10 Best PDF Reader Apps on Android Phones
Relying solely on office applications on Android smartphones may not be sufficient, as work often involves more than just Microsoft Office documents. Many people frequently use files in PDF format, making a reliable PDF reader essential.
A PDF reader allows you to view PDF documents conveniently on your smartphone, offering a simple and hassle-free experience. To help you choose, Carisinyal has compiled a list of 10 recommended PDF reader applications for you.
1. Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader is probably one of the most widely used PDF reader applications in the world. Known for its user-friendly interface, Adobe has enhanced the app with a range of functional features to make reading documents more convenient.
With this app, users can highlight key points, add text, include comments, or insert images directly into the document. Need a quick understanding of the document's content? The AI Assistant feature simplifies the document and highlights its essential points for easier comprehension.
Additionally, the app offers three different reading modes: Single Page, Continuous Scroll, and Reading Mode, all of which provide a varied reading experience.
Things I Like About Adobe Acrobat Reader:
- User-friendly interface with a variety of useful features.
- The AI Assistant simplifies and summarizes document content quickly and efficiently.
- Offers three customizable PDF reading modes to suit different user preferences.
Things That Could Be Improved in Adobe Acrobat Reader:
- Commenting and annotation features are limited for free users.
- Many additional tools are interesting but require a subscription.
2. WPS Office

Don't limit yourself to just PDF files. With WPS Office, you can open Word documents, spreadsheets, slides, and access various other productivity tools.
The PDF reader in WPS Office is also highly advanced, offering a detailed reading mode. You can customize the reading experience by changing background colors, adjusting brightness, enabling Night Mode, or even using the volume buttons to move pages while reading.
What I like about this app is its built-in scanner, available for free. You can take snapshots and instantly convert them into Word, PPT, or PDF files. It’s incredibly practical and user-friendly!
What I Like About WPS Office:
- Not only for reading PDFs, it also supports for reading Word documents, Spreadsheets, and Slides.
- A feature-rich PDF Reader with customizable and detailed reading modes.
- Free in-app scanner feature.
- Ability to easily add or remove watermarks from documents.
Things That Could Be Improved in WPS Office:
- The interface might feel complicated for users due to the abundance of features.
- Many additional tools are only accessible with a subscription.
3. Foxit PDF Editor

Foxit PDF Editor offers a feature set comparable to Adobe Acrobat but with a smaller application size, making it a popular choice for users who want to read or edit PDF files on their smartphones.
One standout feature of Foxit is its real-time share comment functionality, which allows users to post comments and collaborate with coworkers or others viewing the same file. Additionally, the system can automatically summarize these comments, streamlining collaboration and communication.
Things I Like About Foxit:
- User-friendly and fast performance.
- Low memory usage despite offering many features.
- Real-time share comment feature for collaboration with other users.
- Integrated customer support feature directly accessible from the document page.
- In-app scanner and AI Assistant features, though with limited functionality for free users.
- Easy file import and export options.
Things That Could Be Improved in Foxit:
- The editor tool is only accessible via subscription on mobile devices, while it’s available for free on PCs.
4. PDF File Editor & Reader: Xodo

Use Xodo to view and read PDF documents, even offline! This app is very useful for reading various types of documents such as e-books, journals, and other Office Documents.
Xodo also features automatic synchronization with storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. If users want to use Xodo Drive, all they have to do is sign up for free, and the app provides up to 1 GB of storage at no extra cost.
However, during my trial of the app, I encountered occasional bugs when reading PDF documents. Also, basic features such as shares are automatically watermarked by Xodo, and to remove them, users need to subscribe to a premium plan.
Things I Like About Xodo:
- Simple and easy-to-use interface.
- Supports reading Office documents (Word, presentations, spreadsheets, etc.).
- Offers up to 1 GB of free XodoCloud storage with a registered account.
- Allows offline reading of files.
- Automatic synchronization with Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.
Things That Could Be Improved in Xodo:
- Some basic tools and features require a subscription.
- Occasional bugs in Reading mode.
5. CS PDF: Convert PD to Word

CS PDF is an application developed as a standalone version of the PDF viewer function originally part of CamScanner. Given that many users rely on CamScanner for reading PDFs, CamSoft Information decided to separate the PDF viewer into its own app.
CS PDF offers the standard features of a PDF viewer and editor, allowing users to add comments, underline text, insert footnotes, and make other annotations for free.
As the name suggests, it also enables users to convert PDF files into other formats such as Word, PPT, Excel, and images.
The simple, straightforward interface makes the app easy and comfortable to use. Unlike CamScanner, which now requires a subscription for additional features, most of CS PDF’s tools are still available for free.
Things I Like About CS PDF:
- Simple interface that focuses on core functions for reading and editing files.
- Most features are available for free.
- Can convert PDF files into Word, PPT, Excel, and images.
- Allows direct opening of documents from CamScanner.
Things That Could Be Improved in CS PDF:
- Lacks customizable reading mode settings.
- Contains ads, as it remains a free app.
6. MobiPDF: PDF Editor & Scanner

