Top 15 PDF reader Apps for Android
Top 15 PDF reader Apps for Android
PDF reader apps have always been a pain in the neck. Generally speaking, there are two major use cases for PDF files. The first is business use, where you can create forms in PDF format and have people fill them out. The second is for ebooks, which are just text formatted in such a way that it’s easily read. Usually, PDF reader apps only cater to one of two of these use cases and in this list, we’re going to check out the best PDF reader apps for Android for those who are looking for more of a business use.
Adobe Reader
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Adobe Acrobat Reader is the default choice for a lot of people. It has that “it just works” feeling and many use it just as a default PDF reader on their devices so they can open those files when they’re downloaded. The app also includes other features, including the ability to annotate and take notes on PDFs, fill out forms and sign your signature, and it also comes with support for Dropbox and Adobe Document Cloud. If you go the in-app purchases route, you can also get additional features, including exporting PDF files to various other formats.
Adobe Acrobat Reader is the default choice for a lot of people. It has that “it just works” feeling and many use it just as a default PDF reader on their devices so they can open those files when they’re downloaded. The app also includes other features, including the ability to annotate and take notes on PDFs, fill out forms and sign your signature, and it also comes with support for Dropbox and Adobe Document Cloud. If you go the in-app purchases route, you can also get additional features, including exporting PDF files to various other formats.
AnDoc DJVU and PDF Reader
[Price: Free / $0.99]
AnDoc’s claim to fame is how simple the app is. It can open and view PDF as well as DJVU files and that’s really about all it can do. This is an excellent app for anyone who needs something small and out of the way to read those occasional PDF files you download from the Internet. It could be useful as an ebook reader, but we recommend going with an app that specializes in viewing PDFs as ebooks. It’s a free download with the paid version costin $0.99 as an in-app purchase.
AnDoc’s claim to fame is how simple the app is. It can open and view PDF as well as DJVU files and that’s really about all it can do. This is an excellent app for anyone who needs something small and out of the way to read those occasional PDF files you download from the Internet. It could be useful as an ebook reader, but we recommend going with an app that specializes in viewing PDFs as ebooks. It’s a free download with the paid version costin $0.99 as an in-app purchase.
CamScanner – Phone PDF Creator
[Price: Free / $4.99 per month / $49.99 per year]
CamScanner has been a long time favorite productivity tool for a lot of people. It can import PDFs like most, but it can be used as a scanner to turn physical paper documents into PDFs. It has a variety of features to help improve the scanning process which helps make some clean, crisp documents. After the document has been made, you can add annotations, invite colleagues to view and comment on your scans, sync across platforms, and you can even send it as a fax (for a nominal fee) if you need to. You get additional features such as 10GB of cloud space, some editing features, and more if you go the paid route, which is $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.
CamScanner has been a long time favorite productivity tool for a lot of people. It can import PDFs like most, but it can be used as a scanner to turn physical paper documents into PDFs. It has a variety of features to help improve the scanning process which helps make some clean, crisp documents. After the document has been made, you can add annotations, invite colleagues to view and comment on your scans, sync across platforms, and you can even send it as a fax (for a nominal fee) if you need to. You get additional features such as 10GB of cloud space, some editing features, and more if you go the paid route, which is $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year.
Docusign
[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
DocuSign is a relatively newer app, but its designed specifically for business use when it comes to PDFs. The app’s primary function is to open documents, allow you to fill them out, sign them, and then send them where they need to go. That part of the app is entirely unlimited and free, which we liked a lot. It also comes with a few premium plans (subscriptions), including a Standard Plan, Real Estate Plan, and Personal Plan. Each one is tailored to a different kind of need so if you need something for your business, it’s worth checking those plans out.
DocuSign is a relatively newer app, but its designed specifically for business use when it comes to PDFs. The app’s primary function is to open documents, allow you to fill them out, sign them, and then send them where they need to go. That part of the app is entirely unlimited and free, which we liked a lot. It also comes with a few premium plans (subscriptions), including a Standard Plan, Real Estate Plan, and Personal Plan. Each one is tailored to a different kind of need so if you need something for your business, it’s worth checking those plans out.
ezPDF Reader – Multimedia PDF
[Price: Free / $0.99 / $3.99]
One of the biggest advantages to using ezPDF Reader is that it has features for both ebook use and business use. On the business side of the things, the app can be used to fill out PDF forms, annotate, and there are features to help you view each PDF how you want to. On the ebook and multimedia side, it comes with support for audio, video, and animated GIFs along with ePub support in case you have more than one type of ebook. If you’re looking for a simple, all-in-one solution, this may be what you’re looking for.
