Best SmallPDF Alternative for Privacy & Offline Use (2025)
All core PDF tools, running 100% locally on your device. No cloud uploads, no 2-task-per-hour limit, no subscription.
Why Users Look for SmallPDF Alternatives
SmallPDF is Polished, But...
- 💰 $10-15/month for full access (one of the most expensive PDF tools)
- ⚠️ Files uploaded to servers for processing (no zero-knowledge architecture)
- ❌ Free tier: 2 tasks per hour (very restrictive)
- ⚠️ Collects IP, email, device info, usage data
- ⚠️ Requires internet for every operation
What Users Want Instead:
- ✅ 100% local processing (files never leave your device)
- ✅ Truly free (no 2-task limits, no ads)
- ✅ Works offline (desktop app, no internet needed)
- ✅ GDPR/HIPAA friendly (safe for sensitive documents)
- ✅ No subscriptions (save $120-180/year)
Top SmallPDF 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 SmallPDF:
Price
Diwadi: Free
SmallPDF: $10-15/mo
Privacy
Diwadi: 100% Local
SmallPDF: Server-side processing
Limits
Diwadi: Unlimited
SmallPDF: 2 tasks/hour (free)
Offline
Diwadi: Full offline
SmallPDF: Needs internet
Best For: Privacy-conscious professionals, legal/medical/finance documents, offline workers, users tired of expensive subscriptions
2. PDF24 - Free Windows Alternative
Free - Desktop + Web - Full featured
Strengths:
- ✅ Completely free (desktop version)
- ✅ 25+ PDF tools
- ✅ Desktop app available
- ✅ GDPR compliant (German company)
- ✅ 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 comprehensive free PDF tools
vs SmallPDF: Both have desktop apps, but PDF24 is free while SmallPDF costs $10-15/mo. PDF24 is Windows-only.
3. Stirling PDF - Self-Hosted Open Source
Free - Open Source - Self-hosted
Strengths:
- ✅ 50+ PDF tools
- ✅ Open source (MIT license)
- ✅ Self-hosted (full data control)
- ✅ Docker deployment
Limitations:
- ⚠️ Requires technical setup
- ⚠️ Need to host yourself
- ⚠️ No desktop app
- ⚠️ Docker knowledge required
Best For: Technical users and organizations wanting full control
vs SmallPDF: More tools than SmallPDF and completely free, but requires server/Docker knowledge to run
4. iLovePDF - Cheaper Cloud Alternative
$4-9/month - Web-based - Popular
Strengths:
- ✅ Lower price than SmallPDF
- ✅ Simple, intuitive interface
- ✅ All major PDF tools included
- ✅ Mobile apps available
Limitations:
- ⚠️ Still cloud-based (privacy concerns)
- ⚠️ Free tier is limited
- ⚠️ Files uploaded to servers
- ⚠️ Requires internet connection
Best For: Users who want a cheaper cloud-based option than SmallPDF
vs SmallPDF: Similar features at roughly half the price ($4-9/mo vs $10-15/mo), similar privacy model
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Diwadi | PDF24 | Stirling PDF | iLovePDF | SmallPDF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free | Free | $4-9/mo | $10-15/mo |
| Merge PDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Split PDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Compress PDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Protect PDF | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Privacy | 100% local | Desktop local | Self-hosted | Cloud | Cloud |
| Works Offline | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| PDF Conversion | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| OCR | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| e-Sign | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Best For | Privacy users | Windows users | Tech users | Budget cloud | Teams & e-sign |
Privacy: Why It Matters for PDF Tools
When you use SmallPDF, your files are uploaded to their servers for processing. While SmallPDF uses 256-bit TLS and holds ISO 27001 certification, consider:
- No zero-knowledge architecture - SmallPDF can technically access your files during processing
- Data collection - IP addresses, email, device info, and usage metrics are collected
- Server-side processing - Your documents exist on their servers while being processed
- Files deleted after processing - But they existed on external servers, even briefly
- Third-party integrations - Cloud storage connections add additional data exposure
With Diwadi, your files never leave your computer. All processing happens locally. No servers, no uploads, no data collection.
