Comparison
PrivaPDF vs iLovePDF
— the private alternative.
Both tools offer free PDF editing in the browser. The key difference: PrivaPDF runs entirely on your device — nothing is ever uploaded. iLovePDF sends every document to their servers for processing, with hourly limits for free users.
Feature comparison
| Feature | PrivaPDF | iLovePDF |
|---|---|---|
| Files uploaded to server | ✗ Never | ✓ Always |
| Free task limit | Unlimited | 2 tasks/hour anonymous |
| Account required | ✗ Never | Required for >25 MB files |
| Works offline | ✓ Yes (PWA) | ✗ Requires internet |
| Merge, Split, Compress | ✓ All free | ✓ Limited free tier |
| OCR (scan to text) | ✓ Free (in-browser) | ✓ Premium only |
| Desktop app | ✓ Windows (MSIX) | ✓ Windows/Mac |
| Android app | ✓ Free + ads | ✓ Free + ads |
| Privacy | 100% local | Files processed on servers |
| File size limit | Device memory | 25 MB free, 5 GB premium |
Try PrivaPDF — all tools free
FAQ
- Why choose PrivaPDF over iLovePDF?
- PrivaPDF processes every operation inside your browser — your PDFs never reach a server. iLovePDF uploads your documents to their servers for every task. If privacy matters, PrivaPDF is the better choice.
- Does PrivaPDF have all the features of iLovePDF?
- PrivaPDF covers all the popular tasks including OCR: merge, split, compress, convert, rotate, unlock, watermark, extract, reorder, and scan-to-text. All run in your browser with no upload. iLovePDF adds some enterprise features that require server-side processing.
- How does the free tier compare?
- iLovePDF limits anonymous users to 2 tasks per hour and requires an account for files over 25 MB. PrivaPDF has no task limits, no file-size caps, and never requires an account.
- Is PrivaPDF really completely free?
- Yes — all tools are free, unlimited, and no signup is needed. The app is supported by ads, the same model as iLovePDF.