Used Sumatra PDF for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.
Key Details of Sumatra PDF
- View PDF files with minimal additional features
- Last updated on 04/21/20
- There has been 1 update within the past 6 months
- The current version has 0 flags on VirusTotal
Editors’ Review
This lightweight, free Windows program called Sumatra PDF Viewer lets you actually view PDF documents without complicating the process by bombarding you with extras. It's designed for simplicity, focusing on performance and usability, while remaining trouble-free on older devices. Sumatra PDF Viewer offers a modern option for those frustrated by the clunkiness of many big-name PDF viewers. The interface is as minimal as possible, using a few menus and a toolbar at the top.
The program has a minimalist, intuitive interface with a few menus and a toolbar at the top. Basic PDF viewer options are easily accessible, including zoom controls, single page, facing page and book view modes. It also supports page rotation and offers full-screen and presentation modes, making it suitable for both casual reading and professional use. Furthermore, a built-in search box allows users to quickly find text within documents, while the option to attach PDFs to a new email via the default email application makes it easy for file sharing.
The online Help section, including a detailed list of keyboard shortcuts, further enhances usability. Another outstanding feature is its portability; the program is small enough to fit on a USB drive, allowing users to view PDFs anywhere without installation. While Sumatra PDF Viewer stands out for its simplicity, recent updates have improved compatibility with other formats such as ePub, Mobi and XPS, making it a versatile tool for eBook enthusiasts.
In contrast, Adobe Acrobat Reader, one of the most popular PDF viewers, offers many more features, including improved editing, annotation tools and cloud integration. However, these improvements come at the expense of performance, often causing it to slow down on less powerful systems. Unlike Adobe Acrobat, Sumatra PDF Viewer has a much smaller footprint, uses minimal system resources and offers faster load times. On the other hand, users who need extensive PDF editing or collaboration features may find Sumatra PDF inadequate for their needs.
Foxit Reader is another comparable application that strikes a balance between Sumatra's simplicity and Adobe's feature set. Foxit Reader offers annotation tools and form-filling features, making it ideal for professionals. However, while Sumatra PDF remains completely free, it also includes some features locked behind a paywall. Furthermore, Sumatra's open source nature allows for community-driven improvements, allowing it to evolve based on user feedback.
Bottom Line
Sumatra PDF Viewer continues to garner praise for its speed, simplicity and reliability, especially in an age where software prioritizes feature bloat over efficiency. While the program installs gracefully, it leaves a folder behind when uninstalled, which is a minor inconvenience that users should be aware of. For those looking for a lightweight and functional PDF viewer, Sumatra PDF Viewer remains a top contender.
What’s new in version 3.2
- Fupgraded core PDF parsing rendering to latest version of mupdf.
- Faster, less bugs.
- support for multiple windows
- improved management of favorites
- dropped support for Windows XP. Use 3.1.2 on XP.
Used Sumatra PDF for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.
