PDF Workdesk vs iLovePDF
iLovePDF is one of the most popular online PDF suites, with a long list of tools and apps for every platform. PDF Workdesk takes a different approach: most tools run inside your browser, so files aren't uploaded. Here's how they compare.
Updated
At a glance
| PDF Workdesk | iLovePDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Where files are processed | Most tools run in your browser: the file never leaves your device. Office, iWork, eBook, DXF, EPS, PDF/A and print conversions run on our server and the file is deleted as soon as the result is sent back. | Uploaded to iLovePDF's servers. Its desktop app can work offline. |
| How long files are kept | Browser tools: never sent. Server conversions: deleted when the result is returned. | Deleted within two hours of processing, or sooner if you delete them yourself. |
| Free plan limits | Browser tools: no daily or file-count limit. Server conversions: free account, 25 a day, up to 125 MB per file. | Limits per task: for example 2 files per Compress task, 1 file per Office conversion, and 15 MB for most conversions. |
| Paid plan | None: everything here is free. | Premium from $5/month billed yearly ($60/year). |
| OCR, editing text, e-signatures | Not yet. | Yes (some features Premium only). |
| Workflows (chain tools) | Yes, free. | Premium only. |
| Apps | Works in any browser; installable as a web app. | Desktop (Mac, Windows) and mobile (iOS, Android) apps. |
Privacy: the main difference
iLovePDF uploads each file to its servers, secures it there and deletes it within two hours. That's a reasonable policy, and the company is based in Europe and follows GDPR. Still, the file does leave your device, and for some documents (medical records, HR files, client contracts) that alone means checking with whoever is responsible for data protection.
PDF Workdesk's browser tools never send the file anywhere: merging, splitting, compressing, protecting, redacting and converting PDFs to Word, Excel, PowerPoint or images all happen on your device. You can check this yourself in your browser's developer tools.
Free limits
iLovePDF's free plan limits each task rather than each day: how many files you can add and how large they can be depends on the tool. Many tools take one or two files at a time on the free plan.
PDF Workdesk's browser tools have no daily, file-count or watermark limits; the only limit is your device's memory. Conversions that need our server use a free account with 25 conversions a day.
Where iLovePDF is the better choice
- You need OCR to make scanned documents searchable, or to edit the text inside a PDF.
- You need e-signatures and signature requests.
- You want native desktop and mobile apps, or AI summaries and translation.
Where PDF Workdesk is the better choice
- Your documents are sensitive and you'd rather they weren't uploaded.
- You process many files or large files and don't want per-task limits.
- You repeat the same steps and want free workflows: convert, merge, compress and protect in one run.
Tools for this
Frequently asked questions
Is PDF Workdesk a free alternative to iLovePDF?
Yes. All tools are free. The browser tools need no account; server conversions need a free account.
Does iLovePDF upload my files?
Yes, the web tools process files on iLovePDF's servers, which delete them within two hours according to iLovePDF's FAQ.