# PDF Tools vs Smart PDF Compressor

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Smart PDF Compressor at none against PDF Tools's 3. Smart PDF Compressor also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 7 months). PDF Tools's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PDF Tools sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Smart PDF Compressor asks for nothing beyond the download.

PDF Tools ships an update every 7 months, Smart PDF Compressor every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PDF Tools | Smart PDF Compressor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.0 (27 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-tools-merge-rotate-and-split/id1499239855/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **27** | — |
| Positive reviews | 46.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 50 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nalin Savaliya](https://appshunter.io/developer/1248252947) | [Quan Dang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1868401962) |

## What reviewers say

### PDF Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pdf-tools-merge-rotate-and-split/id1499239855)

Easily manipulate PDF files with a comprehensive suite of tools. Split, merge, delete, extract, lock, unlock, rotate pages, and add text watermarks to your documents.

**Highlights:** Split PDF into multiple documents, Merge multiple PDFs into one, Delete specific pages, Extract specific pages, Add password protection, Remove password protection, Rotate pages (90°, 180°, 270°), Add text watermarks

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PDF Tools One Week | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| PDF Tools-Merge One Year | $17.99 | per year |
| PDF Tools Pro Version | $4.99 | one-time |


### Smart PDF Compressor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-pdf-compressor-reduce/id6757997785)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PDF Tools free?

PDF Tools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Smart PDF Compressor free?

Smart PDF Compressor is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do PDF Tools or Smart PDF Compressor have ads?

PDF Tools shows ads; Smart PDF Compressor does not.

### Which is updated more often, PDF Tools or Smart PDF Compressor?

PDF Tools ships an update every 7 months, and Smart PDF Compressor every 9 days. Most recently, PDF Tools was updated on September 21, 2026 and Smart PDF Compressor on September 19, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*