Foxit Reader

Foxit Reader creates, converts, and edits PDFs (including secure documents), accepts plug-ins, and makes it easy to collaborate and share documents by email and social media.

Pros

Layout: Foxit Reader's layout takes design cues from Office, like the ribbon-style main toolbar, though the software has its own touches, like the Quick Access Toolbar. Nearly everything can be customized.

Protect: Foxit Reader's security features include DocuSign options on the Protect tab.

Read out loud: The View tab's Read feature can read documents out loud through headphones or your PC's loudspeakers. Sliders adjust speech rate and volume.

Support: Hundreds of millions of users have helped Foxit's developers work the bugs out of Reader and add the features and extras that work best. Help is available in abundance, including manuals, error reports, and Command Line Help.

Cons

Complicated: Despite a well-designed interface, Foxit Reader can seem busy and complicated. You can customize things to suit your needs, but that's another complication. Since cost isn't an issue, more basic one-function PDF utilities sometimes offer faster solutions.

Bottom Line

Foxit Reader isn't the only excellent freeware PDF solution out there, but it's certainly one of the top few. Business-oriented upgrades are available for a price, but the freeware has more than enough for most users.