The best iLovePDF alternatives
iLovePDF is genuinely good, so the reason to look for an alternative is usually specific: you keep hitting free-tier limits, you don't want your files uploaded to someone's server, or you want something open-source. Different reasons point to different tools, so this list says which is which. One entry is our own product, and it's labelled as such.
1. mypdf
Our productFree, no account, and most tools never upload your file (that's us)
Full disclosure: mypdf is our product, which is why it's first on our own list — judge accordingly. The pitch is simple: every tool is free with no account and no daily limits, and most tools run entirely in your browser, so your file is processed on your own device and never uploaded to any server, including ours. The few tools that do need a server (OCR, Office conversion, compression) delete the file immediately after processing.
It covers the everyday jobs — merge, split, compress, convert, OCR, sign, watermark, page numbers, protect/unlock — and it's open-source and self-hostable via Docker, so the privacy claims are checkable rather than a promise.
Browse the toolsPros
- Every tool free, no account, no task or size limits
- Most tools process files in your browser — nothing is uploaded
- Open-source and self-hostable
- No ads
Cons
- Web only — no mobile or desktop apps
- No in-place editing of existing PDF text (you add content on top)
- Smaller tool count than the biggest suites
2. PDF24
The most generous of the established suites — genuinely free
PDF24 is the rare big-name suite with no premium tier at all: 30+ online tools, free, no account. Its Windows desktop app (PDF24 Creator) even works offline, which makes it the strongest privacy option on this list for Windows users. The web tools upload your file to PDF24's servers for processing, like most online suites.
Pros
- Completely free, no limits, no account
- Very large tool count
- Offline Windows desktop app
Cons
- Desktop app is Windows-only
- Online tools upload your files
- Utilitarian design
3. Stirling PDF
The self-hosted powerhouse for people with their own server
Stirling PDF is the best-known open-source PDF suite: 50+ tools you run on your own hardware via Docker. Files never leave infrastructure you control, which is as private as it gets — if you're comfortable operating a server. There's no official hosted version, so it's a tool for homelabbers and teams rather than someone who just needs to merge two files right now.
Pros
- Open-source with a huge tool count
- Files stay on your own server
- Active community
Cons
- You have to deploy and maintain it yourself
- No official hosted instance
- Overkill for casual use
4. Sejda
The budget pick for actually editing PDF text
Sejda's standout feature is one most online tools don't have: its editor changes the existing text of a PDF in place, in the browser — the thing people usually buy Acrobat for. The free tier allows a few tasks per day with size caps, and the paid plans include short passes, which is friendlier than a subscription for one-off projects.
Pros
- True in-place PDF text editing
- Fair pricing including short passes
- Desktop app available
Cons
- Free tier has daily task and size limits
- Web tools mostly upload your files
5. Smallpdf
The most polished experience, if you'll pay for it
Smallpdf is arguably the best-designed PDF suite: clean, fast, hard to get lost in, with good mobile and desktop apps and e-signing. The trade-off is a tight free tier — a couple of tasks per day — that exists to sell the subscription. Files are processed on Smallpdf's servers.
Pros
- Excellent UX and apps
- Strong e-sign and team features
Cons
- Very limited free tier
- Subscription-first
- Files are uploaded
6. PDF Candy
A huge toolbox with a patient-person free tier
PDF Candy offers one of the largest tool counts anywhere (40+, many conversion variants) and a Windows desktop app. The catch is pacing: the free tier makes you wait between tasks and caps file sizes, which is fine for one file and painful for a batch. Web tools upload your file for processing.
Pros
- Very large tool count
- Windows desktop app
- Usable free for light tasks
Cons
- Free tier enforces cooldowns between tasks
- Files are uploaded
7. PDFgear
Free desktop apps with real editing
PDFgear is a genuinely free suite whose best product is its desktop and mobile apps, including in-place text editing — a feature that's usually paid. The desktop app processes files locally; the web tools upload. It's closed-source and free presumably as a growth strategy, but as of today the free is real.
Pros
- Free, including in-place editing in the desktop app
- Desktop app processes files locally
- Apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Cons
- Requires installing an app for the good parts
- Closed source
- Web tools upload files
FAQ
- What's the best free iLovePDF alternative?
- PDF24 and mypdf are both completely free with no account. PDF24 has more tools and a Windows offline app; mypdf processes most files in your browser so nothing is uploaded, on any OS.
- What's the most private iLovePDF alternative?
- For no-upload processing: mypdf (in-browser, any OS) or PDF24's Windows desktop app. For full control, self-host Stirling PDF on your own server.
- Why look for an iLovePDF alternative at all?
- The common reasons: free-tier task/size limits, not wanting documents uploaded to a third-party server, or wanting open-source software you can verify and self-host.