Comparison

Smallpdf vs Nitro PDF Pro

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Smallpdf

This app offers a comprehensive suite of tools to manage PDF documents. Easily convert, edit, compress, sign, merge, and scan PDFs using your mobile device. It also features OCR technology to convert scanned documents into editable text.

Highlights
  • Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, PPT, JPG, PNG
  • Edit PDFs with text, images, and annotations
  • Compress PDFs to reduce file size
  • Sign PDFs electronically
  • Merge multiple PDF files
  • Scan documents to PDF with OCR
  • Fill out PDF forms
Features
Read full description

Smallpdf: All-In-One PDF Editor and Document Organizer Smallpdf is your go-to PDF tool, designed to simplify your document management. Whether you need to convert, compress, edit, sign, merge, or scan PDFs, our app makes it effortless. Trusted by 2.4 billion people since 2013, Smallpdf offers a seamless PDF experience right at your fingertips. Key Features: Convert PDFs Across All Document Formats Easily: PDF to Word doc PDF to Excel PDF to PPT PDF to JPG PDF to PNG Images to PDF and vice versa! Edit PDFs: Add text, images, and shapes directly in your PDF files Add annotations and highlights easily Rotate, delete, and rearrange PDF pages PDF editing tools Compress PDFs: Reduce the file size of your PDFs without compromising quality Optimize PDFs for sharing and saving storage space Shrink PDF files Compress PDF documents Sign PDFs: Add an e-signature to your documents Digitally sign PDFs securely Electronic signatures for PDFs Merge PDFs: Combine multiple PDF files into one Merge PDF documents Scan Documents to PDF: Use your camera to scan documents, receipts, notes, and more into PDFs Enhance scans with automatic cropping and optimization Convert scanned images to selectable text with OCR Scan image to PDF Scan doc to PDF Scan jpg to PDF Scan receipts to PDF OCR Technology: Convert scanned documents into selectable text with our advanced OCR feature Support for multiple languages OCR PDF converter Why Choose Smallpdf? User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive and easy to navigate, making PDF tasks simpler than ever. Cloud Integration: Access and save your files directly from your local device storage. Privacy and data protection: All uploaded files deleted 1 hour after processing (unless saved locally or to the cloud) Cross-Platform Availability: All major operating systems. Work on your PDFs anytime, anywhere. Fast and Reliable: Quick processing times ensure you can get your work done efficiently. High Security: We prioritize your privacy and data security, complying with GDPR standards. Additional Features: PDF Reader: View and read PDF documents with ease. PDF Scanner: Quickly scan and digitize your paper documents. PDF Filler: Fill out PDF forms and documents electronically. PDF Maker: Create PDFs from various file formats effortlessly. PDF Annotator: Highlight, underline, and strikethrough text in your PDFs. Download Smallpdf Now! Smallpdf is free within a daily task limit. If you would like to try out Smallpdf Pro for unlimited conversions across ALL tools, there’s a free 7-day trial available. The Smallpdf Mobile App is the all-in-one solution for all your document management needs. Simplify your tax return or scan in receipts easily using your camera to save, edit, and manage thousands of documents in all formats. Save backups on the drive or share directly to email to manage your documents on the go! Join 2.4B+ satisfied users and simplify your PDF tasks today. Download Smallpdf and enjoy a free trial of all premium features. Privacy policy: https://smallpdf.com/privacy Terms of use: https://smallpdf.com/support We love feedback, so feel free to send yours to support@smallpdf.com.

About

Nitro PDF Pro

Edit, annotate, and secure PDF documents on the go. This app offers powerful tools for professionals to manage PDFs, including mobile scanning and AI-powered data extraction. Seamlessly integrate with cloud services and use styluses for precise markups.

Highlights
  • Edit and annotate PDFs with precision tools
  • Organize pages, merge, and extract PDFs
  • Mobile scanning with OCR for searchable PDFs
  • Secure documents with password protection
  • AI-powered data extraction from tables
  • Seamless integration with cloud storage
Features
Read full description

Nitro PDF Pro is the modern PDF solution with everything you need to edit, annotate, manage, and secure documents on the go. Built for professionals who need powerful PDF tools anywhere, anytime. Create, edit, and manage PDFs seamlessly across iPhone and iPad. Nitro PDF Pro integrates with Apple's Files app and your favorite cloud services—iCloud Drive, OneDrive, Box, Dropbox, Google Drive and more—so your documents are always within reach. Work with Apple Pencil or Bluetooth styluses for freehand drawing, writing, and annotating, and use mobile scanning to turn receipts and documents into PDFs. GET MORE DONE WITH NITRO'S POWERFUL PDF FEATURES EDIT AND ANNOTATE Highlight, underline, draw, add text, and leave comments on any PDF with precision tools designed for touch and Apple Pencil. • Edit text and images with full-page paragraph reflow • Add sticky notes, text edits, and freehand drawings • Highlight and underline key passages • Mark documents with stamps such as Approved or Draft PAGE MANAGEMENT Organize your documents your way. • Add, delete, reorder, and rotate pages • Extract specific pages into a new document • Merge multiple PDFs and documents into a single file MOBILE SCANNING Turn paper into searchable PDFs instantly. • Scan documents, receipts, and business cards directly on your device • Automatic edge detection and perspective correction • Turn scanned documents into searchable, editable PDFs with OCR • Batch scan multiple pages in one session SECURE AND PROTECT Keep every document, and everything inside it, safe with password protection, encryption, and permission controls. • Password-protect files and restrict copying or editing • Permanently redact sensitive information AI-POWERED PRODUCTIVITY Get AI tools built for privacy and control, so you can boost productivity without compromising security. • Automatically extract structured data from tables and forms SEAMLESS INTEGRATION Work where you work, with the tools you trust. • Open PDFs directly from the Files app, OneDrive, and SharePoint • Share via AirDrop, Mail, or third-party apps • Access your documents across iPad and iPhone with iCloud sync Try Nitro PDF Pro for free with a 14-day trial and see why it's the PDF editor for professionals who need to create, edit, and collaborate on PDFs with confidence—from the office to anywhere. Questions about Nitro PDF Pro? User Guides give you step-by-step instructions for editing, annotating, scanning, securing, and managing documents. Get instant support via our in-app Knowledge Assistant or connect directly with our expert team.

