We set out to see if there was a PDF reader that had readability features like the ability to change the font size, line spacing, word spacing etc. This is a particular challenge for PDF documents because they are meant to be “electronic paper” where something always looks the same no matter which computer you use to look at it. You will note that creating such a reader was one of the challenges that has been on our website for five or six years.
We were delighted to find that there is in fact a PDF reader that has such readability features. Moreover, we were delighted again to find out that it is free to use by individuals. It is the VIP PDF Reader.
Full information on our findings can be found in the following table.
| PDF Editor | Open Source | Free to Use | Resize Text with REFLOW | Change Line Spacing | Change Kerning | Change Fonts | Change Font Color and Background Color | Supports Responsive Design | Provides Highlighting and Reading of Text | Operating Systems | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIP PDF Reader(link is external) | / | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | Mac, Windows, Linux | |
| Foxit Reader(link is external) | no | yes | no | no | no | no | no | / | / | Mac, Linux | |
| Gaaiho PDF Reader(link is external) | no | no | / | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | Windows, Android, Mac | |
| Adobe Reader(link is external) | no | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | Mac, Android, Windows | Uses JAWS and Windows-Eye screen readers to support accessibility |
| Nitro PDF(link is external) | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | Windows | |
| PDF-Xchange Editor(link is external) | no | yes | no | no | no | no | no | / | yes | Windows | |
| SlimPDF Reader(link is external) | no | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | / | ||
| IceCream Ebook Reader(link is external) | no | free for less number of features, upgrade for more features | yes | no | no | no | no | / | no | Windows |
NOTE: If you know of any other PDF readers that should be captured in the chart below - please send us the data on them.
AS ALWAYS: If you see any errors or omissions, please use the handy link at the bottom of the page (“If you see an error or….") to let us know so we can correct them immediately.
This QuickSheet was prepared by Pavithra Ramasamy and Gregg Vanderheiden at the Trace R&D Center, University of Maryland, College Park.