An iLovePDF alternative that keeps your files on your device
- Free, with no paid plan
- No account
- Files never leave your device
iLovePDF has one of the widest sets of PDF tools on the web, and millions of people use it. It processes your documents in the cloud: your file is uploaded, the work is done on its servers, and you download the result.
If you mostly merge, split, compress, convert images, sign, lock or unlock PDFs, PilotPDF does those jobs in your browser, so the file never leaves your computer or phone. It's free, with no account and no paid plan. Below is a straight comparison, including where iLovePDF is the better tool.
How iLovePDF handles your file
iLovePDF's security page says it runs on cloud infrastructure and that files processed on its platform are automatically and permanently deleted within two hours. Signed documents from its e-signature service are kept for up to five years for legal reasons. It holds ISO/IEC 27001 certification.
Two hours is short, and the company describes strict access rules. But during that time your document is on servers you don't control, and anything you sign through its e-signature service is kept far longer. If the file is sensitive, the safest copy is the one that was never sent.
PilotPDF works differently: the tool runs inside your browser, so your file is opened and changed on your own device and the result is saved straight to your downloads. There is no upload, so there is nothing for us to store or delete.
Side by side
| iLovePDF | PilotPDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Where your file is processed | iLovePDF's cloud servers | Your browser, on your device |
| How long a copy is kept | Up to 2 hours (signed documents up to 5 years) | No copy: nothing is uploaded |
| Price | Free tier and paid Premium plans | Free |
| Merge, split, compress, rotate | ||
| Organise pages, page numbers, watermark | ||
| Redact (remove text for good) | ||
| OCR to a searchable PDF | 14 languages | 8 languages |
| Word, Excel, PowerPoint to PDF and back | ||
| Request signatures from others | ||
| Desktop and phone apps | Works in any browser; no app | |
| Image tools (resize, compress, HEIC) | On its sister site, iLoveIMG | Same site, also in your browser |
iLovePDF details checked on 2 October 2026 from its own pages (sources below). Services change; if something here is out of date, tell us.
When iLovePDF is the better choice
- You need Office conversions: Word, Excel or PowerPoint to PDF, or PDF back to Word.
- You need to collect signatures from several people, in order, with an audit trail.
- You need OCR in a language PilotPDF doesn't offer, such as Polish, Dutch or Turkish.
- You prefer installing an app; iLovePDF Desktop for Mac and Windows works on your computer.
When PilotPDF is the better choice
- The file is confidential and shouldn't be on anyone else's server, even for two hours.
- You want PDF and image jobs in one place: compress a photo to 50 KB, convert HEIC, make a passport photo.
- You want no account and no plan limits.
- You can't install software on a work computer but still need to stay off outside servers.
Where to find the tools you use
- Merge PDF → Merge PDF
- Split PDF → Split PDF
- Compress PDF → Compress PDF
- Organize PDF → Rearrange Pages
- Page numbers → Add Page Numbers
- Watermark → Add Watermark
- Redact PDF → Redact PDF
- OCR PDF → PDF OCR (searchable PDF)
- Repair PDF → Repair PDF
Don't take this page's word for it either. Open your browser's Network tab while you use any PilotPDF tool and you will see no upload. Here is how, in two minutes.
Questions
Is iLovePDF safe to use?
iLovePDF says it encrypts transfers, deletes processed files within two hours and is ISO 27001 certified. Those are good practices. PilotPDF takes a different route: your file is never sent anywhere, so there is nothing to delete.
Does PilotPDF have every iLovePDF tool?
No. We don't convert Office files and we don't run a signature-request service. For merging, splitting, compressing, organising, numbering, watermarking, redacting, OCR, repairing and locking PDFs, you'll find an equivalent here.
Is the OCR as good?
Both make a searchable PDF that looks like the original. PilotPDF uses the open-source Tesseract engine in your browser with 8 languages; iLovePDF lists 14. On clear printed pages both do well; check names and numbers either way.
Why is PilotPDF free?
Your own device does the work, so we don't pay for servers to process files. There is no account and no paid plan.
How do I check that nothing is uploaded?
Open your browser's Network tab while a tool runs, or switch off Wi-Fi once the tool has opened, and the tool still works. The check-it-yourself page shows how.
Sources
- iLovePDF: Security & Data Protection (cloud processing, 2-hour deletion, 5-year signed documents, ISO 27001)
- iLovePDF: OCR PDF (languages)
- iLovePDF: Sign PDF (requesting signatures)
- iLovePDF: Pricing
- iLovePDF on the App Store
iLovePDF is a trademark of its owner. PilotPDF is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by iLovePDF.