What is a PDF reader extension?
A PDF reader extension is a software program that adds PDF viewing and management features to your web browser. PDF reader extensions can be used to view PDFs directly in your browser, annotate PDFs with comments and highlights, fill out and sign PDF forms, and merge and split PDFs.
Why are PDF reader extensions useful?
PDF reader extensions are useful for a number of reasons. First, they can save you time and effort by allowing you to view and manage PDFs directly in your browser. This eliminates the need to download and open PDFs in a separate PDF reader application.
Second, PDF reader extensions can provide you with additional features that are not available in the default PDF reader that comes with your operating system. For example, many PDF reader extensions offer annotation features, such as the ability to add comments, highlights, and drawings to PDFs.
Third, PDF reader extensions can be used to integrate PDFs with other online tools and services. For example, some PDF reader extensions allow you to save PDFs to cloud storage services such as Google Drive or Dropbox. Other PDF reader extensions allow you to share PDFs with others via email or social media.
List of 10 Best PDF Reader Extensions
Here are the 10 best PDF reader extensions, in no particular order:
- Kami
- Smallpdf
- Hypothesis
- Save as PDF
- PDF Viewer
- NO PDF Download
- Awesome PDF Reader
- Chrome built-in PDF Viewer
- Adobe Acrobat
- Inkit
1. Kami
Kami is a full-featured PDF reader and editor that offers a wide range of features, including annotation, form filling, and collaboration. It’s also one of the few PDF reader extensions that allows you to create new PDF files from scratch.
2. Smallpdf
Smallpdf is a suite of online PDF tools that includes a variety of features, such as converting PDFs to other file formats, merging and splitting PDFs, and compressing PDFs. It also offers a PDF reader extension that allows you to view and annotate PDFs in your browser.
3. Hypothesis
Hypothesis is a social annotation tool that allows you to add comments and highlights to PDFs and other web pages. It also integrates with a variety of other tools, such as Google Docs and Slack, making it easy to share your annotations with others.
4. Save as PDF
Save as PDF is a simple but powerful extension that allows you to save any web page as a PDF file with a single click. It’s also compatible with a variety of other file formats, such as Word and Excel.
5. PDF Viewer
PDF Viewer is a lightweight PDF reader extension that offers basic features such as viewing, zooming, and printing PDFs. It’s a good option for users who need a simple and easy-to-use PDF reader.
6. NO PDF Download
NO PDF Download is an extension that prevents your browser from automatically downloading PDF files when you click on a link. It can be useful for users who want to save space on their computer or who want to avoid accidentally downloading malware.
7. Awesome PDF Reader
Awesome PDF Reader is a feature-rich PDF reader extension that offers a variety of features, such as annotation, form filling, and conversion. It also integrates with a variety of cloud storage services, making it easy to access and manage your PDFs from anywhere.
8. Chrome built-in PDF Viewer
Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer is a basic PDF reader that allows you to view and print PDFs directly in your browser. It’s a good option for users who need a simple and easy-to-use PDF reader and who don’t want to install any extensions.
9. Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat is a powerful PDF reader and editor that offers a wide range of features, including annotation, form filling, and collaboration. It’s the most popular PDF reader extension, but it’s also one of the most expensive.
10. Inkit
Inkit is a collaborative annotation tool that allows you to add comments and highlights to PDFs, images, and other web pages. It also integrates with a variety of other tools, such as Google Docs and Slack, making it easy to share your annotations with others.
What to look for in a PDF reader extension
When choosing a PDF reader extension, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Features: Consider what features are important to you. Do you need a PDF reader extension that offers annotation features? Form filling features? Conversion features?
- Performance: Make sure to choose a PDF reader extension that is fast and reliable. You don’t want to have to wait a long time for your PDFs to load, and you don’t want your PDF reader extension to crash or freeze.
- Security: Make sure to choose a PDF reader extension from a reputable developer. You don’t want to install an extension that contains malware or that could compromise your security.
Conclusion
PDF reader extensions are a great way to improve your PDF workflow. By adding features such as annotation, form filling, and conversion to your browser, PDF reader extensions can save you time and effort.
If you’re looking for a PDF reader extension, I recommend trying out a few different ones to see which one works best for you. Most PDF reader extensions offer free trials, so you can experiment before you commit to one.
