- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/Vista/NT
- Date added: October 08, 2009
- Total Downloads: 15,692,292
- Downloads last week: 95,488
- See full specifications
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 1268 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt on October 08, 2009
PrimoPDF converts just about any file type to a PDF, using the print command from the source program the file was created in. In the latest version, the program comes with desktop icon that you can drag and drop files onto for quick conversion, as well as performance improvements and minor changes throughout the program.
Users can now always save PDFs to the same folder, or opt to choose a new folder for each PDF creation. You can also Append or Overwrite an already existing PDF, and more easily create and edit document properties and PDF security from the main PrimoPDF interface. Publisher NitroPDF also claims that the program starts faster, and we did notice that it launched quicker than before--note that this was an empirical judgment, though. Primo's size has been reduced slightly to 7.38MB, and the new drag-and-drop icon also serves as a program launch icon, making it easier to manage the app. The four conversion quality settings have been exposed upfront, too, so you can easily toggle quality settings from Screen to eBook to Print to Prepress. There's a Custom setting, as well.
The conversion process from whatever document is on your screen to PDF is quick and efficient. Other features include a password-protection feature that can be used for restricting reading, editing, or printing the PDF. However, trying to create a PDF while the interface was already open resulted in neither a new PDF nor a warning that there had been a failure. The interface also sports an ad for other PDF-related software made by Nitro that takes up half the interface. Those hitches aside, PrimoPDF is an effective tool for quick and casual PDF creation.
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Publisher's description
From Nitro PDF Software :Create PDF using PrimoPDF--a free tool for high-quality conversion to PDF, comprising a user-friendly interface that enables printing to PDF from virtually any Windows application. Additionally, PrimoPDF provides the ability to optimize PDF output for screen, print, ebook, and prepress, secure PDF files with 128-bit encryption, and add document information (e.g. title, author, subject, keywords) to converted PDF files. Full support for 64-bit machines, double byte character and non-TrueType font support, and improved PDF output also available.
What's new in this version:
Version 5.0.0.19 adds drag and drop conversion functionality; improves 'Save As' feature.
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User reviews
- Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1268 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 65 user reviewsSee all 65 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
Version: PrimoPDF 5.0.0.19
"Reliable, Easy to Use, and Does the Job!!!"
Pros: I've been using this nifty PDF file generator for some time now and just love it. It shows up as a new printer device which makes it really easy to use and it really works great.
Cons: Let's see... costs nothing and no spyware... Easy, NO CONS.
Summary: Does what it says it will do and has a pretty small footprint. If you need to generate PDF documents this software can't be beat.
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Version: PrimoPDF 5.0.0.19
"Best FREE software for creating a PDF!"
Pros: Fast. Simple. Free. It does this one task very well: convert documents into PDFs. If that is all that you need, then PrimoPDF is the best software for you.
Cons: There aren't any downsides to this product if you have set your expectations correctly. It ONLY converts documents into PDFs. You can't edit PDFs with it. For that you are better off purchasing Adobe's Acrobat standard or professional.
Summary: If you need to convert a document (or spreadsheet or powerpoint or image... basically anything on your computer screen) into a PDF, this application will do it for free. It is easy to use (acts like a printer on your system) and it is fast.
<... read more >> -
Version: PrimoPDF 5.0.0.19
Pros: Someone needed to give the greedy b..... at Adobe a run for their money.
Cons: Trying to be like Adobe - milk the customers for all they're worth. Constant nagging for paid version.
Summary: If it wasn't for the constant "pay", "pay", "pay", "pay" I would actually buy it.
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Version: PrimoPDF 5.0.0.19
"So simple even I can't mess it up."
Pros: Program is fast, accurate and easy. In this case I got much more than I paid for.
Cons: Primo could not satisfy those who are their own problem. My Windows 7 64 bit system works perfectly with this download and Adobe. Choice of default printer is the operator's. Oh, sorry, no cons from me.
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Version: PrimoPDF 5.0.0.19
Pros: Converted a 489 page document (printed in TIF) in less than 5 minutes. Looks good, unfortunately it is not searchable. I guess I need their upgrade to "Pro" or "Nitro Pro" to do that.
Cons: No problems with system interference. No complaints
Summary: Haven't used it enough to find all the bells & whistles yet.
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