Top 10 PDF Readers for Business

Important news about PDF Readers for Business

2024. Microsoft Edge PDF reader is getting AI-powered smart keywords



Microsoft is, in its infinite wisdom, further enhancing the capabilities of Copilot in the Edge browser with AI-powered intelligent keywords—because why have a normal browser when you could have one that’s semi-sentient? This brilliant addition allows the AI to peer into the depths of any PDF, extract crucial keywords like a digital librarian on caffeine and then guide you through each topic with the flair of a know-it-all tour guide. You see, Copilot in Edge already has a penchant for summarizing documents (yes, PDFs included) with effortless charm. Simply open a PDF and suddenly you’re not alone—you have an AI companion ready to chat about anything from page one to the footnotes, summarizing sections or answering questions like it’s been there all along. And just when you thought it couldn’t get better, the PDF reader in Edge is now rumored to gain a new trick: keyword generation. These handy little phrases will pop up like cosmic breadcrumbs, highlighting the important bits so you can navigate the information vortex with ease.


2023. Macro raises $9.3M to layer intelligence on top of digital documents



Macro, a PDF editing tool that, using AI, extracts key terms, sections and equations to make documents interactive and hyperlinked, has secured $9.3M. Macro’s PDF editor — which is available for free alongside a $49 per user, per month plan for additional features and an enterprise tier for volume licensing — allows users to click on any cross-reference in a document to receive an instant preview. In Macro, documents can link both between and within files. Additionally, the software can compare files, merge edits from multiple Word and PDF files into a single version, generate files from templates and create one or multiple PDF documents at once from a spreadsheet. Other notable features include a filterable side panel of potential detected errors in a PDF and a table of contents generator.

2018. Adobe makes it easier to share and edit PDFs in Acrobat DC



Adobe introduced a completely new version of Acrobat DC that simplifies the process of creating, sharing and interacting with PDFs across various devices. The update revolves around a central document hub that consolidates files saved to the Adobe Cloud across multiple apps. Acrobat Pro is also making its debut on Android and iOS. The experience closely mirrors the desktop version of the app, with features for swapping images, updating text and formatting the document. Adobe Scan is also receiving a minor update for scanning and analyzing business cards. Users can now translate the cards into different languages and export the translation to their contacts (as a virtual contact file or vCard).


2016. Adobe’s Acrobat Reader app now allows to use any cloud storage



With a new version of its Acrobat Reader app for iOS, you can now select, open and save your PDFs in iCloud Drive, OneDrive, Box, or Google Drive, in addition to the app’s native integration with Dropbox. These new storage options are accessible from the iOS Document Picker. Before this update, users could only retrieve documents from Dropbox, Adobe Document Cloud, email, the web, or other apps that supported the “share” function. To take advantage of the new capabilities, users will need to install the cloud storage app they wish to use with Acrobat Reader, then tap on the “Location Chooser” option and “More Locations…”. Here, you’ll find the cloud storage app or apps you want to add to Reader. You can also toggle these storage services on or off from the settings or rearrange their order in the list.


2016. Foxit wants to create Internet of Documents



Foxit aims to advance the PDF format in the digital realm with the launch of its new ConnectedPDF application, which seeks to establish an "Internet of Documents" by embedding identity and intelligence into PDFs. Created as an enhancement to the PDF format, ConnectedPDF (cPDF) provides a wide range of features via the cloud, including document tracking and locating, file update notifications, synchronized and shared reviews, remote file protection, data collection and more. It essentially offers capabilities typically found in more advanced document management system setups.


2016. Nuance releases new version of its PDF alternative



Nuance introduced PDF 2 - an update to its PDF software, designed to simplify the use of PDFs in business workflows and integration with enterprise applications. This latest version of the Nuance PDF tool enhances usability, compatibility and security. It addresses the increasing adoption of Windows 10 and the rise of convertible laptops like the Microsoft Surface. Nuance Power PDF 2 leverages both Windows 10 and hybrid devices to offer users a new way to engage with their documents. It also includes tools for annotating, marking up, signing, securing, redacting and compressing PDFs, as well as creating and handling PDF forms, making it straightforward to edit and publish PDFs or convert files between Word and PDF formats.


2015. Adobe's competitor Nitro acquired document marketing service DoxIQ



Nitro, the document management company that touts its Nitro PDF reader as the "top alternative to Adobe Acrobat," has acquired the document analytics firm DoxIQ. DoxIQ offers users insights into document workflows, such as who has viewed specific sections of a document, how frequently those sections have been accessed and setting automatic notifications for certain changes in the document. This streamlines and speeds up document collaboration, approval and signing processes for users. Nitro will transition DoxIQ customers to its document sharing and e-signature solution, NitroCloud. Nitro's features will enable users to edit content, highlight sections with sensitive material, approve language in the document and search and organize documents based on their content.