Which Alternative Should You Choose?
Choose Diwadi If:
- ✅ You handle sensitive documents (legal, medical, financial)
- ✅ You want truly free PDF tools (no limits, no ads, no subscriptions)
- ✅ You need offline capability (travel, secure environments, unreliable internet)
- ✅ You're on Mac or Windows
- ✅ You want to save $120-180/year vs SmallPDF
Choose PDF24 If:
- ✅ You're on Windows only
- ✅ You want a comprehensive free tool with 25+ features
- ✅ You don't mind ads in the interface
- ✅ You need PDF conversion (Word, Excel)
Choose Stirling PDF If:
- ✅ You're technically inclined (Docker knowledge)
- ✅ You want to self-host on your own server
- ✅ You need organizational control
- ✅ You want open source with 50+ tools
Stay with SmallPDF If You Need:
- ❌ e-Sign capabilities (Diwadi doesn't have digital signatures)
- ❌ PDF to Word/Excel conversion (not available in Diwadi)
- ❌ OCR (scanned document text recognition)
- ❌ Mobile apps (iOS/Android)
- ❌ Team collaboration features (shared workspaces)
Explore Diwadi PDF Tools
All the PDF tools you need, running 100% locally on your device.
Try the Privacy-First SmallPDF Alternative
All core PDF tools, 100% local processing. No uploads, no limits, no $10-15/month subscription.
Is Diwadi really free for PDF tools?
Yes, Diwadi's PDF tools are free with no limits on file size, daily usage, or features. No ads, no watermarks, no subscription required. Unlike SmallPDF's 2-tasks-per-hour free tier, Diwadi has no artificial restrictions.
Do my PDF files get uploaded anywhere?
Never. Diwadi processes everything locally on your computer. Your files never leave your device. SmallPDF processes files on their servers, which means your documents temporarily exist on external infrastructure.
Can I use Diwadi offline?
Yes, Diwadi works 100% offline after installation. No internet connection required for any PDF operation. SmallPDF requires an active internet connection for every task.
How does Diwadi compare to SmallPDF?
Diwadi offers core PDF tools (merge, split, compress, protect, watermark, page numbers, PDF to images) with key advantages: 100% local processing, completely free, works offline. SmallPDF offers additional features Diwadi doesn't have: e-sign, PDF-to-Word/Excel conversion, OCR, mobile apps, and team collaboration.
Is SmallPDF safe for sensitive documents?
SmallPDF uses 256-bit TLS encryption and holds ISO 27001 certification. However, files are processed on their servers (no zero-knowledge architecture), and they collect IP, email, device, and usage data. For truly sensitive documents like legal contracts or medical records, local processing with Diwadi eliminates server-side exposure entirely.
What can SmallPDF do that Diwadi can't?
SmallPDF offers e-Sign (digital signatures), PDF to Word/Excel/PowerPoint conversion, OCR (text recognition from scanned documents), mobile apps (iOS/Android), cloud storage integrations, and team collaboration features. Diwadi focuses on core PDF manipulation tools with privacy as the priority.
Is there a free version of SmallPDF?
SmallPDF's free tier allows only 2 tasks per hour with limited features. For unlimited access, you need a Pro plan at $10-15/month. Diwadi's PDF tools are free with no task limits.
What platforms does Diwadi support?
Diwadi is available for Mac (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Windows (10, 11). It's a desktop application, not a web tool. Currently there are no mobile apps.
Why should I switch from SmallPDF?
Switch if you: handle sensitive or confidential documents, want truly free PDF tools without limits, need offline capability, want to save $120-180/year in subscription costs, or care about data privacy. Stay with SmallPDF if you need e-sign, PDF conversion, OCR, or team features.
Can I use Diwadi for business or legal documents?
Yes. Because all processing happens locally on your device, Diwadi is suitable for confidential business documents, legal contracts, medical records, and financial files. No data leaves your computer, making it compatible with GDPR and HIPAA requirements.