Imagine y'all're a instructor with a uncomplicated WordPress site. You're getting excited about the new school twelvemonth nonetheless you'd like to requite your students some digital-friendly documents for them to prepare for classes and understand the fabric. Your first society of business organization is to share the class rubric with all of the assignments and tests throughout the semester. You have the PDF file, but you're unable to arrive all that printer-friendly equally a blog post or page.

Why doesn't WordPress have a PDF viewer where visitors can view a total PDF and download information technology if they want? WordPress has plenty of features, just a PDF viewer isn't 1 of them. Luckily, the wonderful world of WordPress PDF viewer plugins come to the rescue.

What's a WordPress PDF Viewer Plugin and When Would You Apply Information technology?

Take our case of the teacher and the rubric above. In this situation, there's no substitute for a viewable and printable PDF on the class website. Chances are, half of the students volition throw out printed handouts and the idea of copying and pasting the PDF content into a blog post is a formatting and press nightmare.

PDFs are bang-up for many situations, and a PDF plugin allows you to embed a full WordPress PDF viewer into a WordPress folio.

WordPress PDF viewer
WordPress PDF viewer

This manner, your visitors can flip through the pages similar a existent document, while also zooming in, taking notes and printing out the document when needed. Some of the PDF plugins offer other useful tools for converting a weblog mail to a PDF or generating a cover image for a PDF y'all upload to your WordPress blog.

In brusque, a standard PDF viewer enables users to see a PDF as if the file were saved on their own computer. They get the capabilities expected of a PDF along with some other handy features the WordPress plugin developers take thrown in in that location.

When Would You Use a PDF Viewer Plugin?

When to use a WordPress PDF viewer
When to use a WordPress PDF viewer
  • When yous already have a big certificate formatted and made into a PDF. Information technology would be a waste to rewrite or reformate.
  • For displaying large documents that would look silly as a blog post or page.
  • If you lot need to share links to documents that shouldn't exist modified past the people who download them. Technically you tin can convert a PDF to an editable document, but there are ways to secure the PDFs or at least make them harder to modify.
  • When you're sharing documentation that needs to exist signed and dated by numerous people. For instance, a real estate agent tin can either transport out the same contract to hundreds of clients or simply have them all download it from a website.
  • If you'd similar to share something online and not have it discoverable by search engines. One instance might exist an eBook, where you'd rather protect the content and not have the search engines crawling for it.
  • When you need to generate a PDF based on some of your current website content, like a serial of blog posts you'd like to turn into an eBook.

The Best WordPress PDF Viewers in 2019

To help you weed through all the options available, hither are the 12 all-time WordPress PDF Viewer plugins worth looking into (in no particular society).

  • PDF Embedder
  • Google Md Embedder
  • PDF Viewer for WordPress
  • PDF.js Viewer Shortcode
  • WP Booklet
  • Flowpaper
  • Vanilla PDF Embed
  • PDF Viewer
  • PDF and Impress by BestWebSoft
  • PDF Tab for WooCommerce
  • Real3D FlipBook WordPress Plugin
  • Embed PDF Viewer

1. PDF Embedder

The PDF Embedder plugin has been around for some time now, and it's ane of the cleanest ways to present your PDFs on a website. The free version of PDF Embedder includes the bulk of the features you'll need, with the quick upload push, PDF embed office and your regular navigation buttons.

PDF Embedder plugin
PDF Embedder plugin

If you need avant-garde features like mobile-friendliness, a fullscreen button and folio jump technology, the premium version of PDF Embedder is right for you lot.

Why This PDF Viewer Rocks

  • The PDF upload merely takes one simple click.
  • Your PDF snaps into place depending on the size of the screen. You tin can also adjust the dimensions manually.
  • The plugin merely uses JavaScript for display, and then the viewing feel is much smoother than if it were to utilize iframes.
  • You can get premium features like full-screen mode, PDF security, and continuous scrolling through pages.
  • The premium version of the plugin only has a small one-fourth dimension payment.

