{"id":11674,"date":"2010-01-14T14:27:21","date_gmt":"2010-01-14T08:57:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=11674"},"modified":"2026-10-06T20:40:36","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T15:10:36","slug":"download-foxit-reader-free-pdf-reader-to-view-print-pdf-files","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/01\/download-foxit-reader-free-pdf-reader-to-view-print-pdf-files\/","title":{"rendered":"Download Foxit PDF Reader Free (2026): Features and Best Alternatives"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Looking for a free, fast PDF reader? <strong>Foxit PDF Reader<\/strong> (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&#8217;s how to download Foxit PDF Reader free in 2026, what it can do, and the best free PDF reader alternatives.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-63340\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/foxit-pdf-reader-free.webp\" alt=\"Download Foxit PDF Reader free\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/foxit-pdf-reader-free.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/foxit-pdf-reader-free-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/foxit-pdf-reader-free-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/foxit-pdf-reader-free-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/foxit-pdf-reader-free-768x403.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> Download Foxit PDF Reader free from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxit.com\/pdf-reader\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">foxit.com\/pdf-reader<\/a>. It runs on Windows, Mac and Linux, with free apps for Android and iPhone. Only download it from Foxit&#8217;s official website or your device&#8217;s app store, not from third-party download sites.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ae9cc8fec3af\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ae9cc8fec3af\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/01\/download-foxit-reader-free-pdf-reader-to-view-print-pdf-files\/#What_can_Foxit_PDF_Reader_do\" >What can Foxit PDF Reader do?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/01\/download-foxit-reader-free-pdf-reader-to-view-print-pdf-files\/#How_to_download_and_install_Foxit_PDF_Reader\" >How to download and install Foxit PDF Reader<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/01\/download-foxit-reader-free-pdf-reader-to-view-print-pdf-files\/#Tips_for_staying_safe_with_PDF_files\" >Tips for staying safe with PDF files<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/01\/download-foxit-reader-free-pdf-reader-to-view-print-pdf-files\/#Best_free_PDF_reader_alternatives\" >Best free PDF reader alternatives<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/01\/download-foxit-reader-free-pdf-reader-to-view-print-pdf-files\/#Foxit_Reader_in_2009_our_original_review\" >Foxit Reader in 2009: our original review<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/01\/download-foxit-reader-free-pdf-reader-to-view-print-pdf-files\/#Frequently_asked_questions\" >Frequently asked questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/01\/download-foxit-reader-free-pdf-reader-to-view-print-pdf-files\/#Is_Foxit_PDF_Reader_really_free\" >Is Foxit PDF Reader really free?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/01\/download-foxit-reader-free-pdf-reader-to-view-print-pdf-files\/#Is_Foxit_better_than_Adobe_Reader\" >Is Foxit better than Adobe Reader?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/01\/download-foxit-reader-free-pdf-reader-to-view-print-pdf-files\/#Can_Foxit_PDF_Reader_edit_PDFs\" >Can Foxit PDF Reader edit PDFs?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_can_Foxit_PDF_Reader_do\"><\/span>What can Foxit PDF Reader do?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>View and print PDFs<\/strong> quickly, with tabs for multiple documents.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fill and sign forms<\/strong>, including adding your signature to documents.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Comment and annotate<\/strong> with highlights, notes, shapes and stamps.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Read aloud<\/strong> and accessibility features.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Protected view and security settings<\/strong> to reduce risk from malicious PDFs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cloud integration<\/strong> with services like Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Editing PDF text, converting PDFs to Word and other advanced features need the paid <strong>Foxit PDF Editor<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_download_and_install_Foxit_PDF_Reader\"><\/span>How to download and install Foxit PDF Reader<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Go to the official <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxit.com\/pdf-reader\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Foxit PDF Reader page<\/a> and click <strong>Free Download<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Choose your operating system and language, then run the installer.<\/li>\n<li>During setup, read each screen and untick any optional extras or trial offers you don&#8217;t want.<\/li>\n<li>To make it your default PDF app on Windows, go to <strong>Settings \u2192 Apps \u2192 Default apps<\/strong>, search for <strong>.pdf<\/strong> and choose Foxit PDF Reader.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tips_for_staying_safe_with_PDF_files\"><\/span>Tips for staying safe with PDF files<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Keep your PDF reader updated.<\/strong> Malicious PDFs try to exploit old versions, so turn on automatic updates.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Be careful with PDF attachments<\/strong> from unknown senders, especially ones asking you to enable content or click links.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use protected or safe reading modes<\/strong> for files from the internet.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_free_PDF_reader_alternatives\"><\/span>Best free PDF reader alternatives<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Your web browser:<\/strong> 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.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/get.adobe.com\/reader\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Adobe Acrobat Reader<\/a>:<\/strong> the official free reader from the company that created PDF, with the best compatibility for complex forms.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sumatrapdfreader.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SumatraPDF<\/a>:<\/strong> a tiny, very fast, open-source reader for Windows that also opens eBooks (EPUB, MOBI) and comics.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pdf-xchange.com\/product\/pdf-xchange-editor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PDF-XChange Editor<\/a>:<\/strong> a feature-rich free version with strong annotation tools.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Preview (Mac):<\/strong> the built-in Mac app can view, annotate, sign and combine PDFs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Need to convert a PDF to Word or another format? See our list of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/07\/free-file-format-conversion-online\/\">free online file converters<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Foxit_Reader_in_2009_our_original_review\"><\/span>Foxit Reader in 2009: our original review<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-11675\" title=\"free-foxit-reader\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/free-foxit-reader.png\" alt=\"Foxit Reader (2009)\" width=\"145\" height=\"38\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_asked_questions\"><\/span>Frequently asked questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Foxit_PDF_Reader_really_free\"><\/span>Is Foxit PDF Reader really free?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Foxit PDF Reader is free for personal and business use. Advanced editing and conversion need the paid Foxit PDF Editor.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Foxit_better_than_Adobe_Reader\"><\/span>Is Foxit better than Adobe Reader?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Foxit is often lighter and faster, while Adobe Acrobat Reader has the best compatibility with complex forms. Both are good free choices.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_Foxit_PDF_Reader_edit_PDFs\"><\/span>Can Foxit PDF Reader edit PDFs?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Looking for a free, fast PDF reader? Foxit PDF Reader (formerly Foxit Reader) has been a popular free alternative to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":63340,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23,48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11674","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-computers","category-downloads"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11674","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11674"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11674\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":63345,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11674\/revisions\/63345"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/63340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11674"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11674"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11674"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}