Alternatives · PDF Editors
PDF Candy alternatives
PDF Candy compared with 5 alternatives: iLovePDF, Smallpdf, Sejda, PDF24 Tools and LightPDF.
PDF Candy has a free plan. Paid plans start at $4 per month, billed yearly. All 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 18, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDF CandyThis tool | Free plan · from $4/mo | Yes | Web, Windows |
| iLovePDF | Free plan · from $5/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
| Smallpdf | Free plan | Yes | Web, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
| Sejda | Free plan · from $5 one-time | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, Linux |
| PDF24 Tools | Free | Free | Web, Windows |
| LightPDF | Free plan · from $5.99/mo | Yes | Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android |
Price against what you get
PDF Candy starts at $4 a month and scores 2.3 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 3 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
iLovePDF and LightPDF score higher without starting lower. PDF24 Tools starts lower without scoring higher.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from PDF Candy
- Free plan · from $5/mo
iLovePDF
Online PDF tools with desktop and mobile apps, free for light use
- iLovePDF starts at $5 per user / month, billed annually ($9 billed monthly). PDF Candy starts at $4 per month, billed yearly.
- Only iLovePDF lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
- PDF Candy can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- iLovePDF also covers workflow automation.
Suits: Occasional users who merge or compress a PDF in the browser
- Free plan
Smallpdf
30-plus PDF tools in the browser, with Windows and mobile apps
- Only Smallpdf lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Smallpdf lists a browser extension.
- PDF Candy can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: People who convert or shrink a PDF now and then in the browser
- Free plan · from $5 one-time
Sejda
Web and desktop PDF tools, free within daily limits or by the week
- Sejda starts at $5 per user for 7 days, paid once, with no renewal. PDF Candy starts at $4 per month, billed yearly.
- Only Sejda lists macOS and Linux apps.
- PDF Candy can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- Sejda also covers forms.
Suits: One-off jobs: a week pass covers a short burst of PDF work
- Free
PDF24 Tools
Free online PDF tools paid for by ads, plus an offline Windows app
- PDF24 Tools is free. PDF Candy starts at $4 per month, billed yearly.
- PDF Candy can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Anyone who needs common PDF jobs done for free with no account
- Free plan · from $5.99/mo
LightPDF
Online PDF editor and converter with AI tools paid for in credits
- LightPDF starts at $5.99 per month. PDF Candy starts at $4 per month, billed yearly.
- Only LightPDF lists macOS, iOS and Android apps.
Suits: People who translate or summarize PDFs with AI on a small budget
Limits worth knowing in PDF Candy
- The free plan limits pages, hourly use and file size, with no batch processing.
- The desktop app is for Windows only, and the Web Monthly plan does not include it.
- The lifetime license covers the current desktop version and its minor updates, not future major versions.
- Refunds within 30 days are given if errors keep happening and support cannot fix them.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to PDF Candy?
The alternatives to PDF Candy in this directory are iLovePDF, Smallpdf, Sejda, PDF24 Tools and LightPDF. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with PDF Candy.
Is there a free alternative to PDF Candy?
Yes. PDF24 Tools is free to use. iLovePDF, Smallpdf, Sejda and LightPDF have a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which PDF Candy alternatives work on macOS?
The PDF Candy listing does not include a macOS app. iLovePDF, Sejda and LightPDF list one.
Which PDF Candy alternatives work on Linux?
The PDF Candy listing does not include a Linux app. Sejda lists one.
When were these prices checked?
Every listing on this page was checked on Oct 18, 2026, against the pages it cites. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.