Alternatives · PDF Editors
Skim alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the best Skim alternative for most people is PDFgear (3.4 GPA), first in our ranking of PDF editors. It's also the best free one.
Skim compared with 6 alternatives: PDF Expert, PDF Reader Pro, Xodo, PDFgear, PDF Annotator and 1 more.
Skim is free to use. 5 of the 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| SkimThis tool | Free | Free | macOS |
| PDF Expert | Free plan · from $79.99/yr | Yes | macOS, iOS |
| PDF Reader Pro | Free plan · from $59.99/yr | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Xodo | Free plan · from $7.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| PDFgear | Free | Free | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| PDF Annotator | Free trial · from $79.95 one-time | Trial only | Windows |
| SumatraPDF | Free | Free | Web, Windows |
Price against what you get
Skim has no paid plan and scores 2.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 5 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
PDF Expert, PDF Reader Pro, Xodo and PDFgear score higher without starting lower.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from Skim
PDF Expert
PDF reader and editor for Mac, iPhone and iPad from Readdle
- PDF Expert starts at $79.99 per year.
- PDF Expert also lists an iOS app.
- PDF Expert also covers forms.
- PDF Expert does not cover notes and highlights, which Skim does.
Suits: Mac, iPad and iPhone users who want one subscription across all three
PDF Reader Pro
PDF viewer and editor for Mac, Windows, mobile and web
- PDF Reader Pro starts at $59.99 per year (Standard), or $99.99 one-time.
- PDF Reader Pro also lists a web app and Windows, iOS and Android apps.
- PDF Reader Pro can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- PDF Reader Pro also covers documents.
- PDF Reader Pro does not cover notes and highlights, which Skim does.
Suits: People who want one PDF app across desktop and mobile
Xodo
PDF tools on web, desktop and mobile, sold separately or as a suite
- Xodo starts at $7.99 per month, billed annually ($10.99 billed monthly).
- Xodo also lists a web app and Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- Xodo can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Xodo does not cover notes and highlights, which Skim does.
Suits: Linux users who need a full desktop PDF editor
PDFgear
Free PDF editor for desktop, mobile and web with an AI copilot
- PDFgear is free.
- PDFgear also lists a web app, Windows, iOS and Android apps and a browser extension.
- PDFgear also covers forms.
- PDFgear does not cover notes and highlights, which Skim does.
Suits: Anyone who wants a full PDF editor without paying or signing up
PDF Annotator
Windows PDF markup and note-taking app sold as a perpetual license
- PDF Annotator starts at $79.95 one-time per user (version 10).
- PDF Annotator has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike Skim.
- PDF Annotator also lists a Windows app.
- PDF Annotator lists no macOS app, which Skim has.
- PDF Annotator can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Students taking handwritten notes on lecture PDFs
SumatraPDF
Small, free PDF, eBook and comic reader for Windows
- SumatraPDF is free.
- SumatraPDF also lists a web app and a Windows app.
- SumatraPDF lists no macOS app, which Skim has.
- SumatraPDF also covers documents.
- SumatraPDF does not cover notes, highlights and pDF editing, which Skim does.
Suits: Windows users who want a fast, minimal document viewer
Limits worth knowing in Skim
- Mac only; current version 1.7.19 needs macOS 10.13 or higher, with older versions listed for older systems.
- It is a reader and annotator, with no listed tools for editing existing text or filling in forms.
- Support runs through a wiki, mailing lists and bug trackers rather than a company help desk.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Skim?
The alternatives to Skim in this directory are PDF Expert, PDF Reader Pro, Xodo, PDFgear, PDF Annotator and SumatraPDF. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Skim.
Is there a free alternative to Skim?
Yes. PDFgear and SumatraPDF are free to use. PDF Expert, PDF Reader Pro and Xodo have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Skim alternatives work on Windows?
The Skim listing does not include a Windows app. PDF Reader Pro, Xodo, PDFgear, PDF Annotator and SumatraPDF list one.
Which Skim alternatives work on Linux?
The Skim listing does not include a Linux app. Xodo lists one.
When were these prices checked?
Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 18, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.