6 Best Free PDF Readers for Mac

Which PDF reader is best for Mac? Here're 6 great PDF Readers for Mac, including iMac, MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro.

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Mac users can now easily view PDF files and documents using various software programs available online. Users can benefit in numerous ways from these programs, as they not only allow users to view PDFs but also manipulate PDF documents and fill simple forms. In this article, we'll list the top 6 PDF readers for Mac and outline their various features.

Top 6 PDF Readers for Mac

1. PDFelement

PDFelement is a powerful PDF reader designed for Mac users. Compatible with the latest macOS, it delivers a reliable and comprehensive PDF solution for Mac users.

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pdf reader for mac

Flexible Viewing and Annotation Tools

PDFelement offers multiple viewing modes and flexible zoom settings, allowing you to customize how documents are displayed. For reviewing tasks, you can easily add sticky notes, text boxes, highlights, links, drawings, and shapes. You can also underline or strikethrough text, making it simple to mark up and organize important information. And its Split View allows you to view different parts of a PDF document in two separate windows side by side or vertically.

Advanced Editing and File Management

Beyond viewing and annotating, PDFelement provides a complete editing experience. You can edit text while preserving the original layout, modify images, and manage pages efficiently. The software allows you to crop, rotate, replace images, and merge files, helping you keep your documents structured and professional.

Conversion and Security

PDFelement supports converting PDFs to and from formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, TXT, and EPUB. It also enables you to protect files, apply OCR, and add both handwritten and digital signatures.

Seamless Apple workflows

Fully integrated with Apple ecosystems, PDFelement enables smooth collaboration on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. With Continuity Camera and Continuity Sketch, you can instantly scan documents or draw a sketch on your iPhone and have them appear on your Mac in real time. This seamless connectivity streamlines document handling and keeps your workflow efficient across devices.

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2. Adobe® Reader for Mac

Adobe® Reader for Mac provides a host of affordable features for viewing and editing PDF documents. PDF documents can be created from a variety of sources and edited according to user requirements. Its key features are:

best pdf reader for mac
  • Ability to create PDF documents from a variety of sources
  • Allows editing, sharing, adding comments and different views of PDF files
  • Supports scanning through OCR

Adobe® Acrobat® XI and Adobe® Reader XI have ended support and updates as of 2017. This means you will no longer receive security updates, product updates, or customer support. In order to avoid your file and data being insecure due to lack of protection, you should check here to find out the best alternatives to Adobe® Acrobat®.


3. Skim for Mac

Skim is a powerful PDF reader for Mac that allows the users to view PDF documents and edit them in a user-friendly manner. The application can also be customized according to users’ requirements. The main features of this PDF reader for Mac are:

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  • Allows to edit, view, and annotate PDF documents;
  • Allows snapshots of documents for previews;
  • Allows password saving in Keychain;
  • Enables full screen preview;

4. Preview

Preview is an extremely user-friendly PDF reader for Mac which has a ton of options for viewing and editing PDF documents. This PDF reader for Mac has the following key features:

pdf readers for mac
  • Makes viewing and working with PDF applications easy;
  • Enables digital signatures, bookmarks, and adding notes to PDF;
  • Customize toolbar according to your needs;

5. Chrome

Google Chrome comes with a built-in PDF reader for Mac which enables users to view PDF web documents within their browser. It allows readers to control various functions of their PDF document with easy-to-use functions. The main features of this best PDF reader for Mac are:

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  • Includes the option to save PDF documents from within the browser;
  • Enables printing a PDF document from within the browser;
  • The PDF viewer can be enabled and disabled manually;

6. Haihaisoft Reader for Mac

Haihaisoft PDF Reader lets you read PDF files effortlessly. You are able to open a document using your browser, as the "drag and drop" feature isn't available. It also allows you to rotate pages, view in full screen mode, make a presentation, skip to the first, last, next, or previous page, use the search function, zoom in and out, or create a favorites list.

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  • Print and Read PDF documents
  • It takes up less space than Adobe Reader
  • Haihaisoft PDF Reader can be launched instantly
  • High privacy and security settings
  • DRM-X platform protected PDF documents are supported

Free Download or Buy PDFelement right now!

Free Download or Buy PDFelement right now!

Buy PDFelement right now!

Buy PDFelement right now!


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Audrey Goodwin

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