Pick PDFgear if you want a free, friendly PDF-XChange Viewer alternative that can edit, annotate, and fill forms without making you feel trapped. PDF still matters because Adobe built it to keep documents looking the same across devices and software [source: Adobe]. That is great. Until your reader refuses to save a form. Then it gets annoying fast.

TLDR: The best all-round pick is PDFgear for most people, while PDF-XChange Editor is the closest match if you liked the old PDF-XChange Viewer. If your team handles 50 contracts a week, Nitro PDF Pro or Foxit will save more time with batch tools and e-sign features. For example, a small office that cuts 2 minutes from each form review could save over 90 minutes a week on just 50 files. If you only read and highlight, Okular or Adobe Acrobat Reader may be enough.

Why replace PDF-XChange Viewer?

PDF-XChange Viewer was loved for one big reason. It was fast. It opened files quickly. It handled notes, stamps, and highlights well. But it is old now.

Modern PDF work is messier. You may need to fill a tax form. Sign a client quote. Redact a name. Combine scans. Add comments for a team. Then send it without breaking the layout.

Honestly, it feels like some PDF apps still think it is 2009. You click “edit,” wait five seconds, and then discover the feature is locked behind a paywall. Lovely.

1. PDFgear: Best free all-rounder

Best for: students, freelancers, and casual business use.

PDFgear is the cheerful surprise here. It can read, annotate, edit text, fill forms, merge files, and convert PDFs. Many tools are free. The interface is clean, too.

• Good stuff: Free editing tools, form filling, conversion, simple layout.
• Annoying bit: Advanced users may want deeper batch tools.
• Pick it if: You want a strong editor without paying right away.

2. PDF-XChange Editor: Best direct upgrade

Best for: fans of the old PDF-XChange style.

If you liked PDF-XChange Viewer, this feels familiar. PDF-XChange Editor is the newer sibling. It keeps the strong annotation tools. It also adds proper editing, OCR, stamps, measurements, and form work.

The interface has a lot of buttons. Some people love that. Others panic a little. Still, it is powerful and fast.

• Good stuff: Great comments, OCR, stamps, custom tools.
• Annoying bit: The toolbar can feel crowded.
• Pick it if: You want speed and control.

3. Adobe Acrobat Reader: Best safe default

Best for: opening official forms and sharing comments.

Adobe Acrobat Reader is the safe choice. It opens almost every PDF without a fuss. It is also strong for comments, signatures, and basic form filling.

The free version is limited. Editing needs Acrobat Pro. That is where the price starts to sting.

• Good stuff: Excellent compatibility, easy signing, trusted format support.
• Annoying bit: Many useful tools push you toward the paid plan.
• Pick it if: You just need reliable reading and forms.

4. Foxit PDF Reader and Editor: Best for business teams

Best for: companies that review lots of PDFs.

Foxit is polished. It is quick. It has strong commenting, form filling, security, redaction, and team tools. The Reader is fine for basic work. The Editor is better for serious document jobs.

It works well when several people touch the same file. Legal, finance, real estate, and HR teams will feel at home.

• Good stuff: Fast, business ready, strong security tools.
• Annoying bit: Some features sit in paid plans.
• Pick it if: PDFs are part of your daily workflow.

5. Nitro PDF Pro: Best for document workflows

Best for: offices that want fewer manual steps.

Nitro PDF Pro is built for real office grind. Create PDFs. Edit them. Convert Word files. Add signatures. Build forms. Run batch jobs. It feels less like a reader and more like a document machine.

The catch is the price. If you only highlight articles, this is too much. If you process contracts all day, it makes sense.

• Good stuff: Strong conversion, e-sign tools, batch processing.
• Annoying bit: Overkill for light users.
• Pick it if: Your team handles PDFs like paperwork fuel.

6. PDF Expert: Best for Mac, iPad, and iPhone

Best for: Apple users who want a smooth app.

PDF Expert is fast and pleasant. That sounds small. It is not. When you mark up long PDFs on an iPad, speed matters. The pen tools feel natural. Highlighting is easy. Form filling is simple.

It is not the best pick for Windows users. It is very much an Apple-first tool.

• Good stuff: Clean design, great iPad markup, quick reading.
• Annoying bit: Limited if you are outside Apple devices.
• Pick it if: Your iPad is your desk.

7. Okular: Best open source reader

Best for: Linux users and open source fans.

Okular is light, free, and useful. It handles highlights, notes, stamps, and simple forms. It is not trying to sell you a giant subscription. That alone feels refreshing.

It is more reader than full editor. Do not expect fancy PDF surgery. But for reading and marking up documents, it is great.

• Good stuff: Free, open source, light, solid annotation tools.
• Annoying bit: Editing tools are basic.
• Pick it if: You want simple PDF reading with notes.

Quick picks

• Best free editor: PDFgear
• Best PDF-XChange Viewer replacement: PDF-XChange Editor
• Best for official forms: Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Best for teams: Foxit PDF Editor
• Best for heavy office workflows: Nitro PDF Pro
• Best for iPad notes: PDF Expert
• Best open source option: Okular

Final pick

If you feel stuck, start with PDFgear. It covers the most common jobs with the least fuss. If you miss the old PDF-XChange Viewer feel, choose PDF-XChange Editor. If your company lives inside PDFs, go with Foxit or Nitro.

The right PDF app should do one simple thing. It should let you finish the file and move on with your day.