Icon of program: Adobe Reader

Adobe Reader for Windows

  • Free
  • In English
  • V2024.004.20220
  • 4.1
  • (3358)

Softonic review

Avatar of Joe Wainer
Joe WainerUpdated 6 months ago

A streamlined and light version of Adobe Reader DC

Adobe Acrobat Reader Lite is a free software used for viewing, printing and annotating PDF files. Developed by Adobe, Adobe Reader Lite is a stripped version of the popular Adobe Reader DC (Document Cloud), bringing you all the essential tools to interact with PDFs but without the unnecessary bloat and resource-demanding features that the latter is known for. Considered the leading PDF reader in the market, Adobe Reader Lite is the go-to choice for everyone looking for a powerful document management application that will go light on their computer resources. Would you like to know more?

What is Adobe Reader Lite and what is it used for?

Adobe Reader Lite is a free PDF reader that includes all essential tools from Adobe Reader DC but without affecting your computer’s performance. With it you’ll  be able to open and interact with PDF files by adding comments, highlighting text or filling and signing them with ease. With a clean and easy to use interface, Adobe Reader Lite is the perfect choice for anyone trying to find an alternative to nowadays resource-demanding PDF readers.

Main features from Adobe Reader Lite

Reader Lite is a streamlined version from Adobe’s popular document management application. Amongst its main features we find:

  • Open and view PDF files- Reader Lite is capable of opening and reproducing any PDF file without wasting resources, making it a popular choice for individuals that don’t have a high-end computer. 
  • Highlight text- With Reader Lite you can perform basic PDF editing tasks, such as highlighting text and adding annotations to their pages.
  • Fill forms- The program allows you to fill out interactive PDFs while maintaining the format of the original file.
  • Sign documents- Reader Lite includes Adobe’s digital signature function, letting you draw your signature in any document with legal validity.

What Accessibility tools does Adobe Reader Lite have?

While Adobe Reader Lite lacks some features that the full Adobe Reader version offers, its nifty accessibility functions are still present. Readers with impaired vision, slight blindness, or limited mobility can still use the customization options to help them read with ease. In the Preferences menu, the Accessibility section will present you with an easy-to-use wizard. Here, you can enable a larger text display, higher contrasts, and other adjustments to project a more dynamic background on your screen.

Powerful security measures to keep your computer safe

Adobe Reader Lite includes a wide array of security features aimed to protect your computer from any malicious attack disguised as a PDF file. The program will not only detect if one of your documents is infected by a virus or malware, but will also let you isolate the threat, keeping all your sensitive data protected. This safety net against hackers makes Adobe Reader Lite a great choice for anyone dealing with PDF documents on a daily basis, ensuring their personal files and data will always remain safe.

The go-to choice to open PDF files with ease

Adobe Reader Lite is an excellent free app for users who need to open and read PDF files but don’t want to download a resource-intensive program to perform that task. This lightweight alternative to the more bloated DC version includes all Reader’s main features, without affecting your computer’s performance. While the program does not come with a full suite of features, it definitely retains its most helpful ones. If you're looking for a free software to read, annotate, highlight, or sign your PDF documents, you won’t be disappointed.

  • Pros

    • Lightweight
    • Contains the basic features
    • Comes with the basic editing tools
    • Offers helpful options for visually challenged users
  • Cons

    • Lacks some interesting tools from Reader DC
    • Cannot import from cloud-based programs
    • Doesn't let you add password protection to your files
 0/5

App specs

Program available in other languages


Icon of program: Adobe Reader

Adobe Reader for PC

  • Free
  • In English
  • V2024.004.20220
  • 4.1
  • (3358)

User reviews about Adobe Reader

by Human_condition_revisited

Explain the reason why one cannot download Adobe Reader or Adobe Reader DC either because of...1) being in Europe ?2) having a security system like Avast or Malwarebytes running ?3) having a cheap knockoff of Adobe Reader installed ?4) maybe having asked Adobe repeatedly to make a cheaper, less complicated, less bloated version of DC Reader available?5) having told Adobe that the cheaper version would be our little secret, and I wouldn't tell anyone?6) having reassured Adobe that the "less fortunate" people will never be able to afford "super deluxe" Adobe software, such that they have nothing to lose and something to gain?7) having explained to Adobe that numerous companies in the food, drug, pharma, chemical, manufacturing etc industries have successfully sold the brand name & the generic cheaper version side by side.I bet no one at Softonic or Adobe has any answers. Because that would require thinking, and there is no time for that, ever!

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Softonic

In Softonic we scan all the files hosted on our platform to assess and avoid any potential harm for your device. Our team performs checks each time a new file is uploaded and periodically reviews files to confirm or update their status. This comprehensive process allows us to set a status for any downloadable file as follows:

Clean

It’s extremely likely that this software program is clean.

What does this mean?

We have scanned the file and URLs associated with this software program in more than 50 of the world's leading antivirus services; no possible threat has been detected.

Warning

This software program is potentially malicious or may contain unwanted bundled software.

Why is the software program still available?

Based on our scan system, we have determined that these flags are possibly false positives.

What is a false positive?

It means a benign program is wrongfully flagged as malicious due to an overly broad detection signature or algorithm used in an antivirus program.

We’d like to highlight that from time to time, we may miss a potentially malicious software program. To continue promising you a malware-free catalog of programs and apps, our team has integrated a Report Software feature in every catalog page that loops your feedback back to us.

Flag any particular issues you may encounter and Softonic will address those concerns as soon as possible.