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Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) VS calibre

Compare Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) VS calibre and see what are their differences

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As the only API powered by the Prince HTML-to-PDF engine, DocRaptor provides the best support for complex PDFs with powerful support for headers, page breaks, page numbers, flexbox, watermarks, accessible PDFs, and much more featured
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Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) logo Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js)

PDF Viewer (aka pdf.js) is a new revolutionary extension using web standard technologies that...

calibre logo calibre

Ebook manager, viewer & converter
  • Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-27
  • calibre Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-07-10

Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) features and specs

  • Open Source
    PDF.js is an open-source project, meaning it is free to use and its code can be reviewed and modified by anyone.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    PDF.js works on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, and can be used in any modern web browser.
  • Integration Ease
    Easily integrates into various web projects with minimal setup, enhancing the user's ability to display PDFs directly in the browser.
  • Actively Maintained
    As an open-source project backed by Mozilla, PDF.js benefits from consistent updates and improvements, ensuring better performance and security.
  • Offline Functionality
    Being a client-side JavaScript library, PDF.js can display PDFs without the need for an internet connection once the library is loaded.
  • Customization
    Developers have the freedom to customize and extend the capabilities of PDF.js to tailor it to specific application needs.

Possible disadvantages of Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js)

  • Performance Issues
    PDF.js can be less performant on larger or more complex PDF files, leading to slower rendering times compared to native PDF viewers.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    For users requiring advanced PDF functionalities such as editing or form filling, PDF.js lacks comprehensive support compared to dedicated PDF software.
  • Rendering Inconsistencies
    There can be inconsistencies in rendering complex PDFs, especially those with intricate layouts, fonts, or graphics.
  • Browser Dependency
    Although it's cross-platform, the performance and feature set can vary depending on the browser, with some browsers offering less optimal support.
  • Learning Curve
    Developers may encounter a learning curve when first integrating PDF.js, particularly when customizing its features or troubleshooting specific issues.
  • Security Concerns
    As with any client-side script, there can be security concerns if the library is outdated or not properly configured, potentially exposing vulnerabilities.

calibre features and specs

  • Open Source
    Calibre is free and open source, meaning it is continually being improved upon by a community of contributors, and there are no costs associated with its use.
  • Wide Format Support
    The software supports a vast array of eBook formats, making it versatile for users who have different types of eBooks.
  • Library Management
    Calibre offers powerful library management tools that allow users to organize and categorize their eBook collections with ease.
  • Conversion Tools
    The software includes robust conversion tools to convert eBooks between different formats, enabling compatibility with various eReaders.
  • Customization
    Offers a high level of customization options, from tweaking the user interface to creating custom metadata fields.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Calibre is available on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Plugin Support
    Calibre supports plugins, allowing users to extend its functionalities according to their needs.

Possible disadvantages of calibre

  • Complex Interface
    The user interface can be overwhelming for beginners due to its vast features and options.
  • Performance
    Calibre can be slow, especially when handling large libraries or performing format conversions for large eBooks.
  • Resource Intensive
    The software can be resource-intensive, consuming significant CPU and memory during operations like conversion and library management.
  • Aesthetic
    While functional, the user interface is sometimes criticized for being outdated and less visually appealing compared to modern applications.
  • Limited Mobile Support
    Calibre's primary use is on desktop platforms, and its mobile support is limited, making it less convenient for users who primarily use mobile devices.
  • Learning Curve
    Due to its vast array of features and customization options, there is a steep learning curve for new users.
  • Updates
    Frequent updates, while generally a positive attribute indicating active development, can sometimes cause disruptions or require users to frequently adapt to changes.

Analysis of Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js)

Overall verdict

  • The Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) is generally considered to be a good tool for viewing PDFs. It provides a convenient and efficient way to access PDF documents directly within the browser, eliminating the need for external software. Its open-source nature and ongoing support from Mozilla ensure that it remains up-to-date with the latest web standards and security features.

Why this product is good

  • Firefox PDF Viewer, also known as PDF.js, is a web-based PDF viewer that is integrated into modern versions of Firefox. It is developed by Mozilla and designed to provide a fast and reliable way to view PDF files directly in the browser without needing additional plugins. By leveraging web technologies like HTML5, it offers a seamless and consistent user experience across different platforms. The viewer is highly regarded for its speed, ease of use, and open-source nature, which allows for community contributions and continuous improvements.

Recommended for

    The Firefox PDF Viewer is recommended for users who require a reliable and fast way to view PDFs within their browser, particularly those who prefer open-source solutions. It is ideal for users who do not want to install standalone PDF software or plugins and those who value seamless integration within their web browsing experience. It is also suitable for developers and contributors interested in web-based document viewing technologies.

Analysis of calibre

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Calibre is considered a good option for managing and converting e-books, especially for those who require versatility and extensive format support.

Why this product is good

  • Calibre is widely regarded as a good tool because it is a free and open-source e-book management application that supports a variety of file formats and provides robust features for managing e-book collections. Users appreciate its ability to convert e-books from one format to another, its comprehensive metadata editing capabilities, and its powerful library management functionalities. Additionally, Calibre has an active development team and community, ensuring frequent updates and improvements.

Recommended for

  • Individuals who manage large e-book libraries.
  • Users who need to convert between different e-book formats.
  • Readers who prioritize customization and detailed metadata editing.
  • People who prefer open-source software solutions.

Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) videos

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calibre videos

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Why I Stopped Watching Calibre on Netflix in 10 Minutes! | Flick Connection Podcast Clip (Ep. 11)

More videos:

  • Review - Calibre (2018) - Netflix Movie Review (Non-Spoiler)
  • Review - Calibre: Ending Explained (Netflix Original Movie 2018)
  • Tutorial - Calibre | Free e-Book Software. Getting Started.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) and calibre)

Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js)

calibre

PDF Tools
59 59%
PDF Tools
41% 41
eBook Manager
0 0%
eBook Manager
100% 100
PDF Editor
100 100%
PDF Editor
0% 0
eBook Reader
0 0%
eBook Reader
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) and calibre

Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) Reviews

2024 Best JavaScript PDF Viewer
• Dependency on PDF.js: It uses PDF.js under the hood, and any vulnerabilities discovered in PDF.js will impact react-pdf as well.
Source: www.compdf.com

calibre Reviews

Top 10 Free eBOOK Readers for PC
If you are looking for the best eBook reader for your PC, you can try Calibre. It is a user-friendly and useful eBook managing tool that is a must-have for every reader. Besides being completely open-source and free, Calibre offers users an easy-to-use and comprehensive toolset meant to bring out the best in your eBooks.
Source: updf.com
8 Best eBook Readers for Linux
Calibre is one of the most popular eBook apps for Linux. To be honest, it’s a lot more than just a simple eBook reader. It’s a complete eBook solution. You can even create professional eBooks with Calibre.
Source: itsfoss.com
10 of the Best Ebook Readers for Windows, macOS, and Mobile
The Calibre ebook reader is one of the best ebook management tools to help you read and organize your entire library. Calibre is portable and cross platform, so it’s available on nearly every device you own.
Source: www.maketecheasier.com
Best 5 eBook Manager
Calibre is a powerful and easy to use e-book manager. calibre ebook management supports organizing existing e-books into virtual libraries, displaying, editing, creating and conversion of e-books, as well as syncing e-books with a variety of e-readers. It also supports many file formats and reading devices. Most e-book formats can be edited, for example, by changing the...
Source: www.epubor.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, calibre seems to be a lot more popular than Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js). While we know about 551 links to calibre, we've tracked only 26 mentions of Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js). We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) mentions (26)

  • Adobe’s Monopoly on PDFs: The Innovation Bottleneck and the Need for Open-Source Alternatives
    While projects like PDF.js, PDFium, and Scribus provide alternatives, they lack key features such as advanced text editing, OCR, and form filling. The challenge lies in funding — without dedicated support, open-source projects struggle to compete with Adobe’s multi-billion-dollar resources. To foster a competitive landscape, businesses and governments must invest in robust open-source PDF development, just as they... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • DEMO - Voice to PDF - Complete PDF documents with voice commands using the Claude 3 Opus API
    ReadPdf: used for reading the dropped file and displaying it on the screen, it uses PDF.js to load the file, get all fields and display it on the browser. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Building W-9 Crafter
    I first started building the app in the browser, using PDF.js and Download.js to take a PDF and edit it, and then download it to your computer. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • How to Write a Cold Email
    I'd think opening a PDF in your browser would be at the same risk-level you associate with going to any random URL. On Firefox at least, I'm pretty sure the built-in PDF viewer is simply JS parsing and rendering the PDF anyway -- nothing with elevated permissions: https://mozilla.github.io/pdf.js/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • PDF Chat with Node.js, OpenAI and ModelFusion
    We use Mozilla's PDF.js via the pdfjs-dist NPM module to load pages from a PDF file. The loadPdfPages function reads the PDF file and extracts its content. It returns an array where each object contains the page number and the text of that page. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
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calibre mentions (551)

  • anaconda on Xubuntu 24.04
    If I make the environment variable persistent in my .profile, Calibre's ebook reader does not work. - Source: dev.to / 25 days ago
  • All Kindles can now be jailbroken
    I suspect most people that go this route (ie download and manage their own ebooks, then transfer them to their Kindle) use Calibre, which afaik, is unaffected by this change. https://calibre-ebook.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • From RSS to My Kindle
    Very neat. I've been doing this with Calibre (https://calibre-ebook.com/), which involves plugging it into your PC via USB. Simple RSS feeds work with little configuration, and more complicated news sites require writing a custom python "recipe". This project uses Amazon's email gateway, which I think is limited to 25 articles per month (don't quote me on this). - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Gio UI – Cross-Platform GUI for Go
    Lol. One of good cross platform example is Calibre [1], built with Python and Qt. And it’s the only one I carried with me from Windows XP/10 to macOS, through Linux. Another is Sublime Text. [1]: https://calibre-ebook.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Glider – open-source eInk monitor with an emphasis on low latency
    >I'd prefer for it to work as USB stick like other ebooks do Have you tried Calibre? https://calibre-ebook.com/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Firefox PDF Viewer (PDF.js) and calibre, you can also consider the following products

Okular - Okular is a universal document viewer based developed by KDE.

FBReader - FBReader is an e-book reader for various platforms. Features:

Sumatra PDF - Sumatra PDF is a slim PDF/DjVu/EPUB/XPS/CHM/CBR/CBZ/MOBI viewer for Windows.

Amazon Kindle - Amazon Kindle software lets you read ebooks on your Kindle, iPhone, iPad, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, and...

Evince - Evince is a document viewer for multiple document formats: PDF, Postscript, djvu, tiff, dvi, XPS...

Calibre Web - Calibre Web is a web app providing a clean interface for browsing, reading and downloading eBooks...

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