Comparison
PDFForge vs Smallpdf
Smallpdf’s privacy notice says its PDF services upload the file you provide. PDFForge does that work in this browser. This page is about the Smallpdf website, not a different site with a similar name.
| What | Smallpdf | PDFForge |
|---|---|---|
| The PDF you open | Uploaded as a User File, along with the file name, type, and size. Logged-in copies are deleted within one hour unless you save them. Logged-out copies stay until a period after they were last opened, and opening the file again extends that period. | processed in the browser |
| Images you convert | Uploaded as User Files under the same retention rules. | processed in the browser |
| Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files | Uploaded for conversion under the same retention rules. | processed in the browser |
| Text used for conversion or AI tools | Uploaded with the file. Smallpdf says AI tools do not keep a persistent copy unless you save the result. | processed in the browser |
| File name and other metadata | Processed with the upload. The privacy notice lists file name, type, and size. | processed in the browser |
| A file you save in an account | Uploaded, then kept until you delete it. Smallpdf generally removes it within 14 days after that. | processed in the browser |
| A share link or eSign request | Uploaded. Anyone with the share link can open the processed file unless you turn that off. eSign stores the signature and emails the request. | processed in the browser |
Smallpdf’s privacy notice, updated 29 July 2025, says logged-in files are deleted within one hour unless you save them. Logged-out files are kept for a period after they were last opened, and opening a file again extends that period. Saved files are generally deleted within 14 days after you delete them. Checked 10 October 2026. These pages can change.