PeacefulPDF vs iLovePDF vs Smallpdf
All three let you work with PDFs. Only one keeps your files on your computer.
| Feature | PeacefulPDF | iLovePDF | Smallpdf | Sejda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File Upload Required | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Account Required | ❌ No | Optional | ✅ Yes | Optional |
| Works Offline | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Price | Free forever | Freemium ($7/mo) | Freemium ($12/mo) | Freemium ($7.50/mo) |
| Daily Task Limit | None | Yes (free tier) | 2 tasks/day (free) | 3 tasks/day (free) |
| File Size Limit | None | Yes (free tier) | Yes | 200MB (free) |
| File Privacy | 100% local | Uploaded to servers | Uploaded to servers | Uploaded to servers |
| Number of Tools | 20+ | 25+ | 20+ | 30+ |
| Desktop App | Not needed (browser) | Yes (paid) | Yes (paid) | Yes (paid) |
| Open Source | Partially | No | No | No |
Why privacy matters for PDF tools
Think about what you put in PDFs. Tax returns. Contracts. Medical records. Bank statements. Resumes with your home address on them.
When you use iLovePDF, Smallpdf, or Sejda, those files get uploaded to their servers. They promise to delete them after processing — usually within a few hours. But during that window, your sensitive documents sit on someone else's infrastructure. You're trusting their security team, their server configuration, their compliance with data regulations.
PeacefulPDF takes a different approach: your files never leave your browser. There's no upload, no server processing, no temporary storage. The JavaScript running in your browser does all the work. It's the same result with zero privacy risk.
How each tool handles your files
PeacefulPDF
100% client-side processing. Your PDF gets loaded into browser memory, processed using JavaScript libraries (pdf-lib, pdfjs-dist), and the output is generated locally. No network requests are made during processing. Works offline after initial page load.
iLovePDF
Uploads your file to their servers in Spain/EU, processes it server-side, and returns the result. Files are deleted after 2 hours (they say). Offers a desktop app for paid users. Good tool selection but requires internet and trusting their infrastructure.
Smallpdf
Similar server-side model. Files are uploaded, processed, and stored temporarily. Limits free users to 2 tasks per day. Requires an account for most features. Swiss-based, which is good for privacy law, but your files still leave your device.
Sejda
Offers both online (server-side) and desktop processing. The desktop app does local processing but costs $7.50/month. The free online version has a 200MB file limit and 3 tasks per day. Files are uploaded for online processing.
All PeacefulPDF tools
The bottom line
If you need advanced enterprise features, the paid tools have more. If you want to edit PDFs without handing your files to a third party, PeacefulPDF is the obvious choice.
Try PeacefulPDF — Free