A free Smallpdf alternative with no download limit
Smallpdf's free plan limits document downloads and offers Pro after a 7-day trial. For compressing, converting to and from images, merging, splitting, signing and protecting PDFs, the Cuelark tools are free without limits and process the file in your browser.
Smallpdf and Cuelark compared
| Feature | Smallpdf | Cuelark Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free plan; Pro and Team are paid (price shown by region); 7-day free trial | Free |
| Free-plan limits | "Limited document downloads" and a daily download limit per tool | Free, no account, no daily limit |
| Where files are processed | On Smallpdf's servers (they describe TLS-encrypted processing) | Files stay in your browser; nothing is uploaded |
| Compression | Basic on Free, Strong on Pro | Exact target sizes (100 KB to 1 MB) or any size, for every user |
| OCR | On Pro | Image and scanned-PDF to text in 120+ languages, free |
| Office formats, AI chat, e-sign workflows | Yes | Not offered |
Smallpdf details are from Smallpdf pricing, checked on November 10, 2026. Plans change; check their site for current terms. Smallpdf is a trademark of its owner; Cuelark is not affiliated with it.
When Smallpdf is the better choice
Smallpdf has Office conversion, text editing, AI tools, signature requests with audit trails, cloud storage and mobile apps. Choose it when you need a full document workflow.
Frequently asked questions
Why is there no download limit?
Because nothing runs on our servers: each file is processed on your device, so there is no per-file cost to limit.
Is my document stored anywhere?
No. It is read into the browser tab and the result is saved straight to your device.
Can I compress a PDF for a government form that needs under 200 KB?
Yes. Use Compress PDF to 200 KB; it tries a lossless rewrite first and only rasterises pages if that is not enough.