Best iLovePDF Alternative for Privacy & Offline Use (2025)
All core PDF tools, running 100% locally on your device. No uploads, no limits, no subscriptions.
Why Users Look for iLovePDF Alternatives
iLovePDF is Popular, But...
- ⚠️ Files uploaded to cloud (privacy concerns for sensitive documents)
- ❌ Free tier limitations (file size caps, daily limits, ads)
- ⚠️ Requires internet (can't work offline)
- 💰 $4-9/month for unlimited use
- ⚠️ Metadata shows "iLovePDF" as document author
What Users Want Instead:
- ✅ 100% local processing (files never leave device)
- ✅ Truly free (no limits, no ads)
- ✅ Works offline (desktop app)
- ✅ GDPR/HIPAA friendly (for sensitive docs)
- ✅ No subscriptions (download once, use forever)
Top iLovePDF Alternatives
1. Diwadi - Best Privacy-First Alternative
Free • Desktop • 100% Local Processing
Why Choose Diwadi:
- ✅ Merge PDFs - Combine multiple PDFs into one
- ✅ Split PDF - Separate into pages or ranges
- ✅ Compress PDF - Reduce file size with quality options
- ✅ Protect PDF - Password protection with granular permissions
- ✅ Add Watermark - Text or image, customizable
- ✅ Add Page Numbers - Multiple formats available
- ✅ PDF to Images - Export as PNG/JPEG with DPI control
- ✅ 100% offline - Works without internet
vs iLovePDF:
Price
Diwadi: Free
iLovePDF: $4-9/mo
Privacy
Diwadi: 100% Local
iLovePDF: Cloud upload
Limits
Diwadi: Unlimited
iLovePDF: Size/daily caps
Offline
Diwadi: Full offline
iLovePDF: Needs internet
Best For: Privacy-conscious professionals, legal/medical/finance documents, offline workers, users tired of subscriptions
2. PDF24 - Free German Alternative
Free • Desktop + Web • Full featured
Strengths:
- ✅ Completely free (desktop version)
- ✅ 25+ PDF tools
- ✅ Desktop app available
- ✅ German company (GDPR compliant)
- ✅ No registration required
Limitations:
- ⚠️ Windows-only (no Mac/Linux)
- ⚠️ Web version uploads to cloud
- ⚠️ Interface can be overwhelming
- ⚠️ Ads in free version
Best For: Windows users wanting free PDF tools
vs iLovePDF: Both free for basic use, PDF24 desktop is more private, iLovePDF has better UX
3. Stirling PDF - Self-Hosted Solution
Free • Open Source • Self-hosted
Strengths:
- ✅ 50+ PDF tools
- ✅ Open source
- ✅ Self-hosted (full control)
- ✅ Docker deployment
Limitations:
- ⚠️ Requires technical setup
- ⚠️ Need to host yourself
- ⚠️ No desktop app
- ⚠️ Requires server/Docker knowledge
Best For: Technical users, organizations wanting full control
vs iLovePDF: More private if self-hosted, but requires technical expertise to set up
4. SmallPDF - Premium Cloud Alternative
$15/month • Web-based • Full suite
Strengths:
- ✅ Excellent user experience
- ✅ All PDF tools in one place
- ✅ Cloud storage integration
- ✅ eSign capabilities
Limitations:
- ❌ Expensive ($15/month)
- ❌ Cloud-based (privacy concerns)
- ❌ Free tier very limited
- ❌ Requires internet
Best For: Teams with budget who prioritize UX over privacy
vs iLovePDF: More expensive ($15/mo vs $9/mo), better UX, similar privacy concerns
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Diwadi | PDF24 | Stirling PDF | iLovePDF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free | Free | $4-9/mo |
| Merge PDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Split PDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Compress PDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Protect PDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Privacy | 100% local | Desktop local | Self-hosted | Cloud |
| Works Offline | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| PDF Conversion | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| OCR | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Privacy users | Windows users | Tech users | Casual use |
Privacy: Why It Matters for PDF Tools
When you use cloud-based PDF tools like iLovePDF, your files are uploaded to their servers. While they claim files are deleted after 2 hours, consider:
- Legal documents - Contracts, NDAs, case files
- Medical records - Patient information (HIPAA concerns)
- Financial documents - Tax returns, bank statements
- Personal identification - Passports, driver's licenses
- Business confidential - Strategic plans, employee records
With Diwadi, your files never leave your computer. All processing happens locally, making it safe for even the most sensitive documents.
Which Alternative Should You Choose?
Choose Diwadi If:
- ✅ You handle sensitive documents (legal, medical, financial)
- ✅ You want truly free (no limits, no ads, no subscriptions)
- ✅ You need offline capability (travel, secure environments)
- ✅ You're on Mac and Windows
- ✅ You only need core PDF tools (merge, split, compress, protect)
Choose PDF24 If:
- ✅ You're on Windows only
- ✅ You want a comprehensive free tool
- ✅ You don't mind ads
- ✅ You need PDF conversion (Word, Excel)
Choose Stirling PDF If:
- ✅ You're technically inclined (Docker knowledge)
- ✅ You want to self-host
- ✅ You need organizational control
- ✅ You want open source
Stay with iLovePDF If You Need:
- ❌ PDF to Word/Excel conversion (Diwadi doesn't have this yet)
- ❌ OCR (scanned document text recognition)
- ❌ Digital signatures
- ❌ Mobile apps (iOS/Android)
Explore Diwadi PDF Tools
All the PDF tools you need, running 100% locally on your device.
Try the Privacy-First iLovePDF Alternative
All core PDF tools, 100% local processing. No uploads, no limits, completely free.
Is Diwadi really free for PDF tools?
Yes, completely free with no limits on file size, daily usage, or features. No ads, no watermarks, no subscriptions required.
Do my PDF files get uploaded anywhere?
Never. Diwadi processes everything locally on your computer. Your files never leave your device - unlike iLovePDF, SmallPDF, and other cloud tools that upload your documents to their servers.
Can I use Diwadi offline?
Yes, Diwadi works 100% offline after installation. No internet connection required for any PDF operation. Perfect for flights, secure environments, or unreliable connectivity.
How does Diwadi compare to iLovePDF?
Diwadi offers similar core PDF tools (merge, split, compress, protect, watermark, page numbers) with key advantages: 100% local processing (privacy), completely free (no limits), works offline. iLovePDF has features Diwadi doesn't: PDF to Word/Excel conversion, OCR, digital signatures, mobile apps.
Is Diwadi safe for sensitive documents?
Yes. Because everything processes locally, sensitive documents (legal, medical, financial) never leave your computer. This makes Diwadi GDPR/HIPAA-friendly and safer than cloud-based alternatives for confidential work.
What can iLovePDF do that Diwadi can't?
iLovePDF offers PDF to Word/Excel conversion, OCR (text recognition from scanned documents), digital signatures, and mobile apps. Diwadi focuses on core PDF manipulation tools with privacy as the priority.
What platforms does Diwadi support?
Mac (Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows (10, 11). Desktop only - no mobile apps currently.
Why should I switch from iLovePDF?
Switch if you: handle sensitive/confidential documents, want truly free (no limits, no ads), need offline capability, are tired of subscription fees, or care about data privacy. Stay with iLovePDF if you need PDF conversion, OCR, or mobile apps.