Looking for a Smallpdf alternative?
HivePDF covers the same everyday PDF jobs — merge, compress, convert, sign, protect — with no daily task limit and no upload, because the work happens in your browser instead of Smallpdf's servers.
| HivePDF | Smallpdf | |
|---|---|---|
| Files uploaded to a server? | No — processed in your browser | Yes, to Smallpdf's servers |
| Watermark on output | Never | Not on core tools |
| Account required | No | Not for one-off tasks; prompted for more |
| Daily task limits | None | Free tier caps tasks per day |
| Works fully offline | Yes, after first visit | No — needs a connection |
| PDF → editable Word/Excel/PPT | Not offered | Yes, high fidelity |
| Price | Free, always | Free tier + paid Pro plan |
Reviewed July 13, 2026. Competitor features change — see something out of date? let us know.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is HivePDF a free Smallpdf alternative?
- Yes. Every tool is free with no watermark, no account, and no daily task cap, because the work happens on your device instead of Smallpdf's servers.
- Why does Smallpdf limit free daily tasks and HivePDF doesn't?
- Smallpdf pays for the servers that process your file, so the free tier is capped to fund that. HivePDF's processing runs on your device, which costs us almost nothing per use, so there's no cap to enforce.
- What does Smallpdf offer that HivePDF doesn't?
- High-fidelity PDF-to-editable-Office conversion and some AI features, which genuinely need server-grade software. For everyday merging, compressing, converting, and signing, HivePDF covers the same ground for free and without uploading anything.