iPad app for reading PDFs
October 6, 2013 9:40 AM   Subscribe

I have been trying out different iPad apps for reading PDFs, but haven't found one that really suits my needs yet.

Here are the things I'm looking for:

- Less annotating functionality. I'm using it for pleasure reading, and I don't want to deal with annotation options popping up when I don't make the right gesture. (Otherwise GoodReader would be great. Also, I use GR for academic reading and I like to keep them separate.)

- Syncs with Dropbox without workarounds like downloading from Dropbox and then choosing to open in the app. (Otherwise iBooks would be great.)

- After initial sync, all files are available offline, like GR. I don't have wi-fi all the time. (Otherwise the Dropbox app would be great.)

Free is nice but not necessary. The main problem is that I don't like paying for apps when I'm not sure they're what I'm looking for, and it's often hard to tell for the descriptions!
posted by Kutsuwamushi to Computers & Internet (9 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Goodreader has automatic sync with dropbox.
posted by Brent Parker at 9:49 AM on October 6, 2013 [2 favorites]


You can download locally from dropbox. I don't remember how to do it off the top of my head, but I vaguely remember starring the file. I have my med list like this.
posted by kathrynm at 10:01 AM on October 6, 2013


If you are willing to substitute Google Drive for Dropbox, would Drive's PDF viewer work?

I'd also see if the Kindle app might work.
posted by zippy at 10:06 AM on October 6, 2013


Best answer: I use PDF Expert on my phone and it is a great doesn't-get-in-the-way reader. I don't own the iPad version but would probably buy it if it goes on sale. There is also a newish app I haven't put through its paces yet called PDF Box which seems similar to the way expert works (no constant toolbars popping up, etc); I've been reading a couple things in it on my iPad but I don't think it has any built-in Dropbox functionality (PDF Expert does have Dropbox, iCloud, and I think several other options). Like you, I dislike GoodReader (and the very similar PDF Max) because of all the interface extras popping up when I'm just trying to read something.
posted by sherman at 10:20 AM on October 6, 2013 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: I specifically ruled out GoodReader and Dropbox already. GoodReader has too many annotation tools and I already use it for academic reading, which I'd like to keep separate from my personal reading. Dropbox requires you to star files you want to view offline, which means that if I upload something using my laptop, I have to remember to find and star that specific file on my iPad before going out of wi-fi range - a major pain!

I use GoogleDrive for academic stuff also so that's out even if I really didn't want to stick with Dropbox's cloud storage.

/threadsit
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 10:42 AM on October 6, 2013


Best answer: Notability in read-only mode.
posted by no regrets, coyote at 10:46 AM on October 6, 2013


I recently started using Bluefire Reader and am finding it perfectly acceptable so far. I've only used it for epubs as yet, but it can handle PDFs too. Not sure how well it addresses your criteria re downloading and syncing; the User Guide is here.
posted by Lexica at 10:48 AM on October 6, 2013


Best answer: Have you tried Documents by Readdle? I prefer GoodReader, but Documents is also good. It has Dropbox sync, it plays media files as well, and it's free. It does do PDF annotations, but if I recall the interface is way (way way way) less cluttered than GoodReader. I freely admit that's GoodReader's major fault.

Documents website

Itunes
posted by sevenless at 11:01 AM on October 6, 2013


PDF Expert also is by Readdle. I used Documents for a while and liked it. I then got PDF Expert and haven't used Documents since.
posted by professor plum with a rope at 10:43 PM on October 6, 2013


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