Privacy

What really happens to the files you upload to free online tools

Retention windows, logging and third-party processors: a plain-English look at where your documents go, and how to avoid the risk altogether.

Code editor open on a laptop

Free upload-based tools have to pay for storage and compute somehow. Reading the privacy policy usually answers how, and the answer is not always comfortable.

The three things to check

  • How long files are kept after processing.
  • Whether files are shared with processors or used to improve a product.
  • What is logged: file names, IP addresses, account links.

The simplest fix

If a tool runs in your browser, there is nothing to retain. That is how every tool here works, and why we can offer it without limits.

Frequently asked questions

Are free online file converters safe?

It depends on how long they keep files and whether they share them. Browser-based tools avoid the question because nothing is uploaded.

How can I tell if a tool uploads my file?

Open your browser's network tab while it runs. If no large upload appears, the file stayed on your device.

Try the tools

Try it yourself

Everything in this guide runs in your browser. Free, with nothing uploaded.

Open Compress PDF
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