Software Alternatives & Startups

Adobe Acrobat Reader VS Foxit Reader

Compare Adobe Acrobat Reader VS Foxit Reader and see what are their differences

Adobe Acrobat Reader

PDF Reader X is a nest in the class PDF reader, PDF annotator and PDF editor for the Mac OS X operating systems.

Rating
0 reviews
Foxit Reader

Foxit Reader is a free and light-weight multi-platform PDF document viewer.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Adobe Acrobat Reader seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 1 time since March 2021.

social mentions
1 vs 0
PDF Tools popularity
57% vs 43%

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Adobe Acrobat Reader
Foxit Reader
Website adobe.com foxit.com
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Adobe Acrobat Reader 10 features
Foxit Reader 5 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    PDF Reader X offers a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to navigate and access various features without hassle.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The application is available across multiple platforms, allowing users to open and view PDFs on different devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
  • Robust Annotation Tools
    PDF Reader X provides powerful annotation tools such as highlighting, adding comments, and drawing, which are helpful for document review and collaboration.
  • Fast and Efficient Performance
    The software is optimized for performance, ensuring quick loading and smooth scrolling of PDF documents, even with large file sizes.
  • Free Access
    Users can download and use PDF Reader X without any cost, with several free features being sufficient for basic PDF viewing and editing.
  • Compatibility
    Adobe Reader is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. This makes it accessible for a broad audience regardless of their device preferences.
  • Features
    It supports a variety of advanced features such as text highlighting, annotations, and form filling. These features can be useful for both personal and professional use.
  • Security
    Adobe Reader comes with built-in security measures to protect against malicious PDFs. This helps ensure that your device and data remain safe.
  • User Interface
    The user interface is generally intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for users to navigate through documents and use its various features.
  • Frequent Updates
    Adobe frequently updates Adobe Reader with new features and security patches, which improves functionality and enhances security over time.

Possible disadvantages

  • Advanced Features Require Subscription
    While basic functionality is free, access to advanced features such as PDF conversion and editing requires a paid Adobe subscription.
  • Resource Intensive
    The application may consume significant system resources, which could slow down older computers when handling very large or complex documents.
  • Frequent Updates
    Regular updates can be intrusive, requiring users to frequently download new versions to access the latest improvements and security fixes.
  • Privacy Concerns
    As a product of Adobe, the application may collect user data, raising concerns for those who prioritize privacy and data security.
  • Performance
    Some users have reported that Adobe Reader can be slow to load, especially when opening large documents. This can be a hindrance for those who need quick access to their PDFs.
  • Bloatware
    The application can be seen as bloated by some users, with many features that are redundant or unnecessary for basic PDF viewing.
  • Advertisements
    Free versions of Adobe Reader occasionally prompt users with advertisements for other Adobe products, which can be intrusive and disrupt the user experience.
  • Lightweight
    Foxit Reader is known for its fast performance and low resource consumption, making it suitable for older computers.
  • Feature-Rich
    It offers a wide range of features including annotation tools, form filling, digital signatures, and integration with cloud services.
  • Security
    Foxit Reader includes robust security features such as sandboxing, which helps protect against malicious PDF files.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, with customizable toolbars and a ribbon-style menu similar to Microsoft Office.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Foxit Reader is available on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

Possible disadvantages

  • Advanced Features Require Paid Version
    Many of the more advanced features, like advanced editing and OCR, are only available in Foxit PDF Editor, a paid version of the software.
  • Regular Updates Required
    Frequent updates can be disruptive for some users and can sometimes require reconfiguration of settings.
  • Complex for Beginners
    The abundance of features can be overwhelming for new or basic users who only need simple PDF viewing capabilities.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    While generally lightweight, some users have reported occasional performance lags when handling very large or complex PDF files.
  • Compatibility Issues
    There are occasional compatibility issues with certain PDF files, which may not render or function properly in Foxit Reader.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Adobe Acrobat Reader
Foxit Reader

No analysis of Adobe Acrobat Reader yet.

Overall verdict

  • Foxit Reader is generally regarded as a reliable and efficient PDF reader. While it may not have all the premium features of Adobe Acrobat, it offers more than sufficient functionality for most users' needs. Compared to some other PDF readers, its performance and range of features make it a strong competitor.

Why this product is good

  • Foxit Reader is considered good because it is lightweight, fast, and packed with features such as annotation tools, form-filling capabilities, and secure file sharing options. Its interface is user-friendly, and it offers multi-platform support, which is appealing to users who work across different devices and operating systems. Additionally, it provides robust security features to protect your documents.

Recommended for

    Foxit Reader is recommended for users who need a versatile and efficient PDF reader that is not resource-intensive. It is particularly useful for professionals, students, and anyone who frequently works with PDFs and values having annotation and security tools without the need for extensive editing capabilities or higher-cost software solutions.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Adobe Acrobat Reader 3 videos + Add
Foxit Reader 1 video + Add

Adobe Reader Review

More videos

  • - Adobe Acrobat vs Adobe Acrobat Reader - How Are They Different? (A Detailed Comparison)
  • - How to Download & Use Adobe Acrobat for Free: Learn What You Can Do With the Adobe Acrobat Reader

Foxit Reader Free PDF Reader Review

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Foxit Reader
57% 57%
43% 43%
53% 53%
47% 47%
56% 56%
44% 44%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Adobe Acrobat Reader and Foxit Reader. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Adobe Acrobat Reader no reviews yet
Foxit Reader 4.0 · 1 review
  • 5 alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader
    www.geekersoft.com · Aug 2022

    If you are looking for an alternative to Adobe Reader for Windows, first check out the Geekersoft PDF Editor, which provides free access to PDF documents and includes PDF creation, editing, conversion, OCR, and PDF...

  • Top 10 Adobe Reader Alternatives for Windows
    beebom.com · Sep 2020

    While the aforementioned programs are all excellent choices as Adobe Reader alternatives, they are not the only choices you have. If you’re running Windows 8 or 8.1, you also get a native PDF viewer that’s simply...

  • 8 Best PDF Readers Available For Windows PC
    www.mobigyaan.com · Dec 2018

    Foxit Reader is another free PDF reader for Windows. Foxit Reader was once the first alternative to the Adobe Acrobat reader and it’s still one of the best PDF readers available, it offers the most features with no...

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Adobe Acrobat Reader 1 mention
Foxit Reader 0 mentions
  • I-864 Household size auto fill issue
    I suggest that you try with a dedicated PDF viewer, I'm using Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (i.e. The "official" one) but there's a bunch out there, Foxit Reader is another that people sometimes recommend. Source: over 5 years ago

Tracking Foxit Reader since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader and Foxit Reader

When comparing Adobe Acrobat Reader and Foxit Reader, you can also consider the following products.