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PDF24 Tools alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave PDF24 Tools: desktop app is Windows only, and website shows ads. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces PDF24 Tools, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. iLovePDF currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1iLovePDF logoiLovePDFFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +24 of 466.5
2Smallpdf logoSmallpdfFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, iOS +14 of 462.6
3PDFgear logoPDFgearFreeNoWindows, macOS, iOS +24 of 455.3
  1. iLovePDF logo

    1. iLovePDFTop pick

    Best for: Occasional users who want a quick free tool for common PDF tasks

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from PDF24 Tools

    Similar online tools with mobile apps and a Mac desktop app.

    Pros

    • Free tier covers most everyday tasks
    • Each tool is simple and fast to use
    • Desktop and mobile apps as well as the website

    Cons

    • File size and task limits on the free plan
    • Upload-based processing for most tools
    • Not a full editor for changing body text
    Visit iLovePDF Details 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 iLovePDF a good PDF24 Tools alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Core tools, limited use
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ilovepdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop apps
    Mac and Windows
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ilovepdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mobile apps
    iOS and Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ilovepdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    E-signature
    Sign or request signatures
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ilovepdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Smallpdf logo

    2. Smallpdf

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

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from PDF24 Tools

    A more polished online toolkit with paid team features.

    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 Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    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 PDF24 Tools 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)
  3. PDFgear logo

    3. PDFgear

    Best for: Students and home users who want free editing and conversion without an account

    FreeWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, Web

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from PDF24 Tools

    Free desktop editor for Windows and Mac with better text editing.

    Pros

    • Free editing, conversion and signing with no sign-up
    • Apps on desktop, mobile and the web
    • Built-in AI summaries and chat

    Cons

    • Less proven on complex or unusual PDFs
    • No advanced preflight or accessibility tools
    • Long-term funding model is unclear
    Visit PDFgear Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    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 PDFgear a good PDF24 Tools alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free, no sign-up
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pdfgear.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pdfgear.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Android
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pdfgear.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business features
    Free on Windows
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pdfgear.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best PDF24 Tools alternative for…

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

iLovePDF logo

Best PDF24 Tools alternative for most people

iLovePDF

Similar online tools with mobile apps and a Mac desktop app.

PDFsam logo

Best PDF24 Tools alternative for a free option

PDFsam

Free open-source split and merge app that also runs on Mac and Linux.

Smallpdf logo

Best PDF24 Tools alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Smallpdf

A more polished online toolkit with paid team features.

Stirling PDF logo

Best PDF24 Tools alternative for open source

Stirling PDF

Self-hosted equivalent for teams who want tools on their own server.

Stirling PDF logo

Best PDF24 Tools alternative for self-hosting

Stirling PDF

Self-hosted equivalent for teams who want tools on their own server.

PDFgear logo

Best PDF24 Tools alternative for Mac

PDFgear

Free desktop editor for Windows and Mac with better text editing.

iLovePDF logo

Best PDF24 Tools alternative for Windows

iLovePDF

Similar online tools with mobile apps and a Mac desktop app.

PDFsam logo

Best PDF24 Tools alternative for Linux

PDFsam

Free open-source split and merge app that also runs on Mac and Linux.

iLovePDF logo

Best PDF24 Tools alternative for iPhone and Android

iLovePDF

Similar online tools with mobile apps and a Mac desktop app.

iLovePDF logo

Best PDF24 Tools alternative for working in the browser

iLovePDF

Similar online tools with mobile apps and a Mac desktop app.

PDF24 Tools alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to PDF24 Tools?

iLovePDF ranks first right now. Similar online tools with mobile apps and a Mac desktop app. Smallpdf and PDFsam follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to PDF24 Tools?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to PDF24 Tools?

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

Which PDF24 Tools alternatives work on Linux?

PDFsam and Stirling PDF run on Linux.

Why do people switch from PDF24 Tools?

The complaints we hear most: desktop app is Windows only; website shows ads; basic editing of existing text.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces PDF24 Tools, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.