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PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg

By Jb Audras

Content Management / Document Management & Downloads

Reviewed by Abdul Hameid

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

PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg Review - In-Depth Analysis

A simple and free Gutenberg Block for displaying PDF Viewers on your website. It is fully responsive and easy to configure.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.12/10

User Rating

4.8/5 (based on 9+ reviews)

Active Installations

10,000+

Update Frequency

Below 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

This plugin provides a simple and responsive Gutenberg Block to display PDF Viewers or Readers on your website. It is completely free to use and allows for easy configuration of the Reader's width, height, and alignment.

The plugin is compatible with major browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge, and IE11. If JavaScript is disabled, a download link is provided as a fallback option for users.

This plugin utilizes the PDF.js library developed by Mozilla, which is provided under the Apache license.

Comparing to Alternatives

PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg stands out among PDF viewer plugins with its simplicity and effective display capabilities, though several other options exist with varying features.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Simple and easy to use with no configuration needed
Responsive design works well on smartphones
Supports landscape presentations and scales PDFs to 100%
Highly functional yet straightforward block for embedding PDFs
Works out of the box with minimal setup

Weaknesses

Incompatibility with Microsoft Edge browser causing false phishing warnings
Limited customization options such as default height settings
Known medium severity security vulnerability fixed in version 1.0.1
Preview does not always reflect final presentation accurately

User Sentiment Analysis

With a high overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 9 reviews, users generally praise the plugin's ease of use and functionality, though some note browser compatibility issues.

Positive highlights

'The best PDF Viewer' - Kerfred
'Excellent! Awesome! Works like a charm!' - leftezi
'Highly functional and easy to use' - Senri Miura
'I’ve tried a few and found this to be the best' - revanslacey
'El mejor visor de pdf con todas las opciones incorporadas, responsive' - claumigue

Common complaints

Weaknesses

Incompatibility with Microsoft Edge browser causing false phishing warnings
Limited customization options such as default height settings
Preview does not always match final presentation
Medium severity stored cross-site scripting vulnerability fixed in version 1.0.1

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a simple, responsive, and easy-to-use PDF viewer block for Gutenberg that works well on most browsers and devices.

Not ideal for

Those who require extensive customization options or need full compatibility with Microsoft Edge browser until issues are resolved, or who prioritize plugins without any past security vulnerabilities.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers a fully functional PDF viewer block with responsive design and ease of use, suitable for most basic embedding needs.

Final Verdict

PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg is a highly rated plugin praised for its simplicity, responsiveness, and ease of use, making it an excellent choice for users needing straightforward PDF embedding in Gutenberg. Its free availability and out-of-the-box functionality add to its appeal.

However, users should be aware of its incompatibility with Microsoft Edge and the past medium severity security vulnerability, which has been addressed. Those needing advanced customization or guaranteed browser compatibility might consider alternatives. Overall, it offers strong value for most users seeking a reliable PDF viewer block.