The Smallpdf Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Smallpdf in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Smallpdf
The Insider’s Guide
30-plus PDF tools in the browser, with Windows and mobile apps
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among PDF editors, read from Smallpdf’s own pages.
Made by Smallpdf AG · checked Oct 18, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Smallpdf’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Smallpdf’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 18, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 6 of the 15 other PDF editors we grade
Smallpdf is a web tool with more than 30 PDF tools for converting, compressing, merging, editing text, running OCR and signing, plus a Windows desktop app that works offline and mobile apps for scanning. The free plan caps downloads each day, and Pro removes the limits and adds a Sign.com Premium subscription for sending documents to be signed. It is made by Smallpdf AG in Switzerland.
To get you started, here are 8 things to know about Smallpdf, taken from its own pages and our grades.
The free plan caps downloads each day, though, and its dollar prices aren't confirmed.
- 1
Best for quick PDF jobs in the browser
It's easy and polished, and Pro bundles in Sign.com for sending things to sign.
- 2
There is a free plan
The 30+ tools with a daily download limit, basic compression, limited AI and mobile app use, and a Sign.com account for 2 documents a month.
- 3
It runs on 4 platforms
Web, Windows, iOS and Android, with a browser extension too.
- 4
Convert and compress
Converts PDFs to and from Word, Excel, PowerPoint and images, with basic compression on the free plan and strong and batch compression on Pro.
- 5
Edit text and OCR
Pro edits text in a PDF and recognizes text in scans, alongside tools to merge, split, rotate, unlock and protect files.
- 6
AI tools
An AI PDF assistant, summarizer and question generator, limited on the free plan and unlimited on Pro.
- 7
A 2.6 GPA, above 6 of 15
That is against the other PDF editors we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 8
Keep it
Nothing Smallpdf does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.
Smallpdf at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- 7-day free trial of Pro; cancelling returns the account to the free plan
- Runs on
- Web, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
- Made by
- Smallpdf AG, since 2013
- Category
- PDF Editors
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
- Store rating
- 4.8 on the App Store, 6,891 ratings
The report card
Best for quick PDF jobs in the browser
Smallpdf is a web tool with 30-plus PDF tools, plus a Windows app that works offline and phone apps for scanning. It's easy and polished, and Pro bundles in Sign.com for sending things to sign. The free plan caps downloads each day, though, and its dollar prices aren't confirmed.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | No confirmed dollar price: the pricing page fills prices in by location. Smallpdf's own comparison page puts Pro at $9 to $12 a month, which would sit in the normal range. With nothing confirmed, it's a C. |
| Free plan and trial | C | A free plan with all 30-plus tools, but downloads are capped each day and text editing needs Pro. Fine for the odd job, not regular use. The 7-day Pro trial drops you back to free if you cancel. |
| Features | C | Converts, compresses, merges, and on Pro edits text and OCRs, with AI tools and Sign.com for sending to sign. Everyday jobs are well covered. But no form builder or redaction is on record, and the Windows app converts and merges rather than edits. |
| Ease of use | A | 4.84 from 6,891 App Store ratings, about as good as it gets. Drop a file in the browser, pick a tool, download. No setup at all. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Web, Windows, iPhone, Android and a browser extension. Integrations are thin, though: Google Workspace and Dropbox, plus its own Sign.com. And Mac users get the browser only. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Smallpdf is for
- Great if you convert or shrink a PDF in the browser now and then
- Handy when you want PDF tools and e-signatures in one subscription
- Good for Windows users who need conversions to work offline
Who it is not for
- Tight if you use it daily on the free plan, as downloads are capped each day
- Skip it if you want a Mac desktop app, as it's Windows only
- Not for you if you build fillable forms, as that isn't on record
Good to know
Good for
- People who convert or shrink a PDF now and then in the browser
- Small teams that want PDF tools and e-signatures in one subscription
- Windows users who need PDF tools that work offline
Worth knowing
- US dollar prices could not be read: the pricing page fills them in by location. Smallpdf's own comparison page gives Pro as $9 to $12 a month.
- The same comparison page gives Teams, for 2 to 19 seats, as $7 to $10 per seat a month; 20 or more seats are quoted by sales.
- The free plan limits downloads each day, so regular use of any tool needs Pro.
- The desktop app is for Windows only; Mac users work in the browser.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
Smallpdf's current pricing could not be confirmed from its own site.
No confirmed dollar price: the pricing page fills prices in by location.
We could not confirm Smallpdf’s current prices from its own site, so this guide lists no plans. smallpdf.com has them.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
5
Places it runs: Web, Windows, iOS, Android and Browser extension
30-plus PDF tools in the browser, with Windows and mobile apps. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: AI features, pDF editing.
Converts, compresses, merges, and on Pro edits text and OCRs, with AI tools and Sign.com for sending to sign.
- Convert and compress
- Converts PDFs to and from Word, Excel, PowerPoint and images, with basic compression on the free plan and strong and batch compression on Pro.
- Edit text and OCR
- Pro edits text in a PDF and recognizes text in scans, alongside tools to merge, split, rotate, unlock and protect files.
- AI tools
- An AI PDF assistant, summarizer and question generator, limited on the free plan and unlimited on Pro.
