Manage updates with the Download AppCNET 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 2.3 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 2.6 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. Overall, unless you're tied to Adobe we strongly recommend this freeware competitor.
Foxit Reader - Open, view, and print any PDF file- Download Video Previews:Publisher's Description
From Foxit Software:
The following is a list of compelling advantages of Foxit Reader: Incredibly small: The download size of Foxit Reader is only 2.55 MB which is a fraction of Acrobat Reader 22 MB size. Breezing-fast: When you run Foxit Reader, it launches instantly without any delay. You are not forced to view an annoying splash window displaying company logo, author names, etc. Annotation tool: Foxit Reader allows you to draw graphics, highlight text, type text and make notes on a PDF document and then print out or save the annotated document. Save fillable forms after filling them out so you can continue anytime. Text converter: You may convert the whole PDF document into a simple text file. High security and privacy: Foxit Reader highly respects the security and privacy of users and will never connect to the Internet without users' permission while other PDF readers often silently connect. Version 2.3 build 3201 fixed some major bugs of the early versions and makes Foxit Reader more stable and user-friendly.
What's new in this version: Version 2.3 build 3201 fixed some major bugs of the early versions and makes Foxit Reader more stable and user-friendly.
More Products to Consider
-
Convert Adobe PDF file to MS Word file format. -
Take an open-source approach to office productivity. -
Create, read, edit and share word, spreadsheets and presentatio... -
View, navigate, and print PDF files.Visit Site Or, Learn More About Adobe Reader XIThis download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
-
Open, edit, and save files using the new file formats in 2007 v... -
Convert PDF files to Microsoft Word format. -
Create and share content with the help of a comprehensive set o...Visit Site Or, Learn More About Microsoft Office Word 2010This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
-
Boost your productivity with innovative and intuitive technolog... -
Boost your productivity with innovative and intuitive business-... -
Convert JPG, BMP, TIFF, PNG images to PDF files. -
Boost your productivity with innovative and intuitive technolog... -
Keep track of how you use your PC. -
Boost your productivity with innovative and intuitive technolog... -
Create, encrypt, and merge PDF files. -
Create sophisticated forms and processes in SharePoint without ... -
Record your IPPBX call activities and control your phone. -
Transform PDF documents to Excel documents. -
Insert, edit and automatically recolor maps (with Excel data) i... -
Develop your own custom solutions visualizing various data.Download Or, Learn More About Microsoft Office Visio Professional 2007This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
Installed
Smart Install -
Measure, control, and improve business performance. -
Render PDF files within applications that support the print fun... -
Measure and control business performance. - Import eBay watchlists and receive reminders when items are abo...
-
Create, manage, and collaborate with others on presentations.Visit Site Or, Learn More About Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2010This download is served from an external site
closeNOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.
Sponsored Products
-
All versions:
4.1 starsout of 1,826 votes
-
Current version:
4.4 starsout of 33 votes
-
My rating:
Write review
-
"Adobe no more"
Version: Foxit Reader 2.3 build 3201
Pros
faster, lighter, better!
Cons
it took me a couple of days to get used to the new pdf icons (no cons what so sever!!)
Summary
why are you still using adobe reader?
-
"Foxit PDF Reader works superbly well!"
Version: Foxit Reader 2.3 build 3201
Pros
Foxit Reader works well, there's no license agreement to slow you down and it's amazingly small, just 2.5 megabytes.
Cons
There is no downside with Foxit Reader. It's even free! I don't know why they're so generous, but I'm certainly happy with this program.
Summary
I just reinstalled Windows XP on my notebook computer. I used Nlite to cut out the jillion and one functions I never use, such as the Bulgarian keyboard. Now I'm being neat and keeping the hard drive uncluttered.
Adobe Reader 9 takes up 33.5 megabytes! To quote Tank Girl, "My God, the sheer size of it!" Foxit PDF Reader takes up a svelte 2.57 megabytes. That's 7.67 percent of the space Adobe Reader needs!
I will only use it to read PDF files. I just tried reading a church calendar with Firefox. Foxit opened the file right away. It's fast and smooth, and there is no screen with a license agreement that I have to agree to first.
At least for reading PDF files, Foxit Reader is superior to Adobe Reader, and you'll have an extra 30.93 megabytes of space on your hard drive, bonus! -
"I lked using it - I hope the pdf maker is also free."
Version: Foxit Reader 2.3 build 3201
Pros
It's fast, easy to use and the icons are easily found. Very good stuff!
Cons
Only the links for downloading other programs. If you want to make a pdf, you have to download another program. I think that the pdf maker could have been built in.
-
"Advertisements cannot be removed"
Version: Foxit Reader 2.3 build 3201
Pros
Operates quickly.
Cons
Advertisements cannot be removed. I went back to Adobe. Version 9 is out and it is much better than previous versions. Bye bye Foxit.
Summary
Works fines but advertisements are annoying and cannot be disabled, even with regedit.
-
"I love it. It works very well for me."
Version: Foxit Reader 2.3 build 3201
Pros
Foxit is fast loading, small on install, and is compatible.
Cons
Maps could use some improvement. No cons other than that.
Summary
I am impressed with Foxit. Its fast, it does not take up much space, and I would recommend it to everyone.Try it out and you will see.
-
"This should put Adobe Reader out of business"
Version: Foxit Reader 2.3 build 3201
Pros
Smaller and faster than AR; uses less memory; provides everything, and more, that AR does.
Cons
So far...none.
-
"was disappointed"
Version: Foxit Reader 2.3 build 3201
Pros
it does open pdf's quicker than adobe
Cons
when pdf's are emailed to other people - adobe doesn't open the pdf properly
Summary
overall I am disappointed in the compatability with other pdf programs
-
"light and friendly interface"
Version: Foxit Reader 2.3 build 3201
Pros
light easy to use, and good search options
Cons
There are no signing, stamping, or commenting features
-
"Adobe just got owned."
Version: Foxit Reader 2.3 build 3201
Pros
The tabbed browsing sounded odd at first, but it worked out great.
Cons
characters
-
"Really Not Free"
Version: Foxit Reader 2.3 build 3201
Pros
Better interface than Adober
Cons
Registration Key required from Foxit
Summary
Even though the publisher (Foxit) listed this as Free, it really isn't. Deceptive on thir part.
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
