GetPDFPro vs PDF24
An honest comparison of two genuinely free PDF tools. Last verified 12 June 2026.
The 60-second version
Both products are genuinely free. PDF24 is a German-built desktop app (Windows) plus a free online toolset, with zero ads and zero telemetry. GetPDFPro is a browser-only tool that's also free (with a generous 50-tasks/day free tier and a $5.99/month Pro upgrade) and works on any device. Choose PDF24 if you have Windows and want a desktop app that runs offline. Choose GetPDFPro if you want a no-install, browser-based tool with strong in-memory privacy and a Pro tier with AI features.
Side-by-side
| Feature | GetPDFPro | PDF24 |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | 50 tasks/day (signed-in), 1 task/day (anonymous), 50 MB/file | Free forever, no daily limits, no signup required |
| Paid tier | $5.99/month or $53.88/year (Pro, optional) | No paid tier. PDF24 Creator desktop app is free. |
| File size cap | 50 MB (free), 4 GB (Pro) | Generous (no published per-file cap) |
| File retention | In-memory processing, discarded after response | Online tools retain files server-side per their privacy policy. Desktop app processes locally, never uploads. |
| Offline operation | No (browser-based, requires internet) | Yes (PDF24 Creator desktop app, Windows only) |
| Platforms | Any modern browser (web-only) | Windows (desktop), any browser (online) |
| Mobile app | Web responsive (no native app yet) | No mobile app (online tools work in mobile browser) |
| AI features | Summarize + Translate (Pro, in beta) | None |
| Office ↔ PDF | Word / PPT / Excel ↔ PDF (Adobe V2 API) | Online tools: image-only conversion; desktop app: limited |
| OCR | 100+ languages (server-side, Adobe + Tesseract fallback) | OCR supported, language list on their docs |
| PDF faxing | Not supported | PDF24 Fax is a separate (paid) service |
| PDF Overlay | Not supported | Supported (PDF24 desktop) |
| Watermark | Text or image, 8 positions + tile, 4 colors, 7 rotations | Text or image, position options |
| PDF/A export | PDF/A-2b (Adobe API on server) | Not in their core tool set |
| Headquarters | India (single founder, bootstrapped) | Germany (Geek Software GmbH, since 2009) |
| Open source | No (planned) | No (closed source, but free) |
| 30-day money-back | Yes (Pro only) | N/A (free product) |
All PDF24 claims sourced from pdf24.org on 12 June 2026.
When to use which
Choose GetPDFPro if you:
- • Don't have Windows, or want a no-install web app
- • Want zero file retention (in-memory processing)
- • Need Office ↔ PDF conversion that PDF24 can't do
- • Want AI features (Summarize, Translate) in the Pro tier
- • Want a 30-day money-back guarantee on paid
- • Work on macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, or mobile
Choose PDF24 if you:
- • Have Windows and want a free desktop app
- • Need offline operation (PDF24 Creator works without internet)
- • Want absolutely zero ads, zero telemetry, forever
- • Need PDF faxing, PDF overlay, or other niche features
- • Prefer established, multi-language desktop software
- • Don't need Office ↔ PDF or AI features
Frequently asked
Is GetPDFPro or PDF24 more private?⌄
Both are strong. GetPDFPro: in-memory processing, no file storage, no analytics on conversion endpoints, no ad networks, no third-party cookies. PDF24: a German product (Geek Software GmbH), GDPR-compliant by default, can run entirely offline (the PDF24 Creator desktop app), no telemetry, no ads. PDF24 wins on local-only operation (you can disconnect from the internet and the desktop app keeps working). GetPDFPro wins on no file retention at all — we don't even have a database of your files to delete.
Does PDF24 cost anything?⌄
No. Per their homepage (12 June 2026): 'PDF24 has solutions for all PDF problems' and '100% Free | 100% Free of spyware'. There's no paid tier. The PDF24 Creator desktop app is a free download; the online tools at pdf24.org are free; the PDF24 Fax service has paid options but PDF24 Creator and PDF24 Tools are entirely free.
Why would I pay for GetPDFPro if PDF24 is free?⌄
Three reasons: (1) PDF24 is great if you have a Windows PC (the desktop app is Windows-only). On macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, or mobile, you're stuck with the online tools, which are more limited. GetPDFPro works in any modern browser on any device. (2) PDF24's online tools are server-side and require uploading files. If your work is sensitive and you want zero file retention, GetPDFPro's in-memory processing is the better fit. (3) GetPDFPro's AI features (Summarize, Translate) are Pro-only and complement the conversion tools. PDF24 doesn't have AI features.
Do both products support the same features?⌄
Mostly yes, with overlap on merge, split, compress, convert, edit, sign, OCR, protect, unlock, rotate, page-numbers, watermark, redact, compare. PDF24 has a few extras: PDF faxing, PDF overlay, webpage-to-PDF, and a more comprehensive set of OCR languages. GetPDFPro has AI features (Summarize, Translate) and an Office conversion suite (Word/PPT/Excel ↔ PDF via Adobe's API) that PDF24 doesn't offer.
Can I run PDF24 offline?⌄
Yes — the PDF24 Creator desktop app is a downloadable Windows installer (~350 MB per Windows Forum reviews) that runs entirely locally. The Mac/Linux story is weaker: PDF24 Online is the only option for non-Windows. GetPDFPro is web-only, so you need an internet connection to use it. If offline-first is critical, PDF24 is the right call.
Which is better for one-off tasks?⌄
For one-off tasks on a Mac or any browser, GetPDFPro is faster to start (no download, no install, just open the URL). For one-off tasks on Windows where you might be offline, PDF24 Creator is already on the machine. Both are quick for the 80% case.
Is PDF24 truly spyware-free?⌄
Their homepage claims '100% Free of spyware' (12 June 2026). Independent reviews on Windows Forum and Reddit confirm no telemetry, no ads, no bundled software. The product is from Geek Software GmbH, a German company that's been in business since 2009. Trust signals are good.
Can I switch between them?⌄
Yes. PDF is an open ISO standard (ISO 32000). Any file you create in PDF24 opens in GetPDFPro, and vice versa. There's no lock-in. Try both, keep whichever you prefer.
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