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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
2PDFsam logoPDFsamOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 459.6
3Stirling PDF logoStirling PDFOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted, Windows +24 of 457.2
4PDFgear 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. PDFsam logo

    2. PDFsam

    Best for: Anyone who regularly splits and merges PDFs offline and wants it free

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from PDF24 Tools

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

    Pros

    • Free and open source with no watermarks or limits
    • Works offline on Windows, macOS and Linux
    • Flexible split and merge options

    Cons

    • Basic only reorganises pages, no editing
    • Installer promotes the paid editions
    • Plain, utilitarian interface
    Visit PDFsam Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    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 PDFsam a good PDF24 Tools alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Open source
    Yes, PDFsam Basic
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pdfsam.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pdfsam.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Offline
    No internet needed
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pdfsam.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid edition trial
    PDFsam Visual, 14 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pdfsam.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Stirling PDF logo

    3. Stirling PDF

    Best for: Teams that want online-style PDF tools without sending files to a third party

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted, Windows, macOS, Linux

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from PDF24 Tools

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

    Pros

    • Runs on your own server, so files stay private
    • Dozens of tools plus automation and an API
    • Free open-source core with optional paid support

    Cons

    • Self-hosting needs Docker or server know-how
    • SSO and admin features sit in paid plans
    • Interface is more functional than polished
    Visit Stirling PDF Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    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 Stirling PDF a good PDF24 Tools alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    $0, open-source edition
    Checked Oct 25, 2026stirlingpdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Deployment
    Web, desktop, self-hosted
    Checked Oct 25, 2026stirlingpdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Tools
    60+ PDF tools
    Checked Oct 25, 2026stirlingpdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.stirlingpdf.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. PDFgear logo

    4. 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.