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iLovePDF alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave iLovePDF: file size and task limits on the free plan, and upload-based processing for most tools. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces iLovePDF, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Smallpdf currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Smallpdf logoSmallpdfFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, iOS +14 of 466.5
  1. Smallpdf logo

    1. SmallpdfTop pick

    Best for: People who need quick PDF conversions and fixes from any browser

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from iLovePDF

    A very similar online toolkit with a polished interface and a Windows app.

    Pros

    • Very simple drag-and-drop tools
    • Works on any computer with a browser
    • Security certifications and stated file deletion

    Cons

    • Free use is capped daily
    • Files must be uploaded for most tasks
    • Deeper editing is limited compared with desktop editors
    Visit Smallpdf Compare with iLovePDFDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Smallpdf a good iLovePDF alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free trial
    7 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026smallpdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes, after the trial
    Checked Oct 25, 2026smallpdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Founded
    2013, Switzerland
    Checked Oct 25, 2026smallpdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Compliance
    ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR
    Checked Oct 25, 2026smallpdf.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best iLovePDF alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Smallpdf logo

Best iLovePDF alternative for most people

Smallpdf

A very similar online toolkit with a polished interface and a Windows app.

PDF24 Tools logo

Best iLovePDF alternative for a free option

PDF24 Tools

No paid tier at all, and a free offline Windows app.

Sejda logo

Best iLovePDF alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Sejda

Online plus desktop tools with a stronger in-browser text editor.

PDFsam logo

Best iLovePDF alternative for open source

PDFsam

Free open-source desktop app for merging and splitting without uploads.

Stirling PDF logo

Best iLovePDF alternative for self-hosting

Stirling PDF

Self-hosted toolkit with dozens of tools for teams that cannot upload files.

Sejda logo

Best iLovePDF alternative for Mac

Sejda

Online plus desktop tools with a stronger in-browser text editor.

Smallpdf logo

Best iLovePDF alternative for Windows

Smallpdf

A very similar online toolkit with a polished interface and a Windows app.

Sejda logo

Best iLovePDF alternative for Linux

Sejda

Online plus desktop tools with a stronger in-browser text editor.

Smallpdf logo

Best iLovePDF alternative for iPhone and Android

Smallpdf

A very similar online toolkit with a polished interface and a Windows app.

Smallpdf logo

Best iLovePDF alternative for working in the browser

Smallpdf

A very similar online toolkit with a polished interface and a Windows app.

iLovePDF alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to iLovePDF?

Smallpdf ranks first right now. A very similar online toolkit with a polished interface and a Windows app. PDF24 Tools and Sejda follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to iLovePDF?

Yes. Smallpdf (free plan + paid), PDF24 Tools (free), Sejda (free plan + paid) and PDFsam (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to iLovePDF?

Yes: PDFsam and Stirling PDF. Stirling PDF can also be self-hosted.

Which iLovePDF alternatives work on Linux?

Sejda, PDFsam and Stirling PDF run on Linux.

Why do people switch from iLovePDF?

The complaints we hear most: file size and task limits on the free plan; upload-based processing for most tools; not a full editor for changing body text.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces iLovePDF, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.