Adobe Acrobat DC AlternativesOnly apps categorised as PDF Readers

The best PDF Reader alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC is PDF-XChange Editor, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Adobe Acrobat DC and loads of them are PDF Readers so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting PDF Reader alternatives to Adobe Acrobat DC are PDF24 Creator, Nitro PDF , Master PDF Editor and PDFgear.

filter to find the best alternatives

Adobe Acrobat DC alternatives are mainly PDF Readers, but if you're looking for PDF Editors or E-signature Tools you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Open Source, Free, Linux, Windows + Open Source, Mac, Windows and Edit PDF. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Adobe Acrobat DC.
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Alternatives list

  1. PDF-XChange Editor icon

    PDF-XChange Editor

     170 likes

    Feature-rich PDF editor offering direct content editing, ABBYY OCR, viewing, annotation, form filling, PDF merging, compression, and encryption. Operates efficiently offline, requiring no registration and no ads, while providing privacy-focused features and convenient portability.

    145 PDF-XChange Editor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • PortableApps.com
    • Wine
    Version 10 (2024)
     
    |
    15
    118
    Comments about PDF-XChange Editor as an Alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC
    Top Positive Comment
    munteanzeno
    3

    Can make small edits for free (comments, extra text). Search bar is simple and works well.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    0

    A lot of things that you can't do. Didn't worked well enough for me at all.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Alternative User
    Positive
    0

    Adding signature and adding text is available for free.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 15 comments
    PDF-XChange Editor icon
    PDF-XChange Editor icon

    • Most users think PDF-XChange Editor is a great Adobe Acrobat DC alternative.

    • PDF-XChange Editor is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Acrobat DC is Paid and Proprietary
    • PDF-XChange Editor is Customizable, Lightweight and Privacy focusedAdobe Acrobat DC is not according to our users
  2. PDF24 Creator icon

    PDF24 Creator

     146 likes

    PDF24 Creator is free and feature-filled PDF creation, merging and conversion tool for Windows. Its unique feature among the free PDF printer tools is an editor, which allows to easily assemble, create and modify PDF files with Drag & Drop.

    173 PDF24 Creator alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Main window
     
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    3
    36
    Comments about PDF24 Creator as an Alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC
    zlelmefs
    Positive
    0

    It's actually free and has done everything I've needed it to do.

    G Downs
    Positive
    0

    PDF Creator is a great alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC. It has all the tools that the Adobe has but does it without trying to put a hole in your head! A great piece of work!

    Guest
    Positive
    3

    PDF editing features also available!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    PDF24 Creator icon
    PDF24 Creator icon

    • Most users think PDF24 Creator is a great Adobe Acrobat DC alternative.

    • PDF24 Creator is Free and ProprietaryAdobe Acrobat DC is Paid and Proprietary
    • PDF24 Creator is LightweightAdobe Acrobat DC is not according to our users
  4. Nitro PDF icon

    Nitro PDF

     71 likes

    Nitro offers comprehensive PDF solutions for editing, creating, and converting, alongside OCR and e-signature tools. Supports Mac, Windows, and iOS, providing a user-friendly interface with industry-standard security features. Ideal as an Adobe Acrobat alternative.

    167 Nitro PDF alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Nitro PDF screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    44
    Comments about Nitro PDF as an Alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC
    Bob Henry
    Negative
    -1

    This is by far the worst software purchase I can remember making. OCR sucks and is hardly useable. Reorganizing and merging documents are confusing and difficult.

    Stay well away from this one is my advice.

    chrisrosetech
    Positive
    0

    I have been using NitroPDF for several years. I think it is the best alternative to Adobe Acrobat software.

    The software has almost all the features, if not better features than Acrobat itself.

    I can create form fill documents, place stamps, edit and do much more with NitroPDF.

    The OCR function has worked really well for me on a second generation scanned document.

    I highly recommend NitroPDF and feel it's well worth the money.

    Nitro PDF icon
    Nitro PDF icon

    • Most users think Nitro PDF is a great Adobe Acrobat DC alternative.

    • Nitro PDF is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Acrobat DC is also Paid and Proprietary
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    Wondershare PDFelement icon
    Wondershare PDFelement

    Get a 20% discount on PDFelement with AlternativeTo, use code SAFWSPDF

    Provides editing of text, images, and objects in PDFs, annotation options, OCR for scanned files, conversion to multiple formats, form filling and signing, page management, merging and splitting, cloud integration, camera to PDF ...

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  6. Master PDF Editor icon

    Master PDF Editor

     71 likes

    Master PDF Editor is complete solution for editing PDF and XPS files. You can insert, edit, remove, copy, add images or graphics. Export, import, remove and change page layouts. Also Master PDF Editor provides full functionality for changing PDF information, including author...