One of the biggest advantages to using ezPDF Reader is that it has features for both ebook use and business use. On the business side of the things, the app can be used to fill out PDF forms, annotate, and there are features to help you view each PDF how you want to. On the ebook and multimedia side, it comes with support for audio, video, and animated GIFs along with ePub support in case you have more than one type of ebook. If you’re looking for a simple, all-in-one solution, this may be what you’re looking for.
Fast Scanner
[Price: Free / $2.99]
Fast Scanner is another scanner application that isn’t quite as heavy as CamScanner. This nifty, simple app will scan documents using your smartphone camera and then turn them into either JPEG or PDF files for easier distribution digitally. It comes with a variety of features to help sharpen and clean the scan as much as possible before finalizing anything. You can then use any PDF reader app to view it yourself. Most of the features, and all of the important ones, are available in the free version.
Fast Scanner is another scanner application that isn’t quite as heavy as CamScanner. This nifty, simple app will scan documents using your smartphone camera and then turn them into either JPEG or PDF files for easier distribution digitally. It comes with a variety of features to help sharpen and clean the scan as much as possible before finalizing anything. You can then use any PDF reader app to view it yourself. Most of the features, and all of the important ones, are available in the free version.
Foxit MobilePDF – PDF Reader
[Price: Free / $0.99]
If ezPDF is mostly business related with a few ebook features, Foxit represents the other side of the spectrum. The majority of its features are ebook related, and includes navigation features for long PDF files, support for bookmarks, PDF management (sort by name, size, etc), cloud storage support, and more. There are a few business features, such as annotations, the ability to sign documents, and more. If you go the paid route, you’ll also get file protection features. They also have a business oriented reader for $4.99.
If ezPDF is mostly business related with a few ebook features, Foxit represents the other side of the spectrum. The majority of its features are ebook related, and includes navigation features for long PDF files, support for bookmarks, PDF management (sort by name, size, etc), cloud storage support, and more. There are a few business features, such as annotations, the ability to sign documents, and more. If you go the paid route, you’ll also get file protection features. They also have a business oriented reader for $4.99.
Google Books
[Price: Free]
Google Play Books is a reading platform run by Google. Think of it as similar to Amazon’s Kindle service. You can buy a variety of books directly from Google Play with this app. Another feature is the ability to upload PDF and EPUB documents and books to your library for quick reading and recall. These books become a part of your library and act like any other book that’s been purchased on the service. This is a great way to consolidate your collection and also put it in a place where you can add to it. The app is free, although buying books obviously costs money. That makes it one of the better low-key PDF reader apps.
Google Play Books is a reading platform run by Google. Think of it as similar to Amazon’s Kindle service. You can buy a variety of books directly from Google Play with this app. Another feature is the ability to upload PDF and EPUB documents and books to your library for quick reading and recall. These books become a part of your library and act like any other book that’s been purchased on the service. This is a great way to consolidate your collection and also put it in a place where you can add to it. The app is free, although buying books obviously costs money. That makes it one of the better low-key PDF reader apps.
Google PDF Viewer
[Price: Free]
Google PDF Viewer is Google’s offering for those who need to read PDF files. It’s one of the apps that integrates to Google Drive, much like Docs, Sheets, and Slides and will read PDFs in your Google Drive account as well. As a PDF reader, it’s very simple and only includes the most basic features, including search, text selection for copying, and print features. It hides its icon from the app drawer, but should open every time you try to open a PDF file on your device. It’s simple, but it’s also completely free.
Google PDF Viewer is Google’s offering for those who need to read PDF files. It’s one of the apps that integrates to Google Drive, much like Docs, Sheets, and Slides and will read PDFs in your Google Drive account as well. As a PDF reader, it’s very simple and only includes the most basic features, including search, text selection for copying, and print features. It hides its icon from the app drawer, but should open every time you try to open a PDF file on your device. It’s simple, but it’s also completely free.
Lirbo Book Reader and PDF
[Price: Free / $2.49]
Lirbi Book Reader and PDF is a PDF reader that is designed for reading things like books. It supports a variety of formats, including PDF, EPUB, MOBI, DJVU, FB2, TXT, and more than half a dozen other file types. The design is easy enough to use and everything should be relatively easy to learn. It also has some additional reading features such as Day and Night Modes, the ability to listen to books using TTS, bookmarks, and auto-scrolling so you don’t have to. It has a few bugs, but it’s completely free and worth trying out.
