Smallpdf vs Sejda
Independent side-by-side comparison. Smallpdf ($9/mo) vs Sejda ($7.50/mo). Features, pricing, privacy, and a third option that beats both on price.
Smallpdf
Zurich, SwitzerlandSejda
RomaniaSide-by-side comparison
| Smallpdf | Sejda | |
|---|---|---|
| Pro price | $9/mo | $7.50/mo |
| Free tier | 2 operations/day | 3 tasks/hour, 200 pages |
| Headquarters | Zurich, Switzerland | Romania |
| Best for | Casual users who value Swiss privacy and clean UX | Users who need occasional inline editing without paying |
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
Sejda — pros & cons
Strengths
- ✓True inline text editing on free tier
- ✓Desktop app for offline use
- ✓No forced signup
- ✓Good for privacy
Weaknesses
- ✕Tight hourly limits on free tier
- ✕Fewer tools than iLovePDF
- ✕No AI features
Third option: Konomic
If you're choosing between Smallpdf and Sejda, 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 Sejda?+
Smallpdf is best for casual users who value swiss privacy and clean ux. Sejda is best for users who need occasional inline editing without paying. The right choice depends on your use case — see the side-by-side comparison above.
How much does Smallpdf cost vs Sejda?+
Smallpdf Pro is $9/mo. Sejda Pro is $7.50/mo. Smallpdf free tier: 2 operations/day. Sejda free tier: 3 tasks/hour, 200 pages.
Which is better for privacy — Smallpdf or Sejda?+
Smallpdf is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Sejda is headquartered in Romania. 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 Sejda?+
Yes — Konomic Pro is $4.99/month (vs $9/mo and $7.50/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 Sejda's.