How EasyPDFLoad compares to the big PDF tools
Written by us, so read it with that in mind. Each comparison also says where the other tool wins, because a comparison that never concedes anything is an advertisement.
Figures last checked against each company's own pages on October 30, 2026.
The one difference that runs through all of them
Every tool on this page is competent, and for most files any of them is a sensible choice.
The difference is architectural. The online tools receive your file, process it on their hardware and give it back. EasyPDFLoad never receives it: the work happens in your browser tab. That matters a great deal for some documents and not at all for others, and the point of these pages is to help you tell which is which.
Individual comparisons
- EasyPDFLoad vs iLovePDF: Strong on large files, OCR, Office conversions and apps. Uploads your file to its servers and says it deletes it within two hours.
- EasyPDFLoad vs Smallpdf: Strong on range, OCR, apps and team plans. Uploads your file to its servers and says it deletes free-tool files after one hour.
- EasyPDFLoad vs PDF24: Free, no sign-up, many tools. The online tools upload your file and keep it about an hour. The Windows app, Creator, works locally.
- EasyPDFLoad vs Sejda: Wide toolset and strong editor. Sejda Web uploads your file and says it deletes it after 2 hours. Sejda Desktop works locally.
- EasyPDFLoad vs Adobe Acrobat online: Strong editing, OCR, e-sign and apps. The free online tools upload your file to Adobe servers and say they delete it unless you sign in to save.
At a glance
| Tool | File uploaded to a server | Stated retention | Free file size limit | Free daily limit | Sign-up required | Watermark | Offline use | Price for full access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EasyPDFLoad | No | None, the file never reaches us | None set by the tool; your device's memory is the limit | None | No | No | Some tools, once the page has loaded | Free |
| iLovePDF | Yes, processed on its servers | 2 hours after processing; signed documents longer | 100 MB merge, 200 MB compress (2 files) | Not stated on the pages we read | Not required per its terms (unregistered free use) | Not stated on the pages we read | Desktop apps for Mac and Windows | From 4 US$/month billed annually |
| Smallpdf | Yes, files are processed on its servers | 1 hour for free tools; account files conflict | Not stated on the pages we read | Limited; one blog says two tasks per day | Not stated on the pages we read | Not stated on the pages we read | Not stated; a Windows app is listed | Not readable in the page text |
| PDF24 | Online tools: yes. Creator on Windows: vendor says no | About one hour for uploads; logs up to 14 days | Not stated on the pages we read | Vendor says no artificial limits | No, per the tool pages | Not stated on the pages we read | Creator works offline, per the vendor | Free, including for companies |
| Sejda | Web: yes, uploaded. Desktop: vendor says no | 2 hours on tool pages; the policy gives no hour figure | Web: 50 to 200 pages or 50 to 100 MB, varies by tool | Web: 3 tasks per hour. Desktop: 3 tasks per day | No sign-up for the free tier, per the pricing page | Not stated on the pages we read | Desktop app for Windows, Mac and Linux | Free; paid passes and plans exist |
| Adobe Acrobat online | Yes, handled on Adobe servers | Deleted unless you sign in to save; no period given | 2 GB on the compress page; not stated elsewhere | Daily limits apply; no number given | Not for basic use; sign-in to save or download | Not stated on the pages we read | Desktop app keeps files on your device; online tools need a connection | Pro from 12,29 EUR per month for 3 months, then 24,59 EUR |
Check any of this yourself
Every figure on these pages was read from the other company's own pages on the date shown at the top of each comparison, and policies change. The behaviour you can always verify without trusting anyone: open developer tools, switch to the Network tab and run the tool.
If your file was uploaded, a request roughly the size of your file appears. The step-by-step version, with how to read the result, is in the guide linked below.
How to check whether any PDF tool uploads your file. Our own tools are explained on the Why No Upload page. Also read is iLovePDF safe for sensitive documents and is Smallpdf safe.