When Adobe added an AI (Artificial Intelligence) Assistant to Adobe Reader in early 2024, many people who use Reader to view and annotate PDFs were frustrated.
And annoyed with Adobe’s red button to try it out (pricing for AI Assistant is $4.99/month for an early-bird subscription, available until June 4, 2024).
Including me.
I hate unexpected buttons and pop-up messages when I’m using a digital product or service.
They get in the way of what I’m trying to do.
My Experience with Adobe Reader
I’ve used Adobe Reader for years, but it’s become slow and a big download bloated with features I don’t use or need.
In 2023, when Adobe arbitrarily opted-in users to their new privacy policy, I was miffed and quickly opted out.
Seems to me with the privacy policy change in 2023 and this year’s irritating AI Assistant button, Adobe is on an annual schedule to annoy their users.
It worked on me and meant it was a good time to look for an alternative to Adobe Reader.
My requirements were an open-source reader with a familiar interface, fast, ability to annotate, manage thumbnails, and no AI assistant.
Added bonus: a company focusing on the user and prioritizing privacy as well as ethics.
Okular
Described as a universal document viewer, the free open-source multi-platform Okular can be run in Windows, Linux, and macOS (sadly, no Android support as of April 2024).
Created by KDE, Okular supports many file formats, including:
- ePub
- Postscript
- JPEG, PNG, Tiff
Here are a few of the features Okular offers:
- Customizable interface
- Select and view text
- Annotations, commenting, and highlighting
- Bookmarks
- Thumbnail side panel lets you manage thumbnails and browse graphically (similar to Adobe Reader)
First impressions: it’s fast.
The interface is familiar and quick for me to configure settings, toolbars, and view modes.
And I’m impressed with Okular’s commitment to sustainable software, transparency, privacy, and ethics: Okular was the first computer software worldwide to receive the Blue Angel seal in 2022.
Having said that, I don’t have many requirements for a PDF reader.
I don’t use one very often now that I’m retired, but I prefer a PDF reader that doesn’t nag me to pay for a feature I’m not interested in.
I’m still exploring the interface and learning more about Okular.
Summary
If like me, you’d prefer to use a PDF viewer that respects your privacy and doesn’t keep nagging you to upgrade, check it out.
For longtime Adobe Reader users, you’ll find a number of features you expect in a PDF reader.
And I’m glad Okular hasn’t added AI features. I’ve grown tired of digital products/services (looking at you Microsoft with Copilot) for assuming I want a product featuring AI.
I don’t.
Why? Because of environmental impacts of AI on the climate crisis (Wayback Machine), which many folks aren’t aware of.
If you’re not using Adobe Reader, I’m curious, what PDF reader are you using? Share your experience in the comments.
