In a web browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Google. Web browser itself using Adobe Reader plugin or add-on for the browser. File and Attachment Preview Handlers to Support Foxit PDF Reader.
Opera is a secure web browser that is both fast and rich in features. It has a slick interface that embraces a modern, minimalist look, coupled with stacks of tools to make browsing more enjoyable. These include such tools as Speed Dial, which houses your favorites and Opera Turbo mode, which compresses pages to give you quicker navigation, (even when you have a bad connection).
Opera has everything you need to browse the web via a great interface. From startup it offers a Discover page that brings fresh content to you directly; it displays the news you want by topic, country and language. The Speed dial and bookmarks pages are also available to you at launch, which gives you easy access to the sites you use the most and those you've added to your favorite list.
Key features include:
- Sleek interface.
- Download manager.
- Customizable themes.
- Extensions.
- Speed dial.
- Private browsing mode.
- Discover provides fresh news content.
Opera provides an integrated search and navigation function, which is a common sight among its other, well known, adversaries. Opera utilizes a single bar for both search and navigation, instead of having two text fields at the top of the screen. This feature obviously keeps the browser window uncluttered, whilst providing you with top functionality.
Opera also includes a download manager, and a private browsing mode that allows you to navigate without leaving a trace. Opera allows you to install an array of extensions too, so you can customize your browser as you see fit. Although the catalog is significantly smaller than more popular browsers' you'll find versions of Adblock Plus, Feedly, and Pinterest.
Opera is a great browser for the modern web. In terms of numbers of users, it is behind Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer. However, it is bang up to date with cutting edge technology and remains a strong contender in the browser wars.
Overall, Opera has an excellent design coupled with top performance; it is both simple and practical. The keyboard shortcuts are similar to other browsers, the available options are varied and the Speed Dial interface is pleasant to use. You can also customize Opera with themes and make you browsing experience even more personal. So, if you are thinking of trying something different than your usual browser, Opera could be the choice for you.
Why not check out TechBeat's guide to alternative browsers if you are looking for something a little different.
A PDF reader is often one of the first tools people install on their new computer. It’s not glamorous or sexy, but it’s a vital tool in your productivity arsenal. Or is it?
These days, most web browsers also function as PDF viewer. In Windows 10, the default PDF reader is Edge. So, what should you do? Stick with a browser or install a dedicated readerThis Is Why You Don't Need Adobe ReaderThis Is Why You Don't Need Adobe ReaderAdobe Reader is bloated, slow, and a liability. In short, it's unnecessary. Do you need a PDF Reader at all? We show you how to open PDF files without Adobe Reader.Read More? I’ll help you decide what’s right for you.
1. Disk Space
Everyone already has a browser installed on their machine. Even if you’ve not installed Chrome or Firefox, you’ll still have Edge pre-loaded on a Windows PC or Safari pre-loaded on a Mac. Why spend the time downloading and installing a piece of software that will duplicate a function?
You’ll use up space on your device (which is problematic if you’ve got an old machine where memory is at a premium), slowly chip away at your start-up speed, and hinder your computer’s overall performance. For example, Adobe Acrobat needs 380 MB of disk space, Chrome needs 470 MB. Given what Chrome can do in comparison, there is no contest.
Verdict — There are lightweight PDF readers6 Light Alternatives to Open Office and PDF Files6 Light Alternatives to Open Office and PDF FilesDon't clog your system down with superfluous bulk. For the occasional viewing of PDF and Office files, you can use compact apps and you might not need any additional software at all.Read More available, but it’s still a clear win for using a browser. It’ll save space and aid performance.
2. Speed
Some programs open faster than others. It depends on their size, complexity, and even how hot your computer is at the time.
When you’re working with PDFs, you need them to open quickly. You don’t want to ruin your train of thought by waiting for an unwieldy and unnecessarily complex program to launch.
Browsers typically open in a couple of seconds, depending on your machine. On recent testsWhich Browser Is Best? Edge vs. Chrome vs. Opera vs. FirefoxWhich Browser Is Best? Edge vs. Chrome vs. Opera vs. FirefoxThe browser you're using right now may not be the best one for you. The browser arena changes so frequently that your conclusions from comparisons made last year may be completely wrong this year.Read More, Edge and Chrome both logged 1.5 seconds, Firefox came in at 1.6 seconds, and Opera at 2.9 seconds.
Adobe Acrobat takes at least twice that, and often a lot longer if the PDF file is large. However, an app like Sumatra PDF can be faster, especially if you use the portable version that doesn’t write to the registry.
I'm trying to use 'adobe acrobat reader dc' to reply to a copyeditor's comments and it is so slow and horrible and I'm going to yell and cry
— Allison Parrish (@aparrish) April 1, 2016
Verdict — There is a trade-off. The lighter and faster-to-open apps often lack features. Feature-heavy programs take longer. It depends what attributes are important to you. Draw.
3. Features
For some people, the feature list is the most important aspect of any piece of software. If you spend a lot of time working with PDFs, you might fall into this category.
