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Smallpdf alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Smallpdf: free use is capped daily, and files must be uploaded for most tasks. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Smallpdf, 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
1Sejda logoSejdaFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +14 of 459.6
2Stirling PDF logoStirling PDFOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted, Windows +24 of 457.2
  1. Sejda logo

    1. SejdaTop pick

    Best for: Occasional users who want a real editor for a short job without a subscription

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Smallpdf

    Online and desktop tools with a pay-per-week option for occasional use.

    Pros

    • Week pass suits one-off projects
    • Desktop app on Linux as well as Mac and Windows
    • Good in-browser editing of existing text

    Cons

    • Free use has hourly and page limits
    • No mobile apps
    • Perpetual licences are no longer sold
    Visit Sejda 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 Sejda a good Smallpdf alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, no sign-up, limited
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sejda.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Short-term pass
    7-day access, one-time payment
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sejda.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop platforms
    Mac, Windows, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sejda.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Perpetual licence
    No longer offered
    Checked Oct 25, 2026sejda.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Stirling PDF logo

    2. 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 Smallpdf

    Self-host the same kind of toolkit so documents never leave your network.

    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 Smallpdf 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)

The best Smallpdf alternative for…

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

iLovePDF logo

Best Smallpdf alternative for most people

iLovePDF

A near-identical online toolkit with a generous free tier and desktop apps.

PDF24 Tools logo

Best Smallpdf alternative for a free option

PDF24 Tools

Completely free online tools and a free Windows app, with no paid tier at all.

Sejda logo

Best Smallpdf alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Sejda

Online and desktop tools with a pay-per-week option for occasional use.

Stirling PDF logo

Best Smallpdf alternative for open source

Stirling PDF

Self-host the same kind of toolkit so documents never leave your network.

Stirling PDF logo

Best Smallpdf alternative for self-hosting

Stirling PDF

Self-host the same kind of toolkit so documents never leave your network.

PDFgear logo

Best Smallpdf alternative for Mac

PDFgear

A free desktop app that does conversions locally without uploading files.

iLovePDF logo

Best Smallpdf alternative for Windows

iLovePDF

A near-identical online toolkit with a generous free tier and desktop apps.

Sejda logo

Best Smallpdf alternative for Linux

Sejda

Online and desktop tools with a pay-per-week option for occasional use.

iLovePDF logo

Best Smallpdf alternative for iPhone and Android

iLovePDF

A near-identical online toolkit with a generous free tier and desktop apps.

iLovePDF logo

Best Smallpdf alternative for working in the browser

iLovePDF

A near-identical online toolkit with a generous free tier and desktop apps.

Smallpdf alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Smallpdf?

iLovePDF ranks first right now. A near-identical online toolkit with a generous free tier and desktop apps. PDF24 Tools and Sejda follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Smallpdf?

Yes. iLovePDF (free plan + paid), PDF24 Tools (free), Sejda (free plan + paid) 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 Smallpdf?

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

Which Smallpdf alternatives work on Linux?

Sejda and Stirling PDF run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Smallpdf?

The complaints we hear most: free use is capped daily; files must be uploaded for most tasks; deeper editing is limited compared with desktop editors.

How is this list ranked?

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