Best Free PDF Tools for Chrome in 2027 (Merge, Split, Compress)

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Most free PDF tools fall into two groups. Some are websites that upload your file to a server and limit what you can do for free. Others run on your own device. Which one is better depends on what is inside the PDF and how often you work with PDFs.

Disclosure: we build PDF Tools, one of the five tools below, so we are not a neutral reviewer. To keep this fair, every tool is compared on the same points, competitors are described using their published or widely reported limits, and we list where our own tool falls short.

Quick comparison

Limits change often. The details above were reviewed in November 2026, so check each tool's pricing page before relying on them.

Want to try the private option? Add PDF Tools to Chrome (free) or use the browser version of PDF merge with no install.

How we compared them

We looked at five things that matter in daily use:

• Works in Chrome. A Chrome extension, or a website that runs in Chrome.
• Core jobs. Merge, split and compress, plus common conversions.
• Privacy. Whether your file is uploaded, and what happens to it afterwards.
• Free-tier limits. Daily or hourly caps, file size, watermarks and signup.
• Honest weak spots. What each tool cannot do.

1. PDF Tools by SmallPrep: best for private, unlimited PDF work

PDF Tools is a Chrome extension that does everything in your browser. Files are read and processed on your own device, so contracts, resumes, ID scans and invoices are never sent to a server. It has no account, no watermark and no daily limit, and it works offline after installation.

What it can do

• Merge PDF: combine several PDFs into one and reorder them first.
• Split PDF: by page ranges, every N pages, or one file per page.
• Page tools: extract, delete, reorder and rotate pages using ranges such as 1-3, 5, 8-.
• Compress PDF: a lossless mode that keeps text selectable, and stronger modes for scanned PDFs.
• Convert: JPG, PNG and WebP to PDF; PDF to PNG or JPG (up to 216 dpi); PDF to text and to Word (text only); Word (DOCX) to PDF; DOCX to plain text or HTML.
• Page numbers: six positions and four formats.

Privacy: the extension requests no browser permissions, has no network permissions, and uses no analytics or tracking. The full privacy policy is public.

Where it falls short

• PDF to Word keeps text only. Layout, tables and images are not preserved.
• There is no OCR yet, so scanned PDFs cannot be turned into text.
• Password-protected PDFs must be unlocked first.
• The Balanced and Smallest compression modes turn pages into images, so text is no longer selectable. Use Lossless to keep it.
• DOCX to PDF keeps simple formatting. Complex Word layouts may look different.

Choose it if you handle sensitive files, merge or split often, or are tired of daily caps. Skip it if you need OCR or layout-perfect PDF to Word conversion.

Install PDF Tools from the Chrome Web Store

2. PDF24: best free all-rounder with an offline Windows app

PDF24 is a free toolkit from a German company, supported by advertising. Its own site says there are no artificial limits on the online tools, and it covers the usual jobs: merge, split, compress, convert, annotate, sign, redact and OCR.

The online tools process files on PDF24's servers. On its merge page the company states that files are deleted automatically after one hour. If you prefer to keep files local, PDF24 Creator is a free desktop app that brings the tools offline, but it is Windows only.

Good: no stated limits, wide tool range, OCR available, offline option on Windows. Not so good: ads on the website, and the online version uploads your files.

3. Sejda: best for clear, published limits

Sejda offers merge, split, compress, edit, sign and OCR with no account needed. Its free limits are well known, and several 2026 roundups report them as three tasks per hour, with files up to 200 pages or 50 MB, and uploaded files deleted after about two hours.

That structure suits people who do a few big jobs rather than many small ones. A desktop app is also available if you want to work locally.

Good: transparent limits, strong editing tools, no signup for basic use. Not so good: the hourly cap, and files are uploaded when you use the website.

4. iLovePDF: best for a huge range of simple tools

iLovePDF built its name on one-job-per-page tools: merge, split, compress, convert, rotate, watermark and more, all in the browser. The free tier works without paying, with limits on file size and batch size and with ads. Premium removes those limits and adds features such as OCR and signatures.

Because it is a web service, files are uploaded for processing. Its limits differ by tool, so check the current table before you plan a big batch.

Good: very easy to use, broad tool selection. Not so good: free-tier file and batch limits, ads, and uploads.

5. Smallpdf: best for a polished interface and light use

Smallpdf is known for a clean, fast interface. Its free plan is widely reported to allow about two tasks per day across all tools, so a merge followed by a compress would use up your allowance. A paid Pro plan removes the cap.

Good: polished experience, many tools in one place. Not so good: the daily task limit, upgrade prompts, and uploads for online processing.

Which one should you choose?

• Confidential files (contracts, ID scans, invoices, medical papers): pick a tool that works locally, such as PDF Tools in Chrome or PDF24 Creator on Windows.
• Lots of files or big batches: choose a tool without a daily cap, such as PDF Tools or PDF24.
• OCR or layout-preserving Word conversion: use PDF24 or another tool with OCR, and avoid uploading sensitive scans.
• One-off job with a non-sensitive file: any tool here will do. Smallpdf and iLovePDF are the simplest to start with.

A quick checklist before you trust any free PDF tool

1. Where is the file processed? Look for a clear statement on the tool's site. For extensions, read the permission list before installing.
2. What are the limits? Check tasks per day or hour, file size and page count.
3. Is there a watermark or forced signup? Test with a harmless file first.
4. What happens to your files afterwards? Reputable services state how long they keep uploads.
5. Can it work offline? A simple test: turn off your internet and run the tool. If it still works, nothing is being uploaded.

The bottom line

If your PDFs are private or you work with them often, a local tool saves you from daily caps and from uploading anything. PDF Tools does this inside Chrome, free, and it is upfront about what it cannot do yet. If you need OCR or heavy editing, one of the online tools above is a better fit. Whatever you choose, check the current limits first.

Related reading: how to merge PDFs without uploading them and how to compress a PDF without losing quality.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free PDF tool for Chrome in 2027?

It depends on what is in your files. For private documents and no daily limits, a tool that processes files on your own device, such as the PDF Tools Chrome extension or the PDF24 Creator desktop app for Windows, is the safer pick. For an occasional one-off task, any of the online tools in this list will work.

Is it safe to merge or compress PDFs on a website?

Online PDF sites upload your file to their servers to process it. Most state that files are deleted after a short time, but for contracts, ID scans, invoices or medical papers it is safer to use a tool that works locally in your browser or on your computer.

Do free PDF tools add watermarks or limit how many files I can use?

Some do. Free plans of online services often cap the number of tasks per day or per hour, or limit file size. Always check the current limits on the tool's own pricing page. PDF Tools has no watermark, signup or usage cap.

Which PDF tools work offline?

The PDF Tools Chrome extension works offline once installed. PDF24 also offers a free desktop app for Windows, called PDF24 Creator, that processes files locally.

Can a free PDF tool convert scanned PDFs to editable text?

Only tools with OCR can. PDF Tools does not have OCR yet, while PDF24 and several other online tools include it. If you need OCR, pick one of those and avoid uploading sensitive scans.