Have you heard of MobiOffice? It's a rebranding of the popular OfficeSuite app. MobiPDF, now part of MobiOffice, was previously known as PDF Extra. The app provides various tools that allow users to read, edit, and secure PDF files quickly and easily on their smartphones.
As an app designed with specific functions in mind, the tools are straightforward and easy to use. Unfortunately, some basic tools can only be accessed with a subscription. On the bright side, the Recognize Text (OCR) feature is available for free, which is rare since many other PDF editors charge for it.
MobiPDF also offers comprehensive reading settings such as Continuous, Single Page, and Two Pages. Additionally, it includes a dark mode option to make reading more comfortable on the eyes.
Things I Like About MobiPDF:
- Can be used to edit PDFs and scan files into PDFs.
- Tools are directly accessible in the main function, making them easy to use.
- Offers a free OCR feature.
- Provides complete reading view settings for a customized experience.
- Includes a Dark Mode for comfortable reading.
Things That Could Be Improved in MobiPDF:
- Basic editing tools are limited to five uses for free, after which a subscription is required for continued access.
7. PDFelement by Wondershare

PDFelement comes with a clean look and is easy to operate, making PDFelement convenient for reading and editing PDF files. The app is also integrated with AI, which proves useful for summarizing, proofreading, and translating the content of the files you're reading.
The AI feature even functions like a chatbot, answering questions related to the contents of the document. Additionally, PDFelement caters to book lovers by providing access to a variety of e-books that can be read for free.
Things I Like About PDFelement:
- Clean and easy-to-use interface.
- AI integration that enhances the reading and understanding of files.
- Provides access to many free-to-read e-books.
- The Flow Reading feature is available for free by watching ads.
Things That Could Be Improved in PDFelement:
- Basic file editing tools can be used, but saving edited files requires a subscription.
- Some features are only accessible when users log in with a Wondershare account.
8. One Read by Simple Design

In addition to reading, this application allows users to edit PDF files by adding highlights, notes, underlining, or crossing out the text. One Read can also be a convenient alternative for converting image files to PDFs quickly and easily.
To enhance the reading experience, the app offers options such as Dark Mode and a Rotation Mode, so users can adjust it to their preferences.
Besides PDF files, this app, developed by Simple Design, also supports reading Word, Excel, PPT, and TXT files.
However, despite claiming to support PDF editing, I couldn't find a feature that allows users to delete text from documents while using this app.
What I Like About One Read by Simple Design:
- Can be used to read PDF, Word, Excel, PPT, and TXT format files.
- Allows adding annotations to the files being read.
- Provides a feature to convert images into PDF files.
Things That Could Be Improved in One Read:
- No feature to delete text in documents.
9. ReadEra

If you're looking for an app that focuses entirely on reading PDF files without unnecessary extras, ReadEra is an excellent choice. It allows you to read PDF files and e-books comfortably, with no complicated tools, ads, or pressure to subscribe to premium plans.
ReadEra supports a variety of file formats, including EPUB, PDF, DjVu, Microsoft Word, TXT, and more. Its PDF reader feature also includes margin settings to enhance visual comfort. Additionally, ReadEra can handle large PDF files seamlessly, making it a reliable choice for various document types.
Things I Like About ReadEra:
- Focuses on the file reading function without unnecessary extras.
- Free to use with no ads.
- Includes a Kids Mode feature to filter content, making it safe for children.
Things That Could Be Improved in ReadEra:
- Lacks simple editing features, such as the ability to add notes or highlight content, which would be useful during reading.
10. PDF Viewer Lite by AVR-Apps

At first, the small size of AVR-Apps' PDF Viewer Lite made me question its capabilities. However, after giving it a try, I was pleasantly surprised by the wide range of features it offers.
Firstly, it provides plenty of reading settings to ensure a comfortable user experience. Secondly, there are several free tools available for managing PDF files, including options to protect or unlock files, delete pages, split files, merge files, and remove watermarks.
In addition, the app comes with a useful scan feature that allows users to convert physical documents into PDFs. The best part is that all of these features are available free of charge.
What I Like About PDF Viewer Lite by AVR-Apps:
- Small size but packed with features.
- Reading settings that support user comfort.
- Additional tools available for free.
Things That Could Be Improved in PDF Viewer Lite by AVR-Apps:
- No document reflow feature.
- Page information button that interferes with reading comfort.
That concludes the list of PDF Reader applications that are easy to use, fast, practical, and free. Ready to make your work easier with these apps?