Compare > pdf2kit vs Smallpdf
Comparison
pdf2kit vs Smallpdf
Smallpdf is a polished web suite with extras like Office conversions and signature requests - but every task uploads your file to its servers, and the free tier is capped at about two jobs a day. pdf2kit does the common tasks, signing and OCR included, right on your device: no upload, no daily limit, no account and no cost. If you need to turn PDFs back into Office files or send them out for signature, Smallpdf wins; for private everyday work, pdf2kit is the simpler choice.
Bottom line
Choose pdf2kit for private, unlimited, no-cost PDF work that stays on your device, signing and OCR included. Choose Smallpdf when you need to turn a PDF into Word, Excel or PowerPoint, or send it to others for signature, and you are comfortable uploading your file and, for heavy use, paying for Pro.
Feature by feature
| Feature | pdf2kit | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| Files stay on your device | Yes | No, uploaded to the cloud |
| Daily task limit | None | About 2 free tasks a day |
| Account required | No | Nudged toward sign-in |
| Price | Free | Pro about 9 to 15 US dollars a month |
| Merge, split, reorder, rotate | Yes | Yes |
| Images to PDF, compress, watermark | Yes | Yes |
| Remove a known password | Yes | Yes |
| OCR (make a scan searchable) | Yes | Yes |
| Sign a PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Send for signature | No | Yes |
| Word and Excel to PDF | Yes | Yes |
| PDF to Word, Excel or PowerPoint | No | Yes |
Key differences
Nothing is uploaded
pdf2kit works on your device, so the file never leaves it. Smallpdf sends every file to its servers to process, which many people would rather avoid for private documents.
No daily cap
Do as many jobs as you like. Smallpdf limits the free tier to about two tasks a day and pushes you to upgrade after that.
No cost
Every pdf2kit tool is free. Smallpdf keeps its most useful features and unlimited use behind a monthly Pro plan.
When to choose each
Choose pdf2kit if you want to
- Merge, split, reorder, rotate or delete pages
- Keep private files on your own device
- Work with no daily limit and no account
- Compress, watermark or add page numbers
- Sign a PDF or make a scan searchable
- Do it all for free
Choose Smallpdf if you need to
- Send a document to others for signature
- Turn a PDF into Word, Excel or PowerPoint
- Use one polished account across your devices
Get started in seconds
Open the workspace
No sign-up and no upload. It runs in this page.
Add your PDF
Drop in a file or images. They stay on your device.
Do it and download
Reorder, merge, compress or watermark, then save.
Common questions
Does Smallpdf upload my files?
Yes. Smallpdf sends your file to its servers to process it, then deletes it after about an hour. pdf2kit never uploads; it works entirely on your device.
Is Smallpdf's free tier limited?
Yes. The free tier is capped at roughly two tasks a day, with a small file-size limit, and it nudges you toward a paid plan. pdf2kit has no daily limit and no account.
Which is more private?
pdf2kit, because your file never leaves your device. With Smallpdf the file is uploaded, processed on their servers and then deleted, which is fine for many files but a real concern for sensitive ones.
Does pdf2kit do OCR or e-signatures?
Yes. pdf2kit makes scans searchable with OCR and lets you sign a PDF by drawing, typing or adding a picture of your signature, all on your device. Smallpdf also sends documents to others for signature and turns PDFs back into Office files; for those, it is the better tool if you are comfortable uploading.
Keep your file on your device
Open the workspace and do the job with no upload, no daily limit and no cost.
Open the PDF workspace