mypdf vs PDF24
PDF24 is one of the few big PDF suites that is genuinely free, with a huge set of online tools and a Windows desktop app. mypdf is free too, so this comparison comes down to privacy and platform: most mypdf tools run in your browser on any OS, so your file is never uploaded. Here's an honest side-by-side.
| Feature | mypdf | PDF24 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, every tool | Free as well |
| Are your files uploaded? | Most tools run in your browser, so files are never uploaded. The few server tools delete your file right after. | Online tools upload your file to their servers (the Windows desktop app works offline) |
| Account required | No account, ever. | No account either |
| Daily usage limits | None for the in-browser tools | None |
| Number of tools | 25 | 30+ online tools |
| Mobile & desktop apps | Web only, works on any OS | Windows desktop app (PDF24 Creator) |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Self-hostable | Yes, ships as a Docker image | No |
Which should you use?
Pick PDF24 if you're on Windows and want an offline desktop app with a very large tool count, or if it simply has a niche tool mypdf doesn't. It's free and well maintained.
Pick mypdf if you're on a Mac, Linux, a tablet, or just don't want to install anything: most tools run in your browser with nothing uploaded, on any device. And because it's open-source and self-hostable, you can verify — not just trust — the privacy claims.
FAQ
- Is PDF24 really free too?
- Yes. PDF24 is one of the few major suites that's genuinely free. The difference is privacy and platform: PDF24's online tools upload your file, while most mypdf tools process it in your browser on any OS.
- Does mypdf have a desktop app like PDF24 Creator?
- No, mypdf is web-only. But the in-browser tools work offline once loaded, and they run on macOS and Linux, where PDF24's desktop app doesn't.
- Which is more private?
- For the everyday tools, mypdf: your file never leaves your device. With PDF24's online tools, the file is uploaded and then deleted per their policy.