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Skim alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Skim: mac only, and no editing, conversion or signing. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Skim, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Highlights currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Okular logoOkularOpen sourceYesLinux, Windows4 of 459.6
  1. Okular logo

    1. OkularTop pick

    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 Skim

    A free open-source annotator if you also use Linux or Windows.

    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 Skim 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)

The best Skim alternative for…

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

Highlights logo

Best Skim alternative for most people

Highlights

A modern Apple app for annotating papers, with Markdown export and iPad support.

Okular logo

Best Skim alternative for a free option

Okular

A free open-source annotator if you also use Linux or Windows.

PDF Expert logo

Best Skim alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

PDF Expert

A polished Mac editor that also edits text and fills forms.

Okular logo

Best Skim alternative for open source

Okular

A free open-source annotator if you also use Linux or Windows.

PDFgear logo

Best Skim alternative for Mac

PDFgear

Free Mac app that adds editing and conversion.

Okular logo

Best Skim alternative for Windows

Okular

A free open-source annotator if you also use Linux or Windows.

Okular logo

Best Skim alternative for Linux

Okular

A free open-source annotator if you also use Linux or Windows.

PDFgear logo

Best Skim alternative for iPhone and Android

PDFgear

Free Mac app that adds editing and conversion.

PDFgear logo

Best Skim alternative for working in the browser

PDFgear

Free Mac app that adds editing and conversion.

Skim alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Skim?

Highlights ranks first right now. A modern Apple app for annotating papers, with Markdown export and iPad support. PDF Expert and Okular follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Skim?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Skim?

Yes: Okular.

Which Skim alternatives work on Linux?

Okular runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Skim?

The complaints we hear most: mac only; no editing, conversion or signing; dated interface.

How is this list ranked?

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