LeafLock PDF vs Smallpdf: privacy and features compared
Smallpdf and LeafLock PDF both offer browser-based tools to merge, split, compress, convert, sign and edit PDFs. The main difference is where the work happens. Smallpdf processes files on its servers. LeafLock processes them on your own device, in the browser.
This page compares the two on facts you can check. Everything we say about Smallpdf comes from its own website, linked in the sources for this page.
At a glance
| LeafLock PDF | Smallpdf | |
|---|---|---|
| Where files are processed | In your browser, on your device | On Smallpdf’s servers; its privacy notice names a hosting provider with servers in the EU |
| How long files are kept | Not kept: files aren’t uploaded | Varies by account status; see below (per its privacy notice and Merge PDF page) |
| Free plan | All tools free, including the Pro and Practice ones during early access | Free plan with limited document downloads; 7-day free trial of Pro (per its pricing and home pages) |
| Platforms | Web browser | Web, Windows desktop app, mobile app, Chrome extension |
| Interface languages | English | 24 languages in its language menu |
| Office conversions (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) | Not yet | Yes |
| AI tools | Not yet | Yes, such as AI PDF Summarizer and AI Question Generator |
Where your files are processed
Smallpdf. Its Merge PDF page describes the tool as cloud-based and says files are encrypted with TLS and removed from its servers after one hour. Its privacy notice says uploaded files are processed using Hetzner, on servers in the European Union, without permanent storage there.
LeafLock. All processing runs in your browser. The file is read, changed and saved on your device, and isn’t sent to our servers or anyone else’s. The site’s Content Security Policy sets connect-src 'self', so the browser itself blocks the page’s scripts from sending data to other sites. You can check this with our guide on how to check if a PDF site uploads your files.
How long files are kept
Smallpdf. Its Merge PDF page says files are deleted automatically from its servers after one hour. Its privacy notice gives more detail:
- For signed-in users, files are deleted within one hour unless you save them to your Smallpdf storage.
- Saved files that you delete are generally removed within 14 days.
- For people without an account or not signed in, Smallpdf says it aims to delete files within a reasonable period after they were last opened, and that period restarts when a file is opened again.
LeafLock. There’s nothing to keep, because files never reach a server. Results are created in your browser and downloaded directly.
Security certifications
Smallpdf. Its home page states that Smallpdf is ISO/IEC 27001 certified, complies with the GDPR, the CCPA and Switzerland’s nFADP, and uses 256-bit TLS encryption for transfers.
LeafLock. We don’t hold a security certification at this time. Our approach is to avoid handling your files at all, and to let the browser enforce that through the Content Security Policy.
Free plan and limits
Smallpdf. Its pricing page lists a Free plan with access to its tools but limited document downloads and limited mobile app access, with daily download limits shown for many tools. The Pro plan adds unlimited downloads and tool use, text editing, OCR, strong compression and unlimited AI tools. Smallpdf offers a 7-day free trial of its paid features.
LeafLock. All tools are free, including OCR PDF and every Compress PDF level, and we set no file-size limit: because the work happens on your device, the only limit is your device’s memory and speed. We do limit how many tools you can use per day on the free plan: 20 a day without an account, 60 a day with a free account, and no daily limit on Pro. Tools marked Practice, such as Redact PDF and Compare PDF, are free during early access.
Tools
Smallpdf offers more tools than LeafLock. Its site lists conversions between PDF and Word, Excel and PowerPoint, conversions from many other formats such as EPUB, HTML and OpenDocument, PDF to PDF/A, e-signing through its Sign.com service, and AI tools such as an AI PDF assistant, summarizer, question generator and PDF translation.
LeafLock covers the common PDF tasks: merge, split, compress, organize, sign, fill forms, edit, OCR, redact, compare, protect and more. LeafLock doesn’t offer Office conversions or AI tools yet. Our OCR currently recognizes English only.
Apps and platforms
Smallpdf. Besides the web version, Smallpdf offers a desktop app for Windows that works offline, a mobile app for iOS and Android, a Chrome extension, and integrations with Google Workspace and Dropbox, according to its home page and Windows app page.
LeafLock. LeafLock runs in a web browser on computers, tablets and phones. There are no desktop or mobile apps, and no cloud storage integrations.
Languages
Smallpdf. Its language menu offers 24 languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Arabic and Hindi.
LeafLock. The site is in English. More languages are planned.
Which one fits you
Smallpdf may suit you better if you need Office or other format conversions, AI tools, a Windows or mobile app, cloud storage integrations, or an interface in a language other than English.
LeafLock may suit you better if you’d rather your files never leave your device, for example with contracts, medical documents, financial records or anything you’d prefer not to upload.
Sources
Facts about Smallpdf were checked on October 21, 2026 against the sources below, and may have changed since.