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 allow you to create PDF files from over 300 different formats. Comment, review, and collaborate. Fill and save PDF forms. Extract text and images. Type text directly onto the page. 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.
More Popular Document Management Software downloads
- Foxit Reader
124,758 downloads
- Adobe Reader X
75,811 downloads
- Adobe Acrobat X Pro
16,272 downloads
- Office Convert PDF to JPG JPEG TIFF Free
8,880 downloads
- PDF ReDirect
7,206 downloads
-
All versions:
3.8 starsout of 155 votes
-
Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
Write review
-
"Great software"
Version: Nitro PDF Reader (32-bit) 2.1.1.3
Pros
The best is that craete PDF file and view PDF file comes in one package.
Cons
It is slow often, it should be more quickly.
-
"A must-have PDF Reader"
Version: Nitro PDF Reader (32-bit) 2.1.1.3
Pros
Small
Starts fast
Easy to use
Many options
Views PDFs
Prints documents to PDFCons
None that I could find.
Summary
One of the first things I do on all of the computers I maintain is install Nitro PDF reader and remove the bloated Acrobat reader program that does not have as many features. I have two 64 bit and three 32 bit versions and all perform flawlessly and do not have to be updated as often as the competitors.
-
"Fast. Extremely Fast & Easy."
Version: Nitro PDF Reader (32-bit) 2.1.1.3
Pros
Fast. Fast. Fast.
Cons
None yet. I've had it 4 months.
-
"Better than any other PDF readers"
Version: Nitro PDF Reader (32-bit) 2.1.1.3
Pros
No water mark, no "Evaluation only" marking and it's free. It is easy to use. You can also put your signature too. I un-installed my other reader.
Cons
Nothing I can find, just great. Should have found it earlier
-
"five stars revieu"
Version: Nitro PDF Reader (32-bit) 2.1.1.3
Pros
This Nitro PDF Reader definitely disrobes 5 stars from me.
As I use Adobe Acrobat 9 pro extended before. Because of some ease editing functions made it one of the best software to me.Cons
Read more: Nitro PDF Reader (32-bit) - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com http://download.cnet.com/Nitro-PDF-Reader-32-bit/3000-10743_4-75205901.html?refresh=1326075621703#ixzz1ivMZ3gza
-
"Does Everything It Claims & Does Them Very Well"
Version: Nitro PDF Reader (32-bit) 2.1.1.3
Pros
- Uncluttered Pleasing & Customable GUI makes it very easy to use
- No Watermarks
- Excellent PDF Creation Tool, but didn't find the need for using the drag-and-drop method (took too long) - just clicked on the Create From File icon instead !
- Fantastic facility to sign a PDF with a copy of your own signature
- Just Loved the Extract Images from PDF feature - So Simple
- Some Simple Editing Tools incl Pop Up Notes, Typing, Cross-out Text, Highligter BUT (See Cons)Cons
- Would like to see more FREE editing tools especially the Stamps Palette, File Attachment Tool & the Arrow Tool that come with the Paid Version. Unreasonable I know, but I get all these plus more from PDF XChange Viewer and for free. The same goes for document management features like add or delete or combine pages.
- Slightly Invasive Download which automatically declared itself as my default PDF reader, although you can change the preferences
- Shame you cannot set the default opening view to include the Thumbnails pane, but have to click the icon every visit
- Found the Help Function short on detail for some subjectsSummary
There's no doubting that this is excellent software and well worth the FREE price. The GUI is very easy to use with large icons along the top, cleverly grouped by function similarity making for easy task selection. You can also customise the tool bar although I haven't found the need, and it's clear that a lot of thought was put into it by the authors.
Nitro PDF most probably does more than any other comparable free software allowing you to view, create and edit PDF's plus a host of other goodies including the ability to email PDF's. I intend keeping PDFXChange Viewer for when I need some editing tools and the bookmarking facility not supplied with the free version of Nitro, and PDF Redirect for the document management features also not supplied with the free Nitro. However, given the rich supply of other features unique to Nitro including Image Extraction, Electronically Signing et al, I cannot see me waiting long before upgrading to Nitro Pro and dispensing with the others (as good as they are) -
"A MUST HAVE READER"
Version: Nitro PDF Reader (32-bit) 2.1.0.11
Pros
Everything - it does a lot more than Adobe Reader
It even lets me read PDF files in my Opera Browser - which is quite surprising.Cons
None that I can say
Summary
This is much better than Adobe reader and everyone must have this!
-
"A good pdf reader, but text is a little blurry"
Version: Nitro PDF Reader (32-bit) 2.1.0.11
Pros
quick notes
non bloatware
can create pdf and secure pdf files
more annotation features than adobe reader which has none.Cons
Text is blurry compared to adobe reader
-
"When you can't use Adobe; this works nicely."
Version: Nitro PDF Reader (32-bit) 2.1.0.11
Pros
Simple to use and works without a problem.
Cons
None that I am aware of.
Summary
Love free programs.
-
"Much better than the Acrobat reader"
Version: Nitro PDF Reader (32-bit) 2.1.0.11
Pros
Easy to use, text adding facility, integrated signature facility, very good view when multiple files are open.
Cons
Some difficulties when tries to "get over" the pdf viewing process from Acrobat reader in some bank applications
Summary
I will buy the pro version as soon as I get a CC
Add Your Review
Submit your reply
E-mail this review
Report offensive content
Previous Versions:
%20-%20Download.com&srcUrl=http://download.cnet.com/Nitro-PDF-Reader-32-bit/3000-10743_4-75205901.html&x_breadcrumb=20:2010:10743&x_arw_bkts=MAD:biz_tech_opt){kind=small}