K

Kami

A PDF and document annotation tool for classrooms. The Chrome extension is free, with basic markup tools and Google Classroom support. Some tools are paid.

Reviewed by Xplorekit's independent developer · Last checked · How we choose

Add to Chrome Free plan, paid plans available · Chrome Web Store

Why it's a strong pick

Kami is built around marking up documents in a school setting. Kami says the Chrome extension is free and gives one-click access to 40+ tools, and that it adds classroom features such as Google Classroom Class View and Publish Changes. It fills a different job from the converters in our list. The trade-off: the free plan covers the basic toolbar, and some tools and integrations are paid.

What it does

Kami lets you annotate a PDF or document in the browser. The free plan's basic toolbar covers annotating, highlighting, drawing, text boxes, text comments and read aloud. It connects to Google Drive and OneDrive. Kami also names Canvas, Schoology and Google Classroom among its integrations.

Key features

  • Basic markup tools. Annotate, highlight, draw, add text boxes and text comments on the free plan.
  • Read aloud. Included in the free plan's basic toolbar, per Kami.
  • Google Drive and OneDrive. Both are part of the free plan.
  • Unlimited collaborators. Kami lists this on its free plan.
  • Classroom features. Google Classroom Class View and Publish Changes, per Kami's help center.
  • LMS links. Kami has a Canvas integration page and a Schoology help article. A paid Schoology integration exists.

Who it's for

Kami suits teachers and students who mark up worksheets, readings and assignments, especially through Google Classroom. It also suits anyone who wants to annotate a PDF with a pen and highlighter and share it with others. It is less useful if you need to convert, compress or merge files. For that, see Smallpdf or iLovePDF. For free commenting and signing from Adobe, see Adobe Acrobat.

What is included in Kami's free plan?

Kami says its free plan includes the basic toolbar: annotating, highlighting, drawing, text boxes, text comments and read aloud. It also lists Google Drive and OneDrive integration and unlimited collaborators. Paid plans exist for all tools and features. We do not print prices, so check Kami's pricing page for what the free plan includes now.

Does Kami store my files?

Kami says it saves files to Google Drive in a "Kami Uploads" folder when you use the Drive integration. It also says it does not store shared files once sharing is completed. Kami says it complies with COPPA, FERPA, SOPPA and SOPIPA. Those are Kami's statements, so read its privacy policy, especially if students use it.

What permissions does Kami ask for?

We could not confirm a full permission list. Check the install prompt for the current list before you add it, and review it again if an update changes it. Chrome also lets you check access in your extension settings later.

Which LMS tools does Kami work with?

Kami names Google Classroom, Canvas and Schoology. Its help center covers Classroom features like Class View and Publish Changes. Some integrations are paid: its help center has an article on a paid Schoology integration. Ask your school which Kami plan it uses before you plan a lesson around a specific integration.

FAQ

Is Kami free? The extension is free, per Kami. The free plan has basic tools. Paid plans cover all tools and features.

Does it need an account? We could not confirm this. Check Kami's site.

Can many people annotate together? Kami lists unlimited collaborators on its free plan.

Good to know

The free plan covers the basic annotation toolbar. If you need a tool and cannot find it, it may be paid. Check Kami's pricing page before you build a class routine around it.

If students will mark up documents that contain personal details, read Kami's privacy policy first. Do not use any online PDF service for sensitive files unless you have read it.

Other pdf viewers & editors to compare

Kami is one of 7 picks in our PDF Viewers & Editors guide, which compares them side by side and explains how to choose. The other picks:

  • Adobe Acrobat: Adobe's own Chrome extension. Free to view, comment, fill and sign. Convert and compress tools need a paid plan or trial.
  • Smallpdf: A "Smallpdf Tools" tab for every PDF you open in Chrome. Compress, convert, merge, split, e-sign and AI summarize. The free tier has a daily task limit.
  • iLovePDF: PDF tools from ILOVEPDF S.L., the company behind ilovepdf.com. Merge, split, compress, convert, protect, sign and OCR.
  • Xodo: Online PDF tools from Xodo, part of Apryse. Edit, convert, compress, merge, redact and sign. Free use is limited per day.
  • Enhanced PDF Viewer: A PDF reader for Chrome from PlugMonkey, built on the PDF.js engine. Keyboard shortcuts, presentation mode, text-to-speech and smart printing.
  • PDF Viewer by Mozilla PDF.js: An open-source extension that opens PDFs in the PDF.js viewer instead of Chrome's built-in one.

Also see: Best Chrome extensions for students.

This is a third-party extension, not built or maintained by Xplorekit. We link to the official Chrome Web Store listing — install and permissions are entirely between you and the extension's own publisher.