Foxit Reader is primarily a PDF reader that also lets you create, sign, edit and comment on PDF files. It runs on all operating systems and includes extensions for various programs in the Microsoft Office suite, making it extremely flexible and useful for anyone who frequently manages this file in a versatile freemium (function () {(‘review-app) -page- desktop ‘);}); Developed by Foxit Software Company of California, Foxit Reader has grown steadily from its original versions, which were already characterized by powerful performance and lightweight files. This program is a multilingual set of tools that enable users to create, view, sign, edit and print their PDF files. It’s a freemium software, which means you can use it for a penny, but the premium version gives you additional benefits. Please note that Foxit Reader includes the basics for free, unless you need unique features. Another distinguishing feature of this program is its security. It has a handy JavaScript-enabled security feature that protects you from unauthorized data transfer scripts when using PDF files from the Internet. It also has a useful feature that allows you to create PDF files from scanned documents. There are also browser-style plug-ins that are great for further expanding Reader’s capabilities. Overall, this program is one of the best free PDF readers available, so powerful, fast and full of features. Dirty user interface For those unfamiliar with PDF creation, Foxit Reader’s interface can be a bit overwhelming. On the one hand, it looks a bit like Microsoft Office, which has a toolbar in the ribbon area, but on the other hand, the tools are packaged to look complicated and uncomfortable. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to understand the abundance of tools in front of you. You can minimize the tape to reduce screen clutter and free up space for the PDF you are viewing. There is also a full screen mode that frees you from distractions and makes it even easier. You can also minimize the entire application window so that the system tray icon takes up less space than a row on the Windows taskbar. There is also a security toolbox that helps you deal with security issues related to you and your computer, especially when working with less reliable documents. If you plan to use Foxit Reader to view PDF files, it is easy to discover the various features and their schedules. There are a number of tabs that allow you to work with multiple files at once, as well as a toolbar for navigating your bookmarks and tables of contents. The second option involves creating a PDF, which takes a while to figure out, but once done, you can create functional PDFs with built-in Microsoft Office options for all the features you need. Lightweight and packed with tools, Foxit Reader is lightweight. The installation file is only 12 MB in size, which makes installation and opening of documents fast. The design also reflects this lightness, as it does not include endless spray screens, extensions and credit lists. Instead, all toolbars and tools have a clear purpose. In these bars you will find tools for zooming, taking snapshots, searching, viewing a document in full screen, a piece of text and more. With this readeryou can select your PDF files with options for highlighting, underlining, underlining and commenting. Sometimes you want to reuse your PDF files in other applications. With this program you can convert your PDF files to various file formats, such as text or image files, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, HTML and more. In addition, you can use forms to collect data using check boxes or text fields. The information collected can be easily shared via email, on a website or otherwise so that someone can fill it in with a PDF editor. Then export data to a format that you can use with other applications. Versatile use The program works on Windows and Mac computers Foxit Reader for Windows requires Windows 7 to Windows 10, while Foxit Reader for Mac requires Mac OS X or later. Foxit Reader is also portable. You can run it from a local folder, a single cloud or an external device, which means you do not even have to install it on your desktop, but you have to carry it on a memory card; its light function also comes in handy here. Errors and Options The main disadvantage of Foxit Reader is that you can not use it to display Flash animations and 3D drawings in your PDF files. It also does not have OCR (Optical Channel Recognition), which means that it cannot detect text in images. Also read the fine print carefully when installing software or updates. Otherwise, the program may eventually install unwanted freeware on your computer or change some important features of your browser and desktop. Perhaps the most prominent alternative to this program is Adobe Reader DC. Its design provides other ways to view, edit and manage PDF files and it runs on all operating systems. Other options at your disposal include Sumatra PDF, a small, portable but powerful PDF reader and PDF-XChange Viewer, quite feature rich and completely free. You can also look at Nitro PDF Reader, which lets you collaborate on projects and more, or STDU Viewer, which is designed to make it easy to view documents in different formats from a single file that works with PDF. Overall, Foxit Reader is more than just a replacement for Microsoft’s Reader app. It offers a lot of features in terms of tools and features, making it ideal for creating and working with PDF files. This is not the only tool of its kind, but an excellent and strong recommendation.