The free Smallpdf alternative that never uploads your files
Smallpdf is a polished PDF suite, but its free plan allows a couple of conversions a day and its web tools send files to its servers. Mediaextractr works on your device with no daily limit.
- Files never uploaded
- No daily limits
- 600+ tools, not just PDF
- Free plan
- Everything, free
- Paid plans
- Free: All tools, no sign-up, no daily limits
- Your files
- Never leave your device
- Account
- Not needed
- Works on
- Any modern browser, desktop and phone
- Free plan
- Up to 2 conversions a day, limited access to 21 tools
- Paid plans
- Pro plan with a 7-day trial; price is on their pricing page
- Your files
- Yes. Removed about 1 hour after processing (most tools)
- Account
- Mixed: one page says a basic account is needed, others do not say
- Works on
- Web, Windows desktop app, iOS and Android apps
Why people look for a Smallpdf alternative
Smallpdf is a PDF platform with a website, mobile apps and a Windows desktop app. It covers conversions to and from Office files, editing, OCR, forms, e-signing and AI tools. The free tier is limited, and a paid Pro plan with a free trial unlocks unlimited use.
Only 2 free conversions a day
Their help page says free users can process up to 2 conversions a day with limited access to 21 tools. Mediaextractr has no daily limit.
Your files go to their servers
Smallpdf says files are encrypted in transit and removed from its servers about one hour after processing for most tools. With Mediaextractr, files stay in your browser.
Unlimited use needs Pro
Unlimited conversions, more than 40 tools and the offline desktop app are part of the paid Pro plan, and the free trial asks for payment details up front.
You need video, audio or archive tools
We did not find video, audio or archive tools in Smallpdf's tool list. Mediaextractr includes them next to the PDF tools.
Real recordings, not mock-ups
Each clip was recorded on our live tools. Watch the upload counter in the first one stay at zero.
Mediaextractr vs Smallpdf, feature by feature
Checked against Smallpdf's own pages. The rows that matter most for privacy and cost come first.
| Feature | Mediaextractr | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy and access | ||
| Files stay on your device (no upload) | Yes | PartlyWeb tools upload files. Their help page says the offline Desktop App is a Pro feature. |
| Free to use without an account | Yes | PartlyTheir converter page FAQ says free conversion needs a basic account, while other pages do not mention one. |
| No daily limit on free use | Yes | 2 tasks/day freeTheir help page says free users can process up to 2 conversions per day. |
| No watermark on free results | Yes | ? |
| Works in a phone browser | Yes | ? |
| Beyond PDF | ||
| Video tools (trim, compress, convert) | Yes | NoNot in their tool list. |
| Audio tools (cut, convert, MP3) | Yes | NoNot in their tool list. |
| Image tools (HEIC, resize, compress) | Yes | NoOnly image to PDF and PDF to image tools appear in their tool list. |
| ZIP, RAR and 7Z tools | Yes | No |
| JSON, CSV and XML tools | Yes | No |
| Everyday PDF tasks | ||
| Merge PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Split PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Compress PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Rotate, reorder and delete pages | Yes | Yes |
| PDF to JPG / PNG | Yes | Yes |
| JPG to PDF | Yes | Yes |
| PDF to Word | PartlyText, headings and lists; no images or tables | Yes |
| Word to PDF | No | Yes |
| PDF to Excel | No | Yes |
| Protect and unlock PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Add watermark | Yes | Yes |
| Add page numbers | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced PDF | ||
| Sign a PDF yourself | YesVisible signature, not a certificate | Yes |
| Send documents for others to sign | No | Via Sign.comTheir guides say signature requests are sent through Sign.com, their e-signing platform. |
| Fill PDF forms | Yes | Yes |
| Redact text | Yes | Yes |
| Compare two PDFs | Yes | ?Not in the tool list we read. |
| Edit existing text in a PDF | No | ?Edit PDF is listed for adding text, shapes, images and annotations; changing existing text was not stated. |
| OCR (scans to searchable text) | No | Yes |
| AI chat / summaries | No | Yes |
| Apps and extras | ||
| Several files at once | Yes | ? |
| Desktop app | No | Yes |
| Mobile app | No | Yes |
| Google Drive / Dropbox import | No | Saves to Drive/DropboxTheir tool pages mention saving results to Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive; import was not described. |
| Developer API | No | ? |
Yes Yes Partly Partly No No, or not offered on their site ? Not stated on their site
What you pay
Smallpdf's prices as published on their site on October 30, 2026. Prices can change and may vary by country.
MMediaextractr
SSmallpdf
Why Mediaextractr is the better choice
Everything people like about Smallpdf's everyday tools, without the uploads, limits or accounts.
Your files never leave your device
Every tool runs inside your browser. Nothing is uploaded, stored or seen by anyone, so private documents stay private.
Free, with no limits or sign-up
No daily task caps, no trial, no watermark and no account. Use any tool as often as you like.
Starts instantly
No waiting for uploads and downloads. Work begins the moment you add a file, even on slow connections.
600+ tools, not just PDF
Video, audio, images, Word, Excel, ZIP and JSON tools sit next to the PDF tools, all free and all private.
Ready to leave Smallpdf? Your first file takes seconds and needs no account.
Try Mediaextractr freeStart with these free tools
Smallpdf alternative: questions
Is there a free alternative to Smallpdf?
Yes. Mediaextractr is free with no account, daily limit or watermark. It covers merge, split, compress, PDF to JPG, JPG to PDF, protect, sign and fill forms, though it has no OCR, Word to PDF or PDF to Excel.
Does Smallpdf upload my files?
Its web tools do. Smallpdf says files are encrypted in transit and removed from its servers one hour after processing for most tools. The Pro-only offline Desktop App is a different case. Mediaextractr never uploads files.
Is Smallpdf free?
There is a free tier of up to 2 conversions per day with limited access to 21 tools, per their help page. Unlimited use needs the paid Pro plan, which has a free trial. We could not read the current price on their site, so check their pricing page.
What is the Smallpdf free limit?
Their help page says free users can process up to 2 conversions per day. Mediaextractr has no daily limit.
Can I use Smallpdf without signing up?
It depends on the page. Some tool pages do not mention an account, but the converter page FAQ says free conversion needs a basic account. Mediaextractr never needs one.
What can Smallpdf do that Mediaextractr cannot?
Smallpdf offers Word to PDF, PDF to Excel, OCR, an Edit PDF tool, AI chat and summaries, signature requests via Sign.com, and mobile and desktop apps. Mediaextractr has none of these.
Mediaextractr vs other PDF sites
Switch to a simpler, private way to work with files
Free, no account, and your files never leave your device.
Explore all toolsInformation about Smallpdf was checked on October 30, 2026 from its public pages: Smallpdf help center, Smallpdf all PDF tools, Smallpdf PDF converter, Smallpdf Merge PDF, Smallpdf pricing. Features and prices change; tell us if something is out of date. Smallpdf is a trademark of its owner. Mediaextractr is not affiliated with or endorsed by Smallpdf.