7 Best Free PDF Readers For Mac To Use In 2021
If you’re an avid user or require an application that can read PDFs and offer more features, here’s our top PDF viewers for Mac. The Preview app for macOS is used as the standard PDF reader. It allows you to make, join, undo and also make PDF files signable.
Although it’s one of the most effective macOS default applications to utilize, however, it does have its limitations in terms of making and editing PDFs. PDF files aren’t easy to edit, which can compromise their integrity. This is the reason that most confidential documents are distributed in PDF format.
Mac PDF Readers At A Glance
- Adobe Reader For Mac – Overall Best Free PDF Reader
- Wondershare PDFElement – Feature-Rich PDF Reader For Mac
- PDF Reader – Document Expert
- PDF Professional – Free PDF Reader With Different Reading Modes
- Skim – A PDF Reader Specially Designed For Reading eBooks
- Foxit PDF Reader – Free PDF Reader With Cloud Storage Integration
- Haihaisoft PDF Reader – Fast, Secure & Free PDF Reader
1. Adobe Reader For Mac- Overall Best Free PDF Reader
What is the most efficient application to open an Adobe PDF file, other than the one developed by the company that developed PDF? Adobe Reader for Mac is an extremely efficient and user-friendly software that is completely free. It allows you to print, view, and add comments to PDF documents with Adobe Reader, a free application for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Adobe Reader for Mac now is also compatible with Adobe Document Cloud using which you can access your documents on any device.
Adobe Reader offers basic tools but if you’re looking for advanced tools, such as some features to modify PDFs you can install Acrobat Pro DC, which is a PDF viewer that costs money.

Pros
- Feature-packed
- Reliable and up-to-date
- Work across platforms
Cons
- Free plan lacks features
- Monthly plans also require an annual commitment
Price: Free/Premium
2. Wondershare PDFElement - Feature-Rich PDF Reader For Mac
If you’re looking for a robust and high-quality, feature-rich PDF reader to use on your macOS device then look no further than PDFElement. It comes with impressive features, including the ability to add text, images hyperlinks, OCR technology, highlighting text, and has a user-friendly interface. PDFElement is not only a PDF reader. It comes with a variety of tools for editing PDFs that allow you to add annotations to PDFs and add text or images. Furthermore, it gives you the option of password-protecting your PDF documents.
PDFElement is the most effective Adobe Reader alternative to Mac. It has a no-cost version, however, it’s limited in capabilities. However, the basic $79.99/year plan does not include options like the ability to organize and compress PDFs.

Pros
- The free download offers basic functions
- A less expensive alternative to Adobe Acrobat
- No commitments to annual contracts are required.
Cons
- A basic pack of paid-for access gives access to one Mac only
- Basic plans don’t include basic features such as editing the document, compressing it, or organizing PDFs.
Price: Free/Premium
3. PDF Reader - Document Expert
Adobe PDF Reader, Document Expert allows you to read, edit as well as sign PDFs. It allows you to annotate PDFs by highlighting text, adding forms, stamps, and adding links to PDF files. For those who read PDFs, you can use the night mode. PDFs can be viewed in a slideshow, and you can secure your PDF files with the use of a password or Touch ID as well as Face ID.
It has an easy-to-use interface that has all buttons and tools well-labeled. The PDF Reader Document Expert is also able to browse multiple PDF files on tabs to make them easier to read. It’s a full PDF application if you decide to sign up to subscribe. It also has a free trial for those who do not wish to spend money on the PDF reader application.

Pros
- The basic plan offers excellent features
- Clean interface
- Multi tabs help make it simpler to change between PDFs
Cons
4.PDF Professional - Free PDF Reader With Different Reading Modes
PDF Professional, as the title suggests, is a professional-grade PDF app designed for Mac devices. This application is capable of reading, annotation, editing, and converting PDF files. This is among the top PDF readers for Mac due to its well-created user interface as well as a wealth of tools for editing and reading PDFs.
You can include images, links, or view and reply to comments in the comments as well as fill out static PDF forms and more using this no-cost PDF viewer. It also offers the option of password-protecting and decrypting PDF files if you are dealing with sensitive information. PDF Professional also has a Text-to-Speech function that allows you can choose the text or the document to be read.

