Linux · Office
Okular
Okular is a universal document viewer for KDE that handles PDF, EPUB, and comics with annotation support.
- License
- GPL-2.0+ and GFDL-1.3
- Latest version
- 26.04.3 (July 2, 2026)
- Developer
- KDE
- Installs
- 15,996 (Flathub, 30 days)
What is Okular?
Okular is the standard document viewer for the KDE desktop environment. Developed by the KDE community, it has been a staple for Linux users for over a decade. It is not just a PDF reader but a universal viewer that handles a wide range of formats, including PDF, PS, Tiff, DjVu, images, DVI, XPS, and EPUB. The project is mature, stable, and actively maintained as part of the KDE Plasma release cycle.
It is ideal for users who need a lightweight yet feature-rich tool for reading and annotating documents without the bloat of full office suites. It serves well for students, developers, and anyone who regularly works with technical manuals, comics, or e-books. If you are already using KDE Plasma, it is the default choice. For other desktop environments, it remains a solid, standalone option.
Compared to Foxit PDF Editor, Okular is less of a full editing suite and more of a viewer with strong annotation capabilities. While Foxit allows for deeper PDF manipulation and form filling, Okular focuses on reading, navigating, and adding notes. It feels faster and more integrated with the Linux file system, though it lacks some of the advanced commercial editing tools found in Foxit.
Best for: Users who need a fast, multi-format document viewer with basic annotation tools on Linux.
Key features of Okular
- Supports PDF, EPUB, DjVu, XPS, and comic book formats
- Sidebar for contents, thumbnails, and bookmarks
- Text and shape annotations with highlighting
- Search within documents
- Zoom and rotation controls
- Integration with KDE desktop environment
Pros
- Fast and lightweight for large documents
- Supports a wide variety of file formats
- Fully open source and free
- Active development with regular updates
Cons
- Limited advanced PDF editing capabilities compared to Foxit
- Best experience is on KDE, though it works elsewhere
- No cloud sync or mobile app integration
Windows programs Okular replaces
How to install Okular on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.kde.okularsudo apt install okularsudo apt install okularsudo dnf install okularsudo pacman -S okularsudo zypper install okularTips for Windows users
If you are coming from Foxit, expect a simpler interface. Okular handles PDFs, EPUBs, and comics natively, so you do not need separate apps for each. Use the sidebar to navigate large documents quickly. Annotations are added via the toolbar; right-click text to highlight or add notes. Unlike Foxit, Okular does not offer advanced form filling or PDF merging, so keep those tasks for dedicated tools if needed.
Recent releases
- 26.04.3 —
- 26.04.2 —
- 26.04.1 —
- 26.04.0 —
Okular: frequently asked questions
Can Okular edit PDFs?
Okular allows you to add annotations, highlights, and notes to PDFs. It does not support structural editing like changing text or merging files, which are features of full editors.
Does Okular work on GNOME?
Yes, Okular runs on GNOME and other desktop environments. It is packaged in major distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora, though it is optimized for KDE.
Is Okular better than Evince?
Okular supports more file formats, including EPUB and comics, and has a more feature-rich annotation system. Evince is simpler and lighter, making it a good choice for basic PDF viewing.
How do I install Okular on Ubuntu?
You can install Okular via the terminal using 'sudo apt install okular' or through the Ubuntu Software Center. It is also available as a Flatpak from Flathub.
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