iLovePDF is one of the most popular online PDF tools, with a wide range of features and a large user base. Privatool takes a different approach: every tool runs entirely in your browser, meaning your files never leave your device. Here's a direct comparison.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Privatool | iLovePDF |
|---|---|---|
| PDF compression | ✅ Client-side | ✅ Server-side |
| PDF merge | ✅ Client-side | ✅ Server-side |
| PDF split | ✅ Client-side | ✅ Server-side |
| PDF to Word | ❌ Not available | ✅ Available |
| File size limit (free) | No server limit | 100MB |
| Requires account | ❌ Never | Optional (larger files) |
| Files uploaded to server | ❌ Never | ✅ Yes |
| Files retained after processing | ❌ N/A | Up to 2 hours |
| Ads on free tier | Yes | Yes |
Privacy: the key difference
iLovePDF uploads your PDF to their servers for processing. Their privacy policy states files are deleted after processing, but this requires trusting a third party. For documents containing personal data — contracts, medical records, financial documents — this is a meaningful risk.
Privatool processes everything in your browser using the PDF-lib JavaScript library. No file ever leaves your device. This is verifiable: you can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and the tool still works.
When to choose iLovePDF
- You need PDF-to-Word or OCR conversion (Privatool doesn't offer these)
- You're processing very large files on a low-powered device (server-side processing is faster for older hardware)
- You need advanced editing features like form filling or e-signatures
When to choose Privatool
- Your documents contain sensitive or confidential information
- You process PDFs frequently and don't want files stored on third-party servers
- You work offline or in environments with restricted internet access
- You want a faster tool for basic operations (no upload/download round-trip)
Bottom line
For basic PDF compression, merging, and splitting — especially with sensitive documents — Privatool's client-side approach is the more private choice. For advanced conversions and editing that require server-side AI, iLovePDF has more features.