Current Tools vs iLovePDF vs SmallPDF — Best Free PDF Tool (2026)
Honest comparison of free PDF tools: privacy, file limits, features, and pricing. Find which PDF tool is best for Indian users who value their data privacy.
The Contenders
Three popular free online PDF tools — but they handle your files very differently:
- Current Tools: 100% browser-based. Files never leave your device. No signup, no limits, no watermarks.
- iLovePDF: Server-based processing. Free tier: 1 task at a time, file deleted after processing. Premium: ₹500/month.
- SmallPDF: Server-based. Free tier: 2 tasks/day. Pro: ₹900/month. Files stored temporarily on their servers.
Privacy Comparison
The biggest difference: where your file goes. Current Tools processes files entirely in your browser using pdf-lib. Your contract, Aadhaar card, or financial statement never touches a server. iLovePDF and SmallPDF upload your file to their servers, process it, and (they claim) delete it afterward. For sensitive Indian documents — Aadhaar, PAN, bank statements — that upload step is a dealbreaker for many.
Feature Comparison
- Compress PDF: All three ✓ — Current Tools handles large files better (no upload delay)
- Merge/Split PDF: All three ✓
- PDF to Word: All three ✓
- OCR: SmallPDF/iLovePDF ✓ (server-side), Current Tools via browser OCR
- Daily limits: Current Tools: none. iLovePDF: 1 task (free). SmallPDF: 2 tasks/day
- Watermark: Current Tools: none. Competitors: none on free tier
Winner for Indian Users
For privacy-conscious users handling Aadhaar, PAN, salary slips, and legal documents — Current Tools's browser-based approach is the clear winner. No file ever leaves your device. For heavy OCR workloads, iLovePDF's server-side OCR is faster, but at the cost of privacy. Pick based on your priority: privacy (Current Tools) vs OCR speed (iLovePDF/SmallPDF).