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PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg

By Jb Audras

Content Management / Document Management & Downloads

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

6.94/10

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 offers a straightforward PDF embedding experience within the Gutenberg editor, standing out for its simplicity and ease of use compared to other PDF plugins.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Simple and intuitive block integration within Gutenberg.
Responsive design that works well on smartphones.
No configuration needed; works out of the box.
Supports landscape presentations and scales to 100%.
Lightweight and focused on PDF viewing without extra features.

Weaknesses

Incompatibility issues with Microsoft Edge browser causing false phishing warnings.
Limited customization options such as default height settings.
Lacks advanced features found in some alternatives like flipbook effects or extensive embedding options.
No pro version available for enhanced functionality.

User Sentiment Analysis

User comments highlight the plugin's ease of use and reliability, with some concerns about browser compatibility and customization.

Positive highlights

"Excellent! Awesome! Works like a charm!" - leftezi
"El mejor visor de pdf con todas las opciones incorporadas, responsive, un bloque muy sencillo de usar que no defrauda." - claumigue
"Very easy to install and to use. No need to configure anything. And it works out of the box." - Kerfred
"It works without any problems on smartphones. Highly functional yet simple and easy to use." - Senri Miura
"The presentation is not in the preview but shows landscape presentations just fine and scales to 100%." - revanslacey

Common complaints

Incompatibility with Microsoft Edge browser causing false phishing warnings.
Lack of options to set default values like height in plugin settings.
No preview of presentation mode within the editor.
Limited ability to check media file names of embedded blocks.

Weaknesses

Browser compatibility issues, especially with Edge.
Limited customization and configuration options.
No advanced features or premium support.
No pro version to extend functionality.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a simple, no-fuss PDF viewer block integrated directly into Gutenberg, especially those prioritizing ease of use and mobile responsiveness.

Not ideal for

Users needing advanced PDF features, extensive customization, or reliable support across all browsers including Microsoft Edge may find this plugin limiting.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version includes a fully functional PDF viewer block for Gutenberg with responsive design and basic embedding features suitable for most standard uses.

Final Verdict

PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg is an excellent choice for users who want a straightforward, easy-to-use PDF embedding solution within the Gutenberg editor. Its simplicity and responsiveness make it ideal for basic PDF viewing needs without extra configuration.

However, users requiring advanced features or full browser compatibility, especially with Microsoft Edge, may need to consider alternative plugins. The lack of a pro version limits options for enhanced functionality.