Is iLovePDF or Smallpdf cheaper?

Pricing changes, but iLovePDF's premium plan has typically been the cheaper of the two, and its free tier is more generous. Check both sites for current prices.

Do iLovePDF and Smallpdf upload my files?

Yes — both process files on their servers and delete them after a retention period, per their policies. If you don't want the file uploaded at all, mypdf's in-browser tools process it on your own device.

Is there a free alternative to both?

Yes. mypdf is free with no account and no daily limits, and most of its tools run entirely in your browser. PDF24 is another genuinely free option.

iLovePDF vs Smallpdf: which should you use?

iLovePDF and Smallpdf are the two biggest names in online PDF tools, and they're more alike than different: both are polished freemium suites that process your files on their servers. The real differences are in free-tier generosity, tool count, and price. Here's a neutral side-by-side — we make a competing product (mypdf), but the table below is about them, not us.

Feature	iLovePDF	Smallpdf
Price model	Free tier + paid Premium subscription	Very limited free use + paid subscription
Free tier	More generous — most tools usable free with task/size limits	Tighter — free use is capped to a couple of tasks per day
Number of tools	30+, one of the largest sets	Smaller set (~20+), covering the common jobs
Apps	iOS, Android, and desktop apps	iOS, Android, and desktop apps
Are your files uploaded?	Yes, processed on their servers	Yes, processed on their servers
E-signatures	Included in the suite	Included, a core focus
Cloud integrations	Google Drive, Dropbox	Google Drive, Dropbox, and team features
Typical pick for	Individuals who want the most tools per euro	Teams and people who value the cleanest UX

Which should you use?

Pick iLovePDF if you want the larger toolbox and a more generous free tier — for occasional personal use, you may never hit its limits, and its paid plan is typically the cheaper of the two.

Pick Smallpdf if UX polish, e-signing, and team/enterprise features matter more than tool count, and the tighter free tier doesn't bother you because you'd subscribe anyway.

FAQ

Is iLovePDF or Smallpdf cheaper?: Pricing changes, but iLovePDF's premium plan has typically been the cheaper of the two, and its free tier is more generous. Check both sites for current prices.
Do iLovePDF and Smallpdf upload my files?: Yes — both process files on their servers and delete them after a retention period, per their policies. If you don't want the file uploaded at all, mypdf's in-browser tools process it on your own device.
Is there a free alternative to both?: Yes. mypdf is free with no account and no daily limits, and most of its tools run entirely in your browser. PDF24 is another genuinely free option.