Screenshots

Smallpdf4 screens
Nitro PDF Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Smallpdf at 68% against Nitro PDF Pro's 12%. Smallpdf also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.9) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Smallpdf sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and Nitro PDF Pro sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Smallpdf holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smallpdf has 6.9K ratings behind it against 161, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of Smallpdf's written reviews are positive against 12% of Nitro PDF Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smallpdf ships an update every 2 weeks, Nitro PDF Pro every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Smallpdf versus Nitro PDF Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmallpdfNitro PDF Pro
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (6.9K ratings) — better3.9 (161 ratings)
Positive reviews67.6% of reviews — better12.3% of reviews
Number of ratings6.9K — better161
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size112 MB63 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSmallpdfNitro Software, Inc.

Customer experience

Smallpdf

All ratings6,891 ratings
Positive96.1%
Neutral0.9%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews902 reviews
Positive67.6%
Neutral2.7%
Negative29.7%

Nitro PDF Pro

All ratings161 ratings
Positive70.2%
Neutral5.0%
Negative24.8%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive12.3%
Neutral6.2%
Negative81.5%

User reviews

Smallpdf

From 6.9K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 💡 Useful features
  • 🔒 Secure
  • 🆓 Free to use

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and crashes
  • 💰 Paid version required for full functionality
  • 🤔 Confusing account management
  • 🤯 Missing key features
  • 🤖 Poor customer support

Nitro PDF Pro

From 161 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Helpful for managing project documents
  • 👍 Convenient for PDF modifications
  • 👍 Superior PDF handling on Mac
  • 👍 Satisfactory in both Mac and Windows environments

Room to improve

  • 👎 Pro features not available on iOS/iPadOS
  • 👎 Yearly charges for basic features
  • 👎 Expensive and useless
  • 👎 Fails to deliver promised features
  • 👎 Impossible to reorder PDF files

Bugs and requests

Smallpdf

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Files not saving properly
  • Conversion issues with larger documents
  • Unexpected crashes and freezes
  • Compatibility problems with older devices
  • Incorrect file content after compression

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more color options for annotations
  • Improve search functionality for saved documents
  • Enhance iPad compatibility
  • Allow inserting images into PDFs
  • Provide better file management and organization

Nitro PDF Pro

Reported bugs

19 issues
  • Cannot reorder PDF files
  • Crashes when opening PDFs from websites/email
  • Does not save markups or documents
  • Difficulty creating new folders
  • Cannot rotate pages
Show 14 more
  • Cannot markup/draw on PDFs with editing disabled
  • Does not save documents after editing
  • Cannot rotate PDFs
  • Program freezes up
  • Fails to save after deleting pages
  • App crashes after update
  • Editing is lost prior to crash
  • Crashes every time to edit a PDF
  • Cannot handle deleting pages
  • Crashes when opening fillable PDFs
  • Crashes when typing in fields
  • No Apple Pencil support
  • Stylus link gives 404 error
  • Bugs like suddenly not being able to draw

Requested features

10 requests
  • Keyboard support (Cmd + F for search)
  • Ability to cancel search with Esc
  • OCR and conversion to text documents on tablets
  • User manual for iPad app
  • Support for Apple Pencil
Show 5 more
  • Ability to create table of contents
  • Ability to create fillable forms
  • Ability to rearrange pages
  • Ability to add to library
  • More intuitive interface

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Smallpdf

Subscriptions8
  • Monthly Plan7 Days trial2 variants$7.991 Month
  • Monthly Plan7 Days trial2 variants$11.991 Month
  • Monthly Plan7 Days trial$14.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial2 variants$49.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan$107.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$107.991 Year
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$119.991 Year
2 purchases

Nitro PDF Pro

Subscriptions1
  • Annual Subscription14 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Nitro PDF Pro for iOS$9.99

Questions

Is Smallpdf free?
Smallpdf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Nitro PDF Pro free?
Nitro PDF Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Smallpdf or Nitro PDF Pro?
Smallpdf is rated higher. Smallpdf averages 4.8 out of 5 from 6.9K ratings, while Nitro PDF Pro averages 3.9 from 161 ratings.
Do Smallpdf or Nitro PDF Pro have ads?
Neither Smallpdf nor Nitro PDF Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Smallpdf or Nitro PDF Pro?
Smallpdf ships an update every 2 weeks, and Nitro PDF Pro every 2 months. Most recently, Smallpdf was updated on October 31, 2026 and Nitro PDF Pro on October 30, 2026.

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