Quick answer: for everyday jobs — PDF to Word, compress, merge, split, convert images — Altto is free with no premium tier and your files never leave your device. For e-signatures, huge files or batch-processing hundreds of documents, iLovePDF’s Premium plan does more.
How is Altto different from iLovePDF?
iLovePDF processes documents on its own servers: you upload a file, it does the work and you download the result. Its security page says processed files are automatically deleted within two hours. Altto never uploads your file — every tool runs inside your browser, on your own device — so your documents stay with you the whole time.
iLovePDF’s free Basic plan also caps file sizes and the number of files per task, depending on the tool, with bigger limits on Premium. Altto has one tier — free — with no sign-up and no per-task file count.
| Altto | iLovePDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, no paid plan | Free Basic plan; Premium from US$9 a month (US$60 a year) |
| File size on the free plan | No set limit — depends on your device (PDF to Word handles files up to 40 MB each) | Limited per tool, roughly 15 MB to 400 MB |
| Files per task (free) | No set limit | Limited per tool, e.g. 2 for Compress PDF, 25 for Merge PDF |
| Where your file goes | Stays on your device — processed in your browser | Uploaded to iLovePDF’s servers and deleted within two hours |
| Works offline | Yes, once the page has loaded | Web tools need an upload; desktop app available |
| Scanned PDFs (OCR) | Automatic in PDF to Word, many languages, free | Standard OCR free; advanced OCR on Premium |
| E-signatures | Not available | Yes (3 documents on Basic) |
| Apps | Any browser; can be added to your desktop or home screen | Web, desktop and mobile apps |
iLovePDF details are from its own pricing and security pages; plans change, so check their site for the latest. Sources: iLovePDF pricing · iLovePDF security.
Where iLovePDF is the better choice
- E-signatures and signing workflows — iLovePDF has a signing service; Altto doesn’t.
- Really big jobs — Premium handles files up to 4 GB and large batches on its servers. Altto works within your device’s memory, so enormous files are better suited to a server-based service.
- Desktop and mobile apps — iLovePDF has installable apps; Altto runs in the browser (though you can add it to your desktop or home screen).
- Editing text inside a PDF — iLovePDF has an editor; with Altto you convert to Word, edit, and convert back.
Where Altto is the better choice
- Anything private — with Altto, sensitive documents never travel over the internet.
- No premium tier to bump into — everything is free, including OCR for scanned PDFs.
- No account — no sign-up, no email, no password.
- Offline use — once a tool has loaded, it keeps working without an internet connection.
Which Altto tools replace the iLovePDF ones?
iLovePDF’s most-searched tools all have a free Altto equivalent: JPG to PDF, PDF to Word, PDF to JPG, Merge PDF, Compress PDF, Split PDF, Word to PDF, PDF to Excel, Excel to PDF, PowerPoint to PDF, Add page numbers, Watermark and Unlock PDF. See all 50 tools.
Common questions
Is Altto free like iLovePDF?
Does Altto upload my files?
Can Altto handle big PDFs?
Can Altto sign or edit PDFs?
Is Altto connected to iLovePDF?
Try it with your own file
Free, no sign-up, no daily limit — and nothing is uploaded.
iLovePDF is a trademark of its owner. Altto is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by iLovePDF. Details about iLovePDF were checked on their websites on 27 september 2026 and may have changed since.