Overall Winner

iLovePDF

beats PDF24 by 9 points

PDF24 80/100
iLovePDF 🏆 71/100
PDF24

PDF24

Free
VS
iLovePDF

iLovePDF

From $5/mo
The verdict

iLovePDF wins over PDF24 for pdf-toolkit. Generous free web tier, no signup. Genuinely 100% free open-source 24-tool kit. Choose iLovePDF for cross-platform web and mobile jobs, PDF24 for completely free editing with no strings.

Score breakdown

Dimension
PDF24
iLovePDF
Price & Value
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
Features
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
Ease of Use
★★★★☆
★★★★☆
Reviews
★★★★☆
★★★★★ wins

Each dimension rated 1–5. Higher is better across all four.

What users say

PDF24

"The most comprehensive free PDF toolkit — open-source with zero strings attached"

Pros

Genuinely 100% free with no hidden paywalls or subscriptions Full-featured suite with 24 tools including OCR and editing Open-source with no telemetry, no ads, no account required

iLovePDF

"The world's most popular free PDF toolkit with broad features but privacy concerns"

Pros

Generous free tier with no signup required for basic tasks Wide range of tools in one platform (merge, split, compress, convert, sign) Fast processing and reliable output quality

When to Choose Each

Choose iLovePDF if you want a generous free tier with no signup for basic merge, split, compress, convert, and sign. It runs on web, desktop, and mobile, processes files fast, and Premium starts at $5/month. Students and casual users who need to shrink a PDF for email like it. Do not send privacy-sensitive government, medical, or legal files here — customer feedback flags hundreds of cookies per session and an unusually high share of 5-star reviews.

Choose PDF24 if you want a genuinely 100% free, open-source toolkit with 24 tools and no account. It covers merge, split, compress, convert, sign, edit, OCR, protect, and watermark in the browser or as a portable German-made desktop app. Privacy-conscious users and anyone who needs OCR without a subscription pick PDF24. The web interface looks dated, and it lacks professional forms and redaction.

Related: See the best PDF tools ranking — PDF24 remains Best Overall; iLovePDF is Most Popular.

Key Differences

  • Pricing: iLovePDF free tier with daily limits, Premium from $5/month; PDF24 is 100% free, open-source, no paywalls.
  • Feature breadth: iLovePDF covers merge, split, compress, convert, sign, edit, protect, watermark, and page numbers; PDF24 adds OCR, protect, and watermark across 24 tools.
  • Platforms: iLovePDF is Web, Desktop, and Mobile; PDF24 is Web plus a portable desktop app.
  • Privacy: iLovePDF sets hundreds of cookies per session; PDF24 is open-source with no telemetry, ads, or account.
  • UX: iLovePDF is the faster, more popular web UI; PDF24 users note a slightly dated web interface.

Pricing & value

Metric PDF24 iLovePDF Winner
Free tier Yes Yes Tie
Starting price Free From $5/mo PDF24
Is iLovePDF better than PDF24?
Yes, iLovePDF wins this compare on user ratings and a generous no-signup free tier, while PDF24 remains Best Overall on the Best PDF tools page as the 100% free open-source kit.
Which is cheaper?
PDF24 is 100% free with no paywalls. iLovePDF has a free tier with daily limits and Premium from $5/month.
Which is better for completely free PDF editing?
PDF24 is the better pick for completely free editing with no account, ads, or telemetry. iLovePDF is better when you need a polished web and mobile suite and can accept a paid upgrade for heavier use.

Our pick

🏆 iLovePDF

Visit iLovePDF Consider PDF24