mypdf vs iLovePDF
iLovePDF is one of the most popular online PDF suites, and it's genuinely good. mypdf is a free, privacy-first alternative: most tools run entirely in your browser, so your files never get uploaded, and there's no account or paywall. Here's an honest side-by-side so you can pick the right one for the job.
| Feature | mypdf | iLovePDF |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, every tool | Free tier, with a paid Premium subscription |
| Are your files uploaded? | Most tools run in your browser, so files are never uploaded. The few server tools delete your file right after. | Files are uploaded to their servers to be processed |
| Account required | No account, ever. | Optional account; free use has limits |
| Daily usage limits | None for the in-browser tools | Free tier has task and size limits |
| Number of tools | 25 | 30+ (a few mypdf doesn't have yet) |
| Mobile & desktop apps | Web only | iOS, Android, and desktop apps |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Self-hostable | Yes, ships as a Docker image | No |
Which should you use?
Pick iLovePDF if you want the largest tool count, polished mobile and desktop apps, and don't mind uploading files or hitting the occasional free-tier limit. It's mature and well supported.
Pick mypdf if privacy and price matter most: most tools work without your file ever leaving your device, everything is free with no account, and the whole thing is open-source and self-hostable. For everyday jobs like merging, splitting, compressing, and converting, it does the same work without the upload.
FAQ
- Is mypdf really free?
- Yes. Every tool is free, with no account and no subscription.
- Does mypdf upload my files like iLovePDF does?
- Most mypdf tools run in your browser, so the file never leaves your device. The few that need a server (like OCR or Office conversion) process your file and delete it right away.
- Does mypdf have all the same tools?
- It covers the common ones (merge, split, compress, convert, OCR, sign, edit, and more). iLovePDF has a few extras mypdf doesn't yet.