Our verdict: Acrobat Reader opens PDFs exactly as the author made them and handles complex forms that lighter readers sometimes get wrong. Commenting, form filling and signing are free. Editing text and images, converting and compressing PDFs need a paid Acrobat subscription, and the app promotes it often.
About Adobe Acrobat Reader
Acrobat Reader is made by Adobe, the company that created the PDF format. It preserves fonts, layouts and embedded content, and it is the reference reader many organizations test their PDF forms against.
The free app includes the Fill & Sign tool, sticky notes, highlights, strikethrough, free text and freehand drawing, and sharing for review. Text and image editing, creating and converting PDFs, compression and tracked e-signatures belong to Acrobat Standard or Acrobat Pro.
What it does well
- Accurate rendering. Displays PDFs with their original fonts, layouts and embedded content.
- Fill & Sign. Fills fillable and flat forms and adds a typed, drawn or image signature.
- Comments. Sticky notes, highlights, underline, strikethrough, free text and freehand drawing.
- Share for review. Sends PDFs to others, who can view and comment without logging in.
- Security updates. Adobe ships regular updates against new PDF vulnerabilities.
Who it is for
Good fit
People who receive official PDF forms and want the reader they are designed for.
Look elsewhere
Users who want a small, fast viewer or free PDF editing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Reference rendering for PDFs and forms
- Free Fill & Sign
- Full set of commenting tools
- Regular security updates
Cons
- Editing, converting and compressing require a paid Acrobat subscription
- Frequent prompts to try paid Acrobat features
- Heavier than lightweight PDF readers
How to install Adobe Acrobat Reader
Download the installer from get.adobe.com/reader. Before you click Download, check the page for optional offers and untick anything you do not want. Adobe builds the installer for your system and language, which is why there is no single direct file link. After setup, you can set Reader as the default PDF app in Windows Settings.
Questions about Adobe Acrobat Reader
Is Adobe Acrobat Reader free?
Yes. Viewing, printing, commenting, filling forms and signing are free with no subscription. Editing text and images needs Acrobat Standard or Pro.
Can Acrobat Reader edit PDFs?
Only with annotations: comments, highlights, notes and free text. Changing the existing text or images requires a paid Acrobat plan.
How do I sign a PDF in Acrobat Reader?
Open the PDF, choose Sign or Fill & Sign, then type, draw or upload your signature and place it on the page.
