Looking for a light, free PDF reader that can also highlight and comment? Nuance PDF Reader opens long, graphics-heavy PDFs quickly and adds simple review markups. It is legacy software: Nuance's PDF line went to Kofax in 2019 and continues today as the paid Tungsten Power PDF.
Reading long PDFs
Nuance PDF Reader is built around viewing PDF documents. It can open files with many pages or graphics, then presents the document in a straightforward reading interface. The layout keeps common viewing controls close at hand, so changing the zoom level or moving through a lengthy file does not require navigating a complex set of menus.
It suits reading reports, manuals and reference documents page by page on an older PC where a heavier reader feels slow.
How can you mark up a document?
The annotation tools let readers highlight text, add comments, and mark sections that need attention. These actions fit a review workflow: identify an important passage, attach a note where context is needed, and save the marked document for continued work or sharing.
- Highlight passages to make key text easy to find again.
- Add comments to record questions or observations.
- Mark sections that need follow-up during a review.
Page navigation and view controls
Quick zoom adjustments make it easier to read pages at different sizes, while document navigation provides a way to reach specific parts of a PDF. Together, these controls serve both close reading and quick reference, including when a document is too long to scan from beginning to end in one sitting.
Editing text, converting files or creating PDFs needs a full editor such as Power PDF. Because the free reader no longer receives security updates, a maintained reader is a safer choice for PDFs from unknown sources.
Pros
- Opens long, graphics-heavy PDFs for reading
- Provides quick zoom controls for changing the page view
- Supports highlights, comments, and marked sections
Cons
- No longer updated, including security fixes
- Cannot edit or create PDFs
Is Nuance PDF Reader still developed?
No. Nuance sold its PDF products to Kofax in 2019; the line now continues as Tungsten Power PDF, a paid editor.
Can you add notes while reviewing a PDF?
Yes. Highlight text, add comments and mark sections for follow-up.