Free and open first

Best File Reader Software in 2026

File reader software helps you open and read digital files on a computer, phone, tablet or web browser. This list is for people who need a reader that fits their files, device and budget.

24 apps
Research read 28 Sept 2026
How the order is worked out

1

ImageGlass

Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+1

ImageGlass covers image browsing, metadata viewing, and basic edits, with a free Classic edition and paid Pro options. Check the listed platform requirements and Pro features against your needs.

9.1 Free plan · paid from $14.90 · 14-day trial Visit site
2

Librera Reader

Free plan Open source AndroidExtensioniPhone+2

Librera Reader is suited to readers handling varied file formats, with annotation, sync, and speech features alongside its core reader.

8.9 Free plan Visit site
3

FBReader

Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2

FBReader supports a broad set of ebook formats and offers synchronization across supported devices.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
4

Foxit PDF Reader

Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

Foxit PDF Reader covers core PDF tasks, including forms, signatures, and collaboration, with offline desktop access. Consider the listed macOS range and lack of OCR if those matter to your workflow.

7.6 Free plan Visit site
5

Apple Books Digital Narration

Free plan Web

Choose Apple Books Digital Narration if you own the audiobook rights to an eligible English ebook and want free production for Apple Books distribution. Look elsewhere if you need preorder support.

7.3 Free plan Visit site
6

FastStone Image Viewer
by FastStone Image Viewer
Free plan Windows

FastStone Image Viewer brings image editing, collection handling, scanning, and slideshow tools into a Windows application.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $34.95 Visit site
7

Kobo Books

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Kobo Books provides mobile audiobook playback, offline listening, and two Kobo Plus options with a 14-day trial.

7.2 Free plan · 14-day trial Visit site
8

Mozilla PDF.js

Free plan APIExtensionLinux+2

PDF.js offers a free, open-source foundation for PDF rendering, with both an API and an adaptable viewer.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
9

MuPDF

Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+4

MuPDF covers many document operations and offers developer bindings for several environments. Its licensing terms are a key consideration, particularly for server-based use or embedding in a product.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $299/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
10

Google Play Books Auto-narrated Audiobooks

Free plan Web

The service provides narration and editing controls for publishers with eligible ebooks and rights. Its distribution and pricing rules for sales elsewhere are important constraints to check.

7.1 Visit site
11

Kindle Create

Free plan MacWindows

Kindle Create prepares completed manuscripts for KDP in reflowable, print replica, or comic formats.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
12

IrfanView
by IrfanView
Free plan Windows

IrfanView combines image viewing with a broad set of editing and file-processing tools for Windows. Private users can use it free, but commercial users must obtain a license.

7.0 Free plan · paid from $18 Visit site
13

Okular

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Choose Okular for a free, open-source viewer with broad document-format support, annotation tools and PDF signature features. Look elsewhere if OCR is required, since Okular does not support it.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
14

qView

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

qView focuses on image viewing with a minimal interface and includes browsing controls, format support, and configurable preferences.

7.0 Free plan Visit site
15

ReadEra

Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac

ReadEra covers a wide range of formats with library organization, annotations, and flexible reading controls.

6.9 Free plan Visit site
16

Moon+ Reader

Free plan Android

Moon+ Reader combines extensive format support with customizable controls, annotations, lookup features, and synchronization.

6.8 Free plan Visit site
17

SumatraPDF

Free plan Windows

SumatraPDF covers a wide range of reading formats and PDF tasks at no cost. Its Windows-only availability and the stated crash-report behavior are worth considering before choosing it.

6.6 Free plan Visit site
18

Universal Viewer

Free plan Windows

Choose Universal Viewer if you want a Windows desktop viewer for many file types, especially if large text files or extensive image and media format support matter.

6.5 Free plan · paid from $26 · 15-day trial Visit site
19

Papers

Free plan Linux

6.2 Free plan Visit site
20

KOReader

Free plan AndroidLinuxMac

6.1 Free plan Visit site
21

Thorium Reader

Free plan iPhoneLinuxMac+1

5.9 Free plan Visit site
22

XnView MP

Free plan LinuxMacWindows

5.7 Free plan · paid from €29 Visit site
23

XnView Classic

Free plan Windows

5.4 Free plan Visit site
24

File Viewer Plus

Paid Windows

4.5 14-day trial Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Compare supported formats, annotations, text search, accessibility support and cloud sync. Check whether a tool has a free plan, a time-limited trial or open-source code, and read the licence before choosing.

Questions

What is the difference between a free plan and a free trial?

A free plan provides access without payment. A free trial provides access for a limited period before a paid option may be required.

Do paid file readers offer trials?

Yes. File Viewer Plus lists a 14-day trial, and ImageGlass lists a free plan, paid access from $14.90 and a 14-day trial.

Which platforms are covered?

Entries run on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, the web or iOS. Check the platform details for the reader you are considering.

Can I choose an open-source file reader?

Open-source code is offered by tools on this list. Check the licence before reading, modifying or redistributing code.

What features should I compare?

Compare free plan, paid from, supported formats, platforms, annotations, text search, accessibility support and cloud sync.

Questions

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