Side by side
Javelin PDF Reader vs Kiosk
Both stand on pdf readers. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1
Javelin combines everyday PDF reading tools with controls for secured documents. Its platform-specific capture protection and network requirements are worth checking before choosing it.
Visit Javelin PDF Reader Free plan Open source AndroidExtensioniPhone+5
Choose Kiosk if you want a free, open-source PDF reader with search, multiple display modes, and extension-based annotation tools. It also offers offline use and a self-hosted web option. Consider the Android alpha status, unsupported Firefox and Safari extension use, and macOS launch warning when choosing a platform.
Visit KioskThe facts
| Javelin PDF Reader | Kiosk | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows | Android, Extension, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | drumlinsecurity.com | github.com |
| On pdf readers | #3 of 24 | #1 of 24 |
Javelin PDF Reader: what it does well
- Free reader for standard and DRM-protected PDFs
- Supports annotation, markup, search, and navigation trees
- Offline zooming and Read-Aloud text-to-speech
- Publisher controls for expiry, printing, and watermarks
What to know first
- Printing is limited to desktop or laptop devices
- Screen-capture protection varies by platform
- Corporate networks may need proxy setup or web authorization
- Authorization records are retained for three years
Kiosk: what it does well
- Free and open source under the MIT License.
- Search, highlighted results, thumbnails, smooth zoom, and three display modes.
- Chrome extension includes text and drawing annotation tools.
- Project says PDFs stay on-device, without telemetry or cloud processing.
- Android and extension releases support offline use.
What to know first
- Android release is an early alpha.
- Firefox and Safari are not supported by the extension.
- macOS app is not notarized and may trigger a Gatekeeper warning.
Alternatives to Javelin PDF Reader Alternatives to Kiosk The whole list