Comparison

Best PDF24 Alternative

Updated 23 October 20263 min read

On this page · 6 sections

The short answer

PDF24 alternative that doesn't upload your files: PDF24 is free with no limits, paid for by ads, but its online tools upload files to its EU servers (deleted within an hour), and its offline PDF24 Creator is Windows-only. OneClickPDF is free for most tools too, and most run in your browser on any system, so the PDF isn't uploaded.

PDF24, made by the German company Geek Software, is one of the best free PDF services: no limits, a very long tool list, and a free Windows app, PDF24 Creator, that works offline. Its online tools upload your file to its servers, though, and the site is paid for by ads. OneClickPDF keeps most tools in your browser instead.

OneClickPDF vs PDF24 at a glance

PDF24 facts are taken from PDF24’s own pages, checked in October 2026 (sources at the end of this page). Prices and limits change; check theirs before you decide.

OneClickPDF vs PDF24 at a glance
FeaturePDF24OneClickPDF
PriceFree, no limits (paid for by ads)Most tools free; a few cost $0.99
Where the PDF is processed (online)PDF24's EU servers, deleted within an hourIn your browser (most tools)
OfflinePDF24 Creator, Windows onlyTools you've used, in any browser
Install on a phoneYes, as a web appYes, as a web app
Redact, compare, OCR, create formsYesYes
PDF to WordFree$0.99 a document (Adobe engine)

When to pick PDF24 instead

Pick PDF24 if…

  • You're on Windows and want an installed app that keeps files on your PC with no connection: PDF24 Creator is free.
  • You need a tool OneClickPDF doesn't have: PDF24's list is longer (e-invoice conversion and checking, booklets, PDF signature verification).
  • You want PDF to Word free and don't mind the upload: PDF24's is free; OneClickPDF's costs $0.99 a document.

Why pick OneClickPDF

  • Most tools open the PDF in your browser, so it isn't uploaded — on Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS or a phone.
  • No account and no usage limit on the free tools.
  • Redact, compare, OCR, sign and form tools, free and in your browser.
  • Tools you've used before keep working offline (a tool you haven't used yet needs a connection the first time; the server tools always do)

Why people look for a PDF24 alternative

  • The online tools upload files to PDF24's servers in the EU; it says they are deleted within an hour.
  • The website is paid for by advertising.
  • PDF24 Creator, the offline version, is Windows-only.
  • Businesses processing other people's personal data with the online tools must sign a data processing agreement with PDF24.

PDF24 is genuinely free and genuinely good, and on Windows its Creator app is hard to beat: every tool, offline, with files kept on your PC. The trade-offs are on the web. The online tools upload each file to PDF24's EU servers, where it is deleted within an hour, the site carries ads, and PDF24 asks business users who process other people's personal data online to sign a data processing agreement (it says none is needed for the Creator).

OneClickPDF gives Mac, Linux, ChromeOS and phone users what the Creator gives Windows users: most tools work on the file inside your own browser, with no upload, and tools you've used before keep working offline.

PDF24 has more tools in total and its PDF to Word is free; ours uses Adobe's engine and costs $0.99.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PDF24 really free?
Yes. PDF24 says all its tools are free with no restrictions, for companies too, paid for by advertising on its website. Its Windows app, PDF24 Creator, is free as well.
Does PDF24 upload my files?
Its online tools do: files go to PDF24's servers in the EU and are deleted within an hour, PDF24 says. PDF24 Creator for Windows keeps files on your PC. Most OneClickPDF tools (merge, split, compress, sign, redact, OCR, edit and the rest) open your file in your browser, so it isn't uploaded to us or anyone. The exceptions say so on their page: Word, Excel and PowerPoint to PDF upload the file to our converter, which deletes it after converting; PDF to Word sends it to Adobe; the AI tools and Translate send only the PDF's extracted text to Google Gemini; Webpage to PDF fetches the page through our server; and signing or scanning from a phone passes the image through our server for up to 10 minutes.
Is there a PDF24 Creator for Mac?
No. PDF24 says Creator is for Windows and suggests users of other systems use PDF24's online tools. On a Mac, OneClickPDF's in-browser tools work on the file without uploading it, and tools you've used before keep working offline.
Which has more tools, PDF24 or OneClickPDF?
PDF24 has more (for example e-invoice conversion, booklets and PDF signature verification). OneClickPDF has 59 tools, including redaction, PDF comparison, OCR, Bates numbering and in-place text editing.

Where these facts come from · checked October 2026

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