Foxit Reader

CNET Editors' review

Foxit PDF Reader, the program that many consider to be a faster, lighter, more able Windows alternative to Adobe Reader, has recently jumped to version 5.0. This newest release comes with many of the same solid features, a few new ones, and an upgraded interface.

As with the previous version, the setup process is a bit cumbersome. First, watch out for the two check boxes that make Ask your browser default search provider and Ask.com your home page. Opt out as necessary. Then, toward the end of the installation process, be sure to read carefully and opt out of the Addin for Mozilla FireFox, Opera, Safari and Chrome--unless, of course, you're into bloated toolbars. Once you make it through the installation gauntlet, the rest should be smooth sailing.

The new Foxit Reader 5.0 interface is a bit sleeker than in previous versions. It still has clean, easily distinguishable icons, and the toolbar is still customizable. In addition, you can now choose your color scheme (black, blue, orange, purple). It's not ground-breaking, but it's a nice touch. You can also choose a new ribbon-style menu and customize your own shortcut keys.

Foxit Reader 5.0 still includes many of the useful features that its rival, Adobe Reader, doesn't. There's tabbed PDF viewing, text-only view, rulers, Safe Mode, and several annotation tools for things like highlighting and commenting. Meanwhile, 5.0 has added a few conveniences that give it an extra edge, including XFA form filling, support for Microsoft RMS-protected files, and previews in Outlook.

Overall, we think the new Foxit Reader is a worthwhile download. While it may not be perfect--it can't create PDFs, and it pesters users with add-ons and upgrades--it's still a solid alternative to Adobe Reader.

Foxit Reader - Open, view, and print any PDF file- Download Video Previews:

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All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    4.1 stars

    out of 1,819 votes

    • 5 star: 956
    • 4 star: 501
    • 3 star: 135
    • 2 star: 89
    • 1 star: 138
  • Current version:

    2.6 stars

    out of 8 votes

    • 5 star: 2
    • 4 star: 0
    • 3 star: 2
    • 2 star: 1
    • 1 star: 3
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-8 of 8

  • 2.0 stars

    "My AdAware Wouldn't let me download ir due to adware"

    May 9, 2013  |   By brandall5479

    Version: Foxit Reader 6.0.2.0413

    Pros

    Don't know

    Cons

    The download contains adware and was blocked

    Summary

    I would like to try it if the maker would remove the adware

    Reply to this review

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  • 1.0 stars

    "The skinny kid got fat"

    May 7, 2013  |   By cornfused1963

    Version: Foxit Reader 6.0.2.0413

    Pros

    None there is none

    Cons

    Zooming takes forever... loading is ridiculous... over bloated piece of junk.

    Summary

    it seems that all programs seem to be moving this way... autodesk is the same way.... so many features, few of which actually work, and then remove the productivity from the original product.... what trash...

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  • 1.0 stars

    "ONCE a nice light PDF Viewer"

    April 30, 2013  |   By tboy123456

    Version: Foxit Reader 6.0.2.0413

    Pros

    None anymore

    Cons

    Tsk Tsk... WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FoxIt?? You have created a monster!

    Was a beautiful EASY PDF viewer Now you can't or Don't know how to change the skin color.

    Summary

    If it ain't broke......

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Has become a comprehensive app now"

    April 29, 2013  |   By iswaryam

    Version: Foxit Reader 6.0.2.0413

    Pros

    Started using Foxit reader as a light alternative to Adobe. I liked its simple UI then. Now with an in-built PDF printer it has become a 1-stop PDF solution for me, so I dont need to install a separate PDF printer.

    Cons

    None so far

    Summary

    Happy about the enhancements and new features, no cons so far

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Great substitute for Adobe Reader."

    April 26, 2013  |   By nevadaoutlaw

    Version: Foxit Reader 6.0.2.0413

    Pros

    Does almost everything Adobe does.

    Cons

    Seems to be just a tad slower. But don't get me wrong, if it is slower, it is not much.

    Summary

    I inadvertently deleted a few DLL lines from Adobe. This was a good replacement. I would give it 4 1/2 STARS.

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  • 3.0 stars

    "They Messed Up An Excellent Product!"

    April 25, 2013  |   By joelb662

    Version: Foxit Reader 6.0.2.0413

    Pros

    Still better than most, repeat most, of the competition. Feature rich.

    Cons

    Much, repeat MUCH less convenient to use. Cannot set default printer. Automatically defaults to Foxit Reader printer. Must reset each time to send to printer. Now defaults to a very crowded, much less intuitive reader page. Cannot set to default to reader mode, or if it IS posible, I cannot figure how

    Summary

    Do not care to learn ANOTHER free PDF reader, so will stay with Foxit. But not if more changes - poor changes - are made to this version. Not a productive revision.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "They ruined it completely"

    April 25, 2013  |   By rpelleti22

    Version: Foxit Reader 6.0.2.0413

    Pros

    I can see none, other than teh fact that you can view your document. More than that, you will get frsutrated searching for the function that was easily accessible before.

    Cons

    This software used to be simple to use and nice to look at. Now they made it uselessly complicated and so incredibly ugly to look at!
    I could not even find the way to activate the HTML links in pdf documents.

    Summary

    Do not update from the previous version! I will uninstall it and search for a better pdf viewer. Why can't software developpers have to tinker with a good thing and ruin it in the process? Incomprehensible...

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  • 3.0 stars

    "Used to be great"

    April 23, 2013  |   By phoebus64

    Version: Foxit Reader 6.0.2.0413

    Pros

    Lightweight

    Cons

    Parasite icons

    Summary

    I used to love this software but the latest version installed intrusive icons in all of my Microsoft Office applications and there's no way to hide or remove them that works. I just uninstalled Foxit and replaced it with a less annoying reader.

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Results 1-8 of 8

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Foxit Reader