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Okular VS Fast Reader

Compare Okular VS Fast Reader and see what are their differences

Okular

Okular is a universal document viewer based developed by KDE.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
Fast Reader

Reading one word at a time. Contribute to Quantum-mutnauQ/Fast_Reader_GTK development by creating an account on GitHub.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
JustDocz
Private document search for Windows. Find files by what’s inside them — locally, without uploading your documents. sponsored
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Okular seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 44 times since March 2021.

social mentions
44 vs 0
PDF Tools popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
168 vs 21

Base details

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

Okular
Fast Reader
Website okular.kde.org github.com
Listed in
PDF Tools PDF Readers And Editors eBook Reader PDF Editor +1
AI Tool Productivity Group Chat & Notifications +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Okular 6 features
Fast Reader 4 features
  • Open Source
    Okular is an open-source software, which means the source code is freely available. Users can modify and distribute it according to their needs.
  • Multi-Format Support
    Okular supports a wide array of document formats including PDF, PostScript, DjVu, CHM, XPS, ePub, and more, providing versatile document reading capabilities.
  • Cross-Platform
    Okular is available for multiple operating systems including Linux, Windows, and macOS, making it accessible to a wider range of users.
  • Annotation Tools
    It includes powerful annotation features allowing users to add notes, highlight text, and draw shapes directly on documents.
  • Customizable Interface
    The interface is highly customizable, enabling users to tweak the appearance and functionality to match their preferences.
  • Tabbed Browsing
    Okular supports tabbed browsing, allowing users to open multiple documents in a single window, enhancing multitasking.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced PDF Editing
    While Okular provides basic annotation features, it lacks advanced PDF editing capabilities like modifying text and images within a PDF.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might find the extensive range of features and settings overwhelming, leading to a steeper learning curve compared to simpler document viewers.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported performance issues when handling very large files, which can result in slower operation and responsiveness.
  • Dependency on KDE Libraries
    To get the best experience, Okular requires KDE libraries, which might not be ideal for users who prefer not to integrate KDE components into their system.
  • Mobile Support
    Okular does not have a dedicated app for mobile platforms like Android and iOS, limiting its usability on tablets and smartphones.
  • Open Source
    Fast Reader is available on GitHub, allowing users to view, modify, and contribute to the source code, fostering community collaboration and transparency.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Being built with GTK, Fast Reader can run on various operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and macOS, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Active Development
    The project is actively maintained, which means users can expect regular updates and ongoing support for new features and bug fixes.
  • Speed Optimization
    Fast Reader is designed to enhance reading speed, providing users with tools and functionalities that can help improve reading efficiency.

Possible disadvantages

  • Technical Complexity
    As an open-source project, users who wish to customize or contribute may need a certain level of technical expertise, which could be a barrier for non-technical users.
  • Limited User Interface Customization
    While functional, the user interface may not offer extensive customization options compared to commercial applications, potentially limiting user experience.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Like many open-source projects, Fast Reader might experience occasional bugs or crashes, especially on less common system configurations.
  • Community-Dependent Support
    Support is primarily community-driven, which might result in slower response times for troubleshooting and assistance compared to professional or commercial software solutions.

Analysis

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

Okular
Fast Reader

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Okular is generally regarded as a good document viewer due to its features, flexibility, and open-source nature, which ensures continual updates and community support.

Why this product is good

  • Okular is considered good for several reasons: it is a versatile open-source document viewer developed by the KDE community, supporting various file formats including PDF, PostScript, and ePub. It offers a range of features such as annotation tools, form filling, text extraction, and multimedia support. Additionally, it is cross-platform, available on different operating systems like Linux, Windows, and macOS, making it accessible for a wider range of users.

Recommended for

    Okular is recommended for students, educators, professionals, and any users who require a reliable and feature-rich document viewer capable of handling a wide range of file formats. It is particularly beneficial for those who value open-source software and need robust annotation and document management tools across different platforms.

Overall verdict

  • Fast Reader appears to be a useful open-source speed-reading tool that presents text one word (or chunk) at a time to help increase reading speed, though as with many GitHub projects its quality depends on active maintenance and community support.

Why this product is good

  • It is open source, meaning you can inspect the code, contribute, and self-host without licensing costs
  • Speed-reading tools using RSVP (Rapid Serial Visual Presentation) can help some users read faster and improve focus
  • Being on GitHub allows transparency, issue tracking, and community-driven improvements
  • Typically lightweight and free to use compared to commercial speed-reading apps

Recommended for

  • Developers and technical users comfortable with GitHub projects
  • People wanting to experiment with speed-reading techniques for free
  • Students and professionals who read large volumes of text and want to boost reading speed
  • Users who prefer open-source, self-hostable, and privacy-friendly tools

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Okular 3 videos + Add
Fast Reader 0 videos + Add

okular, program for annotating your books in linux

More videos

  • - Review: Okular || Awesome PDF Viewer || Best PDF Viewer that I have tried yet.
  • - Okular Document Viewer vs Atril Document Viewer

No Fast Reader videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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
Okular
Fast Reader
100% 100%
PDF Tools
0% 0%
0% 0%
Productivity
100% 100%
100% 100%
PDF Editor
0% 0%
0% 0%
AI
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Okular and Fast 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.

Okular no reviews yet
Fast Reader no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Okular 44 mentions
Fast Reader 0 mentions
  • Signing PDFs
    If you mean signing as in "signing with your handwritten signature", you could use Okular () which easily allows you to do that. Filling out forms also works nicely. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Alexandria: A minimalistic cross-platform eBook reader
    I was in a similar position lately until I found Okular. Have you tried it? https://okular.kde.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • Help with PDF's
    I would try Okular first, though, which is free and open source: https://okular.kde.org/. Source: over 3 years ago

View more

Tracking Fast Reader since Jan 2026.

Alternatives to Okular and Fast Reader

When comparing Okular and Fast Reader, you can also consider the following products.

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