Comparison

Smallpdf vs PDF Compressor

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

PDF Compressor

Easily reduce the size of PDF files by up to 90% without sacrificing quality. This tool offers multiple compression levels and batch processing, making it ideal for emailing documents, saving storage, and meeting upload size limits.

Highlights
  • Compress PDFs up to 90%
  • 6 compression levels
  • Batch compression
  • Organize with folders
  • Secure file processing
  • Manage and preview files
Features
Read full description

Compress PDF files in seconds — reduce file size by up to 90% without losing quality! PDF Compressor is the fastest and easiest way to compress PDF files right from your iPhone or iPad. Whether you need to email a large document, save storage space, or upload a PDF with a size limit, our powerful compression engine shrinks your files while keeping them crystal clear. WHY CHOOSE PDF COMPRESSOR? SUPER FAST COMPRESSION Compress your PDF files in just a few taps. Import, choose a quality level, and get your compressed PDF in seconds. UP TO 90% SMALLER Dramatically reduce PDF file size. Turn a 30 MB document into just a few hundred KB — perfect for email attachments, messaging apps, and online uploads. 6 COMPRESSION LEVELS Choose the perfect balance between size and quality: • No Quality Loss – keeps original quality (~10% reduction) • Light Compression – best for text-heavy documents (~30%) • Balanced – great for long-term storage (~50%) • Web Optimized – ideal for sharing online or by email (~55%) • Screen Optimized – perfect for reading on screens (~60%) • Print Quality – high-quality output ready for printing (~40%) BATCH COMPRESSION Compress multiple PDF files at the same time and save hours of work. ORGANIZE WITH FOLDERS Create folders to keep your work, school, and personal PDFs perfectly organized. Share an entire folder at once. MANAGE YOUR FILES Open, preview, share, rename, move, or delete your compressed PDFs anytime. Track your total storage saved and average reduction right from the home screen. YOUR PRIVACY MATTERS Your files are processed securely and deleted immediately after compression. We never store or access your documents. BEAUTIFUL DESIGN A clean, modern interface that automatically adapts to light & dark mode, with full support for the latest iOS design. PERFECT FOR: • Students – compress lecture notes, assignments, and study materials • Professionals – email contracts, reports, and presentations without size limits • Everyone – free up storage space on your device and in the cloud HOW IT WORKS: 1. Import your PDF files from Files, or any app 2. Choose your compression level 3. Tap "Compress now" and you're done! Your compressed PDFs are ready to share, save, or organize in seconds. PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION PDF Compressor offers optional in-app purchases and auto-renewable subscriptions to unlock unlimited compressions and premium features. • Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. • Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. • You can manage and cancel your subscriptions anytime in your App Store account settings after purchase. • Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://techcreativelab.com/apps/pdf-compressor/privacy.html Terms of Use: https://techcreativelab.com/apps/pdf-compressor/terms.html Download PDF Compressor now and make your PDFs smaller, faster, and easier to share!

Screenshots

Smallpdf4 screens
PDF Compressor4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Smallpdf at 6.9K against PDF Compressor's 1. Smallpdf also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). PDF Compressor's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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 PDF Compressor sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PDF Compressor holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Smallpdf has 6.9K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smallpdf ships an update every 2 weeks, PDF Compressor every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Smallpdf versus PDF Compressor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmallpdfPDF Compressor
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (6.9K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings6.9K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size112 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSmallpdfTechCreative Lab LLC

Customer experience

Smallpdf

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

PDF Compressor

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

PDF Compressor

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
3 purchases

PDF Compressor

Subscriptions3
  • Week$1.997 Days
  • Month$6.991 Month
  • Year$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Smallpdf free?
Smallpdf is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDF Compressor free?
PDF Compressor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Smallpdf or PDF Compressor?
PDF Compressor is rated higher. Smallpdf averages 4.8 out of 5 from 6.9K ratings, while PDF Compressor averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Smallpdf or PDF Compressor have ads?
Neither Smallpdf nor PDF Compressor shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Smallpdf or PDF Compressor?
Smallpdf ships an update every 2 weeks, and PDF Compressor every 3 days. Most recently, Smallpdf was updated on October 27, 2026 and PDF Compressor on October 6, 2026.

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