Top 8 Free PDF Readers for iPad

Elise Williams

2025-09-19 14:33:39 • Filed to: Free Apps • Proven solutions

Are you looking for a PDF reader for the iPad to read PDF files? Now there are dozens of developers offering PDF readers for free. You can directly download them from iTunes Store and install them on your iPad. If you don't know any such kind of PDF reader for iPad, this article listed the 8 most popular free PDF readers for iPad. If you don't want to waste too much time reading, you can simply click the button below to download a free PDF reader.

Best PDF Readers for iPad

1. PDFelement for iPad - Best PDF View for iPad with AI Power

The first PDF reader for iPad I'd like to recommend to you is PDFelement for iOS. It is a complete PDF reader and editor app that is embedded with lots of useful functions, such as multiple viewing modes for a better reading experience, making changes to PDF by editing text or images, and adding signatures by handwriting or scanning snapshots.

Its AI power can summarize, explain, and translate PDF files while you are reading. And you can always highlight important parts with its various markup tools.

And the most amazing feature of this application is that it supports editing text and converting PDF into 9 formats. It works across multiple operating systems, including Windows, iOS, Mac OS X, and Android. By logging in to Wondershare ID, you can use all functionalities for free. It boosts your productivity like never before.

2. Books - Built-in PDF Reader for iPad

iBooks could be another option to read PDF files on an iPad. Whenever you sync a PDF eBook to an iPad via iTunes, you'll always find it in iBooks. iBooks offers a three-reading mode for page layouts, including Book, Scroll, and Full Screen. It allows you to highlight favorite passages and add notes. Later, you’re able to print PDF documents and the notes you’ve added using AirPrint.

3. Kdan PDF Reader for iPad

Kdan PDF Reader is capable of displaying two PDF pages side-by-side, making reading PDF files on iPad more like reading paper-based books. You can use the USB cable to transfer a PDF to the CloudReader directly. In addition, it renders PDF files at an ultra-fast speed.

4. Adobe Reader - Advanced PDF Reader for iPad

Adobe Reader has released a version for iPad. If you're used to using Adobe Reader to read PDF files on the computer, then this Adobe Reader for iPad is a good choice for you to read PDF on an iPad. It is able to connect to Dropbox or some other platforms to open and read PDFs that are shared across other computers/devices. And it supports nearly 20 languages.

5. PDF Expert - Professional PDF Reader for iPad

PDFStorm is a professional PDF Reader for iPad. It enables users to upload PDFs via Wi-Fi, add bookmarks, search PDF files, and render PDFs with the utmost speed. You can sit or lie cozily to read PDF files on an iPad with the corresponding mode.

6. Documents - View & Manage PDF on iPad

Documents 5 allows you to open almost any type of file quickly from any app on your iPad. When this app is installed to your device, the document types will show up and you’ll be given options in Readdle to choose what file you want to launch.

7. PDF-notes - Free PDF Reader for iPad

With PDF-notes, you will be able to manage all your PDF files on your iPad. Quick display, fast page-turning even with thousands of pages, handy finger-writing, and share your notes with your friends via email.

8. PDF Max - Read and Fill PDF on iPad

PDF Max 4 is known to be a satisfactory haven of your classic desktop-class PDF software, it means that reading and making sense of PDF files is just a small portion of what it could do. Its functions set are endless to consist of many annotations, editing, and reading.

FAQs about iPad PDF Reader

Does Apple have a built-in PDF reader?

Yes — Apple does include a built-in PDF reader on iPad. You can read PDFs right in the Files app, Mail, or Safari without installing an extra app. While viewing PDFs on Files, Mail, or Safari on iPadOS, the built-in markup tool lets you do light annotation tasks, such as drawing, highlighting, or adding text notes directly on the document. However, for advanced editing ,you might eventually want a more specialized PDF viewer plus editor.

Is there a completely free PDF reader for iPad?

Yes. If you’re using an iPad, you already have a completely free PDF reader built in. The Files app and Apple Books can both open and view PDFs without any extra downloads. They also include simple markup tools for a light annotation task. Apart from the built-in tools, there are third-party apps such as Adobe Reader or PDFelement, which is available for free, while you can upgrade to the paid version to unlock advanced features, like PDF editing, converting, and e-signing.

Which is the best PDF reader for iPad?

Here are some of the best PDF readers for iPad.

• Books: The free built-in PDF reader for iPad. It is the best choice if you just need basic reading or markups on an iPad.
• PDFelement: If you want strong editing and cross-platform flexibility, PDFelement is the best option. It is a powerful PDF reader & editor to edit, convert, and sign PDF on iPad. Its AI power lets you summarize and translate content while reading.
• PDF Expert: Excellent for free, basic reading and light editing tasks. It is built for Apple devices and works nicely with Apple Pencil, and syncs via iCloud.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader: Very powerful & full-featured PDF reader. Acrobat gives you everything — but sometimes at the cost of speed, simplicity, and high price.
• Kdan PDF Reader: Very capable, especially if you want cross-platform work. Sometimes better price options.

Conclusion

After reviewing the top free PDF readers for iPad, PDFelement for IOS emerges as the top choice. Not only does it excel in being the best free PDF reader available, but it also offers versatility and a user-friendly design. Experience the functionality by downloading for free today. PDFelement for IOS truly is a superior solution for all your iPad's PDF needs.

Free Download or Buy PDFelement right now!

Free Download or Buy PDFelement right now!

Try for FreeNow!

Try for FreeNow!

Elise Williams

chief Editor

Comment(s)