The Downsides

  • The free version doesn't secure whatsoever of your content, so someone could technically come up and grab your PDF if they wanted to. Of grade, you can upgrade to the premium version to solve this problem.
  • The page flip buttons are modest and in an odd location towards the bottom left-hand corner of the screen.

two. Google Doc Embedder

The main benefit of going with the Google Doctor Embedder is that it supports a wide range of file types. You don't demand to convert your files to Google Docs, just I'm assuming that used to exist the case when this plugin was created. You won't get sold on a premium version for the Google Doc Embedder, and so all of the features covered are given out for free.

Google Doc Embedder Plugin
Google Doc Embedder Plugin

As for the coolest features, check them out below:

Why This PDF Viewer Rocks

  • A quick embed push shows upwardly in your WordPress post editor. Therefore, you can add together PDFs and other files while you're writing upwardly a mail service.
  • The plugin supports everything from PDFs to Word docs and PSDs to OTFs. The file support is about probable why y'all'd select Google Doc Embedder.
  • The plugin currently translates into ten different languages allowing for more than people to access information technology and use the plugin on their sites.
  • You also have the option to work with shortcodes if that'southward more your manner.

The Downsides

  • Much of the functionality from this plugin relies on Google hosting your documentation. Usually, yous'll take no problem with this, just yous don't technically have full control over your content. In short, the PDFs aren't beingness hosted on your own server, so they're never completely secure.
  • Information technology doesn't take an upload feature for pulling local documents, then you're required to upload your documents, then copy and paste a URL. This is a somewhat outdated way of doing things.

Nosotros've nerveless here six means how you tin can import Google Docs into WordPress, make certain to check out if you're interested.

3. PDF Viewer for WordPress

For one payment of $17, you gain access to the majority of WordPress PDF viewer features y'all and your visitors need. In fact, PDF Viewer for WordPress is one of the nearly powerful, characteristic-rich viewer plugins on the market.

PDF Viewer for WordPress plugin
PDF Viewer for WordPress plugin

It's fully responsive, so all of your PDF files get displayed nicely on every device. A beginner wouldn't take any problem working with the plugin since it has a quick embed role that supports unlimited PDF files and sizes.

Why This PDF Viewer Rocks

  • It tin be translated into more than 100 languages.
  • The plugin connects to Google Analytics for tracking how many people read and download your PDFs.
  • Bookmarks and links are supported in the documents.
  • Shortcodes are bachelor if you'd rather insert PDFs that fashion.
  • The programmer offers some of the best support and documentation in this niche.

The Downsides

  • The PDF Viewer for WordPress plugin doesn't have whatever tools for securing your PDFs.

4. PDF.js Viewer Shortcode

With the worst name of the agglomeration, PDF.js Viewer Shortcode is still no slouch when it comes to displaying your PDFs in a cute manner. In fact, the user side of this viewer definitely competes for the top spot. It has an elegant gray theme frame and a document outline for people to bound effectually from folio to page.

Subscribe At present

PDF.js Viewer Shortcode plugin
PDF.js Viewer Shortcode plugin

Not to mention, it'southward completely free without any upsells along the way.

PDF.js Viewer Shortcode plugin
PDF.js Viewer Shortcode plugin

Why This PDF Viewer Rocks

  • The certificate outline shows content on each page, allowing users to quickly browse through.
  • It's one of the few PDF viewers with customizable buttons.
  • You can protect your PDFs with passwords.
  • The plugin has a feature similar to image lazy loading where a large document doesn't completely evidence up until specific pages are navigated to. This keeps your site speeds fast.

The Downsides

  • Several users have reported issues with alien security and caching plugins.
  • Some Net Explorer users have seen bug when viewing PDFs in their browser.

5. WP Booklet

WP Booklet has a focus on refined mag-style displays, using flip animations and page pop-ups to mimic the reading of a pamphlet or magazine in real life. It's definitely a watered downwardly version of Real3D FlipBook (covered below,) but it does the job without yous having to pay whatever money.

WP Booklet plugin
WP Booklet plugin

The plugin supports both PDFs and images, so a photo flipbook is entirely possible as well. They even throw in some templates to get you started.

