- Foxit excels at lightning-fast search, forms, and MSI deployment with update control.
- SumatraPDF is the lightest and fastest, ideal for pure reading without advanced annotations.
- PDF-XChange Editor brings the best free OCR and power, with watermarking in premium features.
If what you need is a fast and reliable viewer to open PDFs in Windows, the shortlist Foxit PDF Reader, SumatraPDF and PDF-XChange Editor It always appears in the pools. The doubt arises when fillable forms, OCR for scanning, fast searches or enterprise deployments with MSI and control of updates.
This analysis gathers and reorganizes information from recent comparisons and reviews to explain, in practical detail, what each one can do better. You'll see where they shine and where they fall short. Performance, annotations, forms, OCR, interface, memory usage and management, plus a helpful rundown of alternatives and the browser reader to get you through the process.
How we have approached the comparison
The starting point is real scenarios in which a student or professional opens from Native PDFs to complex scans. For simplicity, we distinguish five types: 1) digital documents with real text, 2) scans with recognized text and accurate highlighting, 3) scans with recognized text but with positional mismatches when highlighting/searching, 4) scans without OCR, 5) scans with restrictions that prevent highlighting even in Adobe Reader. We also consider disoriented scans that need rotation.
We focus on the reading and annotation experience, not so much on full editing. However, PDF-XChange has a foot in the editing world and allows you to activate premium features (with watermark if no license is purchased), which conditions some conclusions. We also consider IT needs such as MSI, disable automatic updates and coexistence with 64-bit Acrobat in corporate environments.
Quick overview of free PDF readers
Although we thoroughly compare the three candidates here, it is worth remembering that there are options for everything: from the browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) with integrated viewer, up to lists of apps which include UPDF (with IA), Adobe Reader, Nitro, Xodo, WPS, SlimPDF, STDU Viewer, Google PDF Viewer, Foxit/Adobe Online, Soda PDF Online, or SmallPDF. Many of them mix reading, annotation, conversion and signature, sometimes with limits in its free version.
There are also useful mentions of less popular alternatives such as Okular (open source, customizable interface and ability to bypass certain DRM) or PDFGear, which promises to be free without ads but accumulates recent objections and doubts about his reliability, in addition to shortcomings such as tabs and a region OCR that is not very useful on the desktop. On the other hand, Wondershare PDF Reader/PDFelement It offers comfortable reading modes (including a 3D mode) but it has been subject to company controversy and, as we have seen, opaque promotion networking.
Foxit PDF Reader: Full-featured, lightning-fast search
The Foxit interface is reminiscent of Microsoft Office, with very clear ribbon and many labeled tools. Highlights include “Search & Highlight” (marks all instances of a word), Rotation View (view rotation only), and a search that, in addition to being very agile, allows advanced mode with results counter. In settings you can cache the search index of frequent documents for almost instant searches in long books.
In day-to-day use, Foxit handles annotations and highlights well, and supports Fillable PDF forms and signatures. In corporate deployment it is usually a solid option because it has MSI and policies for administration (and in IT environments, automatic updates can be controlled). It integrates cloud collaboration and is one of the most balanced readers between lightness and features.
Not everything is perfect: the zoom control on the bottom bar can be impractical (1% increments), although with Ctrl + scroll scale jumps are fixed. Sometimes it leaves a promotional banner which clashes with the UI, and creates an empty folder in Public/Documents. And watch out for a change at the end of 2023: the Bookmark editing/creation has become paid in the free edition, a point to keep in mind if you rely on bookmarks.
In performance, Foxit usually takes the cake: its search engine is among the fastest and the memory consumption is moderate. In addition, the index cache speeds up repetitive scans. When handling misoriented scans, "View Rotation" is immediate, although it doesn't modify the saved file (for actual rotation, see PDF-XChange below).
SumatraPDF: Extreme Minimalism and Speed
SumatraPDF is the reader to choose if you want open PDFs in seconds on modest computers or if you're drawn to an ultra-clean interface. It's free software (GPLv3), with a tiny installer (the 64-bit version is just a few MB), and also portable version to take away in a USB. Manage tabs, support very useful shortcuts and open more formats: ePub (if you need convert ePub to PDF), MOBI, FB2, CHM, XPS and DjVu, plus LaTeX preview.
In return, you give up advanced features: it doesn't offer no editing, signature or complete annotations, and form support is very limited or nonexistent depending on the PDF type (not ideal if you frequently receive documents with fillable fields). It's also not designed for large collaborative workflows or page manipulation. It's essentially a fast and light viewfinder.
In IT environments, Sumatra is easy to deploy due to its portability and low impact, although it doesn't have an official MSI with advanced policies like Foxit. For those who just want to read, search, navigate quickly, and little else, it's a delight; for tasks involving OCR, signing, or editing, you'll have to look at more powerful options.
PDF-XChange Editor: Powerful OCR and Editing Toolkit (with Watermark)
PDF-XChange Editor is the ideal candidate when you need perform OCR on an entire document. The application allows you to activate functions specific to its paid version, but if you use them without a license, it adds a large watermark on every page. The good news is that many capabilities (approx. 70%) are free, including a Basic OCR that converts Type 4/5 scans in searchable and highlightable documents (to a “Type 2”).
