CNET Editors' review
Nitro's new free PDF reader takes the key features that you want in a PDF reader, a familiar interface, and smooth functionality and combines them into an eminently usable program that doesn't get in between you and your documents. Nitro has turned the free PDF alternative business model on its ear by providing you with a smart selection of watermark-free editing, drag-and-drop PDF creation, and tabbed PDF reading.
To put it mildly, the feature set is robust. Users can comment on PDFs using notes and text markup, fill out forms, print to PDF, or create one by dragging an existing document into Nitro, share and comment with others, and securely sign a document. This may sound like standard PDF boilerplate, but it's important to emphasize given that they're all free here, and they all work well. The search utility isn't bad, although it would be nice to see Windows 7-style federated in-document searching. The drag-and-drop took a few seconds to begin once initiated, but overall converting a four-page Word document took about 2 minutes. The highlight tool will switch automatically from box highlighting to character highlighting, depending on whether you start highlighting in an empty space or over some text. Nitro sports a ribbon-style interface borrowed from the previously released paid version of Nitro. This may still frustrate some users, but it feels slick and connected to Microsoft Office. If you don't like or need the ribbon, you can hide it with an arrow that lives to the left of the search engine. You can also customize the ribbon, placing your most commonly accessed tools where you need them.
In testing, Nitro's functionality kept pace with its comprehensive toolset. When you install it, it will ask if you want to contribute anonymous usage data. Users are opted in automatically, so if you don't like contributing don't install on autopilot. Nitro PDF Reader Free does more by default than any free PDF reader currently available, does precisely what it advertises, and does it unobtrusively, rocketing it to the top of the PDF pack.
Publisher's Description
From Nitro PDF Software:
Nitro PDF Reader allows you to create PDF files from over 300 different formats. Comment, review, and collaborate. Fill and save PDF forms. Extract text and images. Add a scanned image of your signature and use QuickSign to electronically sign and return documents in seconds. Nitro Reader utilizes the Microsoft Office-style Ribbon interface, The Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) allows you to create an easily accessible group of shortcuts to the tools you use most frequently. Nitro Reader offers navigation panes, including Pages, Bookmarks, Comments, Output, Signatures, and Attachments, allowing for easy navigation of larger documents, and providing a central location for additional content.
What's new in this version: Version 2.4.1 has improved installer and completes the installation in two less stages.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 168 votes
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Current version:
5.0 starsout of 1 votes
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"Nitro reader 2 is way ahead of the pack in most areas."
Version: Nitro PDF Reader (32-bit) 2.4.1
Pros
Nitro reader 2 is a great product, the fact that you can fill a form quick sign it and return it as PDF rather than just the FDF data, that Adobe and others insist on makes this a clear winner. It is also packed with very powerful review features and type tools. If you sign a pdf document it has the facility to flatten the pdf so you signature and content are as good as paper when it comes to security. Other pdf products leave the pdf still layered which means content can be edited, not good. Quick sign is really a stamp feature where you can place an image within the PDF document, so be it approved a tick or your scanned signature quick sign will do it, but items in quick sign can be pass worded so that only those who know the password can use it. If images are to be pass worded then they should be placed in a directory that those not authorised cannot get to them ie your signature. I have used nitro reader 2 as a pdf printer for a large range of file types including CAD.
Cons
All products have there issues, Nitro reader is no exception. However, the downsides are of there own making, the quick sign used to be in colour well they decided everyone wanted black so that was not good but they listened to the forum and are reinstating colour for Quick sign. The document search is only within the current document, a work around if you are in windows 7 would be to use the windows search programs and files, though they should look at addressing this. Other than that the product does what it says on the tin. The Nitro Reader print engine in the earlier versions were a bit odd, but worked with the Nitro team who were very responsive and identified the issue and sent out a fix. Today all sorted. A final con would be that there is no app version of Nitro as yet for Ipad, Android or Windows Mobile.
Summary
Overall the Nitro Reader and pro products give a lot of function and feature, which makes for very good value. There is nothing to risk Nitro reader does what it says on the box, its free so just try it. I have tried several other products that are also good but for me Nitro was the way to go.
I have used the Pro and Nitro reader product for two years and because of support when a problem did strike and features and product performance I have given it 4.5 Stars. Why 4.5 well there is always room for improvement if they got 5 then they would think it was perfect, well nobody, not even Nitro can have the 5 in my book. I want them to stay at the coal face and keep improving what is a great product.
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