Lirbi Book Reader and PDF is a PDF reader that is designed for reading things like books. It supports a variety of formats, including PDF, EPUB, MOBI, DJVU, FB2, TXT, and more than half a dozen other file types. The design is easy enough to use and everything should be relatively easy to learn. It also has some additional reading features such as Day and Night Modes, the ability to listen to books using TTS, bookmarks, and auto-scrolling so you don’t have to. It has a few bugs, but it’s completely free and worth trying out.
MuPDF
[Price: Free]
MuPDF has had a tumultuous update history, but has been updated in the calendar year 2016. This PDF reader is more lightweight than most and focuses a lot more on being quick and accurate over being heavy with features. It supports PDF encryption, hyperlinks, annotations, search, and it boasts the ability to view PDFs in high quality. It also supports XPS and OpenXPS files if you deal with those regularly. It’s also one of the few PDF readers that is entirely free with no in-app purchases.
MuPDF has had a tumultuous update history, but has been updated in the calendar year 2016. This PDF reader is more lightweight than most and focuses a lot more on being quick and accurate over being heavy with features. It supports PDF encryption, hyperlinks, annotations, search, and it boasts the ability to view PDFs in high quality. It also supports XPS and OpenXPS files if you deal with those regularly. It’s also one of the few PDF readers that is entirely free with no in-app purchases.
OfficeSuite and PDF Editor
[Price: Free]
OfficeSuite and PDF Editor is one of two office apps on this list that also have PDF capabilities. It has most of the usual office features, but also comes with the ability to convert virtually any document to PDF and convert any PDF into a document format. It also comes with a PDF scanner, the ability to add text, sign, and annotate PDFs. A lot of the added features, including conversion, do come from the premium version which is relatively expensive compared to most. In any case, it’s a powerful tool if you don’t mind forking out the money.
OfficeSuite and PDF Editor is one of two office apps on this list that also have PDF capabilities. It has most of the usual office features, but also comes with the ability to convert virtually any document to PDF and convert any PDF into a document format. It also comes with a PDF scanner, the ability to add text, sign, and annotate PDFs. A lot of the added features, including conversion, do come from the premium version which is relatively expensive compared to most. In any case, it’s a powerful tool if you don’t mind forking out the money.
Radaee PDF Reader
[Price: Free]
Radaee is another lightweight PDF reader. This one is focused primarily on reading books and similar PDF files. It sacrifices form in order to deliver function and it’s actually quite a quick little PDF reader. The app features the very basics, including zooming, search, and text selection. It has multiple view layouts, and annotation support. It’s entirely free with no in-app purchases which a pretty decent little cherry on top.
Radaee is another lightweight PDF reader. This one is focused primarily on reading books and similar PDF files. It sacrifices form in order to deliver function and it’s actually quite a quick little PDF reader. The app features the very basics, including zooming, search, and text selection. It has multiple view layouts, and annotation support. It’s entirely free with no in-app purchases which a pretty decent little cherry on top.
WPS Office + PDF
[Price: Free]
WPS Office used to be called Kingsoft Office, but it’s still the same old, totally free office app that many people have enjoyed over the years. It’s mostly an office app and deals with various documents, spreadsheets, and the like. However, it also comes with PDF features baked in that gives it a little extra. You can convert various documents to PDF and view PDF files natively. This is useful if you have a form or something that needs to be in a more official format. It’s not too heavy on PDF features, but if you need an office app and a PDF reader, this is a good way to kill two birds with one stone.
WPS Office used to be called Kingsoft Office, but it’s still the same old, totally free office app that many people have enjoyed over the years. It’s mostly an office app and deals with various documents, spreadsheets, and the like. However, it also comes with PDF features baked in that gives it a little extra. You can convert various documents to PDF and view PDF files natively. This is useful if you have a form or something that needs to be in a more official format. It’s not too heavy on PDF features, but if you need an office app and a PDF reader, this is a good way to kill two birds with one stone.
Xodo PDF Reader and Editor
[Price: Free]
Xodo PDF Reader and Editor has been around for a while, but took a bit of time before it was ready for the mainstream. It has support for PDFs along with various other types of documents, including Microsoft’s .docx. Along with that, it supports annotations, signatures, and fill out PDF forms. It’s entirely free to use which is nice and it’s one of the few PDF reader apps that uses Material Design which may be a plus for some people. It looks good and it works well.
Xodo PDF Reader and Editor has been around for a while, but took a bit of time before it was ready for the mainstream. It has support for PDFs along with various other types of documents, including Microsoft’s .docx. Along with that, it supports annotations, signatures, and fill out PDF forms. It’s entirely free to use which is nice and it’s one of the few PDF reader apps that uses Material Design which may be a plus for some people. It looks good and it works well.
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