you annotate your file, such as highlighting text, etc.

Features:

Add or remove images, text, watermarks, etc.
Implement signatures or passwords easily
Split or merge PDF files
Fill various forms in PDF format
Capability to markup as well as annotate

Pros:

Supports a variety of file formats
Equipped with professional tools
Neat and clean interface

Cons:

Not very easy to use
Does not have a setup wizard
Features of the software are not very clear
No OCR technology

Supported Systems: Mac, iOS

Price: $79.99

3) Skim

Skim is indeed a fully developed and well-rounded Adobe Reader for Mac alternative software that can be used for viewing and editing PDF files. It can be used for professional as well as scientific purposes. The software allows you to customize itself according to individual usage. The software can be used for providing previews and taking notes, amongst other things.

Features:

Zoom in various elements using the magnifying tool
Preview facility for links in the file
Support for AppleScript
Ability to highlight using swipe mode
Can export the notes in text format

Pros:

Pinch zooming facility
Ability to take snapshots
Extra tools for lengthy PDF files
Choose the colour of annotations

Cons:

Does not save texts in forms
Does not have OCR function
Not available for Windows Operating System
Some tools don't work
Bugs need to be fixed

Supported Systems: Mac

Price: Free

4) Free PDF Reader

If you are looking for a free Adobe Reader for Mac alternative and simple PDF viewer, then Free PDF Reader can be the software for you. The user interface of this program offers easy navigation that works well for any type of user. In fact, it is currently being used by more than 150 million users. It is a full-fledged PDF reader tool packaged with a variety of features while keeping it as simplistic as possible.

Features:

Can be used to view various docs
Ability to zoom the text
Rotate the text in the file
Various capacities for printing text

Pros:

View PDF files in a clear format
A tutorial is available
Guides on each step of the installation
Save the file for future use
Small size of the download

Cons:

Does not have editing features
No advanced options available
There are various ads
No integration with other software

Supported Systems: Mac, Windows

Price: Free

5) Haihaisoft Reader for Mac

Hiahaisoft is an Adobe Reader for Mac alternative that is distinguished from other PDF readers and editors because of its small size. The total size of the installer amounts to only 3MB. Which is, of course significantly lower than another PDF reader such as Adobe Reader. The software has been designed while keeping the ease of use in mind, along with support for an assortment of languages.