    132 Master PDF Editor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Flathub
    Master PDF Editor screenshot 1
     
    |
    4
    44
    Comments about Master PDF Editor as an Alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC
    Guest
    Negative
    24

    Free version for windows will include watermark on saved documents.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    4

    Has all the basic features such as merge, split, delete and it is in active development and it is available for LINUX :)

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    It has more festures in the payed version and thus suites my usecase and it actually works on linux and does not just say it does and then it doesnt, at least that was the case with pdfsam in the extended version.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 4 comments
    Master PDF Editor icon
    Master PDF Editor icon

    • Most users think Master PDF Editor is a great Adobe Acrobat DC alternative.

    • Master PDF Editor is Freemium and ProprietaryAdobe Acrobat DC is Paid and Proprietary
  7. PDFgear icon

    PDFgear

     55 likes

    Read, edit, convert, merge, and sign PDF files across devices, for completely free and without signing up.

    47 PDFgear alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    PDFgear screenshot 1
     
    |
    3
    10
    Comments about PDFgear as an Alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC
    Shaz Shah
    Positive
    0

    It does an excellent job of converting my M$ docs. The OCR capabilities are really good and the ability to arrange pages (including splitting and merging with other PDFs) is another bonus. The install is lightweight in comparison to Adobe Acrobat and I've not had any stability issues... yet

    Ahmed Gamal
    Negative
    0

    The app does not support the Arabic language.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Faster. No pop-ups trying to sell add ons.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    PDFgear icon
    PDFgear icon

    • Almost everyone thinks PDFgear is a great Adobe Acrobat DC alternative.

    • PDFgear is Free and ProprietaryAdobe Acrobat DC is Paid and Proprietary
    • PDFgear is LightweightAdobe Acrobat DC is not according to our users
  8. Stirling-PDF icon

    Stirling-PDF

     49 likes

    locally hosted web application that allows you to perform various operations on PDF files.

    86 Stirling-PDF alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    • Docker Hub
    • Cloudron
    Stirling-PDF screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Stirling-PDF as an Alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC
    KimiBCN
    Negative
    0

    It lacks many features and has bugs. The PDF open button sometimes disappears.

    Stirling-PDF icon
    Stirling-PDF icon
    • Stirling-PDF is Freemium and Open SourceAdobe Acrobat DC is Paid and Proprietary
    • Stirling-PDF is Privacy focusedAdobe Acrobat DC is not according to our users
  10. PDF Expert icon

    PDF Expert

     37 likes

    Read, annotate, and highlight PDFs, fill interactive forms with saved input, underline or strike through text, manage bookmarks, sync files from cloud services, and share documents. Compatible with Preview and Adobe Acrobat annotations, supporting extensive iOS features.

    129 PDF Expert alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    PDF Expert screenshot 1
    Promotion 😀

    Get a 20% discount on PDF Expert with AlternativeTo, use code START

     
    |
    18
  11. Smallpdf icon

    Smallpdf

     58 likes

    Smallpdf is the first PDF Software you will actually like. The perfect gateway to productive, portable and cost-efficient document management solutions in your everyday life.

    177 Smallpdf alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Online
    • Android
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    Desktop app home
     
    |
    16
  12. BentoPDF icon

    BentoPDF

     8 likes

    BentoPDF is a PDF Toolkit that works fully offline with no sign ups. It's fast, secure and forever free. In an era where data is a commodity, we take a different approach. All processing for BentoPDF tools happens locally in your browser.

    65 BentoPDF alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    BentoPDF screenshot 1
     
  13. Qoppa PDF Studio icon

    Qoppa PDF Studio

     83 likes

    Create, Convert, Review and Edit PDF Documents on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Chrome OS
    Annotate
     
    |
    2
    Comments about Qoppa PDF Studio as an Alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC
    bunnyhero
    Positive
    0

    Much easier than Acrobat for advanced features.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It does most of the things DC does. It doesn't look good on 4K I'm afraid.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Qoppa PDF Studio icon
    Qoppa PDF Studio icon
    • Qoppa PDF Studio is Paid and ProprietaryAdobe Acrobat DC is also Paid and Proprietary
    • Qoppa PDF Studio is LightweightAdobe Acrobat DC is not according to our users
  14. Foxit PDF Editor icon

    Foxit PDF Editor

     6 likes

    Comprehensive suite offering eSign, OCR, multi-platform editing, cloud integration, and robust security. Ideal for professional or personal use, facilitating collaboration while protecting content.

    53 Foxit PDF Editor alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Foxit PDF Editor screenshot 1
     
  15. Sioyek icon

    Sioyek

     22 likes

    Sioyek is a PDF viewer with minimal interface optimized for reading research papers and technical books.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Main view
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Sioyek as an Alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    I love Sioyek because it has blazingly fast update time when a pdf modified. very suitable for latex with (n)vim/emacs user.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Sioyek icon
    Sioyek icon
    • Sioyek is Free and Open SourceAdobe Acrobat DC is Paid and Proprietary
    • Sioyek is LightweightAdobe Acrobat DC is not according to our users
12 of 64 Adobe Acrobat DC alternatives