Best Zathura Alternatives in 2026
The top Zathura alternatives are Foxit PDF Reader, Okular and Preview: 15 PDF readers our editors would look at instead of Zathura, in our ranking order.
Zathura: A free, open-source reader for keyboard-driven PDF and document workflows. Where it falls short: document support depends on separate plugins.
Switching from Zathura? For most pdf readers buyers the best Zathura alternative is Foxit PDF Reader, built for free cross-platform readers with collaboration.
Why People Look for a Zathura Alternative
- Document support depends on separate plugins
- Configuration is handled through files
- Distribution centers on Linux and MacPorts for macOS
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallFoxit PDF Reader9.4
Free cross-platform readers with collaboration
Visit Foxit PDF Reader - Best free optionFoxit PDF Reader9.4
Has a free plan
Visit Foxit PDF Reader
All 15 Zathura Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forFree cross-platform readers with collaboration
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 6.9
A free cross-platform reader with collaboration, forms, signatures, and cloud integrations.
- Text-to-speech
- Offline access
- Form filling
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Foxit -
Best forFree open-source desktop PDF reading
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.9
A capable open-source desktop reader with annotations, forms, signatures and accessibility tools.
- Text-to-speech
- Form filling
- Annotation tools
9.2/10★★★★★Visit KDE -
Best forApple users wanting a capable free reader
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.9
A capable free PDF reader for Apple users, with practical editing and signing tools.
- Offline access
- Form filling
- Annotation tools
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Apple -
Best forPortable Windows reading with signatures
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 6.9
A portable Windows reader with broad format support, annotations, signatures, and command-line tools.
- Text-to-speech
- Offline access
- Form filling
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit SumatraPDF -
Best forWeb and application developers
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 6.9
A developer-focused PDF viewer and rendering platform for web applications.
- Form filling
- Annotation tools
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Mozilla PDF.js -
Best forUsers needing PDF editing and conversion
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.9
A flexible PDF editor with free basics, paid productivity tools, and AI workflows.
- Annotation tools
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit KDAN PDF -
Best forLinux users wanting a straightforward reader
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.9
A capable free Linux reader for PDFs, forms, annotations, and more.
- Offline access
- Form filling
- Annotation tools
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit GNOME -
Best forMainstream PDF reading and accessibility
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.9
A broadly available free PDF reader with useful accessibility, form, signature, and review tools.
- Text-to-speech
- Form filling
- Annotation tools
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Adobe -
Best forLinux users reading PDFs and comics
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.9
A free Linux document viewer with useful PDF, form, annotation, and comic support.
- Offline access
- Form filling
- Annotation tools
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Papers -
Best forMac users reading and annotating research PDFs
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.9
A focused, open-source Mac reader for searching, annotating, and organizing research PDFs.
- Annotation tools
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Skim -
Best foriOS users needing file-heavy PDF workflows
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.9
A capable Apple-focused PDF workspace for reading, editing, signing, and file organization.
- Text-to-speech
- Form filling
- Annotation tools
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit GoodReader -
Best forDevelopers needing a powerful open-source viewer
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.9
A developer-focused PDF engine with broad document tooling and cross-platform support.
- Annotation tools
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit MuPDF -
Best forReaders of protected PDF and EPUB content
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.9
A free cross-platform reader for PDF, EPUB, and StarForce-protected files.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit StarForce -
Best forResearchers managing connected PDF notes
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.9
A connected workspace for reading, annotating, comparing, and organizing research documents.
- Offline access
- Annotation tools
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit LiquidText -
Best forBasic Windows PDF viewing
- Better than Zathura:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 6.9
A straightforward free Windows PDF viewer for reading, navigating, and printing documents.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Aiseesoft
Zathura Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Zathura?
Foxit PDF Reader: #1 in our PDF Readers ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A free cross-platform reader with collaboration, forms, signatures, and cloud integrations.
Is there a free alternative to Zathura?
Yes. Foxit PDF Reader, Okular, Preview, SumatraPDF and Mozilla PDF.js have a free plan or a free tier (14 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Zathura alternatives?
Document support depends on separate plugins; Configuration is handled through files; Distribution centers on Linux and MacPorts for macOS.
How do I switch from Zathura?
Export your data from Zathura (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Zathura.
How to Switch from Zathura
- Export your data from Zathura (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Zathura.
Zathura vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Annotation tools | Form filling | Platform support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Zathura | Yes | Free | Yes | Cross-platform | 6.9 | |
| 1 | Foxit PDF Reader | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Cross-platform | 9.4 |
| 2 | Okular | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Cross-platform | 9.2 |
| 3 | Preview | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Desktop | 9.1 |
| 4 | SumatraPDF | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Desktop | 9.0 |
| 5 | Mozilla PDF.js | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Web | 8.8 |
| 6 | KDAN PDF | Yes | $59.99/yr | Yes | 8.7 | ||
| 7 | Evince | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Desktop | 8.6 |
| 8 | Adobe Acrobat Reader | Yes | Yes | Yes | Cross-platform | 8.5 | |
| 9 | Papers | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Desktop | 8.5 |
| 10 | Skim | Yes | Free | Yes | Desktop | 8.4 | |
| 11 | GoodReader | No | Yes | Yes | Mobile | 8.3 | |
| 12 | MuPDF | Yes | $299/unit/mo | Yes | Cross-platform | 8.2 | |
| 13 | StarForce Reader | Yes | Free | 7.8 | |||
| 14 | LiquidText | Yes | Yes | Cross-platform | 7.8 | ||
| 15 | Aiseesoft Free PDF Viewer | Yes | Free | Desktop | 7.6 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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