The best PDF reader for Android: 10 apps, ranked

What critics praise. TechRadar suggests ReadEra as an alternative reader and says "ReadEra is an app specifically made for reading a wide-range of documents, especially files intended to be read as books."

What users say. ReadEra has the best rating on this page, from about 1.6 million people. The top reviews I read were all happy. People liked the font and spacing options, that it remembers your page, and the tap-to-look-up dictionary. Two reviewers paid for the separate premium version to get read-aloud voices, and one said it was a one-time charge.

What it asks of you. Nothing. Its listing says "No register" and no in-app purchases, and its Data safety section says no data is shared. The developer says it works offline.

What critics praise. Android Authority puts it in the reading-for-pleasure group and says "It’s a great way to consolidate an extensive collection behind a service that lets you buy more books."

What users say. The rating is high, but the top reviews were unhappy. One reader said the app often reopens a book on the wrong page. Another said books they had bought became "not available in my region." A third was confused that copying text works in some bought books and not in others.

What it asks of you. Google's help page says uploaded PDFs can be read on any device you sign in to. It does not say whether you need an account to open a PDF, so that pin is "?". There is no subscription, the Data safety section says no data is shared, and Google says you can download books to read offline.

What critics praise. TechRadar named it the best free PDF reader for Android: "It’s very clean and simple to use, and you’ll find the tools exactly where they ought to be." It also called the fill and sign tool flawless. Android Authority adds that "Most of the time, it just works."

What users say. One top review loved it but noted that editing needs a subscription. Another said the app closed a document and lost 30 minutes of added text. A third described trouble cancelling a trial and being billed afterward.

What it asks of you. The extra tools are paid by subscription, and its Data safety section says it shares some data. Adobe's mobile help FAQ blocked my reader, and I found no first-party page that says whether you need an account or whether it works offline. Those two pins are "?".

What critics praise. WPS is a full office suite with a PDF reader built in. TechRadar says "The PDF features are especially strong, with the ability to read, convert, and edit PDF files."

What users say. The top reviews I read were angry. One long-time user said the free version now only lets you view files, with pop-ups in the way. Two others said a 3-day trial turned into a charge they did not expect, and their refund requests were turned down.

What it asks of you. WPS Pro costs $69.99 a year, and WPS says that price applies on Android. Its Data safety section says no data is collected or shared. WPS says the Android app works offline. I could not find a WPS page that says whether you need an account.

What critics praise. TechRadar picked Xodo as the best distraction-free reader: "The core PDF viewing engine is what really matters, though, and Xodo's creation works very well."

What users say. People like how much it does for free, and one reviewer praised the dark reading themes. The main complaint was a watermark on documents shared from the free plan, even ones that were never edited in the app.

What it asks of you. Xodo's own guide shows you can open a PDF right after you install it, with no sign-in step. It also says you can read without an internet connection once a file is downloaded. The paid plan is a subscription: $11.99 a month or $109.99 a year on Android. Its Data safety section says it shares some data.

What critics praise. TechRadar lists it as an alternative: "Librera is another general book reader that allows most document formats to be read, such as PDF files."

What users say. Readers like how many file types it opens and how much you can change. The common complaint was losing your place. Swipes and taps can jump pages, and the hidden menus are hard to bring back.

What it asks of you. It shows ads but has no in-app purchases, and its Data safety section says it shares some data. Its help pages do not say whether you need an account or whether it works offline.

What critics praise. Android Authority calls it a simple, basic reader and says "It’s above average, but more powerful options are available."

What users say. The top reviews were positive. People liked the night mode, the smooth scrolling, and that it did not push ads. One reviewer said long files sometimes flash before they show.

What it asks of you. The basic app is free, and the full set of features is a subscription, every three months or every year. Its Data safety section says no data is shared. Its help pages do not say whether you need an account or whether it works offline.

What critics praise. TechRadar named Foxit the best Android PDF reader overall: "PDFs open quickly, you can control orientation with ease, text reflows to fit". Android Authority says "It’s an excellent all-around option when factoring in the reading features."

What users say. Users are much cooler than critics. One long-time user liked it but said it crashes too often. Another could not find files the app said it had saved. A third said almost everything past viewing needs a subscription, and would rather pay once.

What it asks of you. The advanced tools are a subscription, and you need a Foxit account to buy it. Its Data safety section says no data is shared. Foxit does not say whether you can read without an account, or whether the app works offline.

What critics praise. TechRadar picked it for speed and says "pdfFiller offers one of the best PDF readers for Android, with an online version and apps for Windows, Mac, and iOS, too."

What users say. The reviews I read were about money and accounts. One person had to make an account before using it. Another filled in a form and only then hit a paywall to download it. A third said the app crashed when saving.

What it asks of you. Its listing says you can only export edited files after you register an account, and its Data safety section says it shares some data. The listing says editing works offline. It does not say whether the paid plans are one-time or a subscription.

What critics praise. Android Authority says "It has the occasional rough edge, but it’s among the best options for those who read books in PDF format."

What users say. Moon+ has the lowest rating here. One reviewer said the visual settings would not save on a newer folding phone. Another kept losing their place when calling up the buttons. A third disliked full-screen ads that interrupt reading in the free version.

What it asks of you. Its Data safety section says no data is collected or shared. The free version has ads, and its in-app purchase is listed at $0.99. The listing does not say if that is a one-time purchase, and the developer's FAQ does not say whether you need an account or whether it works offline.