TinyTool vs PDF24
PDF24 is a popular free PDF platform from Geek Software GmbH, offering 30+ PDF tools with both an online web app and a Windows desktop application.
PDF manipulation is a daily task for millions of people — merging invoices, splitting reports, compressing files for email, adding page numbers, or signing documents. The right tool should make these operations fast and frictionless.
PDF24 is a well-established German PDF platform with over 30 tools covering merge, split, compress, convert, edit, protect, sign, OCR, and more. It offers both a web-based version and a popular Windows desktop app. The web tools process files on PDF24's servers and are free to use with no hard daily limits — a generous offering that has made it one of the most popular PDF tools in Europe.
TinyTool processes PDFs entirely in your browser using pdf-lib. There is no upload step, no server involvement, and no platform restriction — it works on any device with a modern browser. Merge, split, compress, rotate, watermark, add page numbers, convert between PDF and images, run OCR on scanned documents, and add e-signatures, all without your files ever leaving your device.
| Feature | TinyTool | PDF24 |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | ✓ 100% client-side — files never leave your browser | Files uploaded to and processed on servers |
| Price | Free, no limits | Free (ad-supported) |
| Sign-up required | No | No |
| PDF merge | Yes — unlimited files | Yes |
| PDF split | Yes | Yes |
| PDF compress | ✓ Yes — batch mode with ZIP download | Yes |
| PDF to Word/Excel | No | ✓ Yes |
| OCR | ✓ Yes — fully client-side | Yes — server-side |
| E-signatures | ✓ Yes — draw, type, or upload, fully client-side | Yes |
| Desktop app | No (PWA available) | ✓ Yes — full Windows desktop application |
| Platform support | ✓ Any device with a browser (Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile) | Web app (all platforms) + desktop (Windows only) |
| Speed | ✓ Instant (no upload/download) | Depends on file size and connection |
| Number of PDF tools | 11 core PDF operations | ✓ 30+ tools including edit, protect, redact |
Privacy advantage
TinyTool processes everything 100% in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to any server. No account needed, no usage limits, and no data collection. When you close the tab, your data is gone.
The verdict
TinyTool is the ideal choice when privacy and speed are paramount — your PDFs never leave your device, processing is instant, and it works on any platform including mobile. PDF24 offers a broader set of tools (including PDF editing, PDF-to-Word, and a Windows desktop app) and is generous with its free tier, but processes files on its servers. For the core operations most users need daily — merge, split, compress, sign — TinyTool delivers them faster and more privately.
Frequently asked questions
Is PDF24 really free?
Yes, PDF24's web tools are free to use with no strict daily limits, supported by ads. The desktop app for Windows is also free. TinyTool is similarly free with no usage limits and no sign-up required.
Does PDF24 upload my files to a server?
Yes. PDF24's web tools process files on their servers. They state that files are deleted after a short period. The PDF24 desktop app processes files locally on your Windows PC. TinyTool processes PDFs entirely in your browser on any device — nothing is ever uploaded.
Can I use TinyTool on mobile?
Yes. TinyTool is mobile-first and works in any modern browser on any device — iPhone, Android, tablet, or desktop. PDF24's web tools also work on mobile, but their desktop app is Windows-only.
Does TinyTool support PDF editing like PDF24?
TinyTool focuses on the most-used PDF operations: merge, split, compress, rotate, watermark, page numbers, PDF-to-image, image-to-PDF, OCR, and e-signatures. PDF24 additionally offers inline PDF text editing, page reordering, protection, and redaction. For full PDF editing, PDF24's desktop app is more comprehensive.