iLovePDF is simple and fast, but you may want deeper editing, signatures, AI or fewer limits. Here are the alternatives we would try.
Updated by the PDFbat team
The best iLovePDF alternative for most people is PDFbat, which keeps the simple toolbox idea and adds an editor that changes existing text, e signatures, OCR, AI and cloud storage, free with no watermark. For a fully free desktop option, PDFgear and PDF24 are strong choices.
iLovePDF is still a good pick when you only need a quick merge, split or compress and like its clean layout and mobile apps.
Choose an alternative when you hit its free limits, need richer editing, or want signing and AI in the same place.
| Feature | PDFbat | Smallpdf | Sejda | PDF24 | PDFgear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | All tools, 10 tasks a day | Limited daily tasks | Limited daily tasks | Free | Free |
| Paid price | Pro $4/mo | from about $9/mo | from about $5 to $8/mo | Free | Optional paid plan |
| Runs in browser | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Online and desktop |
| Desktop app | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Edit existing text | Yes | Check their current plans | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| E signatures | Yes | Yes | Yes | Basic | Basic |
| OCR | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI chat with PDF | Yes | Yes | Check their current plans | No | Yes |
| Cloud storage | 1 GB free, 10 GB Pro | Yes | Check their current plans | No | No |
| REST API | 250 free calls a month | Check their current plans | Check their current plans | No | No |
| Right to left and complex scripts | Yes | Check their current plans | Check their current plans | Check their current plans | Check their current plans |
Competitor details reflect their public pricing pages in November 2026. Check their site for current terms.
Best for one account for tools, editing, signing and AI
PDFbat has 30+ PDF tools plus a full editor, e signatures, OCR, a cloud Drive and AI chat with page citations. The free plan has every tool, 10 tasks a day and files up to 25 MB, with no watermark.
Best for polished design and cross device apps
Smallpdf is the closest competitor to iLovePDF in scope, with a more polished design, desktop and mobile apps, and cloud integrations. Its free tier limits daily tasks.
Best for a real text editor on web or desktop
Sejda provides a capable PDF editor, forms and signing tools, available online and as a desktop app. Free use is capped by tasks, file size and pages.
Best for free tools with an offline Windows app
PDF24 offers a large free toolbox online and a Windows desktop app that works offline. It is a good fit for people who want no subscription at all.
Best for a free desktop editor with built in AI features
PDFgear is a free PDF app for Windows and Mac with editing, conversion, annotation and AI assistant features. It is aimed at individuals who prefer a local app.
iLovePDF users usually want one of three things: fewer limits, a better editor, or signing and AI without another tool. We chose products that address at least one of these and compared them on the same points.
An online tool is quickest when you work across computers and need a tool for a few minutes. A desktop app helps with very large files, offline work and strict privacy policies.
PDFbat is online only, which keeps things simple but means you need a connection. PDF24 and PDFgear give you local options at no cost. If you want both, try one of each and keep the one you reach for first.
iLovePDF has a very clear interface, desktop and mobile apps and a long track record. Its tools are easy to find and the workflow for batch jobs is familiar to many teams.
If your needs are limited to merge, split, compress and convert, you may not need anything else. See PDFbat's free PDF tools if you want to compare the toolset side by side.
PDFbat is a strong choice because its free plan includes every tool, OCR, signatures and AI credits with no watermark. PDF24 and PDFgear are free options with a desktop app.
PDFbat, Sejda and PDFgear can edit existing text. PDFbat does it in the browser and supports right to left and Indic scripts.
Most reputable tools, including iLovePDF, publish privacy policies and delete files after a period. Read each policy, especially for sensitive documents.
PDFbat includes e signatures with signing order, reminders and an audit trail. Smallpdf and Sejda offer signing too, and PDF24 has basic options.
Not for PDFbat, Smallpdf, Sejda or PDF24 online. PDFgear and the desktop versions need an install.
Pro is $4 a month with unlimited tool tasks, unlimited envelopes, 10 GB of Drive and files up to 100 MB.
Edit, sign and store PDFs in one account. Free plan with no credit card, Pro for $4 a month.