Compare > pdf2kit vs Windows Print to PDF

Comparison

pdf2kit vs Windows Print to PDF

These two are not really rivals - they do different jobs, and they work well together. Microsoft Print to PDF is the built-in way to turn a web page or document into a new PDF. pdf2kit is where you go once you have a PDF and need to work on it: merge, split, reorder, rotate, compress or add page numbers. Both are free and both stay on your device.

Bottom line

Use Windows Print to PDF to make a PDF from anything you can print. Use pdf2kit the moment you need to change an existing PDF - combine files, reorder or delete pages, rotate, compress, watermark or number them. The printer simply cannot do those, and pdf2kit works on any device, not only Windows.

Feature by feature

Featurepdf2kitWindows Print to PDF
Make a PDF from images or a photoYesFrom a printout only
Open and work on an existing PDFYesNo
Merge, split, reorder, rotate, deleteYesNo
Compress, watermark, page numbersYesNo
Remove a known passwordYesNo
Files stay on your deviceYesYes
PriceFreeFree with Windows
Works on Mac and phonesYesWindows only

Key differences

Works on existing PDFs

Print to PDF can only create a new file. pdf2kit opens a PDF you already have and lets you reshape it - the part the printer is missing.

Any device, not just Windows

pdf2kit runs in any modern browser, so it works on a Mac, a Chromebook or a phone. Print to PDF only exists on Windows.

Both private and free

Good news: neither uploads your file, and neither costs anything. They pair up nicely - print to make, pdf2kit to shape.

When to choose each

Choose pdf2kit if you want to

  • Combine several PDFs into one
  • Reorder, rotate or delete pages
  • Compress a big PDF or add a watermark
  • Add page numbers or edit the title and author
  • Do any of this on a Mac or phone, for free

Choose Windows Print to PDF if you want to

  • Save a web page as a PDF
  • Turn a Word or Excel document into a PDF
  • Make a quick PDF from anything with a Print button
  • Stay entirely inside Windows with zero setup

Get started in seconds

Open the workspace

No install. It runs in this page on any device.

Add your PDF

Drop in the file the printer made, or any PDF.

Do it and download

Merge, reorder, compress or watermark, then save.

Common questions

Can Windows Print to PDF merge or reorder pages?

No. Microsoft Print to PDF only creates a new PDF from something you can print. It cannot open an existing PDF to merge, split, reorder, rotate, delete, compress or watermark. pdf2kit does all of that.

Do pdf2kit and Print to PDF compete?

Not really. They complement each other. Use Print to PDF to turn a web page or document into a PDF, then use pdf2kit to work on that PDF - combine it, reorder pages, compress or add page numbers.

Is pdf2kit only for Windows?

No. pdf2kit runs in any modern browser, on Windows, Mac, Linux, and phones. Microsoft Print to PDF is Windows only.

Are both private?

Yes. Both work entirely on your device with no upload. Print to PDF is a local print driver, and pdf2kit does everything in your browser without sending files anywhere.

Already have a PDF? Shape it now

Open the workspace, drop in the file, and merge, reorder or compress it on your device.

Open the PDF workspace