A free Smallpdf alternative with no daily limit
Smallpdf is popular and polished, but its free plan has daily limits and your files go to its servers. Here's how PDF ProMaster compares.
By the PDF ProMaster team · Fact-checked 27 October 2026
The short answer
There are two main differences. First, Smallpdf's free plan limits how much you can do each day, while PDF ProMaster has no daily limits. Second, Smallpdf processes files on its servers, while PDF ProMaster does everything inside your browser, so your documents never leave your device.
Side-by-side
| PDF ProMaster | Smallpdf (free plan) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where files are processed | In your browser, on your device. Files are never uploaded. | On Smallpdf's servers in Ireland. Smallpdf says files from its free tools are permanently deleted after one hour, for most tools. |
| Account needed | No | No for many tools, such as Compress PDF and PDF to Word |
| Daily limits | None | Smallpdf's help centre says free users can process up to 2 conversions per day, and its pricing page lists daily download limits on many tools |
| Compression | Light, Recommended, Smallest file and Exact size (for example under 100 KB) | Basic compression; Moderate and Strong compression are Pro features |
| File size | Most tools accept files up to 500 MB | The pricing page doesn't give a general figure for the free plan; its AI tools take files up to 50 MB |
| Paid plan | None. Every tool is free. | Pro, Team and Business plans; Pro has a 7-day free trial |
Smallpdf details are taken from its own pricing page, help centre, tool pages and security article, checked on 27 October 2026. Plans change, so check Smallpdf's pricing page for the latest.
When PDF ProMaster is the better choice
- You've reached the daily limit. There's no counter here, so you can convert, merge and compress as many files as you need.
- Private documents. Your file stays on your device the whole time, so there's nothing to delete afterwards.
- Strict upload limits. Compress PDF can aim for an exact size, such as under 200 KB or under 500 KB, at no cost.
- No trial or subscription. There's no paid plan, so there's nothing to sign up for or cancel.
When Smallpdf may suit you better
Smallpdf has features PDF ProMaster doesn't offer at the moment, including:
- Converting PowerPoint files to and from PDF, turning PDFs into Excel, and converting Excel files that have charts or pictures
- Cloud storage for your documents, and signature requests to other people (through its Sign.com service)
- AI tools such as chatting with a PDF or summarising it
If you rely on those, Smallpdf Pro may be worth it. For merging, splitting, compressing, converting Word, Excel and images, editing text and pictures, adding signatures, and protecting PDFs, PDF ProMaster does the job for free, with no daily limits.
PDF ProMaster tools to try instead
- Compress PDF, including Compress PDF to 100 KB
- Merge PDF, Split PDF and Extract PDF pages
- PDF to Word, Word to PDF and Excel to PDF
- JPG to PDF, PNG to PDF, PDF to JPG and PDF to PNG
- Edit PDF, Sign PDF, Protect PDF and Unlock PDF
- PDF ProMaster Workspace for several jobs at once
Check it yourself
Open a PDF ProMaster tool such as Compress PDF, let the page load, then switch off your internet connection. The tool still works, because your file is processed on your own device. See how to tell whether a PDF site uploads your files for more ways to check.
Questions
Is there a free Smallpdf alternative without a daily limit?
Yes. PDF ProMaster's tools are free with no daily limit, no account and no watermark added to your files.
Does Smallpdf keep my files?
Smallpdf says files processed with its free tools are permanently deleted from its servers after one hour, for most tools. Files you choose to save to a Smallpdf account are kept for as long as you want, and removed within an hour of you deleting them.
Does PDF ProMaster upload my files?
No. The tools run inside your web browser, so your files are processed on your own device and never sent to us or anyone else.
Can I compress a PDF to a specific size for free?
Yes. PDF ProMaster's Compress PDF has an Exact size option for limits such as 100 KB, 200 KB, 500 KB or 1 MB.
Is PDF ProMaster connected to Smallpdf?
No. PDF ProMaster is an independent website run by PDF ProMaster Ltd and isn't affiliated with Smallpdf.
Try these tools
How we write our guides: the limits, formats and prices of other organisations in this guide are checked against the official pages linked under Sources, on the date shown. Instructions describe only features our tools actually have. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll correct it.
Sources
- Smallpdf pricing (checked 27 October 2026)
- Smallpdf help centre (checked 27 October 2026)
- Smallpdf: Is Smallpdf safe? (checked 27 October 2026)
- Smallpdf: Compress PDF (checked 27 October 2026)
- Smallpdf: PDF to Word (checked 27 October 2026)
- Smallpdf: Edit PDF (checked 27 October 2026)
Smallpdf is a trademark of its owner. PDF ProMaster is independent and isn't affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by it. Comparisons are based on the sources above; if anything here is out of date, please let us know and we'll correct it.