Pros
- Different reading methods
- Good feature spreads to use a PDF viewer for free.
Cons
5. Skim - A PDF Reader Specially Designed For Reading eBooks
Skim is an Open-Source PDF Reader. It’s one of the quickest, light, and reliable PDF readers available for Mac. It allows you to add and edit highlights, notes, and other text with one swipe, and view notes and highlights all from one location. There are built-in transitions that can be used to display PDF files and other similar tools.
Skim has support for Spotlight this means that it is possible to search text directly through Spotlight Search. Full-screen mode and exporting notes to text is a crucial and beneficial aspect of Skim. Its attractive interface is another reason why we’ve included the free PDF reader in this list.
Lack of OCR features may be a problem for some, however, should you need an application that can only be used for reading ebooks in PDF format it is the software we suggest.

Pros
- Free PDF editor and viewer
- Offers a wide range of functions, with an easy-to-use interface
- Great to read eBooks
Cons
- It’s not updated often this could pose an issue for certain
- The interface isn’t as smooth or pleasing to the eyes as the premium PDF readers.
Price: Free/Premium
6. Foxit PDF Reader - Free PDF Reader With Cloud Storage Integration
If you’re in search of a PDF reader that’s compact but with great features, then try Foxit PDF Reader an opportunity. It’s a tiny but fast and feature-rich PDF reader that lets you create, edit and sign PDF files.
The software offers a user-friendly interface for users and offers the option of customizing PDF documents.
Additionally, Foxit PDF reader is one of the few PDF readers to provide features such as filling out forms, exporting/importing data, and the ability to integrate with cloud storage solutions like OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, and Box.

Pros
- Free to use
- It has many great features, such as cloud integration
- Fast and lightweight
- Works across all platforms
Cons
- App Store reviews state that some features that are available in the Windows version aren’t available to Mac
Price: Free/Premium
7. Haihaisoft PDF Reader - Fast, Secure & Free PDF Reader
It is a well-known Reader for PDFs for Mac devices that are made to only read PDFs. With the size of 4MB, it’s better than other PDF readers that are available for Mac. One of the best advantages in Haihaisoft the PDF viewer is the ability to open PDF files regardless of whether it is secured by DRM-X.
Furthermore, this pdf reader on Mac does not allow internet access without the user’s consent. This makes it secure and secure if you need to use a PDF reader to view private documents.

Pros
- Lightweight and quick
- Can open DRM-X protected files
Cons
- App Store reviews state that some features that are available in the Windows version aren’t available to Mac
Price: Free
How To Choose Best PDF Reader For Mac?
Mac users have a variety of PDF readers that they can choose from. Selecting the most suitable among them all depends on your needs of yours. For PDF reading we suggest Skim or PDF Professional.
If you need to meet business-related needs such as Adobe PDFElement as well as iSkysoft the PDF Editor. For a driver that is used to open PDF documents, PDF Professional and Adobe Reader for Mac might be the better option. Check out our collection of the best PDF readers for Android here!
The majority of the subscriptions on our list have multiple types of subscriptions, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. For the majority of users, an ordinary PDF reader that has annotation and markup features will suffice. If you are a reader who prefers reading in dim light, the majority of PDF readers can also read in dark mode.
If you’re outside of the Mac environment, you can check out the list below of free PDF editors. For those who require more storage space, we’ve compiled an extensive overview of the top cloud storage solutions that you can pick from.
Best PDF Readers For Mac FAQs
Do Macs have an integrated PDF reader?
Indeed, Macs have a built-in Preview application, which allows you to browse as well as mark up PDFs. It is also possible to modify and export PDFs in different formats with the Preview application.
Is there a PDF-free reader available for Mac?
Yes, readers such as PDF Professional, Skim, and Foxit are free PDF readers with an attractive interface..
What is the most suitable pdf reader to use on my Mac?
You can select the most effective PDF reader by understanding the purpose you’ll make use of. Once you’ve identified the purpose of your use, you can test the PDF readers you believe will work the best for you and select one that meets your needs.
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