Comparison · prices verified October 30, 2026
Smallpdf vs iLovePDF
Both are browser-first PDF toolkits with free tiers, used by millions for one-off conversions, merges and compressions. Their paid plans unlock unlimited use, OCR and desktop apps.
Our verdict
iLovePDF is the cheaper upgrade: Premium is $48 a year (shown as $4 a month) or $7 month to month, and its free tier is generous for occasional use, with published per-task file-size limits. Smallpdf Pro costs $10 a month on annual billing ($15 monthly) but includes a 7-day trial, AI chat and summaries, and Sign.com Premium for e-signatures in the same subscription.
For pure conversion and page tools on a budget, iLovePDF gives more for less. If you also want AI document tools and regular e-signatures without a second subscription, Smallpdf's higher price buys a broader bundle.
- you want AI chat and summaries included
- you need e-signatures bundled with your PDF tools
- you want to trial Pro before paying
- you want the lowest yearly price for unlimited PDF tools
- you need a Mac desktop app as well as Windows
- you mostly convert, merge and compress
Side-by-side
| Smallpdf | iLovePDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.3 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Starting price | From $8.00/mo | From $4.00/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | 7 days | Not stated |
| Categories | PDF Converters, PDF Editors, AI PDF Assistants | PDF Converters, PDF Editors |
| Windows | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mac | — | ✓ |
| Linux | — | — |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
| iOS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Edit text & images | ✓ | Not confirmed |
| Convert to/from Office | ✓ | ✓ |
| E-signatures | ✓ | ✓ |
| OCR (scan to text) | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI assistant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chat with PDF | ✓ | Not confirmed |
| AI summaries | ✓ | ✓ |
| Redaction | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fillable forms | Not confirmed | ✓ |
| Compare documents | Not confirmed | ✓ |
| Batch processing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Templates | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audit trail | Not confirmed | ✓ |
| API access | Not confirmed | ✓ |
| Cloud storage | ✓ | Not confirmed |
| Team admin console | ✓ | Not confirmed |
| Works offline (desktop app) | Not confirmed | ✓ |
| Mobile app | ✓ | ✓ |
| Features score | 4.3 | 4.3 |
| Value for money score | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Ease of use score | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Platform coverage score | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Pricing transparency score | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Prices verified | October 30, 2026 | October 30, 2026 |
Plans and prices
Smallpdf
- Free$0 per month
- Pro$10.00/mo billed as $120.00/year
- Pro (monthly)$15.00/mo billed monthly
- Team$8.00/seat/mo billed annually (2 seats = $192.00/year)
- Team (monthly)$12.00/seat/mo billed monthly
- Business—
iLovePDF
- Free$0
- Premium (monthly)$7 per month, monthly billing (1 user)
- Premium (yearly)$48 billed annually ($4 / month), 1 user
- Business—
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Written by Daniel Reyes. Product facts come only from each vendor's own website; see the source links in the table.