Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Skim VS PDF Reader X

Compare Skim VS PDF Reader X and see what are their differences

Skim logo Skim

Skim is a PDF reader and note-taker for OS X.

PDF Reader X logo PDF Reader X

PDF Reader X is a nest in the class PDF reader, PDF annotator and PDF editor for the Mac OS X operating systems.
  • Skim Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-05-03
  • PDF Reader X Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-05-09

Skim features and specs

  • Open Source
    Skim is open-source software, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This can be advantageous for users who want to customize the application or contribute to its development.
  • PDF Annotation
    Skim offers robust PDF annotation features, allowing users to highlight, underline, and add notes to PDF documents. This makes it a useful tool for students, researchers, and anyone who needs to review documents extensively.
  • Integration with LaTeX
    The app integrates well with typesetting systems like LaTeX, which is beneficial for users in academic and research fields that require sophisticated document preparation.
  • Efficient Navigation
    Skim provides efficient navigation options, such as table of contents views and keyboard shortcuts, which enhance the user experience by simplifying document management and review processes.
  • Lightweight
    Skim is a lightweight application, meaning it runs efficiently without consuming significant system resources. This can be useful for users with older hardware or those running multiple applications simultaneously.

Possible disadvantages of Skim

  • Mac-Only
    Skim is only available for macOS, limiting its accessibility to users on other operating systems such as Windows or Linux.
  • Limited Features Compared to Commercial Alternatives
    While Skim offers essential features for PDF annotation, it may lack some advanced features that are available in commercial PDF editors, such as complex form handling or advanced editing tools.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Some users report occasional stability issues or bugs, which can affect the user experience, especially during long sessions or when working with large documents.
  • Basic User Interface
    The user interface of Skim may be considered basic or not as polished as some commercial PDF readers, which could deter users looking for more modern or aesthetically pleasing design.
  • No Official Support
    Being an open-source project, Skim does not have official support, which means that users may have to rely on community forums or documentation for troubleshooting and assistance.

PDF Reader X features and specs

  • 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.

Possible disadvantages of PDF Reader X

  • 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.

Skim videos

SKIMS REVIEW: SO MANY DISAPPOINTMENTS...

More videos:

  • Review - SOOO... I tried SKIMS SHAPEWEAR & WE NEED TO CHAT
  • Review - Is SKIMS Worth It? | SKIMS Review + Try-On Haul | Curvy Girl Edition

PDF Reader X videos

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

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Skim and PDF Reader X)
PDF Tools
64 64%
36% 36
PDF Editor
55 55%
45% 45
PDF Readers And Editors
52 52%
48% 48
PDF Creator
50 50%
50% 50

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Skim and PDF Reader X

Skim Reviews

13 of the Best Free PDF Readers
Skim is another lightweight PDF viewer that comes with many basic functions. Users can highlight text, take pictures and add notes with ease. Skim was primarily developed for academics but has since expanded its functionality. Still, this tool remains great for academics, as it can connect with third-party apps such as Bid Desk.
Source: www.indeed.com

PDF Reader X Reviews

We have no reviews of PDF Reader X yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Skim seems to be a lot more popular than PDF Reader X. While we know about 31 links to Skim, we've tracked only 1 mention of PDF Reader X. 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.

Skim mentions (31)

  • Show HN: Pdfdark.com – view pdf's in "dark mode" all on client
    For those uncomfortable uploading documents, a number of other native apps also dark/inversion mode, including Skim for macOS: https://skim-app.sourceforge.io . - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • You can deeplink to a specific PDF page
    A bit unrelated - I use Hookmark[0] on my MacOS to deep link local PDFs. I can link to specific sections within a page, although it works only when the PDF is viewed with Skim reader[1] and not the default Preview app [0] https://hookproductivity.com [1] https://skim-app.sourceforge.io. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • iCloud Drive silently deletes your content
    I've had my fair share of highlighting/annotating shenanigans with macOS built-in software and I've found Skim (free, BSD licensed) to be a very competent replacement, with the only caveat that you have to remember to export the annotated PDFs if you want to be able to see your changes from any other application. https://skim-app.sourceforge.io/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Electronic text book reader
    I actually am going to say a Macbook air. The reason is because the pdf reader Skim is Mac OSX only. I've tried many, and I haven't found another PDF reader I like. The only thing you lose is the ability to write directly on the screen. If that's something you really want to do, then you should get an iPad and load your pdfs in GoodNotes. The added benefit of that is that you can add blank pages right in the PDF... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Question about transcript proofreading
    Well. I have a 55 pages with three remaining parts of a transcript I should probably be working on ... But I haven't proofed in a while, so I had to remember how to use the (Mac only) program I use to mark up PDFs worked, only to find there was a new version waiting to be downloaded and installed ... and, of course, re-learned. Source: about 2 years ago
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PDF Reader X mentions (1)

  • 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: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Skim and PDF Reader X, you can also consider the following products

Adobe Acrobat DC - Make your job easier with Adobe Acrobat DC, the trusted PDF creator. Use Acrobat to convert, edit and sign PDF files at your desk or on the go.

Xodo - Try easy-to-use PDF tools that keep your documents safe. Work with your important files across all platforms and devices with the ultimate all-in-one document solution. Your productivity lives at Xodo!

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

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

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

MuPDF - MuPDF is a lightweight PDF and XPS viewer.