Download Foxit PDF Reader Free (2026): Features and Best Alternatives

Looking for a free, fast PDF reader? Foxit PDF Reader (formerly Foxit Reader) has been a popular free alternative to Adobe Acrobat Reader for over 15 years. When we first recommended it in 2009, it was a tiny download that opened PDFs in a flash. Here’s how to download Foxit PDF Reader free in 2026, what it can do, and the best free PDF reader alternatives.

Quick answer: Download Foxit PDF Reader free from foxit.com/pdf-reader. It runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, with free apps for Android and iPhone. Only download it from Foxit’s official website or your device’s app store, not from third-party download sites.

What can Foxit PDF Reader do?

• View and print PDFs quickly, with tabs for multiple documents.
• Fill and sign forms, including adding your signature to documents.
• Comment and annotate with highlights, notes, shapes and stamps.
• Read aloud and accessibility features.
• Protected view and security settings to reduce risk from malicious PDFs.
• Cloud integration with services like Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive.

Editing PDF text, converting PDFs to Word and other advanced features need the paid Foxit PDF Editor.

How to download and install Foxit PDF Reader

1. Go to the official Foxit PDF Reader page and click Free Download.
2. Choose your operating system and language, then run the installer.
3. During setup, read each screen and untick any optional extras or trial offers you don’t want.
4. To make it your default PDF app on Windows, go to Settings → Apps → Default apps, search for .pdf and choose Foxit PDF Reader.

Tips for staying safe with PDF files

• Keep your PDF reader updated. Malicious PDFs try to exploit old versions, so turn on automatic updates.
• Be careful with PDF attachments from unknown senders, especially ones asking you to enable content or click links.
• Use protected or safe reading modes for files from the internet.

Best free PDF reader alternatives

• Your web browser: Microsoft Edge, Chrome and Firefox open PDFs directly, and Edge can fill forms, highlight and read aloud. For many people this is all they need.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader: the official free reader from the company that created PDF, with the best compatibility for complex forms.
• SumatraPDF: a tiny, very fast, open-source reader for Windows that also opens eBooks (EPUB, MOBI) and comics.
• PDF-XChange Editor: a feature-rich free version with strong annotation tools.
• Preview (Mac): the built-in Mac app can view, annotate, sign and combine PDFs.

Need to convert a PDF to Word or another format? See our list of free online file converters.

Foxit Reader in 2009: our original review

When we first wrote about it, Foxit Reader 3.1 supported Windows 2000, XP, Vista and 7, was compatible with the PDF 1.7 standard, and added internet search and favourite toolbar settings. It could view and print PDFs, add bookmarks and do basic form filling, while a paid Pro Pack added annotation, a spell checker and editing tools, and Foxit Form Designer built interactive forms. We used it for years as our everyday PDF viewer because it installed fast and loaded much quicker than Adobe Reader at the time.

Frequently asked questions

Is Foxit PDF Reader really free?

Yes. Foxit PDF Reader is free for personal and business use. Advanced editing and conversion need the paid Foxit PDF Editor.

Is Foxit better than Adobe Reader?

Foxit is often lighter and faster, while Adobe Acrobat Reader has the best compatibility with complex forms. Both are good free choices.

Can Foxit PDF Reader edit PDFs?

It can fill forms, add comments, highlights and signatures, but not edit the original text. For that you need Foxit PDF Editor or another PDF editor.