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Okular
What it is
Okular is a free, cross-platform document viewer for PDFs, EPUB books, comics, images, Markdown documents, and many other formats. Its supported formats also include PostScript, TIFF, DjVu, DVI, XPS, FictionBook, Plucker, and fax. Readers can select and copy text, areas, and tables, or use Magnifier mode to enlarge small text. Annotation tools add inline or popup notes, highlighting, underlining, and text. Okular can fill forms, provide text-to-speech, and view and verify PDF signatures, detect document modifications, and sign PDFs. It is released under GPLv2+, with source code available in KDE's GitLab repository. KDE says its software does not transmit information from end-user devices except after explicit user action; telemetry is opt-in and disabled by default where provided. Linux packages are available through distribution software stores and Flathub, and the Microsoft Store is the recommended Windows installation source. Okular received the Blue Angel ecolabel in 2022. The page announces version 26.08, released on 20 August 2026.
For and against
For
- Opens a broad range of document and image formats
- Supports notes, highlighting, and underlining
- Can verify and sign PDF signatures
- Free software released under GPLv2+
Against
- OCR support is listed as none
- Untested nightly builds are offered for Windows and macOS
The verdict
Okular combines broad format support with tools for reading, annotating, and handling PDF signatures. Users who need OCR should note that it is not supported.
Who it suits
Okular suits readers who want one viewer for documents, comics, images, or Markdown across Linux, Windows, and macOS. Its annotation and PDF signature tools may also suit users reviewing or signing documents.
Plans and prices
Free Software
GPLv2+
Read 30 Sep 2026 · okular.kde.org
On the record
- Annotation tools
- Can add notes, highlight or underline text, and add custom text to PDFs.okular.kde.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Annotations
- Annotation mode adds inline and popup notes, highlighting, underlining and text.okular.kde.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Annotation tools
- Yesokular.kde.org · read 24 Sep 2026
- Desktop platforms
- Okular works on Linux, Windows, macOS and other platforms including BSD.apps.kde.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Digital signatures
- Okular can view and verify PDF signatures, detect changes after signing and sign PDFs.okular.kde.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Distribution
- Linux packages are available through distribution software stores, Flatpak is available from Flathub, and Microsoft Store is the recommended Windows installation source.okular.kde.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Document viewer
- Okular is a multi-platform universal document viewer for PDFs, comics, EPUB books, images, Markdown documents and more.okular.kde.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Document viewing
- Reads PDFs, comics, and EPub books, browses images, and visualizes Markdown.okular.kde.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Donation option
- The site offers donations to KDE via PayPal and other ways.okular.kde.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Eco certification
- Okular received the Blue Angel ecolabel in 2022 and was the first computer software worldwide to receive it.okular.kde.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Environmental label
- Okular received the Blue Angel ecolabel for resource and energy efficiency.okular.kde.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Format support
- Supported formats include PDF, PS, TIFF, DjVu, images, DVI, XPS, FictionBook, comic books, Plucker, EPUB and fax.apps.kde.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Form filling
- Yesokular.kde.org · read 24 Sep 2026
- Free software
- Okular is fully free software released under GPLv2+.okular.kde.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Latest release
- The page announces Okular 26.08, released on 20 August 2026.okular.kde.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- License
- Okular is released under the GPLv2+ and its source code is available in KDE's GitLab repository.okular.kde.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Maintained by
- The site and project are maintained by KDE Webmasters and associated with KDE.okular.kde.org · read 27 Sep 2026
- Modular installation
- Installations can include separate modules for specific formats and interface translations.okular.kde.org · read 30 Sep 2026
