Best Dark Mode Apps Ranked
Reading PDFs at night is basically a rite of passage for students, researchers, and late night professionals. But nothing kills your focus faster than getting hit with a bright, white screen when you are trying to wind down or study in low light.
The problem? Most PDF readers treat dark mode like an afterthought — if they bother including it at all. That is why we have ranked the best options available for a proper dark mode PDF experience, based on comfort, usability, and how seriously they take your late night reading.
1. Shadow Reader
Shadow Reader was not built with dark mode as an optional toggle. It was designed for it from the start. For anyone reading, annotating, or working through PDFs late at night, Shadow Reader offers the cleanest, most intentional dark mode experience available.
Why it stands out
- True dark mode applied to both the document and entire interface
- Minimal, modern design built for focused reading
- Integrated highlighting, note taking, and organization tools
- Works across devices with no browser dependencies
- Fast, responsive updates based on user feedback
The bottom line
If your reading habits extend into late hours and you actually engage with your PDFs, Shadow Reader is built for you. No workarounds. No hidden settings. Just reading, the way it should be.
2. Dark Reader (For Browser Based PDFs)
Dark Reader is a go-to browser extension for applying dark mode across websites, including PDFs opened directly in Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. While not a dedicated PDF reader, it gets the job done for casual browsing and light PDF reading.
Why it stands out
- Fast, easy dark mode toggle for browser PDFs
- Customizable brightness and contrast settings
- Works on most websites beyond just PDFs
What to keep in mind
- Relies on color inversion, which can distort images or highlights
- Not ideal for heavy reading, studying, or annotation
- No free version to explore the extension — users are required to purchase upfront before testing features
The bottom line
Great for quick, casual PDF viewing in your browser, but limited when you need to go deeper.
3. PDF Viewer Pro for Chrome
PDF Viewer Pro improves the built in PDF experience in Chrome by adding layout controls, better text handling, and basic dark mode functionality. It is simple, lightweight, and ideal for occasional PDF reading in the browser.
Why it stands out
- Adds dark mode and layout tools to Chrome's PDF viewer
- Lightweight and quick to install
- Useful for short reading sessions
What to keep in mind
- Dark mode relies on inversion
- Limited annotation and study tools
- Browser dependent
The bottom line
A good upgrade from Chrome's basic PDF viewer, but it falls short for more serious reading or note heavy workflows.
4. Sumatra PDF (Windows Only)
Sumatra PDF has been around for over a decade and is beloved for its speed and simplicity. It offers basic dark mode functionality through color inversion and remains one of the lightest PDF viewers available.
Why it stands out
- Extremely lightweight and fast
- Minimal, distraction free interface
- Open source and portable
What to keep in mind
- Dark mode applies only to the document, not the interface
- Limited annotation tools
- Available for Windows only
The bottom line
Sumatra PDF is great for fast, lightweight viewing with basic dark mode, but its limitations show for users who need more modern tools or deep reading features.
5. Foxit PDF Reader
Foxit PDF Reader is a full featured alternative to Adobe Acrobat that includes dark mode options for document viewing. It is feature packed with annotation, form filling, and editing tools, though its dark mode experience feels more like a checkbox feature than a polished design.
Why it stands out
- Dark mode available for document backgrounds
- Full PDF toolset including annotation and form handling
- Available on multiple platforms
What to keep in mind
- Interface remains light in some areas
- Heavier install compared to simpler tools
- Dark mode settings can feel buried
The bottom line
Foxit provides plenty of functionality, but its dark mode feels more like a supporting feature rather than a focus.
Final Thoughts
Not all dark mode PDF readers are created equal. Some offer quick fixes, others prioritize speed, and a few actually treat dark mode as an essential feature.
For casual PDF viewing in the browser, Dark Reader and PDF Viewer Pro offer quick solutions. Sumatra PDF keeps things lightweight for Windows users. Foxit delivers advanced features, but dark mode remains secondary.
But for readers who care about comfort, clarity, and a true dark mode experience built with late night reading in mind, Shadow Reader leads the way.
Clean. Focused. Designed for the hours when most apps fall short.