Is mypdf a drop-in replacement for iLovePDF?

For the common jobs — merge, split, compress, rotate, delete or extract pages, images to PDF, add page numbers or watermarks — yes. For Office conversion of complex layouts, iLovePDF has the advantage of server-side conversion engines, and we say so plainly on each converter page.

Does iLovePDF keep my files?

iLovePDF states that uploaded files are deleted after a period of time. That is a policy you have to trust. With mypdf there is nothing to trust, because the bytes never reach a server in the first place — you can watch the network tab and confirm it.

Why would a browser-based tool be free with no limits?

Because there are no per-file server costs to recover. The processing happens on your hardware, so a busy day costs us the same as a quiet one. There is a tip jar and nothing else.

Can I still use mypdf on my phone?

Yes, in a mobile browser, and you can add it to your home screen so it behaves like an app. Very large or image-heavy PDFs are limited by how much memory the phone gives the browser tab.

Compare

iLovePDF alternative: same tasks, no upload

iLovePDF is a capable, well-built product used by millions of people, and for most everyday jobs it works fine.

The difference is architectural rather than cosmetic: iLovePDF sends your file to its servers, processes it there and sends the result back.

mypdf never sends the file anywhere — the same merge, split, compress and convert work happens in the browser tab you already have open.

If your document is a lease, a payslip or a medical form, that distinction is the whole point.

Side by side

Feature	mypdf	iLovePDF
Where the file is processed	Your browser — no network request carries the file	Uploaded to iLovePDF servers, processed, downloaded back
Account needed	Never	Optional, but free use is metered
Watermark on output	Never, unless you add one deliberately	No watermark on standard tools
Works offline	Yes, once installed as an app	No — the web tools need a connection
Mobile and desktop apps	Installable web app only	Native iOS, Android and desktop apps
API for developers	None	Yes, a documented REST API
Built-in PII scan and redaction	Local pattern scan, then permanent redaction	Not a focus of the product

Where iLovePDF is better

Native mobile and desktop apps, so PDFs can be handled outside a browser.
A documented API, which matters if you are automating PDF work in a backend.
Server-side conversion generally handles complex Office layouts more faithfully than any in-browser converter, including ours.
Cloud storage connections (Google Drive, Dropbox) for people who work from those.
A much longer track record and a support team behind it.

Where mypdf is different

The file never leaves your device, so there is nothing to delete afterwards and no retention policy to trust.
No account, no daily task counter, no upsell in the middle of a job.
Works with the network off once installed — useful on a plane or an air-gapped machine.
A privacy scanner that flags emails, phone numbers, card-like and ID-like strings before you share a file.

Which to use

Pick iLovePDF if you want mobile and desktop apps, cloud storage integrations or an API. Pick mypdf if the file should never leave your machine.

Try it yourself

Frequently asked questions

Is mypdf a drop-in replacement for iLovePDF?
For the common jobs — merge, split, compress, rotate, delete or extract pages, images to PDF, add page numbers or watermarks — yes. For Office conversion of complex layouts, iLovePDF has the advantage of server-side conversion engines, and we say so plainly on each converter page.
Does iLovePDF keep my files?
iLovePDF states that uploaded files are deleted after a period of time. That is a policy you have to trust. With mypdf there is nothing to trust, because the bytes never reach a server in the first place — you can watch the network tab and confirm it.
Why would a browser-based tool be free with no limits?
Because there are no per-file server costs to recover. The processing happens on your hardware, so a busy day costs us the same as a quiet one. There is a tip jar and nothing else.
Can I still use mypdf on my phone?
Yes, in a mobile browser, and you can add it to your home screen so it behaves like an app. Very large or image-heavy PDFs are limited by how much memory the phone gives the browser tab.

iLovePDF is a trademark of its owner and is not affiliated with mypdf. This comparison describes how the products differ in approach; capabilities and pricing on their side change over time, so check their site for current details. Read how we handle your files on the privacy page.