Guides and comparisons
Practical guides to merging, compressing and editing PDFs without uploading them, plus factual comparisons with iLovePDF, Smallpdf and Adobe Acrobat.
Short, practical guides for working with PDFs without handing them to a server — and honest comparisons with the most popular online PDF tools, so you can choose what fits your documents.
How-to guides
- How to merge PDF files without uploading themThree ways to combine PDF files without sending them to a server — in the browser, on Mac and on Windows — and how to verify nothing is uploaded.
- How to compress a PDF offlineReduce PDF size without internet or uploads: browser-based compression, macOS Preview and Ghostscript compared, with tips for scanned files and email limits.
- Is it safe to upload PDFs to online tools?What actually happens when you upload a PDF to an online converter, which documents should never leave your device, and how to check a tool before you trust it.
- How to edit PDFs on your phone without installing an appMerge, split, rotate and compress PDFs on your phone in the browser — no app install, no upload. Step-by-step for iPhone Safari and Android Chrome.
Comparisons
- A private iLovePDF alternative: LocalDocu vs iLovePDFA factual LocalDocu vs iLovePDF comparison: where your files go, limits, offline use and features — and when iLovePDF is still the better choice.
- A free, private Smallpdf alternative: LocalDocu vs SmallpdfLocalDocu vs Smallpdf compared on privacy, free-tier limits, offline use and features, based on Smallpdf’s own published policies.
- A free Adobe Acrobat alternative for everyday PDF tasksLocalDocu vs Adobe Acrobat online: which PDF jobs you can do free without uploading, and which still need Acrobat. An honest, dated comparison.