WP Booklet plugin
WP Booklet plugin

Why This PDF Viewer Rocks

  • The templates come in handy for beginners who don't want to mess with any settings or design.
  • You can upload PDFs and images in bulk.
  • The page thumbnails help users navigate effectually the certificate.

The Downsides

  • Irresolute the style of your flipbook requires accessing site files, making it a complete hurting in the barrel.
  • Apparently, the Upload PDF push doesn't testify upward for some users.
  • Compared to the displays from other WordPress PDF viewers on this list, information technology'southward not the prettiest.

6. Flowpaper

Flowpaper has an advanced-looking WordPress PDF viewer without any price tag. It looks nice, but the backend controls are far from user-friendly. If you lot're a more avant-garde programmer who wants a cute, gratuitous PDF viewer, this might be the one for you lot. If you're a beginner, yous may get tripped up by the code customizations and storage limits.

Flowpaper WordPress plugin
Flowpaper WordPress plugin

Why This PDF Viewer Rocks

  • Users accept three options for getting their PDFs online. One of them involves hosting the PDF somewhere else and pasting in the link. Another lets you upload to WordPress. The 3rd option uploads the PDF to the Flowpaper cloud.

The Downsides

  • If you don't host your PDFs on the Flowpaper deject you lot're limited to 15MB per publication.
  • Flowpaper is known for non supporting all browsers and devices right out of the box. There are ways to fix this though.
  • The PDF embed process requires you to utilize a shortcode. Some might rather have a quick upload button that drops the PDF into the post without a code.
  • All customizations must be done by editing code.

seven. Vanilla PDF Embed

This PDF viewer is called vanilla for a reason. The basic, minimalist user interface drops a PDF in your post without whatever bells and whistles. There's no premium version, and then you get things like page jumping, searching, zooming and printing without having to pay a dime. Check out the Vanilla PDF Embed plugin.

Vanilla PDF Embed plugin
Vanilla PDF Embed plugin

Why This PDF Viewer Rocks

  • It doesn't have tons of unnecessary features, and the shortcodes are fairly easy to employ.
  • The plugin provides a clean reading experience for your users.

The Downsides

  • Many mobile browsers have been known to prove a grayness box instead of the PDF.
  • There'southward no quick upload button, so you're required to host on another source or upload the PDF to WordPress then employ the shortcode.
  • Y'all need to identify minor bits of code in the shortcode to customize the viewer.

8. PDF Viewer

A few years ago, the PDF Viewer plugin would accept been one of the top mentions on this list. But the developers take stopped managing it, so it's tough to recommend it unless you lot're willing to take that risk.

PDF Viewer plugin
PDF Viewer plugin

Anyway, the plugin only utilizes JavaScript, making for a smooth feel on the frontend. This also means that your users don't have to install any additional browser software to view the PDFs. Other than that, the viewer has several tools including folio jumping, zooming and bookmarking.

Why This PDF Viewer Rocks

  • The viewer plugin is supported in WordPress multisite.
  • Search for keywords to discover specific spots in the certificate.
  • The Settings page is simple and to the point, providing the shortcode needed, along with some settings for adjusting the height and width of your viewer.

The Downsides

  • The plugin hasn't been updated in over 2 years. This might cause bug in the future, but for now, it seems to be working rather well.
  • The plugin has experienced glitches with Internet Explorer. They do, however, have an option to display a warning for IE users.

9. PDF and Print by BestWebSoft

Not all WordPress PDF plugins serve equally WordPress PDF viewers. Some of them act equally converters when yous'd similar to take a weblog post and switch it to a PDF. That'south exactly what the PDF and Print plugin does, assuasive you lot or your users to complete the conversion directly from your website.

PDF and Print by BestWebSoft plugin
PDF and Impress by BestWebSoft plugin

Nearly of the required features are packed into the free version, just they do have a premium program for things like calculation watermarks, creating custom document headers, integrating with WooCommerce and other niche capabilities.

PDF and Print viewer
PDF and Print viewer

Why This PDF Viewer Rocks

  • It lets your users download PDFs from your posts.
  • The plugin likewise supports pages, search results, athenaeum, and custom post types.
  • You can add the conversion buttons by using widgets or shortcodes.
  • The plugin offers dissimilar icons for your impress buttons.

