# Google PDF Viewer

> Allows you to view pdf files with the google pdf viewer.

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/google-pdf-viewer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/google-pdf-viewer)

## Overview

- **ID:** `google-pdf-viewer`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** def00111
- **Category:** download-management,social-communication,other
- **Daily users:** 785
- **Weekly downloads:** 17
- **Rating:** 3.31 / 5 (42 ratings)
- **Version:** 1.3.7.6resigned1
- **Last updated:** 2024-04-25
- **First published:** 2017-06-05
- **Size:** 13 KB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-13
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/google-pdf-viewer/)
- **Website:** [https://github.com/def00111/google-pdf-viewer/issues](https://github.com/def00111/google-pdf-viewer/issues)

## Description

Google PDF Viewer is a Chrome extension designed to allow users to effortlessly view PDF files within their browser. It provides a fast and reliable way to open and read PDF documents without needing to download additional software. This extension focuses solely on enhancing your PDF viewing experience through Google’s powerful PDF viewing technology.

Please note, this add-on is unrelated to the official Google PDF Viewer app available on the Google Play Store. For more online document viewing tools, explore other add-ons like Online Docs Viewer, Google Docs Viewer, Always Preview, and Docs Online Viewer Fork on Mozilla Add-ons.

## Rankings

- #3,883 — Overall
- #348 — Download Management
- #21 — viewer
- #63 — google docs
- #64 — google keep
- #67 — pdf

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `webRequest`
- `webRequestBlocking`
- `*://*/*`
- `tabs`
- `contextMenus`
- `downloads`

### Content script matches

- `docs.google.com`
- `*`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** Very high risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** Low risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- Allows access to all websites, posing a significant security risk as it can monitor and modify data from any visited site.
- This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

## Review summary

User reviews of the Google PDF Viewer Firefox add-on reveal mixed experiences. Some users praise it for enabling in-browser PDF viewing and improving efficiency without setup hassles. However, multiple users report it doesn't work properly, often defaulting to downloading PDFs instead of showing them, and criticize the lack of documentation or updates. There's also confusion about its relationship to Google services and dissatisfaction with its PDF viewing quality compared to Firefox's built-in viewer.

### Pros

- Works great for some users and enhances PDF viewing experience within Firefox.
- Simple installation with no complex setup required; works immediately if logged into Gmail.
- Helps open PDFs inside the browser, improving workplace efficiency, especially for users who switched to Firefox Quantum.
- Saves time by providing an alternate PDF viewer on macOS and other platforms.

### Cons

- Does not work as expected for many users; often does nothing or defaults to downloading PDFs instead of displaying them.
- Lack of documentation or guidance on how to use the add-on, leading to confusion among users.
- Not updated for many years (last updated 5 years ago), causing compatibility and functionality issues.
- Confusion regarding whether it is related to Google or its distinction from Google Docs Viewer.
- Inferior performance compared to Firefox's integrated PDF viewer in some cases.

## Similar extensions and apps

- [Google Docs Viewer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/google-docs-viewer) — 1,676 users, 3.56 / 5
- [Online Docs Viewer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/online-docs-viewer) — 235 users, 3.92 / 5
- [Docs Viewer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/document-viewer) — 676 users, 2.64 / 5
- [Doc to PDF](https://chrome-stats.com/d/doc-to-pdf) — 175 users, 3.00 / 5
- [Docs Online Viewer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/docs-online-viewer) — 2,457 users, 2.53 / 5
- [OnlinePDF Viewer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/onlinepdf-viewer) — 1 users
- [ViewerJS WE](https://chrome-stats.com/d/viewerjs-we) — 24 users, 4.33 / 5
- [Always Preview (obsolete)](https://chrome-stats.com/d/always-preview-webextension) — 143 users, 4.35 / 5
- [Docs Online Viewer (fork)](https://chrome-stats.com/d/docs-online-viewer-fork) — 44 users, 2.00 / 5
- [PDF2Go - PDF Editor & Converter](https://chrome-stats.com/d/online-pdf-editor-pdf2go-com) — 13,563 users, 4.10 / 5
- [Google Docs/Sheets/Slides Image Download/Zoom](https://chrome-stats.com/d/google-docs-image-zoom) — 467 users, 4.25 / 5
- [PDF Web Viewer](https://chrome-stats.com/d/no-pdf-download1) — 1 users

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/google-pdf-viewer)