Side by side
XpdfReader vs Zathura
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 LinuxMacWindows
XpdfReader combines a desktop PDF viewer with a broad set of command-line utilities at no listed cost. Its GPL terms and redistribution requirements matter for developers and distributors.
Visit XpdfReader Free plan LinuxMac
Choose Zathura for a free, offline document viewer with keyboard controls, plugin-based formats, and SyncTeX. Look elsewhere if you need OCR or a platform beyond Linux and macOS.
Visit ZathuraThe facts
| XpdfReader | Zathura | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | xpdfreader.com | pwmt.org |
| On pdf readers | #16 of 24 | #20 of 24 |
XpdfReader: what it does well
- Free plan and offline access.
- Viewer and utilities run on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
- Includes text, image, font, and attachment tools.
- Command-line tools can work on systems with a C++ compiler.
What to know first
- No OCR support is listed.
- Commercial source licensing may be needed for some distributed programs.
- Redistributed unmodified binaries require specified documentation files.
Zathura: what it does well
- Keyboard shortcuts cover navigation, search, zoom, and document links.
- Plugins support PDF, DjVu, PostScript, and comic book formats.
- Persistent bookmarks and quickmarks help return to pages.
- SyncTeX supports forward and backward synchronization.
- Works offline and supports annotation.
What to know first
- Available document formats depend on installed plugins.
- OCR support is none.
- Platforms are limited to Linux and macOS.
Alternatives to XpdfReader Alternatives to Zathura The whole list