Skim is a popular PDF reader and note-taking app for Mac users. It offers a range of features that make it a handy tool for reading and annotating PDF documents. However, if you are looking for alternatives to Skim or want to explore other options, there are several alternatives and competitors available in 2024 that offer similar or even more advanced features. In this article, we will discuss the 10 best Skim alternatives and competitors.

1. Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is one of the most well-known PDF readers in the market. It offers a comprehensive set of features for viewing, annotating, and managing PDF documents. With Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, you can easily highlight text, add comments, and insert bookmarks in your PDF files. The software also provides advanced features like form filling and digital signatures. Additionally, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC offers seamless integration with other Adobe products and cloud storage platforms, making it a powerful tool for PDF reading and annotation.

2. Foxit Reader

Foxit Reader is a lightweight and feature-rich PDF reader that provides a range of tools for viewing and annotating PDF documents. It offers a user-friendly interface and supports various annotation features like highlighting, underlining, and adding sticky notes. Foxit Reader also provides advanced features such as OCR (optical character recognition), form filling, and digital signatures. The software is available for both Windows and Mac users, making it a versatile alternative to Skim.

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3. PDFelement

PDFelement is a comprehensive PDF editor that also serves as a powerful PDF reader. It offers a wide range of features for viewing, annotating, and managing PDF documents. With PDFelement, you can easily highlight text, add comments, and insert stamps in your PDF files. The software also provides advanced editing tools, including OCR, form filling, and digital signatures. PDFelement supports both Windows and Mac platforms, making it a flexible alternative for PDF reading and annotation.

4. Nitro PDF Reader

Nitro PDF Reader is a free PDF reader that offers a simple and intuitive interface for viewing and annotating PDF documents. It allows you to highlight text, add comments, and insert shapes and arrows in your PDF files. Nitro PDF Reader also provides features like form filling and digital signatures. While it may not have as many advanced features as some of the other alternatives on this list, Nitro PDF Reader is a lightweight and easy-to-use option for basic PDF reading and annotation.

5. Sumatra PDF

Sumatra PDF is a minimalist PDF reader that focuses on simplicity and speed. It offers a lightweight and fast viewing experience for PDF documents. While it may lack some of the advanced annotation features found in other alternatives, Sumatra PDF allows you to highlight text and add notes to your PDF files. It is an open-source software available for Windows users, making it a convenient choice for those who value simplicity and efficiency.

6. Evince

Evince is a free and open-source PDF reader that is part of the GNOME desktop environment. It provides a clean and user-friendly interface for viewing and annotating PDF documents. Evince allows you to highlight text, add comments, and navigate through your PDF files easily. While it may not have as many advanced features as some of the other alternatives, Evince is a reliable option for basic PDF reading and annotation on Linux-based systems.

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7. PDF-XChange Editor

PDF-XChange Editor is a feature-rich PDF viewer and editor that offers a wide range of tools for reading and annotating PDF documents. It allows you to highlight text, add comments, and insert shapes and stamps in your PDF files. PDF-XChange Editor also provides advanced features like OCR, form filling, and digital signatures. While the software offers a free version, some advanced features are available only in the paid version. PDF-XChange Editor is compatible with Windows and provides a comprehensive solution for PDF reading and annotation.

8. MuPDF

MuPDF is a lightweight PDF viewer that focuses on speed and efficiency. It offers fast rendering and smooth scrolling for viewing PDF documents. While it may lack some of the advanced annotation features found in other alternatives, MuPDF allows you to highlight text and add comments to your PDF files. It is an open-source software available for Windows, Mac, and Linux users, making it a versatile option for basic PDF reading and annotation.

9. Okular

Okular is a universal document viewer that supports multiple file formats, including PDF. It provides a range of features for viewing and annotating PDF documents. Okular allows you to highlight text, add comments, and draw shapes in your PDF files. It also supports features like form filling and digital signatures. Okular is part of the KDE desktop environment and is available for Linux-based systems, providing a reliable solution for PDF reading and annotation.

10. Preview (Mac)

Preview is the default PDF reader on Mac computers and offers a range of features for viewing and annotating PDF documents. It allows you to highlight text, add comments, and insert shapes and signatures in your PDF files. Preview also provides features like form filling and markup tools. While it may not have as many advanced features as some of the other alternatives, Preview is a convenient option for basic PDF reading and annotation on Mac systems.

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In conclusion, while Skim is a popular choice for PDF reading and annotation on Mac, there are several alternatives and competitors available in 2024 that offer similar or even more advanced features. Whether you're looking for cross-platform solutions, lightweight options, or feature-rich PDF readers, the 10 alternatives mentioned in this article provide a variety of choices for your PDF reading and annotation needs. Consider factors such as user interface, feature set, platform compatibility, and pricing when selecting the best alternative for your requirements.