Quick answer: if you just need to convert, merge, compress or split PDFs without hitting a daily limit or uploading your files, Altto does it free in your browser with no account. If you need e-signatures, a full PDF editor or cloud storage, Smallpdf’s paid plan covers more.
How is Altto different from Smallpdf?
The biggest difference is where your document goes. Smallpdf, like most online PDF services, uploads your file to its servers, processes it there and sends the result back. Its own security page says files are removed from its servers one hour after processing. Altto works differently: every tool runs inside your browser, on your own computer or phone, so your file is never sent anywhere — not to Altto, not to anyone.
The second difference is limits. Smallpdf’s free plan comes with limited document downloads on most tools, so heavy users are nudged towards the paid Pro plan. Altto has no daily limit, no sign-up and no watermark on anything.
| Altto | Smallpdf | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, no paid plan | Free plan with limits; paid Pro plan (7-day free trial) |
| Daily limit | None | Free plan has “limited document downloads” on most tools |
| Where your file goes | Stays on your device — processed in your browser | Uploaded to Smallpdf’s servers (in Ireland) and deleted after one hour |
| Works offline | Yes, once the page has loaded | No, the web tools need an upload |
| AI tools | Summarise, translate, speech to text, upscaler, background remover — on your device | Chat, summarise, translate and more — limited on the free plan (50 MB AI file limit) |
| E-signatures | Not available | Yes (limited on the free plan) |
| Full PDF editor | No — convert to Word to edit | Yes |
| Apps | Works in any browser; can be added to your desktop or home screen | Web and mobile apps |
Smallpdf details are from its own pricing and security pages; plans change, so check their site for the latest. Sources: Smallpdf pricing · Is Smallpdf safe? (Smallpdf blog) · Smallpdf Free vs Pro (Smallpdf blog).
Where Smallpdf is the better choice
- E-signatures and sending documents for signing — Smallpdf has a built-in signing service; Altto doesn’t do e-signatures.
- Editing the text inside a PDF directly — Smallpdf has a PDF editor. With Altto you’d convert the PDF to Word, edit it, then turn it back into a PDF.
- Cloud storage and team accounts — if you want your documents saved online and shared with colleagues, Smallpdf offers that; Altto deliberately keeps nothing.
- Very old or low-powered devices — because Altto uses your device to do the work, a very slow computer will be slower than a service that does the work on its own servers.
Where Altto is the better choice
- Private documents — contracts, bank statements, payslips, ID documents, medical letters. With Altto they never leave your device.
- Lots of documents in one go — there’s no daily limit, so you won’t be stopped halfway through a batch.
- No account, no trial, no card — open the page and use it.
- Scanned PDFs to Word — Altto’s PDF to Word converter reads scanned pages automatically, in many languages, on your device.
Which Altto tools replace the Smallpdf ones?
The most-used Smallpdf tools all have a free Altto equivalent: PDF to Word, Word to PDF, Compress PDF, Merge PDF, Split PDF, PDF to JPG, JPG to PDF, PDF to Excel, PDF to PowerPoint, Rotate PDF, Unlock PDF and Summarise PDF. See all 50 tools.
Common questions
Is Altto really free?
Is Altto safer than Smallpdf?
Does Altto have a daily limit like Smallpdf?
Can Altto sign PDFs?
Is Altto connected to Smallpdf?
Try it with your own file
Free, no sign-up, no daily limit — and nothing is uploaded.
Smallpdf is a trademark of its owner. Altto is independent and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Smallpdf. Details about Smallpdf were checked on their websites on 27 september 2026 and may have changed since.