The feature list is where PDF readers really come into their own. Browsers have limited capabilities. Chrome’s PDF viewerHow Chrome's Built-In PDF Viewer Lets You Do More Than Just Read PDFsHow Chrome's Built-In PDF Viewer Lets You Do More Than Just Read PDFsChrome has a built-in PDF Viewer tool that can edit PDF files. Sure, it’s not as powerful as certain programs. Still, as a quick-fix solution, Chrome is perfect.Read More will only let you rotate, zoom, and do some limited text editing. Edge won’t even let you rotate.
In contrast, all but the most basic PDF readers will let you add annotations, perform complex editing, add electronic signatures, customize your page view, and lots more. Some of the leading apps have so many features they can cost hundreds of dollars to buy.
Verdict — The key is whether you’re going to use those extra features. They sound exciting, but most users ignore them. Either way, it’s still an easy win for PDF readers.
4. Security
PDFs are often home to some of our most important personal information. Bank statements, payslips, utility bills, invoices… it’s all content you need to keep out of the hands of hackers.
Of course, if you’ve failed to install an anti-virus or you’re unlucky enough to get your laptop stolenFive Ways a Thief Can Profit From Your Stolen HardwareFive Ways a Thief Can Profit From Your Stolen HardwareCriminals steal your PC, your laptop, your smartphone, either by burglarising your house, or by snatching them from you. But then what happens? What can thieves do with your stolen tech?Read More, there isn’t much you can do. But did you know the PDF software itself can affect how secure your data is?
In 2015, Secunia Research conducted a survey. They found 1,114 vulnerabilities in the five most popular browsers (Chrome, Firefox, internet Explorer, Opera, Safari) and a further 147 bugs in the five most popular PDF readers (Adobe Reader, Foxit Reader, PDF-XChange Viewer, Sumatra PDF, Nitro PDF Reader). Most of the problems in PDF readers were caused by open-source coding and third-party plugins.
Verdict — Neither browsers nor PDF readers look great here. The research made no reference to Edge, but it did note Microsoft products were only responsible for 21 percent of bugs in the top 50 apps, despite being responsible for 67 percent of the products. Is Edge your safest bet? Perhaps. I’m calling it a draw, though I did report on the Edge PDF exploitMicrosoft Edge's PDF Exploit: What You Need to KnowMicrosoft Edge's PDF Exploit: What You Need to KnowThe new Microsoft Edge browser has introduced new problems, such as its PDF exploit. But what is it? Are you safe? And is Edge unique with these types of issues? Let's investigate.Read More.
5. Compatibility
Not all PDFs are created equally or opened in the same way.
For example, files created using Adobe LiveCycle are notorious for not opening in browsers. The GPU Rendering settings in Chrome have caused some PDFs to need several refreshes before they display correctly. An update might temporarily break a browser’s ability to open the files (as happened in Chrome v.46.0.2490.71). The list goes on.
Verdict — A browser is not a dedicated PDF readerThe 6 Best PDF Readers for Windows in 2019The 6 Best PDF Readers for Windows in 2019The best PDF readers don't cost any money. Read our roundup of feature-rich PDF viewers that out perform even Adobe Reader.Read More. It’s a nice feature to have, but it’s not the primary function. Things can, and do, go wrong. For a more reliable user experience, use a PDF reader.
Which Is Right for You?
As you’ll have noticed from reading my verdicts, I’ve given a 2–1 win to PDF readers, with two drawn categories.
But those verdicts don’t necessarily reflect your own needs. No two people use their computers in the same way, no two people have the same set of requirements from a PDF viewer.
Ultimately, if space and memory use aren’t a problem for you, why not use both? You can use a browser for your day-to-day PDF viewing, but keep a more powerful program in reserve in case you ever need some of it’s more advanced features?
Remember, you can change your default PDF programHow to Change the Default Program for Any File on WindowsHow to Change the Default Program for Any File on WindowsTired of Windows opening files with the wrong program? Here's how to change the launching program for any file type.Read More by going to Start > Settings > System > Default Apps > Choose Default by File Type in Windows or by right-clicking a PDF file and navigating to Get Info > Open With > [App Name] > Change All on a Mac.
Do you use a browser or a dedicated PDF reader? Let us know your choice and your reasoning in the comments below.
Explore more about: PDF, PDF Editor.
- Sumatra is excellent, it's also free. :)
- I second.
Sumatra also opens a lot of formats, including EPUB, MOBI and even CBR. On top of that, it does not keeps its configuration in the registry but in a text file in the app directory, so it can easily be made portable (usb flash drive or Dropbox) and show the same look, same recent files and last reading point for each one.
- I don't use Edge (dislike it) and ended up un-installing the factory PDF that came with my new HP PC as for some reason resetting the default PDF reader to Foxit would never stick... the HP version always took over. I also don't like the presentation and layout of the browser PDF's so I stick with Foxit, a long time favorite. I may try some others but will stick with separate readers if I can.
- In our environment, we are testing and planning for the deployment of Windows 10 to replace Windows 7. The departments we support are heavy users of fillable PDF forms (our leave request, for starters) and using anything other than Acrobat Reader DC is really not feasible. That may change in the future, but as it stands for us right now, Reader DC remains part of our baseline image.