CNET Editors' review
To put it gently, Adobe Reader is a real pain in the hindquarters. It's monstrously large, slow to load, and includes many features most users will hardly ever need. Foxit PDF Reader 3.0 kills the bloat and throws in some neat features, such as annotation tools, while still allowing you to read PDF documents.
The interface mimics Adobe's, so you won't have to change your reading habits. In our test, the text readability wasn't much inferior to Acrobat's. The 3.6 MB program starts surprisingly fast compared to Acrobat. You might need to fiddle a bit to get it to work with your Internet browser, but you can find help on Foxit's support forums. It's a nice touch that it opens PDFs from the Internet in their own Foxit window, instead of sucking resources from within the browser.
Foxit's biggest flaw in the old version was hogging memory and that has been corrected. Recent updates include fixing the hyperlink problem, multimedia support, printing highlighted-only sections, and tabbed PDF browsing, so you can read multiple PDFs simultaneously and with ease. The biggest change in this version is a collaborative tool called OnDemand. It requires free registration, but allows users to share and edit PDFs from within the Foxit interface. Overall, unless you're tied to Adobe we strongly recommend this freeware competitor.
Publisher's Description
From Foxit Software:
Foxit PDF Reader is an alternative viewer/reader for PDF documents. Foxit PDF Reader is less than 1MB to download and doesn't need lengthy installation (just download, unzip, and run). It works with all types of PDF documents you might have, with display quality matching. Supports different languages including most Asian languages. You can also print PDF documents with Foxit PDF Reader.
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All versions:
4.1 starsout of 1,710 votes
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Current version:
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"Welcome Malware"
Version: Foxit PDF Reader 5.1.4.0104
Pros
It attempts to read PDFs
Cons
Malware included
Fixit/Foxit Reader will screw up your computer
It has Ask, which will impbed itself in your computer
You won't be able to Google anything, even if you delete and reinstall your browser. Ask is a reincarnation of Ask Jeeves - the worst program made!Summary
Avoid at all costs. Browser will slow down. All tasks will now take 2-4 clicks instead of 1. If you have already done a download then stay off the internet.
Note: You absolutely cannot install this program without installing ASK Jeeeves. Warning not in program install. -
"Very Robust PDF Viewer"
Version: Foxit PDF Reader 5.1.4.0104
Pros
Allows editable PDF's
Changeable themes
It isn't an Adobe Product.Cons
Fairly large resource hog for just viewing a PDF.
Summary
Definitely a must have for the moderate PDF user.
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"Just installed Foxit Reader, it was quick and easy."
Version: Foxit PDF Reader 5.1.4.0104
Pros
Nice interface. It immediately opened and printed a PDF file which Adobe Reader saw as corrupted and could not print.
Cons
Nothing yet
Summary
Time will tell, but so far it can be recommended to try out.
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"This works where Adobe fails! Thank you!!"
Version: Foxit PDF Reader 5.1.4.0104
Pros
It comes up fast and prints forms properly that Adobe Reader fails at. I have received several forms lately that print very badly with Adobe Reader but print perfectly with Foxit. They display properly with both programs but Adobe prints random seeming characters. No idea why this is but I don't have to worry about it now.
Cons
No cons yet.
Summary
This saved me from a mess of trouble. I needed to print out a 33 page legal document and Adobe Reader failed horribly. The document printed but was completely unreadable. Same task with Foxit printer perfectly first time. Quick install and works. Excellent!!
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"such a good one"
Version: Foxit PDF Reader 5.1.4.0104
Pros
it is popular,it is considered as a faster,easier,and more convenient application,the most attractive is that it is free,take it
Cons
looking forward more advantages in the new version
Summary
worth your money
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"Since I also have others - Adobe+I haven't used it yet"
Version: Foxit PDF Reader 5.1.4.0104
Pros
n/c this time
Cons
n/c this time
Summary
I'll comment later once I've tried it out and compared it to my others.
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"great success"
Version: Foxit PDF Reader 5.1.4.0104
Pros
it has achieved a great success in the document management field,the new version gained beautiful interface,making it more attractive at first sight,after your trying of this software,you will know its advantage
Cons
using for a long time,nothing i want to say
Summary
it is a sorry if you haven't used it before,you will be satisfied with everything it contains
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"not free software anymore"
Version: Foxit PDF Reader 5.1.4.0104
Pros
downloaded it thinking i was free
Cons
have to register for the support of the software and needs a product key to use the software
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"Can't handle forms properly"
Version: Foxit PDF Reader 5.1.4.0104
Pros
Fast, lightweight, free and saves what you enter into PDF forms.
Cons
None of the versions I have used have worked reliably with forms. Sometimes it won't let me fill in the boxes. Sometimes the font becomes way too large. This problem doesn't occur in Adobe acrobat reader in the exact same PDF forms.
Summary
Useful for displaying PDF files, but if you need to fill out PDF forms, look elsewhere.
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"This Product is just great..Thank You."
Version: Foxit PDF Reader 5.1.4.0104
Pros
Ease of access and simple to follow
Cons
none for me.
Summary
Just a Great Application from some very smart and helpful people.
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