7 Best Free PDF Tools in 2026 — Complete Comparison

With dozens of free PDF tools available online, choosing the right one isn't easy. We tested the most popular options and compared them on what matters most: features, privacy, speed, limitations, and ease of use.

What We Tested

We evaluated each tool on: number of available tools, whether files are uploaded to servers or processed locally, speed of processing, file size and usage limits, whether an account is required, and mobile compatibility.

1. PDFably — Best for Privacy

PDFably processes all files in the browser using JavaScript. No files are ever uploaded. It offers 24 tools including merge, split, compress, rotate, and convert. No account needed, no file limits, and it works on any device. The trade-off is that very large files depend on your device's processing power.

2. iLovePDF — Most Popular

iLovePDF is the most well-known PDF tool with 180M+ monthly visits. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools with cloud integration (Google Drive, Dropbox). However, files are uploaded to their servers, and the free tier has daily usage limits and a 100MB file size cap.

3. Smallpdf — Best Design

Smallpdf offers a clean interface with 20+ tools. Like iLovePDF, it uploads files to servers. The free tier allows 2 tasks per day, which is quite restrictive. Paid plans start at $12/month.

4. PDF24 — Best Desktop App

PDF24 offers both online tools and a free desktop application for Windows. The desktop app is powerful and processes files locally. However, the online version uploads files to servers.

5. Sejda — Best for Editing

Sejda stands out with its PDF editor that lets you add text and images directly. Free tier limits to 3 tasks per hour and 50MB files. Processing happens on their servers.

6. PDF Candy — Good All-Rounder

PDF Candy offers 44 tools online. The interface is straightforward. Free usage has hourly limits and files are processed server-side.

7. Adobe Acrobat Online — Best Brand

Adobe's free online tools handle basic tasks like merge and compress. The brand name carries trust, but free features are very limited and push heavily toward the paid Acrobat subscription.

The Verdict

For everyday PDF tasks with maximum privacy, PDFably is the best choice — your files never leave your device. For heavy-duty work with cloud integration, iLovePDF and Smallpdf are solid options. For desktop power users, PDF24's Windows app is unbeatable.