Smallpdf Alternative: Compress PDFs Free, Strong Mode Included
The short answer
Smallpdf's PDF compressor is free at its Basic level, with a daily download limit on the Free plan; its stronger compression levels and batch compression are part of Smallpdf Pro. If you need a smaller PDF for email or an upload form, our free PDF compressor is one alternative: both of its modes are free, it handles several files at once, and it runs in your browser.
What Smallpdf's free plan includes
These are Smallpdf's own words, checked on 5 October 2026:
- The Smallpdf compress page says its compressor is free and adds: "Note that usage limits may apply, and our “Moderate” and “Strong” compression are Pro features."
- The Smallpdf pricing page lists the Free plan with "Limited document downloads". In its comparison table, the Free column shows "Basic Compression" with a "Daily download limit", while "Strong Compression" and "Batch Compress" are listed for the paid plans.
- The same pricing page offers a 7-day free trial of Pro and says: "If you cancel the free trial, your account will be automatically downgraded to the free plan when the 7-day period expires."
- On file handling, the compress page says: "we automatically delete files after one hour."
Side by side
| Smallpdf (Free plan) | Avalon Compress PDF (free) | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression levels on the free plan | Basic; Moderate and Strong are Pro | Recommended (shrinks images, keeps text) and Strong (flattens pages) |
| Daily limit | Daily download limit on the Free plan | No daily cap |
| Several PDFs at once | Batch Compress is a paid feature | Up to 3 PDFs, 200 MB per batch |
| Where your files are processed | Uploaded to the service, deleted after one hour | In your browser, on your device |
| Paid plan | Smallpdf Pro, priced by country, with a 7-day free trial | Not needed to compress. Avalon Pro is $5 a month for up to 500 PDFs per batch and ZIP downloads |
Plans are as shown on each company's own pages on 5 October 2026 and can change. Smallpdf's pricing page showed prices in our local currency, so we do not quote a dollar figure.
How our free tool compares
- What you get for free. Recommended mode resizes the photos and scans inside the PDF and leaves text, links and fonts untouched, so the text stays selectable. Strong mode turns every page into a picture for the smallest file, which suits scanned documents. You see the size before and after for every file, and if a file cannot be made smaller you get the original back.
- Limits. Up to 3 PDFs and 200 MB per batch, and up to 1,000 pages per file in Strong mode. Avalon Pro takes up to 500 PDFs and 500 MB per batch and adds ZIP downloads, saved presets and custom file names. The compression itself is the same on every plan.
- Privacy. The files are opened and rebuilt in your browser, so nothing is uploaded to us.
- What we have not tested. We have not run a side-by-side size test against Smallpdf, so we make no claim about which gives smaller files. Smallpdf also offers many more tools, mobile apps and e-signatures, which our site does not try to match.
Sources
All checked on 5 October 2026: Smallpdf compress PDF, Smallpdf pricing.
Smallpdf is a trademark of its owner. We name it only to compare, and we are not affiliated with it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Smallpdf's PDF compressor free?
Basic compression is free. Smallpdf's compress page (checked 5 October 2026) says usage limits may apply and that its Moderate and Strong compression are Pro features. Its pricing page lists a daily download limit for Basic compression on the Free plan.
Can I compress several PDFs at once on Smallpdf for free?
Smallpdf's pricing page lists Batch Compress for its paid plans, not for Free.
How long does Smallpdf keep my files?
Smallpdf's compress page says it automatically deletes files after one hour.
Is strong compression free on Avalon?
Yes. Both modes, Recommended and Strong, are free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily cap. The free version takes up to 3 PDFs and 200 MB per batch.
Do you upload my PDFs?
No. Our compressor opens and rebuilds your PDFs inside your browser, so the files stay on your device.