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PDF.js Viewer

By Ben Lawson

Content Management / Document Management & Downloads

Reviewed by Abdul Hameid

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

PDF.js Viewer Review - In-Depth Analysis

Embed a beautiful PDF viewer into pages using a Gutenberg block or shortcode. Supports multiple languages and features a customizable interface.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.07/10

User Rating

4.4/5 (based on 53+ reviews)

Active Installations

20,000+

Update Frequency

Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Incorporate Mozilla's PDF.js viewer into your pages and posts via a Gutenberg block or a simple shortcode. PDF.js is a javascript library for displaying pdf pages within browsers.

This plugin features a Gutenberg Block and Shortcode for easy integration. It includes translation support for Spanish and French, with more languages ready to be added. The elegant theme adapts to dark and light modes if the browser supports dynamic CSS.

Additional features include customizable buttons, a page navigation drawer, search functionality, and protected PDF password entry. It also has a loading bar that displays partially loaded PDFs, which is great for handling large files. The plugin supports mobile devices and provides an easy-to-use editor media button that generates the shortcode automatically.

Comparing to Alternatives

PDF.js Viewer is a popular plugin for embedding PDFs in WordPress, but it faces competition from several other plugins offering similar functionality.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Simple and reliable PDF embedding for many years
Good support from developers as noted by users
Free and open source with no paid version required
Compatible with shortcodes for easy integration
High user satisfaction with majority 5-star ratings

Weaknesses

Recent versions (2.2) have compatibility issues with WordPress 6.5.5
Known medium severity security vulnerabilities fixed only in recent updates
Some users report plugin not working after updates
No pro version with advanced features available

User Sentiment Analysis

With a strong majority of 5-star ratings (69.8%) and an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5, users generally appreciate the plugin's functionality and support. However, about 9.4% of ratings are 1 or 2 stars, highlighting some issues.

Positive highlights

'Great Support' - impressed with developer responsiveness (Hub5050)
'Excellent PDF Embedder' - reliable alternative to paid plugins (KeithRowley)
'Never failed' - simple and effective over years of use (cengoguven)

Common complaints

Plugin version 2.2 not working on WordPress 6.5.5 and cannot be reactivated after deactivation

Weaknesses

Compatibility problems with latest WordPress versions
Security vulnerabilities reported and fixed in recent updates
Occasional issues with displaying PDFs after updates

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a free, straightforward PDF embedding plugin with good developer support and no need for premium features.

Not ideal for

Users running the latest WordPress versions who require guaranteed compatibility or those concerned about past security vulnerabilities without applying updates promptly.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers full PDF embedding functionality with shortcode support and regular updates.

Final Verdict

PDF.js Viewer is a solid choice for embedding PDFs in WordPress, offering simplicity, good support, and a strong track record of user satisfaction. Its free availability makes it accessible to a wide audience, though recent updates have introduced some compatibility challenges.

Potential users should be aware of past security vulnerabilities that have been addressed in recent versions and ensure they keep the plugin updated. Those needing advanced features or guaranteed compatibility with the latest WordPress releases might consider alternative plugins.