Best SumatraPDF Alternatives: For Lightweight PDF and eBook reader in 2025
If you’re someone who enjoys reading PDFs, ebooks, or comics on your computer, you might have used SumatraPDF for its simplicity and speed. But with technology evolving and new software popping up every year, it’s always a good idea to explore your options. Whether you want more customization, extra formats, or just a fresh design, plenty of choices await you.
In this post, we’ll dive into the top 10+ SumatraPDF Alternatives and best for Lightweight PDF and eBook reader for 2025. These picks focus on being lightweight, fast, and easy to use—perfect for students, professionals, or anyone who prefers reading without the clutter.
Top 10+ SumatraPDF Alternatives and Best for Lightweight PDF and eBook Reader in 2025
1. Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is a well-known PDF reader praised for its speed and versatility. Although it offers many features, it remains lightweight and user-friendly.
- Fast PDF rendering and launching
- Supports annotation and form filling
- Safe reading mode to avoid security risks
- Multiple viewing layouts and night mode
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
2. Evince
Evince is a simple document viewer built for the GNOME desktop but also works on different systems. Its minimalist interface is great for just reading without distractions.
- Supports PDF, DJVU, XPS, TIFF, and more
- Tabbed browsing for multiple documents
- Search, highlight, and annotation features
- Open-source and free
3. MuPDF
For those who adore speed and simplicity, MuPDF is an excellent lightweight reader focusing on performance and PDF accuracy.
- Extremely small download and install size
- Supports PDF, XPS, EPUB, and CBZ formats
- Command-line features for advanced users
- Simple interface with high rendering quality
4. Slim PDF Reader
Slim PDF Reader claims to be the tiniest desktop PDF reader. With new updates, it now supports annotations while keeping things light and fast.
- Very small installation size (under 15 MB)
- Annotation tools: highlights, notes, and drawing
- Dark mode for comfortable reading
- Cross-platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
5. Okular
Okular merges versatility with a clean design. It’s a popular choice among Linux users but available on Windows too.
- Reads PDF, EPUB, comics (CBR/CBZ), and more
- Annotation, bookmarks, and content extraction
- Tabbed interface for multitasking
- Open-source
6. Cool PDF Reader
This simple tool does what its name suggests—lets you read PDFs quickly and easily. It’s among the smallest PDF readers out there.
- Super lightweight (only a few MBs)
- Preview and print PDFs without fuss
- Basic text and image extraction features
- Portable version available
7. STDU Viewer
STDU Viewer is ideal for anyone needing a multi-format document reader that stays light on resources.
- Supports PDF, DjVu, TIFF, WWF, and comics
- Tabbed document interface
- Bookmarks, text extraction, and searching
- Customize view and navigation
8. PDF-XChange Editor
Though loaded with features, PDF-XChange Editor is customizable, allowing you to keep things minimal and speedy.
- Fast start-up and rendering
- Edit, annotate, and fill forms
- OCR support for scanned documents
- Plugin-based modular design
9. qpdfview
Perfect for Linux users, qpdfview is all about efficiency and multitasking, without overwhelming you with options.
- Tabbed and side-by-side viewing
- Works with PDF, DjVu, PostScript files
- Customizable toolbar and shortcuts
- Lively community and open-source
10. Xodo PDF Reader
A modern pick, Xodo combines sleek design and cloud syncing with all the basics you want in a lightweight reader.
- View, annotate, and fill out PDFs
- Synced with Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive
- Real-time collaboration tools
- Available on desktop, mobile, and web
11. Javelin PDF Reader
Another tiny reader, Javelin focuses on performance and keeping your experience distraction-free.
- Lightweight and simple interface
- DRM support for protected files
- Cross-platform: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
- No unnecessary features or ads
12. Bookworm
A fresh-looking ebook reader for Linux users, Bookworm is perfect for those who want their EPUB, PDF, and MOBI files in one place.
- Modern and minimal user interface
- Supports EPUB, PDF, MOBI, CBR, and CBZ files
- Progress tracking and bookmarks
- Open-source and free
Conclusion
Choosing the right PDF and eBook reader depends on your specific needs. SumatraPDF has been a favorite for its speed and no-nonsense approach, but these alternatives offer plenty of new features and designs to try out. Most are free, lightweight, and easy to use, making them perfect for reading on virtually any computer. Why not try a couple and see which one becomes your new daily driver?
FAQs about SumatraPDF Alternatives and Best for Lightweight PDF and eBook Reader
1. Are these PDF readers compatible with Windows 11?
Yes, most of these alternatives work smoothly on Windows 11. Always check the official website for the latest compatibility details.
2. Which alternatives support eBook formats like EPUB or MOBI?
Bookworm, Okular, and MuPDF handle EPUB, while Bookworm also supports MOBI. Check each reader’s features to see full format support.
3. Are there free and open-source options on the list?
Absolutely. Evince, Okular, qpdfview, Bookworm, and MuPDF are free and open-source, ensuring privacy and transparency.
4. What if I need annotation features?
PDF-X