PDF tools that are
actually free.
Not free-ish.
Merge, split, compress and convert PDFs instantly — no signup required. Files never leave your browser.
All free PDF tools
22 toolsWhy CuroPDF?
The PDF tools
that don't trick you.
Most "free" PDF tools start a subscription after 7 days without telling you clearly. Some upload your files to a server you've never heard of. CuroPDF does neither. Every tool is free, unlimited, forever.
See exactly how it works| Feature | CuroPDF | Smallpdf | iLovePDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free forever | Paid after limit | Paid after limit |
| Signup required | Never | Yes | Yes |
| Files uploaded to server | Never | Yes | Yes |
| Watermark on output | None | Free plan | Free plan |
| Daily limit | Unlimited | 2 per day | Limited |
| Mobile support | Full | Yes | Yes |
Privacy & Security
Your files never
leave your device.
PDF.js, jsPDF and Tesseract.js all run inside your browser tab. Your file is read into memory locally, processed there, and returned to you as a download. Nothing crosses a network.
Verify yourself: DevTools → Network → process a PDF → zero outbound requestsBrowser-only processing
Your PDF never leaves your tab. All work happens locally using open-source libraries you can audit on GitHub.
Nothing stored — ever
We don't say "deleted after 24 hours" because we never receive your file. There is nothing on our end to delete.
PDF scripts not executed
PDF.js ignores JavaScript embedded in PDFs by design — a key protection against malicious files in the wild.
Works on all devices
Chrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 14+, Edge 90+. Full mobile browser support — no app download required.
How it works
Three steps. No account. No surprises.
Most PDF tools bury their pricing in step 3. We don't have pricing to bury — it's free from start to download.
Choose your tool
Select from 22 free tools above. No account needed before you start — not even an email address, ever.
Upload your file
Drag, drop or tap to select. The entire upload zone is tappable on mobile. Files load into your browser — no server involved at any point.
Download your result
Your file downloads immediately after processing. No "upgrade to download" screen. No watermarks. That would defeat the entire point.
Why people choose CuroPDF
Built for real work.
Used by students, freelancers, office workers and small businesses — people who need PDF tools that actually work, without signing up for anything.
No account, ever
Not even a cookie popup asking for your email. Open the tool and use it immediately.
Files stay on your device
Process payslips, contracts and medical files without them reaching a stranger's server.
No daily limits
Process 1 file or 100. No quotas, no throttling, no "you've reached your limit" messages.
No watermarks
Your output file looks exactly as it should. CuroPDF never stamps its branding on your work.
"Finally a free PDF tool that doesn't start billing me on day 8. Merged a 12-page contract in under a minute. Works on my iPhone too."
"Used the OCR tool on 40 scanned invoices — worked well on my German docs and nothing was uploaded anywhere. Language selection is brilliant."
"Compress and merge tools are excellent — compressed a 45MB scan to 4MB without losing readability. OCR is good on clean prints."
Common questions
The ones people search before trusting a free tool.
Free PDF tools that work in your browser
CuroPDF offers 22 free PDF tools that run entirely in your browser — no software to install, no account to create, no file uploads to a server. Whether you need to merge PDF files online free, compress a large PDF, convert PDF to Word, or sign a document digitally, every tool is completely free with no usage limits.
How to merge PDF files online for free
Merging PDFs online is a three-step process on CuroPDF: open the Merge PDF tool, select your files (or drag and drop them), then click Merge. The files are combined entirely in your browser and download immediately — no waiting for server processing, no signup, no watermarks on the output. You can merge as many PDFs as you need with no file count limits.
How to compress a PDF without losing quality
CuroPDF's free PDF compressor reduces file size by re-rendering pages at a lower resolution. PDFs containing images can be compressed by up to 80%. Text-only PDFs typically compress 10–30%. Choose Low compression for near-original quality (best for printing), Medium for emails and sharing, or Maximum for messaging apps with strict file size limits like WhatsApp.
Best free PDF tools — no signup required
Most free PDF tools online require you to create an account before downloading your processed file — a frustrating bait-and-switch common in the PDF tool market. CuroPDF requires nothing: open any tool, upload, process, download. No email address, no password, no credit card. The most-used tools daily are Merge PDF, Compress PDF, PDF to Word, and Sign PDF.
Is it safe to use online PDF tools?
The answer depends entirely on which tool you use. Tools that upload your file to a remote server introduce risk — your document is transmitted over the internet and stored on infrastructure you don't control, even if only temporarily. CuroPDF processes everything in your browser using PDF.js (Mozilla's open-source PDF library), jsPDF, and Tesseract.js. Your file never leaves your device. This makes CuroPDF safe to use with sensitive documents including contracts, payslips, medical records, and legal files.
Free PDF tools for students, freelancers, and small businesses in the UK
CuroPDF is used daily across the UK and internationally by students combining lecture notes, freelancers signing contracts and sending invoices, HR teams preparing onboarding documents, and small businesses handling daily paperwork. Since files never leave your device, there are no GDPR concerns about data being processed on foreign servers. All 22 tools are free with no account requirement and no daily usage limits — designed for people who need to get work done without subscribing to a PDF service.
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