Best Highlights Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 platforms from PDF readers ranked against Highlights on the same published basis.
- 1Highlights vs Foxit PDF Reader
- 2Highlights vs MuPDF
- 3Highlights vs KDAN PDF
- 4Highlights vs Okular
- 5Highlights vs StarForce Reader
- 6Highlights vs Adobe Scan
- 7Highlights vs Javelin PDF Reader
- 8Highlights vs Launchpad
- 9Highlights vs Mozilla PDF.js
- 10Highlights vs Evince
- 11Highlights vs SumatraPDF
- 12Highlights vs LiquidText
- 13Highlights vs Adobe Acrobat Reader
- 14Highlights vs GoodReader
- 15Highlights vs Kiosk
- 16Highlights vs QuickTime Player
- 18Highlights vs Papers
- 19Highlights vs Preview
- 20Highlights vs Timeshift
- 21Highlights vs Zathura
Highlights alternatives compared
| # | Platform | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foxit PDF Reader | 8.1 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Mac, Web, Windows |
| 2 | MuPDF | 7.6 | Free plan | $299/mo | Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 3 | KDAN PDF | 7.4 | Free plan | $5/mo | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 4 | Okular | 7.4 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 5 | StarForce Reader | 7.4 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 6 | Adobe Scan | 7.2 | No | — | Android, iOS |
| 7 | Javelin PDF Reader | 7.2 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 8 | Launchpad | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | API, Linux, self-hosted, Web |
| 9 | Mozilla PDF.js | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | API, Browser, Linux, self-hosted, Web |
| 10 | Evince | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Linux |
| 11 | SumatraPDF | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Windows |
| 12 | LiquidText | 6.4 | No | — | Mac, Windows |
| 13 | Adobe Acrobat Reader | 6.3 | No | — | Android, iOS, Mac, Web, Windows |
| 14 | GoodReader | 6.3 | No | — | iOS, Mac |
| 15 | Kiosk | 6.1 | Free plan | Free | Android, Browser, iOS, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 16 | QuickTime Player | 6.1 | Free plan | Free | Mac |
| 18 | Papers | 5.9 | No | — | — |
| 19 | Preview | 5.9 | No | — | — |
| 20 | Timeshift | 5.9 | No | — | Linux |
| 21 | Zathura | 5.9 | No | — | Linux, Mac |
Make your platform an alternative to Highlights
See the priceThe sponsored alternative slot on this page is labelled Sponsored.
Questions about Highlights alternatives
What is the best alternative to Highlights?
Foxit PDF Reader, number 1 in PDF readers with a score of 8.1 out of 10. The others here: MuPDF, KDAN PDF, Okular and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to Highlights?
Foxit PDF Reader is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 12 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on.