 |
MuPDF vs Zathura
July 29, 2023 | Author: Adam Levine
6
MuPDF is a lightweight PDF, XPS, and E-book viewer. MuPDF consists of a software library, command line tools, and viewers for various platforms.
7
Zathura is a free, plugin-based document viewer. Plugins are available for PDF, PostScript and DjVu. It was written to be lightweight and controlled with vi-like keybindings. Zathura's customizability makes it well-liked by many Linux users
MuPDF and Zathura are two popular document viewers in the Linux environment, each with its unique set of features and design philosophies. One of the key differences lies in their core functionalities and purposes. MuPDF, developed by Artifex Software Inc., is primarily an efficient and lightweight PDF viewer. It focuses on fast rendering and minimal resource usage, making it an ideal choice for users who prioritize speed and performance, especially on older or less powerful systems. MuPDF lacks some advanced features found in other document viewers, as it aims to be a simple and straightforward tool for viewing PDF files.
On the other hand, Zathura, developed by pwmt.org, is a versatile and extensible document viewer that goes beyond PDF support. While it started as a lightweight PDF viewer, Zathura's modular design allows for the addition of plugins, expanding its capabilities to handle various document formats such as PostScript, EPUB, and even images. Zathura's focus on customization and extension makes it attractive to users seeking a more feature-rich and adaptable document viewer for different file types.
Another significant distinction between MuPDF and Zathura is their user interfaces. MuPDF provides a minimalist and command-line-based interface, appealing to users who prefer a straightforward and no-frills viewing experience. On the contrary, Zathura offers a more interactive and user-friendly graphical interface, with keyboard-driven navigation, and it is customizable to suit individual preferences. The choice between MuPDF and Zathura depends on the user's specific requirements, with MuPDF excelling in simplicity and performance for PDF viewing, while Zathura shines in versatility, extensibility, and a more interactive user interface to handle various document formats.
See also: Top 10 PDF Readers
On the other hand, Zathura, developed by pwmt.org, is a versatile and extensible document viewer that goes beyond PDF support. While it started as a lightweight PDF viewer, Zathura's modular design allows for the addition of plugins, expanding its capabilities to handle various document formats such as PostScript, EPUB, and even images. Zathura's focus on customization and extension makes it attractive to users seeking a more feature-rich and adaptable document viewer for different file types.
Another significant distinction between MuPDF and Zathura is their user interfaces. MuPDF provides a minimalist and command-line-based interface, appealing to users who prefer a straightforward and no-frills viewing experience. On the contrary, Zathura offers a more interactive and user-friendly graphical interface, with keyboard-driven navigation, and it is customizable to suit individual preferences. The choice between MuPDF and Zathura depends on the user's specific requirements, with MuPDF excelling in simplicity and performance for PDF viewing, while Zathura shines in versatility, extensibility, and a more interactive user interface to handle various document formats.
See also: Top 10 PDF Readers
