Google Scholar PDF Reader vs PDF Viewer: which is better? (2026)
Google Scholar PDF Reader and PDF Viewer are two of the most used extensions for the same job. Here is how they compare on real Chrome Web Store numbers.
Google Scholar PDF Reader vs PDF Viewer at a glance
| Fact | Google Scholar PDF Reader | PDF Viewer |
|---|---|---|
| Store users | ≈2M users | ≈1M users |
| Rating | 4.1★ from 714 ratings | 3.3★ from 2.7K ratings |
| Last update | Updated 4 months ago | Updated 24 months ago |
| Permissions | 8 | 7 |
| Category | Workflow & Planning | Workflow & Planning |
| Maker | Google Ireland, Ltd. | Rob W |
About Google Scholar PDF Reader
Supercharge your paper reading: follow references, skim outline, jump to figures, cite and save.
Google Scholar PDF Reader reviews, users and permissions · Google Scholar PDF Reader alternatives
About PDF Viewer
Uses HTML5 to display PDF files directly in the browser.
PDF Viewer reviews, users and permissions · PDF Viewer alternatives
Google Scholar PDF Reader or PDF Viewer? Questions
Which has more users, Google Scholar PDF Reader or PDF Viewer?
Google Scholar PDF Reader has ≈2M users, against ≈1M users for PDF Viewer.
Which is rated higher, Google Scholar PDF Reader or PDF Viewer?
Google Scholar PDF Reader is rated 4.1 from 714 ratings; PDF Viewer is rated 3.3 from 2.7K.
Which asks for fewer permissions?
PDF Viewer asks for 7 permissions, against 8 for Google Scholar PDF Reader.