Compared with SumatraPDF, which is built around plain viewing, Foxit PDF Reader from Foxit Software Inc. puts annotation, form filling and signing in the same program. This Windows build is version 2026.2.1.39815 and costs nothing. The file is 350.9 MB, and the download comes from the official server cdn01.foxitsoftware.com; we do not host it.
First steps with the 350.9 MB installer
The installer is large for a reader, so expect a longer download than with minimal viewers. The package ID is Foxit.FoxitReader, which is useful if you prefer to look it up through a package manager.
After installing, open a PDF and check the commenting tools first. Annotation, form fill and signing are the core tasks, and commenting is also tagged.
Where Foxit covers desktop, mobile and web
The developer says the same work of viewing, annotating, filling forms and signing can happen across desktop, mobile and web. That suits people who move between an office machine, a home PC and a phone. For details on how files sync between those platforms, check the publisher's site at foxit.com.
The developer also calls it the industry's most powerful reader. That is a publisher claim, not an independently benchmarked result.
When PDF-XChange Editor or PDFgear fits better
Foxit PDF Reader is a reader with markup tools, and it does not offer true editing of page text. If you need an editor, PDF-XChange Editor is among the alternatives. PDFgear and PDF24 Creator are also options for broader PDF tasks.
If size matters, SumatraPDF is the lighter option to compare. Adobe Acrobat Reader (64-bit) and Xodo PDF Reader round out the list of alternatives.
What's new in 2026.2.1.39815
The current build, 2026.2.1.39815, was released and last updated on December 16, 2025.
Foxit PDF Reader pros and cons
Pros
- Free to download and use
- Annotation, form filling and signing in one app
- Described as working across desktop, mobile and web
- Downloads from the official Foxit server
- Listed in both PDF readers and free PDF editors categories
Cons
- Installer is 350.9 MB, large for a reader
- Proprietary license, not open source
- Large installer compared with minimal viewers
- Page text editing is not listed among its features
Is Foxit PDF Reader safe?
Foxit PDF Reader is published by Foxit Software Inc. under a proprietary license, and the installer is served from the company's own domain, cdn01.foxitsoftware.com. Version 2026.2.1.39815 was released on 2025-12-16 and is a large download at about 350.9 MB. Scanning the installer with your antivirus before running it is a sensible habit for any PDF tool that handles forms and signatures.
How to install Foxit PDF Reader
- Press the download button to get the official file.
- Run the installer you saved and confirm the Windows security prompt if the publisher matches.
- Follow the setup steps, then start Foxit PDF Reader from the Start menu.
