Comparison

PDF Compressor vs LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos

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

Head to head
About

PDF Compressor

Features
Read full description

Make any PDF small enough to send. Pick a size (5 MB, 10 MB, anything) and PDF Compressor hits it. No guessing between "low, medium, high" quality settings, and no uploading your documents to someone's server: compression runs entirely on your iPhone and iPad. WHY PDF COMPRESSOR • Exact size targets: tap 1, 2, 5, 10 or 25 MB, or type any number you want with Premium. The result fits the limit every time. • 100% offline and private: your contracts, scans and statements never leave the device. No uploads, no account, no tracking. • Keeps text sharp: smart mode preserves selectable, searchable text whenever possible, and tells you when it did. • Preview before you send: open the compressed PDF right in the app and check the quality, with the exact savings on the row. • Batch mode: compress up to 20 PDFs in one run (Premium). • Works everywhere: pick files from the Files app, or send a PDF straight from Mail with "Open in PDF Compressor". • Savings history: track every megabyte you have freed, day by day. MADE FOR • Emailing scans that are over the attachment limit • Uploading documents to portals with strict size caps • Sending contracts and reports through chat apps • Archiving old scans without filling your storage FREE EVERY DAY One PDF a day, up to 20 MB, at full quality. No watermark, no sign-up, no ads. PDF COMPRESSOR PREMIUM Any file size, unlimited compressions, batch mode up to 20 files, custom size targets and PDF info removal. Premium is available as a weekly or yearly auto-renewable subscription. Subscriptions auto-renew until canceled. Cancel anytime in your Apple ID Subscriptions settings at least 24 hours before the renewal date. Privacy policy: https://app.innovaapps.ai/privacy Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

About

LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos

Features
Read full description

LightDocs helps you shrink PDFs and photos for WhatsApp, Messenger and email. Fast, private, on your iPhone or iPad. WHY LIGHTDOCS • Compress photos and PDFs (WhatsApp, Email or Max quality) • Convert images to PDF and PDF to images, merge and split PDFs • Crop and rotate before you shrink • Native fullscreen PDF reader (zoom, search, share) • Recents and favorites. Everything stays on device • No account required PREMIUM • One-time purchase to remove ads forever • Free version includes light AdMob ads GREAT FOR • Sending a lighter PDF or photo on WhatsApp • Combining photos into one PDF • Opening and sharing documents without the cloud Privacy: processing stays on your device. Details: https://lightdocs.pikscan.com/en/privacy/ LightDocs by PikScan

Screenshots

PDF Compressor4 screens
LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: PDF Compressor at none against LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos's shown. LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (15.5 vs 17.0). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. PDF Compressor sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PDF Compressor ships an update every 2 months, LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Ā· 3 level
PDF Compressor versus LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPDF CompressorLightDocs Compress PDF, Photos
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.5 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB79 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperAlex Gameli HeymanEL AANOUNI Lahoussaine

In-app purchases

2 purchases

PDF Compressor

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Yearly$24.991 Year
1 purchases

LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos

One-time1
  • LightDocs Premium$4.99

Questions

Is PDF Compressor free?
PDF Compressor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos free?
LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PDF Compressor or LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos have ads?
LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos shows ads; PDF Compressor does not.
Which is updated more often, PDF Compressor or LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos?
PDF Compressor ships an update every 2 months, and LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos every 5 weeks. Most recently, PDF Compressor was updated on October 31, 2026 and LightDocs Compress PDF, Photos on November 6, 2026.

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