Tired of using Adobe? Hate getting those Adobe Reader update notices? Unfortunately, Adobe does dominate both the flash and PDF worlds. Fortunately, you can start your escape by using totally free PDF readers!

Windows

For Windows users, I have a couple recommendations (Mac users, see the section below). If you are looking for similar features as Adobe Reader, like the annotate, screen shot, and other tools, then I would advise getting Foxit Reader. It is truly amazing. They do want you to register, but so far I’ve found that it isn’t necessary to run the application. Another one you might like, if you’re more of a scientific person, is PDF XChange. Since I found these programs, I will never go back to Adobe Reader.

Foxit Reader

XChange PDF Viewer

If Foxit Reader is a little complex and you just want a simple PDF reader, then Sumatra PDF might be just the thing for you. They are focused on the simplicity of a PDF reader. It’s got the bare minimums, without any of the frills.

Macintosh

Have a Mac? There’s another free PDF reader you can get too! It’s called Skim. It has many of the features Adobe Reader has (and a couple extras!). As long as you don’t get lost in the program, you’ll be pretty pleased with it!

Skim PDF Reader

So, there’s some ideas to get you out from under the Adobe monopoly. Enjoy!

Program(s) Support:

Windows
Mac
Linux

NWTE Recommends:

Choosing a simple PDF reader if you don’t need anything complex. Extra features may become frustrating if you don’t need or want them.
Watch out for the extra software these programs will try to install. Go through the “Advanced” install process and uncheck the extra software you don’t want.

Blender

Blender is truly an amazing program. What makes it even more appealing is the fact that it is totally and completely FREE (download here)! The things it can do are truly amazing. More and more artists are using this program for their computer graphics and animation needs. A couple short films have already been created using Blender. You can watch some of those here.

Since the Blender website does a much better job at describing what Blender is capable of, we’ll point you to their website to learn about the stunning effects and amazing features of this open source program: Blender Features