Xodo PDF Reader is a free Windows app from Apryse Software Corp. for reading PDFs and marking them up with notes, highlights, form entries and signatures. The installer is fetched straight from the official server, getpdfstudio.xodo.com.
Reading and marking up PDFs without paying
Plain viewers open a document and stop there. Xodo is built for the next step: adding text and comments, inserting notes and highlights, and drawing directly on the page. The app is free, and the same reader runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
It also supports searching for specific words, measuring distances and printing. The distance tool is the odd one out in a reader, and the developer's description points at uses such as checking blueprints.
Forms, eSign and the cloud services it connects to
Interactive PDF forms can be filled in and saved so they can be shared. For signing, the app applies digital signatures and connects to Xodo Sign for eSigning important documents.
Files can be stored and opened through Xodo Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive. That helps if your documents already live in one of those places.
What to check before installing the 163 MB package
At 163 MB the installer is hefty for a reader. If all you want is to open files quickly, SumatraPDF, Foxit PDF Reader and PDFgear are alternatives.
Check inside the app whether any editing features require payment before you count on it for signing or form work.
What's new in 2026.3.0
The current version is 2026.3.0, updated on June 30, 2025.
Xodo PDF Reader pros and cons
Pros
- Free to use
- Highlights, notes, comments and freehand drawing on PDFs
- Fills and saves interactive forms, with eSign through Xodo Sign
- Links to Xodo Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox and OneDrive
- Includes search, distance measurement and printing
Cons
- The 163 MB size is heavy for a PDF reader
- The installer is large at 163 MB
- Paid features, if any, are not clearly outlined
Is Xodo PDF Reader safe?
The installer comes from the publisher's own server, getpdfstudio.xodo.com, and the developer is Apryse Software Corp. The license is freeware. No independent scan result is available for this build, so run the installer through your own antivirus if you want extra assurance.
How to install Xodo 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 Xodo PDF Reader from the Start menu.
