Zathura
Zathura is a free, customizable document viewer for Linux and macOS, built around keyboard controls and a compact interface.
What Zathura is
Zathura is a free, customizable document viewer for Linux and macOS, built around keyboard controls and a compact interface. A plugin system supports formats such as PDF, DjVu, PostScript and comic books; PDF viewing uses either Poppler or MuPDF backends. Available formats depend on installed plugins. Keyboard shortcuts handle navigation, scrolling, zooming, search and document links, and mouse controls are also available. Readers can save persistent bookmarks and letter or number quickmarks, while changed files are detected and reloaded automatically. A plain-text configuration file allows settings and shortcut mappings to be changed. Zathura also supports annotation, printing, encrypted documents, metadata display, and export of images and attachments. Forward and backward SyncTeX links source documents and typeset output, with editor integrations documented for Sublime Text LaTeXTools and Atom LaTeX. It works offline and is listed as free. The project lists packages or ports across Linux distributions, OpenBSD and MacPorts.
Good
- Free and open-source software.
- Works offline.
- Supports annotations and document metadata.
- Reloads documents when open files change.
- Supports SyncTeX source-output synchronization.
Watch out
- Available formats depend on installed plugins.
- Platforms listed are Linux and macOS.
- OCR support is not available.
Who it suits
Zathura suits readers who want a compact, keyboard-oriented viewer on Linux or macOS, including users who work with SyncTeX. It is also relevant to people who need offline viewing and configurable shortcuts.
Verdict
Zathura offers a keyboard-focused viewer with plugins, annotation and SyncTeX support, without requiring an internet connection. Readers should check plugin availability for the formats they need.
Plans and prices
From Zathura's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free and open-source software | Free | Free and open source software · document formats depend on installed plugins |
The facts
Each one read from Zathura's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Annotation tools
- Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
- Bookmarks
- It supports persistent bookmarks and letter or number quickmarks for returning to pages.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Current release
- The project page lists version 2026.10.4 as the latest release.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Customization
- A plain-text configuration file can change settings and remap keyboard shortcuts.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The installation page lists packages or ports for Arch Linux, Debian, Fedora, Gentoo, Ubuntu, openSUSE, OpenBSD, MacPorts, and Source Mage.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Document tools
- The viewer can print documents, export images and attachments, open encrypted documents, and display document metadata.checked 9 Oct 2026
- File formats
- A plugin system supports document formats including PDF, DjVu, PostScript, and comic books, with Poppler or MuPDF PDF backends.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documentation describes editor integration for SyncTeX, including Sublime Text LaTeXTools and Atom LaTeX, and the project site says Zathura supports tabbed.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Navigation
- Users can navigate, scroll, zoom, search, and follow document links with keyboard shortcuts; mouse controls are also available.checked 9 Oct 2026
- OCR support
- nonechecked 24 Sep 2026
- Offline access
- Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
- Product
- Zathura is a customizable document viewer with a minimal, space-saving interface focused on keyboard interaction.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Reloading
- Zathura detects changes to the open file and reloads the document automatically.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Security
- The installation page lists libseccomp as an optional dependency for sandbox support.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its bug tracker, localization page, and contact page for help.checked 9 Oct 2026
- SyncTeX
- Zathura supports forward and backward SyncTeX synchronization between source documents and typeset output.checked 9 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 24 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platform support
- cross-platformchecked 24 Sep 2026
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