Your search engine is fast, with search history, although the progress bar doesn't show the page number as in other tools. It allows view rotation and also actual page rotation (without watermarks). In performance, it starts with low consumption, but increases memory quickly because it caches pages for smoother browsing; you can limit this usage in settings.
The Office-style interface can be overwhelming due to the number of tools. There is no dedicated “area highlighting”; you have to configure the rectangle tool to imitate it, although if you've already used OCR, you'll rarely miss it. Page manipulation, numbering, insertion, and rotation are free; other actions such as unskewing or conversions to certain formats they place a watermark with some exceptions (for example, converting to image).
In corporate deployments, PDF-XChange has a good reputation for its power with scans and its flexibility, but you have to accept the learning curve and be aware of which functions unlock watermarks. The pure reader of the house was unsupported, so it is usual to bet on Editor.
Practical differences that save you time
When working with “difficult” scanned PDFs, each reader handles the process differently. highlighting on pages without actual text. In many viewers you can only use “area highlighting” (drawing rectangles). Adobe Reader, for example, allows you to enable “normal” highlighting but converts it to a freehand brush which attempts to correct itself into rectangles if it detects straight lines (doesn't work on certain Type 5 lines). Foxit and PDF-XChange address this with area tools or, in the case of PDF-XChange, solving it with OCR.
En rotationFoxit offers view rotation (not saved to the file), while PDF-XChange also allows you to rotate the page permanently. Sumatra, true to its philosophy, offers the basics for moving around easily, without complex page operations.
Performance, search and memory
In indexing and search speed, Foxit shines for its advanced search and index cache, which greatly speeds up textbooks that you open frequently. PDF-XChange is fast, shows history, but does not cache the index, so in documents that you review repeatedly, Foxit can stay aheadSumatra, while very fast-opening, doesn't compete in advanced search functions.
In memory consumption, Foxit has demonstrated a very restrained use in testing, while PDF-XChange grows more by caching pages for smooth navigation (adjustable in settings). Sumatra, due to its extreme lightness, is the one that requires the least resources, ideal for old equipment or when you want something immediate.
Forms, signature and notes
To fillable PDF forms and signature, Foxit and PDF-XChange are fine. Sumatra is a viewer and not designed for this type of task, so if you frequently receive forms from clients or the university, you'll want to use Foxit or PDF-XChange. In annotations, both are also top-notch, with varied tools and customization.
If you also need edition PDF-XChange offers a lot, but remember that most of the deep editing features are activated watermark If you don't purchase a license, Foxit is sufficient for annotating, commenting, and organizing bookmarks, although creating/editing bookmarks became premium at the end of 2023.
Enterprise deployment and management (MSI, 32/64-bit, updates)
In corporate environments, an installer is often required MSI, policies and update controlFoxit excels with enterprise editions and packages suitable for mass deployment, and PDF-XChange is also appreciated by administrators for its flexibility. Sumatra, due to its portability and size, works well as backup visor, although it doesn't have the same arsenal of update/policy controls as Foxit.
It is worth remembering that Acrobat 2022 is from 64 bits; mixing it with a 32-bit Reader is not viable and the 64-bit Reader version is close to Acrobat. If you have Acrobat licenses (paid and Adobe ID login) but still want a standalone reader without signing in to simply view PDFs, Foxit or Sumatra fulfill that role without friction.
Direct comparison: Foxit vs SumatraPDF vs PDF-XChange
- For quick and easy readingSumatraPDF wins for its lightness and opening speed, tabs and shortcuts, and support for several reading formats (ePub, MOBI, DjVu, etc.). If you only need to read and print, it's perfect.
- To annotate, search, and work with formsFoxit offers the best combination of lightning-fast search (with caching), comprehensive annotation, and forms and signature support, with a clear interface and good enterprise management options.
- For complex scans and full OCR: PDF-XChange Editor is the most powerful. Its OCR converts scans into searchable text with excellent results, and allows for fine page manipulation. Keep in mind the watermark in premium features.
- Interface and learning curveSumatra is minimalist; Foxit is very familiar if you're coming from Office; PDF-XChange is overwhelming at first due to the number of tools but tremendously capable.
What to choose according to your profile
- Read only and speedSumatraPDF. Opens instantly, uses minimal resources, tabs, and shortcuts. Perfect for students who just want to read notes or books without taking notes.
- Intensive reading with searching and annotationFoxit. Lightning-fast search, index caching, convenient annotations, and easy form handling. Whether in the office or at university, it's the sweet spot between functions and lightness.
- Scans, OCR and page operations: PDF-XChange Editor. Its OCR converts scans into workable documents; powerful page manipulation. Accepts watermark if you use premium features in the free edition.
- IT/business: Foxit and PDF-XChange for MSI availability/policies and update control. Sumatra as a secondary viewer for its portability and zero impact.
Those who just want to open and sign occasionally can also get by with Edge or Chrome's viewer. And if you're looking for extras like AI in the app itself, UPDF can be interesting for processing and summarize documents, as long as you don't rely on advanced features only available in their Pro plan.
After comparing them, the choice becomes clear: for distraction-free reading, Sumatra; for daily work with PDFs and forms, Foxit; for taming scans and applying OCR without paying (with limits), PDF-XChange. From there, the rest of the viewers cover specific niches or expand functions with their own renunciations in price, privacy and complexity.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.