8 Best Smallpdf Alternatives in 2026
Smallpdf is solid but paid-heavy and uploads your files. If you want free, private, or no-account options, these eight alternatives cover the gap.
Why look for a Smallpdf alternative?
- Price: full features sit behind a paid plan (~$9-12/month) once the free trial ends.
- Privacy: your file is uploaded to Smallpdf's servers to be processed.
- Account: most features require signing in.
- Free-tier limits: exports can be watermarked or capped.
PDFzen vs Smallpdf at a glance
| Area | PDFzen | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, no account | Freemium; ~$9-12/mo for full |
| File handling | Processed in your browser, not uploaded | Uploaded to Smallpdf servers |
| Signup required | No | Yes for most features |
| Watermark | None | Free exports may be branded |
| Core tools | Compress, merge, convert, split, unlock | Very broad suite + e-sign |
| Best for | Quick, private, one-off tasks | Teams needing a full paid suite |
The alternatives
| Tool | Free? | Uploads file? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDFzen | Yes, no account | No (in-browser) | Private compress/merge/convert |
| iLovePDF | Freemium | Yes | Large free suite + OCR |
| PDF24 | Yes | Desktop app available | Offline Windows tool |
| Sejda | Freemium (daily limit) | Yes | Editing + compress |
| Adobe Acrobat online | Limited free | Yes | Adobe ecosystem |
| PDF Candy | Freemium | Yes | Many one-click tools |
| HiPDF | Freemium | Yes | AI-assisted features |
How we chose
We ranked on three things people actually care about: price, whether the file leaves your machine, and whether an account is forced. PDFzen is the only one here that is free, no-account, and processes locally — that is why we built it.
Honest note: if you need OCR or heavy editing, PDFzen isn't it yet — iLovePDF or Sejda fit better. This list is about fit, not "we are #1."
Which alternative fits you?
- Privacy-first, free, no signup: PDFzen.
- Need OCR / big feature set: iLovePDF or Sejda.
- Want it offline on Windows: PDF24.
FAQ
What is the best free Smallpdf alternative?
PDFzen is the best free, no-signup, no-upload option for compress/merge/convert. iLovePDF is best if you need OCR.
Which alternative does not upload my file?
PDFzen processes files in your browser and does not upload them. Most others upload to their servers.
Is there a free offline alternative?
PDF24 offers a free desktop app for Windows that works offline.