The Downsides

  • The premium version requires a yearly payment. Information technology's only around $30, only it kind of stinks that you become roped into a recurring payment for such a basic plugin.
  • Folio builder compatibility is completely non-existent.

10. PDF Tab for WooCommerce

PDF Tab for WooCommerce is another culling WordPress PDF plugin, delivering a PDF download button on your e-commerce product pages. Some production information is too long for the product page or perchance it needs to be protected in some fashion. On the other hand, your company might already accept this documentation and there'southward no need to duplicate it.

PDF Tab for WooCommerce plugin
PDF Tab for WooCommerce plugin

For case, some online stores include sizing charts for clothing. I've even seen fitted lid companies with ruler printouts that you can wrap around your head to discover the right fit.

Why This PDF Viewer Rocks

  • The PDF uploads are all handled through WordPress, and so you don't need to mess with shortcodes.
  • A Download PDF button gets displayed right on the product page of your selection.
  • It opens upwards several opportunities to inform buyers about your products.
  • Users can either download the PDF or view it in the browser.

The Downsides

  • Although it may not affair, the plugin doesn't seem to have whatever features for securing your PDFs.
  • You can't upload more than one PDF per product folio.
  • There'southward no easy way to change the text on the Download PDF button.

11. Real3D FlipBook WordPress Plugin

We saved the most beautiful for last since Real3D is pretty phenomenal in its design, merely information technology's too overkill for what most people are looking for. We like Real3D if you're making an online magazine or sharing image-rich pamphlets with clients and customers.

Real3D FlipBook WordPress Plugin
Real3D FlipBook WordPress Plugin

The page flipping technology is the closest yous tin can get to reading an bodily magazine, and the lightbox event clears out all distractions for the reader.

Why This PDF Viewer Rocks

  • It's hands downward the best-designed WordPress PDF viewer.
  • It has a fully customizable user interface for changing items like colors, buttons, borders, page flip sounds and folio shininess.
  • Y'all can upload both PDFs and images.
  • The realistic viewing experience translates well to mobile devices.

The Downsides

  • Basic PDFs don't require this level of style.
  • It's a lilliputian pricier than other options on the marketplace.
  • Users seem to report frequent bugs that crash the entire plugin.

12. Embed PDF Viewer

If you want a super simple and lightweight WordPress PDF viewer, then you might desire to check out Embed PDF Viewer.

Embed PDF Viewer plugin
Embed PDF Viewer plugin

You can embed a PDF from the media library or elsewhere via oEmbed into an object tag or Google Doc Viewer as a fallback. The only requirement is that the URL has to be a reachable link.

Why This PDF Viewer Rocks

  • Super lightweight with no gimmicks or extra unnecessary frills
  • Does what it was created to exercise
  • Inspired by two popular older PDF plugins which are no longer maintained (skilful replacement)
  • Developer is open to pull requests to assistance debug any bug
  • Works with multisite and on mobile devices

The Downsides

  • Lack of documentation
  • Might not have all the features you are needing

Which WordPress PDF Viewer is Right for You?

With such a long list of reputable WordPress PDF viewers, it might seem tough deciding on which i to go with.

Here'due south what nosotros think:

  • If you don't want to pay whatsoever money for your PDF viewer, get with PDF.js Viewer Shortcode or Flowpaper.
  • If you're interested in plentiful features and the most elegant displays, consider PDF Embedder or Real3d Flipbook.
  • If you use Google'south products quite a bit and don't mind them hosting your PDFs, get with Google Doc Embedder.
  • If yous demand to integrate with WooCommerce, consider PDF Tab for WooCommerce or PDF and Impress by BestWebSoft.
  • If you'd like to convert blog posts or pages into PDFs, PDF and Print by BestWebSoft is your plugin.

Overall, your WordPress PDF viewer determination depends entirely on your situation. Luckily, most of them take free versions or inexpensive premium packages. So, give them a try and run across which works all-time for you. If you have any questions about choosing a WordPress PDF viewer, let the states know in the comments below.


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