Comparison
PrivaPDF vs Smallpdf
— the private alternative.
Both tools offer free PDF editing online. The difference: PrivaPDF runs entirely in your browser — your files never touch a server. Smallpdf uploads every document you process to their infrastructure.
Feature comparison
| Feature | PrivaPDF | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| Files uploaded to server | ✗ Never | ✓ Always |
| Free daily / hourly limit | Unlimited | 2 files/hour (anonymous) |
| Account required | ✗ Never | Required after free limit |
| Watermark on output | ✗ Never | No (but size limits) |
| Works offline | ✓ Yes (PWA) | ✗ Requires internet |
| Merge, Split, Compress | ✓ All free | ✓ Limited free tier |
| PDF to Word / Excel | ✗ Not available | ✓ Pro ($9/mo) |
| OCR (scan to text) | ✓ Free (in-browser) | ✓ Pro only |
| Privacy | 100% local | Files stored on servers |
| Supported by | Ads (free) | Ads + subscription upsells |
Try PrivaPDF — all tools free
FAQ
- Why choose PrivaPDF over Smallpdf?
- PrivaPDF processes everything inside your browser — your files never leave your device. Smallpdf uploads your documents to their servers to process them. For contracts, medical records, or personal IDs, PrivaPDF is the private-by-design choice.
- Does PrivaPDF have all the same features as Smallpdf?
- PrivaPDF covers all the common tasks including OCR: merge, split, compress, convert, rotate, unlock, watermark, extract, reorder, and scan-to-text — all free, all in-browser. Smallpdf adds enterprise features like PDF-to-Word that require server-side processing and a subscription.
- Is PrivaPDF really free with no limits?
- Yes. All tools are free, unlimited, and require no signup. The app is supported by ads.
- What about Smallpdf's daily free limit?
- Smallpdf allows 2 free file operations per hour for anonymous users. PrivaPDF has no such limit — process as many files as you like.