Smallpdf vs iLovePDF
Independent side-by-side comparison. Smallpdf ($9/mo) vs iLovePDF ($7/mo). Features, pricing, privacy, and a third option that beats both on price.
Smallpdf
Zurich, SwitzerlandiLovePDF
Barcelona, SpainSide-by-side comparison
| Smallpdf | iLovePDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Pro price | $9/mo | $7/mo |
| Free tier | 2 operations/day | Limited tasks/hour |
| Headquarters | Zurich, Switzerland | Barcelona, Spain |
| Best for | Casual users who value Swiss privacy and clean UX | High-volume casual users who tolerate ads |
Smallpdf — pros & cons
Strengths
- ✓Clean, intuitive UI
- ✓Swiss privacy reputation
- ✓Zapier + API integrations
- ✓Team plans
Weaknesses
- ✕Aggressive free-tier limits (2 ops/day)
- ✕Upsell prompts on every action
- ✕Inline text editing paywalled
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
Third option: Konomic
If you're choosing between Smallpdf and iLovePDF, 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 Smallpdf better than iLovePDF?+
Smallpdf is best for casual users who value swiss privacy and clean ux. iLovePDF is best for high-volume casual users who tolerate ads. The right choice depends on your use case — see the side-by-side comparison above.
How much does Smallpdf cost vs iLovePDF?+
Smallpdf Pro is $9/mo. iLovePDF Pro is $7/mo. Smallpdf free tier: 2 operations/day. iLovePDF free tier: Limited tasks/hour.
Which is better for privacy — Smallpdf or iLovePDF?+
Smallpdf is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. iLovePDF is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. 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 Smallpdf and iLovePDF?+
Yes — Konomic Pro is $4.99/month (vs $9/mo and $7/mo). 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 Smallpdf's or iLovePDF's.