Software Alternatives & Startups

Sumatra PDF VS Ghostscript

Compare Sumatra PDF VS Ghostscript and see what are their differences

Sumatra PDF

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

Sumatra PDF Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Ghostscript

Documentation.

Ghostscript Landing page
Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source

Which is more popular?

Ghostscript might be a bit more popular than Sumatra PDF. We know about 1 link to it since March 2021 and only 1 link to Sumatra PDF.

social mentions
1 vs 1
PDF Tools popularity
95% vs 5%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 122

Base details

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

Sumatra PDF
Ghostscript
Website sumatrapdfreader.org ghostscript.com
Pricing
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Sumatra PDF 6 features
Ghostscript 5 features
  • Lightweight
    Sumatra PDF is known for its small footprint, making it quick to download and install. It runs efficiently on older hardware.
  • Speed
    The application is fast to open and navigate, even with large PDF files, enhancing the user experience.
  • Simplicity
    Sumatra PDF offers a minimalistic interface that is easy to navigate for users who need a straightforward PDF reader without unnecessary features.
  • Portable Version
    Sumatra PDF offers a portable version that can be run without installation, ideal for use on multiple computers or USB drives.
  • Free and Open Source
    The software is free to use and open-source, allowing users to inspect the code and contribute to its development.
  • Support for Multiple Formats
    In addition to PDFs, Sumatra PDF supports ePub, Mobi, XPS, DjVu, CHM, and comic book formats (CBZ and CBR), making it versatile.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Features
    Sumatra PDF lacks advanced features such as form filling, text editing, and annotations, which are available in other PDF readers.
  • No Document Editing
    The application does not support document editing, which can be a drawback for users needing to make changes to their PDFs.
  • Basic User Interface
    The simplistic design might not appeal to users who prefer a more modern or visually appealing interface.
  • Restricted Customization
    Sumatra PDF offers limited customization options, providing fewer settings and user preferences compared to other PDF readers.
  • No Cloud Integration
    The software lacks integrated support for cloud storage services, which can be inconvenient for users who manage documents online.
  • No Advanced Security Features
    Sumatra PDF does not include advanced security features such as digital signatures or encryption, which are essential for some professional users.
  • Open Source
    Ghostscript is released under an open-source license, which means it is available for free and can be modified to suit individual needs.
  • PDF and PS Compatibility
    It supports a wide range of PDF and PostScript documents, providing robust rendering capabilities for different file types.
  • Cross-platform
    Ghostscript runs on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility and accessibility across platforms.
  • Command-line Tool
    It operates as a command-line tool, enabling automation and integration into larger workflows and scripts for batch processing.
  • Extensive Documentation
    Ghostscript offers comprehensive documentation that supports users in understanding and utilizing its extensive features effectively.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    For users who are not familiar with command-line interfaces or the specifics of PDF and PostScript formats, it can be difficult to learn.
  • Limited GUI Support
    While powerful as a command-line tool, Ghostscript lacks an intuitive graphical user interface, which may limit its accessibility for non-technical users.
  • Performance
    Processing large or complex documents can be resource-intensive and may result in slower performance, depending on the system's capabilities.
  • Complex Configuration
    Ghostscript requires detailed configuration for certain operations, which can be challenging without sufficient technical expertise.
  • Dependency on External Libraries
    It may rely on additional libraries for certain functionalities, and ensuring compatibility can sometimes be problematic during updates or installation on different systems.

Analysis

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

Sumatra PDF
Ghostscript

Overall verdict

  • Sumatra PDF is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and efficient PDF reader. Its performance, coupled with its simplicity, makes it a top recommendation for those who need a no-frills document viewer.

Why this product is good

  • Sumatra PDF is considered good because it is lightweight, fast, and easy to use. Its simplicity and minimalistic design make it an excellent choice for users who need a straightforward PDF reader without any unnecessary features. It has a quick load time and supports a variety of document formats including PDF, ePub, MOBI, CHM, XPS, DjVu, CBZ, and CBR. Additionally, it is open-source and doesn't require installation, making it ideal for users who prioritize portability.

Recommended for

    Sumatra PDF is especially recommended for users who need a fast and lightweight PDF reader with basic functionalities. It's ideal for those who want a simple tool for reading PDFs and other document formats without the complications of advanced features. It is also suitable for users who value open-source software.

No analysis of Ghostscript yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Sumatra PDF 2 videos + Add
Ghostscript 3 videos + Add

Sumatra PDF my favorite PDF reader for Windows

More videos

  • Review - Sumatra PDF A FREE Portable PDF reader for Windows 10 | Alternative To Adobe PDF Reader

How to RIP Halftones FREE using Ghostscript - part 1

More videos

  • Review - Print Color Separations With Ghostscript - SEPARATIONS WITHOUT A RIP
  • Review - Web Hacking Pro Tips #4 with Jason Haddix: Ghostscript

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
Sumatra PDF
Ghostscript
95% 95%
5% 5%
76% 76%
24% 24%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using Sumatra PDF and Ghostscript. 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.

Sumatra PDF no reviews yet
Ghostscript no reviews yet

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We have no reviews of Ghostscript yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Sumatra PDF 1 mention
Ghostscript 1 mention
  • anyone know any good epub/pdf readers for windows 11?
    You can use your browser for both, there are extensions(FireFox - PDF & EPUB/Chrome - PDF& EPUB) for that. In case, you want you use a separate software for them, I suggest SumatraPDF--it handles both PDFs and .EPUB files. Source: over 3 years ago

Alternatives to Sumatra PDF and Ghostscript

When comparing Sumatra PDF and Ghostscript, you can also consider the following products.