- Sign.com included
- Pro includes an unlimited Sign.com Premium subscription for sending documents for e-signature; the free plan's Sign.com account is capped at 2 a month.
- Offline Windows app
- A desktop app for Windows converts, compresses, merges, unlocks and protects PDFs without an internet connection.
- Mobile scanning
- The iOS and Android apps scan paper to PDF, run OCR and use the same tools, limited on the free plan.
Where it runs
- Web
- Windows
- iOS
- Android
- Browser extension
What it works with
- Google Workspace
- Dropbox
- Sign.com
Smallpdf is made by Smallpdf AG, and has been around since 2013.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
6/15
Other PDF editors it is graded above
Smallpdf's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 6 of the 15 other PDF editors we grade, and level with 2.
It stands best on ease of use (A, above 14 of 15) and worst on free plan and trial (C, above 0).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 16 PDF editors we grade, cut by the letter each got. Smallpdf’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 2 of 15
- CFree plan and trialAbove 0 of 15
- CFeaturesAbove 0 of 15
- AEase of useAbove 14 of 15
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 4 of 15
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
Nothing Smallpdf does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.
What you could not
- Editing the text inside a PDF without breaking its layout.
- Apps for Windows, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- AI features, unless you pay a model provider for each request yourself.
What this rests on. Smallpdf’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
iLovePDF, Sejda, PDF Candy, PDF24 Tools and Adobe Acrobat
The 5 tools Smallpdf is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
iLovePDF
Free plan · from $5/mo
Online PDF tools with desktop and mobile apps, free for light use.
- Only Smallpdf lists a browser extension.
- Only iLovePDF lists a macOS app.
- iLovePDF also covers workflow automation.
- 2.2GPA
Sejda
Free plan · from $5 one-time
Web and desktop PDF tools, free within daily limits or by the week.
- Only Smallpdf lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Smallpdf lists a browser extension.
- Only Sejda lists macOS and Linux apps.
- 2.4GPA
PDF Candy
Free plan · from $4/mo
90-plus online PDF tools and a Windows app, free within limits.
- Only Smallpdf lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Smallpdf lists a browser extension.
- PDF Candy can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 3.0GPA
PDF24 Tools
Free
Free online PDF tools paid for by ads, plus an offline Windows app.
- Only Smallpdf lists iOS and Android apps.
- Only Smallpdf lists a browser extension.
- 2.6GPA
Adobe Acrobat
Free plan · from $14.99/mo
Adobe's PDF editor for desktop, web and mobile, with an AI tier.
- Only Adobe Acrobat lists a macOS app.
- Adobe Acrobat also covers documents and forms.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Smallpdf free?
Smallpdf has a free plan. The 30+ tools with a daily download limit, basic compression, limited AI and mobile app use, and a Sign.com account for 2 documents a month.
What platforms does Smallpdf work on?
Smallpdf is available on Web, Windows, iOS and Android. It also has a browser extension.
How is Smallpdf rated?
Smallpdf's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.8 out of 5 from 6,891 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 18, 2026.
Does Smallpdf have a macOS app?
No macOS app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 18, 2026. Smallpdf is listed for Web, Windows, iOS and Android.
Does Smallpdf have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 18, 2026. Smallpdf is listed for Web, Windows, iOS and Android.
Is Smallpdf open source?
Smallpdf is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 18, 2026.
What does Smallpdf integrate with?
Smallpdf's listing names Google Workspace, Dropbox and Sign.com. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does Smallpdf have a free trial?
Yes. 7-day free trial of Pro; cancelling returns the account to the free plan.
Who makes Smallpdf?
Smallpdf is made by Smallpdf AG. It dates from 2013.
What are the alternatives to Smallpdf?
The closest alternatives to Smallpdf in our directory are iLovePDF, Sejda, PDF Candy, PDF24 Tools and Adobe Acrobat.
How does Smallpdf compare with other PDF editors?
Smallpdf's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 6 of the 15 other PDF editors we grade, and level with 2.
Could I make my own version of Smallpdf?
Nothing Smallpdf does is plain enough to make in a weekend. The 3 things listed below take a company.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Smallpdf’s own pages on Oct 18, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 18, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Smallpdf's own pages on 18 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Smallpdf AG. Prices change, so check smallpdf.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
2,281
Tools graded, in 73 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
ToolGPA is free to read. It may earn a commission from affiliate links and it works with sponsors, but anything paid for is labelled and no one can pay for a grade. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
2,281
tools graded
73
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Smallpdf, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/smallpdf
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Smallpdf: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 18, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/smallpdf
Know someone choosing between PDF editors?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/smallpdf/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded PDF editors after Smallpdf, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- PDF Editors Insider's GuideEvery one of the 16 PDF editors we grade, compared
- PDFgear Insider's GuideFree PDF editor for desktop, mobile and web with an AI copilot3.4 GPA
- PDF24 Tools Insider's GuideFree online PDF tools paid for by ads, plus an offline Windows app3.0 GPA
- UPDF Insider's GuidePDF editor with AI chat, one license across desktop and mobile3.0 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Smallpdf’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. ToolGPA uses affiliate links and may earn a commission from them, and it works with sponsors; anything paid for is labelled, and no one can pay for a grade. Smallpdf is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Smallpdf AG. Prices and plans change: check smallpdf.com before you buy.