An iLovePDF alternative where files never leave your computer
iLovePDF uploads everything to their servers. PDFShed does the same work in your browser via WebAssembly. Same tools, zero data exposure.
Why switch from iLovePDF
Your PDFs stay on your device
iLovePDF processes server-side, which means your file travels to their cloud, sits in their queue, processes, and downloads back. PDFShed runs the entire pipeline in your browser tab. Verifiable in DevTools.
No file size paywall
iLovePDF Free caps file size and limits batch operations. PDFShed has no upload because there's no upload — process 200 MB files limited only by your computer's RAM.
Same tool coverage, often more
Merge, split, compress, convert, OCR, sign, watermark, encrypt, redact — all the iLovePDF essentials plus 50+ niche tools (compare PDFs, flatten forms, fix rotation, extract images).
Open standards, AGPL-derivative
PDFShed is built on open WebAssembly libraries (qpdf, pdf-lib, pdfjs, tesseract). iLovePDF is closed-source SaaS with proprietary processing.
PDFShed vs iLovePDF
| Feature | PDFShed | iLovePDF |
|---|---|---|
| Files uploaded | No | Yes (every tool) |
| File size limit free | RAM-limited (~500 MB) | ~50 MB free, more on Pro |
| Batch operations | Unlimited | Limited free |
| Total tools | 90+ | ~30 |
| OCR support | Free, browser | Free, server |
| Signup required | No | For some Pro tools |
| Mobile / desktop apps | PWA (install to home) | iOS, Android, Windows, Mac |
| Price | Free, ad-supported | $7/mo Premium |
iLovePDF Premium runs $84/year for the unlimited tier. PDFShed gives you unlimited at $0/year because we don't pay server bills — your browser does the work.
iLovePDF's policy promises files are deleted after 2 hours. That's a *trust* statement. PDFShed's "files never uploaded" is a *technical* statement — verifiable in real time by anyone with DevTools open.
FAQ
Why would I switch from iLovePDF to PDFShed?
Three reasons people actually switch: (1) sensitive documents you don't want on someone else's server, (2) hitting the free tier limits and not wanting to pay $7/mo, (3) frustration with signup walls on Pro features.
Is PDFShed faster than iLovePDF?
For files under 20 MB, often yes — no upload/download round trip. For 100+ MB files, depends on your computer's RAM. iLovePDF's servers are uniformly fast; PDFShed's speed scales with your hardware.
Does PDFShed have a desktop app like iLovePDF?
Not yet — we're a Progressive Web App, which means you can install us to your dock/home screen and use offline. For most users this is indistinguishable from a native app.
Can PDFShed handle 100+ files at once like iLovePDF?
Yes — drop 100+ files into the merger or compressor in one go. Browser memory is the only limit.
Why isn't PDFShed open source?
PDFShed is an AGPL-3 derivative — source available under copyleft license. Browse the GitHub repo, audit the code, fork it if you want.
Ready to ditch iLovePDF?
90+ tools. Browser-based. No signup. No upload. No subscription. Open it and start working.
Open PDFShed