A PDF24 alternative without the desktop installer
PDF24 wants you to download a 100 MB Windows app. PDFShed runs in your browser — same tools, zero install, works on Mac, Linux, Chromebook, mobile.
Why switch from PDF24
No 100 MB desktop installer
PDF24's Windows app is the recommended path on their site. PDFShed has nothing to install — open a URL and start working. Same tools, instant.
Cross-platform from day one
PDF24 desktop is Windows-only. PDFShed runs anywhere there's a browser — macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS, Android, even on a public library computer.
No bundled toolbar or browser changes
PDF24's installer historically bundled extras. PDFShed is a website. Nothing else gets installed, nothing changes on your system.
Same processing locality
PDF24 desktop processes locally too — that's the appeal. PDFShed gives you the same locality without the install. The browser tab is the new desktop app.
PDFShed vs PDF24
| Feature | PDFShed | PDF24 |
|---|---|---|
| Install required | No | Yes (100 MB exe) |
| Works on Mac / Linux | Yes | Web tools only |
| Local processing | Yes | Yes (desktop) |
| Web tools (their site) | 90+ in browser | 20+ on web, server-side |
| OCR | Free, browser | Free, desktop only |
| Free for commercial use | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile support | Full PWA | Web tools only |
| Price | Free | Free |
Both free. The actual cost is your time — installing PDF24 takes 15 minutes; opening PDFShed takes 2 seconds.
PDF24 desktop is local; PDF24 web tools upload to their servers. PDFShed is local everywhere — same privacy as PDF24 desktop, with the convenience of PDF24 web.
FAQ
Why use PDFShed instead of installing PDF24 desktop?
If you only edit PDFs occasionally, the install is overhead. PDFShed gives you the same local processing in 2 seconds — no install, no admin rights, works on any machine.
Does PDFShed work without internet?
After the page loads once, most tools work offline. Install as a PWA (Add to Home Screen) and you have an offline-capable PDF app.
I have PDF24 desktop already — is there a reason to switch?
Not if it works for you. PDFShed wins when you're on a different computer (work, friend's laptop, library) or non-Windows machine where PDF24 desktop isn't available.
Are PDFShed's outputs compatible with PDF24?
Yes — both produce standard PDFs. A file processed in either opens correctly in the other.
Ready to ditch PDF24?
90+ tools. Browser-based. No signup. No upload. No subscription. Open it and start working.
Open PDFShed