Preview is the default PDF and image viewer on macOS, offering basic features for viewing, editing, and annotating PDF documents and images. It is known for its simplicity and integration with the macOS ecosystem. However, users seeking more advanced features often look for alternatives to Preview.
Here are some of the top alternatives to Preview for Mac users:
1. Adobe Acrobat Reader
https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-reader.html
Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free and widely-used PDF viewer with advanced features for viewing, printing, signing, and annotating PDFs. It integrates seamlessly with Adobe’s suite of tools, making it a robust choice for professionals who require more functionality than Preview offers.
Features:
- Advanced PDF viewing and annotation tools.
- Fill, sign, and share PDFs.
- Integration with Adobe Document Cloud.
- Support for viewing and interacting with multimedia PDFs.
Advantages:
- Comprehensive PDF viewing and editing features.
- Strong integration with other Adobe tools.
- Free to use with optional paid features.
- Widely recognized and used in professional settings.
Disadvantages:
- Can be resource-intensive.
- Some advanced features require a subscription.
2. PDF Expert
PDF Expert is a powerful PDF editor for macOS developed by Readdle. It offers advanced features for editing, annotating, and managing PDF documents. Known for its user-friendly interface and robust performance, PDF Expert is a favorite among Mac users who need more than basic PDF functionality.
Features:
- Advanced PDF editing and annotation tools.
- Fill out forms and sign documents.
- Fast and responsive performance.
- Seamless integration with other macOS applications.
Advantages:
- User-friendly and intuitive interface.
- High performance and reliability.
- Extensive editing and annotation capabilities.
- Regular updates and new features.
Disadvantages:
- Paid software with no free tier.
- Limited collaboration features compared to some other tools.
3. Foxit Reader
https://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf-reader/
Foxit Reader is a lightweight and fast PDF viewer with a range of features for viewing, annotating, and signing PDF documents. It is known for its speed and efficiency, making it a great alternative to Preview for users who need a quick and responsive PDF reader.
Features:
- Fast and lightweight PDF viewing.
- Annotation and commenting tools.
- Fillable forms and digital signatures.
- Integration with cloud storage services.
Advantages:
- Free to use with optional paid features.
- Fast and efficient performance.
- Wide range of annotation and editing tools.
- Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux).
Disadvantages:
- Some advanced features require a subscription.
- Interface may be less polished compared to some other PDF readers.
4. Skim
https://skim-app.sourceforge.io/
Skim is an open-source PDF reader and note-taker for macOS. It is designed for reading and annotating scientific papers in PDF format. Skim offers a range of features tailored for researchers and students, making it a popular choice for academic use.
Features:
- Extensive annotation tools.
- Note-taking and highlighting features.
- Support for viewing and interacting with PDF metadata.
- Integration with BibDesk and other academic tools.
Advantages:
- Free and open-source.
- Tailored for academic and research use.
- Lightweight and efficient.
- Customizable with plugins and extensions.
Disadvantages:
- Interface may be less intuitive for general users.
- Fewer advanced editing features compared to commercial tools.
5. Preview
Link: https://www.qoppa.com/pdfstudio/
PDF Studio is a powerful PDF editor for macOS developed by Qoppa Software. It offers a wide range of features for editing, annotating, and managing PDF documents. PDF Studio is known for its comprehensive feature set and competitive pricing, making it a strong alternative to Preview.
Features:
- Advanced PDF editing and annotation tools.
- OCR (Optical Character Recognition) capabilities.
- Form creation and digital signatures.
- Support for batch processing of PDFs.
Advantages:
- Comprehensive feature set at a competitive price.
- OCR and form creation capabilities.
- Support for batch processing.
- Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux).
Disadvantages:
- Paid software with no free tier.
- Less user-friendly interface compared to some other PDF editors.