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Highlights alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Highlights: apple platforms only, and not a general PDF editor. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Highlights, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Skim currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1SkSkimOpen sourceYesmacOS3 of 366.5
2PDF Expert logoPDF ExpertFree plan + paidNomacOS, iOS4 of 462.6
3Okular logoOkularOpen sourceYesLinux, Windows4 of 459.6
4Adobe Acrobat Reader logoAdobe Acrobat ReaderFreeNoWindows, macOS, iOS +24 of 457.2
  1. Sk

    1. SkimTop pick

    Best for: Mac users, especially academics using LaTeX, who annotate and review papers

    Open sourcemacOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Highlights

    Free open-source Mac annotator with a notes panel and LaTeX support.

    Pros

    • Strong annotation and notes review panel
    • SyncTeX support for LaTeX writers
    • Free and open source

    Cons

    • Mac only
    • No editing, conversion or signing
    • Dated interface
    Visit Skim Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Skim a good Highlights alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Current version
    1.7.17
    Checked Oct 25, 2026skim-app.sourceforge.io(opens source in a new tab)
    System requirement
    macOS 10.13 or higher
    Checked Oct 25, 2026skim-app.sourceforge.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Notes framework
    SkimNotes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026skim-app.sourceforge.io(opens source in a new tab)
  2. PDF Expert logo

    2. PDF Expert

    Best for: Mac, iPhone and iPad users who want a fast, well-designed PDF editor

    Free plan + paidmacOS, iOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Highlights

    A full Apple-platform editor if you also need to edit and sign.

    Pros

    • Fast with large files and pleasant to read in
    • One subscription covers Mac, iPhone and iPad
    • Excellent Apple Pencil annotation on iPad

    Cons

    • Apple platforms only
    • Editing and conversion need a subscription
    • Fewer advanced prepress tools than Acrobat
    Visit PDF Expert Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is PDF Expert a good Highlights alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Platforms
    Mac, iPhone, iPad
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pdfexpert.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pdfexpert.com(opens source in a new tab)
    System requirement
    macOS Monterey or later
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pdfexpert.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Education discount
    30% off annual plan
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pdfexpert.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Okular logo

    3. Okular

    Best for: Linux users and anyone wanting a free viewer with strong annotation and signing

    Open sourceLinux, Windows

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Highlights

    Free open-source annotator for Linux and Windows users.

    Pros

    • Excellent annotation tools saved into the PDF
    • Opens many formats besides PDF
    • Can verify and add digital signatures

    Cons

    • Cannot edit existing text or convert files
    • macOS only through untested nightly builds
    • KDE-style interface feels out of place on Windows
    Visit Okular Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Okular a good Highlights alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPLv2+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026okular.kde.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Digital signatures
    Verify and sign
    Checked Oct 25, 2026okular.kde.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Windows
    Microsoft Store
    Checked Oct 25, 2026okular.kde.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Linux
    Packaged by distributions
    Checked Oct 25, 2026okular.kde.org(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Adobe Acrobat Reader logo

    4. Adobe Acrobat Reader

    Best for: Anyone who needs a reliable free viewer for forms and signatures that other apps struggle with

    FreeWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Highlights

    Free cross-platform annotation without Markdown export.

    Pros

    • Handles complex forms and odd PDFs very reliably
    • Free commenting, highlighting, form filling and signing
    • Available on every major desktop and mobile platform

    Cons

    • Frequent prompts to upgrade to paid Acrobat
    • Heavier and slower to open than lightweight viewers
    • Cannot edit text or convert documents
    Visit Adobe Acrobat Reader Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Adobe Acrobat Reader a good Highlights alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Forms and signing
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Annotation
    Comments, highlights, freehand drawing
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adobe.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Highlights alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Sk

Best Highlights alternative for most people

Skim

Free open-source Mac annotator with a notes panel and LaTeX support.

Okular logo

Best Highlights alternative for a free option

Okular

Free open-source annotator for Linux and Windows users.

PDF Expert logo

Best Highlights alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

PDF Expert

A full Apple-platform editor if you also need to edit and sign.

Sk

Best Highlights alternative for open source

Skim

Free open-source Mac annotator with a notes panel and LaTeX support.

Adobe Acrobat Reader logo

Best Highlights alternative for Mac

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Free cross-platform annotation without Markdown export.

Okular logo

Best Highlights alternative for Windows

Okular

Free open-source annotator for Linux and Windows users.

Okular logo

Best Highlights alternative for Linux

Okular

Free open-source annotator for Linux and Windows users.

Adobe Acrobat Reader logo

Best Highlights alternative for iPhone and Android

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Free cross-platform annotation without Markdown export.

Adobe Acrobat Reader logo

Best Highlights alternative for working in the browser

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Free cross-platform annotation without Markdown export.

Highlights alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Highlights?

Skim ranks first right now. Free open-source Mac annotator with a notes panel and LaTeX support. PDF Expert and Okular follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Highlights?

Yes. Skim (open source), PDF Expert (free plan + paid), Okular (open source) and Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Highlights?

Yes: Skim and Okular.

Which Highlights alternatives work on Linux?

Okular runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Highlights?

The complaints we hear most: apple platforms only; not a general PDF editor; key export features need Pro.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Highlights, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.