iLovePDF vs PDF24
Independent side-by-side comparison. iLovePDF ($7/mo) vs PDF24 (Free (ad-supported)). Features, pricing, privacy, and a third option that beats both on price.
iLovePDF
Barcelona, SpainPDF24
Nuremberg, GermanySide-by-side comparison
| iLovePDF | PDF24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Pro price | $7/mo | Free (ad-supported) |
| Free tier | Limited tasks/hour | Unlimited but with ads |
| Headquarters | Barcelona, Spain | Nuremberg, Germany |
| Best for | High-volume casual users who tolerate ads | Budget-conscious users who accept ads for zero cost |
iLovePDF — pros & cons
Strengths
- ✓Large free-tier task variety
- ✓Mobile + desktop apps
- ✓Team collaboration
- ✓25+ tools
Weaknesses
- ✕Ad-supported free tier
- ✕Inline text editing paywalled
- ✕Data retention longer than competitors
PDF24 — pros & cons
Strengths
- ✓Completely free
- ✓German GDPR reputation
- ✓Desktop app available
- ✓Wide tool variety
Weaknesses
- ✕Ads embedded in UI
- ✕Patchy non-German translations
- ✕No e-signature feature
- ✕Dated interface
Third option: Konomic
If you're choosing between iLovePDF and PDF24, consider Konomic — a free, browser-based PDF toolkit built by a solo European dev. It's cheaper than both, includes features both paywall, and runs on EU-only servers with auto-delete in 1 hour.
Frequently asked questions
Is iLovePDF better than PDF24?+
iLovePDF is best for high-volume casual users who tolerate ads. PDF24 is best for budget-conscious users who accept ads for zero cost. The right choice depends on your use case — see the side-by-side comparison above.
How much does iLovePDF cost vs PDF24?+
iLovePDF Pro is $7/mo. PDF24 Pro is Free (ad-supported). iLovePDF free tier: Limited tasks/hour. PDF24 free tier: Unlimited but with ads.
Which is better for privacy — iLovePDF or PDF24?+
iLovePDF is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. PDF24 is headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany. For EU-residents with GDPR concerns, a privacy-first alternative with EU-only servers (like Konomic) provides the strongest data residency guarantee — files auto-delete within 1 hour.
Is there a cheaper alternative to both iLovePDF and PDF24?+
Yes — Konomic Pro is $4.99/month (vs $7/mo and Free (ad-supported)). It includes 28 PDF tools + inline text editing on the free tier, 10 e-signatures/month, and a GDPR-aware contract generator. Free tier (20 ops/day, 50 MB) is more generous than iLovePDF's or PDF24's.