iLovePDF vs Smallpdf
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | iLovePDF | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free (limited daily tasks), Pro $12/mo, Teams $24/mo/user | Free (limited daily tasks), Pro $18/mo, Business $36/mo/user |
| AI Features | AI Smart Split, PDF Forms AI, AI Summarizer, AI Translate | AI PDF Assistant (chat, summarize, translate, generate questions) |
| E-Signatures | iLoveSign (built-in branded signing, request signatures) | Integrated with Sign.com (separate account needed) |
For most users needing a free, full-featured PDF toolkit with advanced AI (Smart Split, Forms, Summarizer), iLovePDF offers better value at $12/mo Pro. Smallpdf edges ahead with its AI chat assistant and seamless web experience, but its Pro tier costs $6 more. If e-signatures are critical, iLovePDF’s built-in iLoveSign is more convenient than Smallpdf’s separate Sign.com integration.
Who should pick which
- Solo founderPick: iLovePDF
iLovePDF Pro at $12/mo covers all PDF tasks plus AI Smart Split for organizing contracts, e-signatures via iLoveSign, and desktop offline access. Smallpdf’s AI Assistant is nice but costs $6 more.
- Sales team needing e-signaturesPick: iLovePDF
iLoveSign is built-in with branded templates and signing requests, no extra account. Smallpdf’s Sign.com integration is separate and may cost additional.
- Legal team reviewing invoices/contractsPick: iLovePDF
AI Smart Split automatically separates documents by type (invoices, contracts), saving legal teams hours. Smallpdf lacks this feature.
- Student summarizing research papersPick: Smallpdf
Smallpdf’s AI PDF Assistant lets students chat with PDFs to ask questions and get summaries, ideal for studying multiple papers.
- Freelancer editing PDFs on the goPick: Smallpdf
Smallpdf’s mobile app and Chrome extension provide a seamless web-first experience. Its AI chat is handy for quick edits without desktop software.
Frequently Asked Questions
iLovePDF vs Smallpdf: which should you choose?
For most users needing a free, full-featured PDF toolkit with advanced AI (Smart Split, Forms, Summarizer), iLovePDF offers better value at $12/mo Pro. Smallpdf edges ahead with its AI chat assistant and seamless web experience, but its Pro tier costs $6 more. If e-signatures are critical, iLovePDF’s built-in iLoveSign is more convenient than Smallpdf’s separate Sign.com integration.
Which tool is cheaper for unlimited PDF tasks?
iLovePDF Pro at $12/mo (annual) is cheaper than Smallpdf Pro at $18/mo. Both have free tiers with daily limits.
Does iLovePDF have an AI chat feature like Smallpdf?
Yes, iLovePDF now includes AI Summarizer and AI Translate, but not a conversational chat. Smallpdf’s AI Assistant enables two-way chatting with PDFs.
Can I use e-signatures with iLovePDF without extra cost?
Yes, iLovePDF’s iLoveSign is built-in with 10 free signatures/month on Pro. Smallpdf requires a separate Sign.com subscription.
Which tool offers offline desktop access?
iLovePDF provides a Desktop app for Windows and Mac with offline capabilities. Smallpdf offers only a Windows app that is essentially a web wrapper.
How do their OCR capabilities compare?
Both offer OCR on premium plans. iLovePDF OCR is part of its Pro tier; Smallpdf OCR is available on Pro and higher.
Which tool integrates with Zapier?
iLovePDF integrates with Zapier and Make. Smallpdf does not have native Zapier integration; it relies on Google Workspace and Dropbox.
Are there file size limits on free tiers?
iLovePDF free tier allows files up to 10 MB. Smallpdf free tier allows files up to 5 MB.
Which tool is better for batch processing?
iLovePDF Pro offers batch processing for multiple files. Smallpdf Business ($36/mo/user) provides batch features; Pro tier is limited to single files.
More iLovePDF or Smallpdf comparisons
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Last reviewed: May 12, 2026