Inside the free Reader, many tools (like "Edit PDF" or "Convert PDF") are grayed out. If you click them, a pop-up will appear offering a 7-day free trial of Acrobat Pro. If you enter your credit card for the trial and forget to cancel, you will be charged.
If you have ever downloaded a document, filled out a tax form, or received a resume via email, you have likely used Adobe Reader. For decades, it has been the standard tool for opening PDF files. adobe reader is free or not
You do not need to pay for Adobe Reader to open, read, annotate, or sign PDFs. The software is genuinely free for these core tasks. However, if you need to edit text or convert files to other formats, you will need to purchase a subscription to Adobe Acrobat Pro or switch to a different free alternative. Just be careful not to click the "Start Free Trial" buttons, and you will never be charged. Inside the free Reader, many tools (like "Edit