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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
1Adobe Acrobat Reader logoAdobe Acrobat ReaderFreeNoWindows, macOS, iOS +24 of 457.2
  1. Adobe Acrobat Reader logo

    1. Adobe Acrobat ReaderTop pick

    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.