PDF tools / Compare
Nitro PDF vs Smallpdf
Both do 2 of the same PDF tools tasks. Below is what each says about its own limits and pricing, and how each ranks on signals we can measure or quote.
Disclosure: agathox makes some of the tools listed here. They are labelled and scored by the same method as every other tool.
A
Nitro PDF
Simplify how your business works. Streamline document workflows, boost productivity, and ensure data security with Nitro's powerful PDF & eSign solutions.
Signals score: 4.2 / 5 · not a hands-on test
Visit www.gonitro.comB
Smallpdf
Online PDF tools by Smallpdf AG (Zurich, Switzerland).
Signals score: 4.2 / 5 · not a hands-on test
Visit smallpdf.comPricing, limits and privacy
- Free tier
- A: No ongoing free tier described. A 14-day free trial with no credit card covers PDF editing and eSign, with the page saying no features locked. Free online conversion tools are mentioned without limits.
- B: Limited access to basic features of 21 tools, with up to 2 conversions a day. The same limit applies with or without a free account. File-size and page limits are not stated.
- Paid plan
- A: Prices not shown on the fetched page. Nitro PDF Standard is per user per month billed annually; Plus is contact sales; Classic is a one-time payment for a three-year term (Windows only). Tax is added at checkout.
- B: Pro adds unlimited use of all tools, OCR, batch conversion, no ads and the desktop and mobile apps. The price is not shown on the official pages we could read.
- Signup
- A: Trial starts through a signup page. Not stated for the free online tools.
- B: Not required for most tools. Sign needs a free account.
- Watermark
- A: The page says the trial has no watermarks. Not stated for other cases.
- B: Says it adds no watermark, even on the free plan.
- Where files go
- A: Not stated. The terms page points to the privacy policy and data processing agreement for data handling.
- B: Cloud-based: files are uploaded and deleted automatically after one hour for most tools. Its servers are in Ireland.
From each tool's own pages, checked 2026-11-01 (Nitro PDF) and 2026-10-31 (Smallpdf). Prices and limits change; check the tool before you rely on them. Sources are listed on each tool's page.
Compare on a task
Neither tool has been hands-on tested on these tasks yet, and we do not guess. Open a task to see both ranked with every other tool.
- Only Smallpdf: Merge PDF, Split PDF, Compress PDF, Sign PDF, Word to PDF, PDF to JPG, Protect PDF, OCR PDF
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