--- title: Smallpdf canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/smallpdf/ category: PDF Editors points: 64 rank: 8 of 9 facts_checked: 2026-10-08 --- # Smallpdf Swiss browser-based PDF toolkit with a free plan, mobile apps and a Windows desktop app. 64 points out of 100. #8 of 9 PDF editors. Vendor: Smallpdf AG. Website: https://smallpdf.com/ - Pro costs $9 a month billed yearly ($108 a year), or $12 month to month [2][3]. - The free plan covers 30+ tools with limited downloads and adds no watermark [1][9]. - Editing existing text needs Pro, which has a 7-day free trial [4]. - Smallpdf says it is ISO/IEC 27001 certified and audited annually [8]. - The desktop app is for Windows and works offline [7]. Verdict: Smallpdf suits occasional users who want quick browser tools and a free plan that does not watermark files [1][9]. Pro adds direct text editing, OCR and unlimited signature requests through Sign.com [1][4]. Form building, file comparison and certificate-based signing are not published, and the desktop app is for Windows only [7]. Best for: Occasional users who work in the browser. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Editing | Edit existing text | Yes | 6/6 | Direct text editing (Edit Text) needs a Pro subscription [4]. | | Editing | OCR | Yes | 6/6 | Pro includes OCR, including OCR conversion to Word, Excel and PowerPoint [1][3]. | | Editing | True redaction | Yes | 6/6 | Redact PDF permanently removes text and images so they cannot be recovered [5]. | | Editing | Create fillable forms | Not published | 0/6 | | | Editing | Compare two PDFs | Not published | 0/6 | | | Systems | Apps | Windows, iOS, Android, Web | 12/15 | Web app, a Windows desktop app [7] and mobile apps for iOS and Android [8]. | | Signing and security | Request e-signatures | Yes | 8/8 | Requests signatures through Sign.com, with an activity timeline; unlimited on Pro [1]. | | Signing and security | Password protection | Not published | 0/6 | Adds a password with 128-bit AES [6]; limits on printing or copying are not published. | | Signing and security | Certificate-based signatures | Not published | 0/6 | | | Price | Free version without watermarks | Yes | 8/8 | Free plan with limited downloads; Smallpdf says it adds no watermarks, even on the free version [1][9]. | | Price | First-year price for text editing | $108/yr | 3/7 | Pro, $9 a month billed yearly ($108 a year); yearly billing is 25% cheaper than monthly [2][3]. | | Price | One-time licence | Not published | 0/5 | Pro is sold with monthly or yearly billing [3]. | | Privacy | Edits files on your computer | Yes | 8/8 | The Windows desktop app runs its PDF tools offline [7]. | | Privacy | SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 | Yes | 7/7 | Smallpdf says it is ISO/IEC 27001 certified and audited annually [1][8]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | Free | Free [1] | $0 | | Pro (yearly) | $9/month, billed yearly [2][3] | $9 | | Pro (monthly) | $12/month [2] | $12 | | Team | $7/month per seat, billed yearly [1][2] | $7 | | Business | Custom [1] | - | Pro is $9 a month on yearly billing or $12 month to month [2]. Smallpdf offers a 7-day free trial of Pro [3]. ## Strengths - Free plan with no watermark on downloads [9]. - Redaction permanently removes text and images [5]. - Unlimited signature requests through Sign.com on Pro, with an activity timeline [1]. - Windows desktop app works offline [7]. - ISO/IEC 27001 certified and audited annually [8]. ## Limits - Editing existing text needs Pro [4]. - The free plan limits daily downloads [1]. - Protect PDF documents 128-bit AES passwords; limits on printing or copying are not published [6]. - Only monthly and yearly plans are offered; no one-time licence is listed [3]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - Smallpdf says 1.7 billion people have used it since 2013 [1]. ## Sources 1. [Smallpdf Pricing and Plans](https://smallpdf.com/pricing), Smallpdf, accessed 2026-10-08 2. [Adobe vs Foxit: In-depth Comparison [March 2026]](https://smallpdf.com/compare/adobe-vs-foxit-vs-smallpdf), Smallpdf, accessed 2026-10-08 3. [Smallpdf Free vs Pro: 2026 Plan Comparison](https://smallpdf.com/blog/smallpdf-free-vs-pro-plan-comparison), Smallpdf, accessed 2026-10-08 4. [Free PDF Editor: Change & Edit PDF Content Online](https://smallpdf.com/edit-pdf), Smallpdf, accessed 2026-10-08 5. [Redact PDF: Remove Sensitive Information Permanently](https://smallpdf.com/redact-pdf), Smallpdf, accessed 2026-10-08 6. [Password Protect PDF: Lock PDFs with Password Protection](https://smallpdf.com/protect-pdf), Smallpdf, accessed 2026-10-08 7. [Smallpdf Desktop App](https://smallpdf.com/download/windows), Smallpdf, accessed 2026-10-08 8. [Free PDF Signer: Fill & Sign PDF Documents Online](https://smallpdf.com/sign-pdf), Smallpdf, accessed 2026-10-08 9. [PDF Maker–Make PDF Online in One Click](https://smallpdf.com/blog/pdf-maker), Smallpdf, accessed 2026-10-08