Best free PDF tools — a privacy checklist
What to look for in free PDF merge/compress tools: no upload, no watermark, honest compress, no account.
Free PDF tools are everywhere. The useful filter in 2026 is not “does it merge?” — almost all do — but where the file goes and what you give up.
Checklist
- Does processing stay in the browser (verify with Network)?
- Is there a daily task cap or watermark?
- Is compress quality explained (downsample vs lossless)?
- Do you need an account for basic merge/split?
- Is unlock only with a user-supplied password (no “crack” claims)?
IntactPDF is built to pass that checklist for merge, split, compress, rotate, organize, images→PDF, and password unlock — without Pro or ads.