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Fill a PDF formFree Smallpdf alternative - no watermark
A free Smallpdf alternative
Need to correct a PDF, add a signature, or combine documents without creating an account? PainlessPDF is a free Smallpdf alternative with no daily task limit and no added watermark. Use the editor on a desktop or laptop, or choose a dedicated tool below.
Smallpdf offers more features, including OCR and PDF-to-Word conversion. Its free plan limits downloads, and editing existing text requires Pro. Compare the features and file limits below to choose the right tool for your document.
| Feature | PainlessPDF | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free tier + paid |
| No account or sign-up needed | Yes | Available for some tools |
| No daily usage limit | Yes | No |
| Edit existing PDF text in the browser | Yes | Pro subscription |
| Sign & annotate | Yes | eSign limited on free |
| Merge & split PDFs | Yes | Yes |
| Organize, rotate & delete pages | Yes | Yes |
| Add images & page numbers | Yes | Yes |
| JPG/PNG to PDF & PDF to image | Yes | Yes |
| Compress PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Word, Excel & PowerPoint to PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Convert PDF to Word, Excel, PowerPoint | No | Yes |
| OCR for scanned PDFs | No | Yes |
| Mobile & desktop apps | No | Yes |
| Max file size (free plan) | Editor: 1 MB; other tools: up to 50 MB | Varies by tool and plan |
Features and limits can change. See current Smallpdf plans
Choose PainlessPDF when
- You want no watermark on your finished file, for free
- You want to work without a daily task cap
- You would rather not create an account just to edit one PDF
- You want quick edits, signing, or annotation in the browser
Choose Smallpdf when
- You need to convert PDFs into editable Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files
- You need a tool or plan with higher file-size limits
- You need OCR to read text from scanned documents
- You want mobile and desktop apps and its full tool suite
Choose a tool for your next PDF task
Looking for sites like Smallpdf? Start with the task you need to finish. These tools are free and do not require an account.
Combine documents
Bring separate PDFs together for an application, report, or handover. Arrange the pages in the order you need.
Merge PDF filesAdd your signature
Place your signature on a document and download the result. This is for signing your own PDF, not managing a signature-request workflow.
Sign a PDFExample: correct text in a PDF without a subscription
1. Open your document
Open the desktop editor and choose a PDF up to 1 MB. Start with a document containing selectable text, such as a letter with an incorrect date.
2. Make the correction
Select the text you want to change and enter the replacement. Check the surrounding spacing and line breaks, especially when the new text is longer.
3. Download and review
Download the edited PDF without an added watermark. Open the saved file and check the changed text before sending it.
A scanned page is an image, so its text cannot be edited directly here. PainlessPDF does not offer OCR or conversion from PDF to Word. Choose Smallpdf or another tool with those features if your document needs them.
Frequently asked questions
Is PainlessPDF a free Smallpdf alternative?
Yes. PainlessPDF is free for editing, signing, annotating, merging, splitting, and converting PDFs, with no account, no daily task limit, and no watermark on your downloads.
Does PainlessPDF add a watermark?
No. PainlessPDF does not add a watermark to your downloaded PDF, and no upgrade is required.
Is there a daily limit?
PainlessPDF has no daily task cap. Smallpdf lists daily download limits for its free plan; availability depends on the tool and plan.
What does Smallpdf do that PainlessPDF cannot?
Smallpdf converts PDFs to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (PainlessPDF converts Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files to PDF, but does not convert PDFs back to those formats), offers OCR, and mobile and desktop apps. If you need those, Smallpdf is the better fit.
Is there a file size limit?
The conversion, compression, and split tools handle files up to 50 MB. The full editor accepts PDFs up to 1 MB and requires a desktop or laptop. Free use does not mean unlimited file size.
Edit your PDF now, no account needed
Open the editor, make your changes, and download. Free, with no sign up and no watermark.
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