Short answer: Smallpdf is the easiest way to do a quick PDF task in a browser, with a free tier and a Pro subscription. PDF++ is a Windows program that does the same kinds of jobs offline, so your documents never leave your computer. I built PDF++, so read this as an interested but fact-checked comparison.
The real choice between these two is not features, it is where your files are processed. This guide compares the two on cost, limits, privacy and tools, and says where Smallpdf is the better choice.
Disclosure: PDF++ is my product. PDF++ facts come from its product page. Smallpdf facts come from its pricing page, homepage and desktop-app page, read on 23 October 2026 (the pricing page from India, in rupees). Smallpdf’s prices vary by region and its terms and privacy pages did not load for me, so I cover only what I could read.
PDF++ vs Smallpdf at a glance
| PDF++ | Smallpdf | |
|---|---|---|
| How it runs | Windows desktop program | Web tools, plus a Windows desktop app |
| Free option | Try any tool free before purchasing | Free plan with 30+ tools and limited downloads |
| Paid option | Licence; see the product page | Pro, billed yearly or monthly; Business on request |
| Files uploaded? | No for standard tools | Web tools are an online service; desktop app is offline |
| Edit text | Yes | Pro |
| OCR | Yes, multi-language | Pro |
| Compression | Yes | Strong compression in Pro |
| E-signatures | Digital signatures; request-signature tool | Sign PDF and request signatures (with Sign.com) |
| Platform | Windows 10 (64-bit) and 11 | Any browser; desktop app for Windows; mobile app |
What Smallpdf includes and charges
Smallpdf’s pricing page lists three tiers:
- Free: 30+ document tools, limited document downloads, limited mobile app access, and a Sign.com account limited to 2 documents a month.
- Pro: unlimited access to all 30+ tools, unlimited downloads, text editing, OCR, strong compression, AI-powered tools, unlimited mobile access and a Sign.com Premium subscription. With the yearly option selected, it showed Rs 979.00 a month when I viewed it from India.
- Business: for 20 or more users, with custom pricing.
Smallpdf also offers a 7-day free trial and says you can cancel it any time and be downgraded to the free plan. The page promises ISO/IEC 27001 certification and GDPR, CCPA and nFADP compliance. Its homepage says it has a Windows desktop app that works offline; I did not find a price for that app.
Where your files go
This is the difference that should drive your choice. Smallpdf’s web tools are an online service, so your document is processed on its servers; its pricing page speaks of TLS encryption for documents in transit and processing. That may be fine for a restaurant menu and not fine for a contract, medical record or client file. PDF++ runs on your PC. Its page says standard tools work offline, with no uploads and no file-size limits, apart from some AI features that may need the internet.
What PDF++ offers
An editor for text, images, links and pages; conversion to and from Word, Excel, PowerPoint, HTML and images, with batch folders; merge and split by pages, ranges, size or bookmarks; compression; OCR; 128-bit and 256-bit AES password protection and permissions; digital signatures; annotation and watermarking. It needs Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11, 4 GB of RAM and 250 MB of storage.
Where Smallpdf is the better choice
- You want to do a quick task from any device, including a phone or a Mac, without installing anything.
- You want a free tier to try before paying.
- You want e-signature requests and a team plan in the same service.
Where PDF++ is the better choice
- You handle sensitive documents and prefer they never leave your computer.
- You process many files or large files, where upload and download time add up.
- You work offline or want predictable terms without daily limits.
How to decide in 60 seconds
- Is the document sensitive? If yes, prefer a local tool.
- Is it a one-off? A free web tool is fine.
- Do you work with PDFs every week? A local program removes limits and upload waits.
- Are you on a Mac or phone? Smallpdf works there; PDF++ is Windows only.
Frequently asked questions
Is Smallpdf free?
Smallpdf has a free plan with 30+ document tools, but it limits document downloads and access. Its pricing page shows Pro as the plan with unlimited access to all 30+ tools, unlimited downloads, text editing, OCR, strong compression and AI tools. It also advertises a 7-day free trial.
How much does Smallpdf Pro cost?
When I viewed Smallpdf's pricing page from India with the yearly option selected, Pro showed Rs 979.00 per month. The page offers a yearly plan at a discount (it shows 30 percent off) and a monthly option, and prices vary by region, so check the page.
Does Smallpdf upload my files?
Smallpdf's web tools are an online service. Its pricing page says documents are protected with TLS encryption and that the company is ISO/IEC 27001 certified and GDPR, CCPA and nFADP compliant. It also has a Windows desktop app that works offline. I did not retrieve its file-retention policy, so read it before uploading sensitive documents.
Does PDF++ upload my files?
No. PDF++'s product page says its standard tools work offline and files are not uploaded, although some AI features may need an internet connection.
Which is better for a one-off job?
For a quick one-off task, a web tool such as Smallpdf is convenient. For sensitive documents, big batches or regular work, a program that runs locally is the safer and often faster choice.
What I checked, and what this comparison cannot tell you
I read Smallpdf’s pricing page, homepage and desktop app page on 23 October 2026. Its terms and privacy pages did not load, so I cannot say how long files are kept. PDF++ facts come from its product page. I did not test speed or output quality, so I make no claims on those. Confirm prices before buying.
Comparing with Adobe instead? See PDF++ vs Adobe Acrobat. More of my apps are on the products page.
