PDFKit vs SmallPDF vs iLovePDF
An honest comparison of free PDF tools. See which one respects your privacy the most.
The key difference: your files never leave your device
SmallPDF and iLovePDF upload your files to their servers for processing. PDFKit processes everything in your browser using WebAssembly — your PDFs, contracts, and sensitive documents never leave your device. This isn't just a feature — it's a fundamentally different approach to privacy.
| Feature | PDFKit | SmallPDF | iLovePDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merge PDF | |||
| Split PDF | |||
| Compress PDF | |||
| PDF to Image | |||
| Image to PDF | |||
| Rotate PDF | |||
| Watermark PDF | |||
| Protect PDF | |||
| Add Page Numbers | |||
| 100% Client-Side★ | |||
| No File Upload★ | |||
| No Signup Required★ | |||
| Unlimited Free Use★ | |||
| No Watermarks★ | |||
| Works Offline★ | |||
| GDPR Compliant by Design★ |
PDFKit
Free
Unlimited use, no signup
- All 9 tools included
- No daily limits
- No account needed
SmallPDF
$12/mo
Free: 2 tasks/day
- Limited free use
- Files uploaded to server
- Account required
iLovePDF
$7/mo
Free: limited features
- More generous free tier
- Files uploaded to server
- Ads on free tier
Ready to try the most private PDF toolkit?
No signup. No uploads. Just open and use.