Comparison
Compresto vs Smallpdf
Smallpdf makes PDF tools accessible in any browser. Compresto keeps your PDFs on your Mac — no uploads, no daily limits, and video and image compression bundled in.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Compresto | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS app | Web browser (any platform) |
| Video compression | ||
| Image compression | ||
| PDF compression | ||
| PDF editing tools | ||
| Batch processing | Limited (paid) | |
| Drag & drop | ||
| Price model | One-time purchase / free tier | Free (2 tasks/day); Pro $9/month |
Compresto Strengths
- Files never leave your Mac — complete privacy
- No daily task limits
- Video and image compression alongside PDFs
- One-time payment avoids recurring subscription costs
Smallpdf Strengths
- No software installation required — works in any browser
- PDF editing, merging, splitting, and conversion tools in one place
- Good for occasional PDF tasks without committing to software
Choose Compresto when...
- Your PDFs contain confidential or sensitive information
- You compress PDFs regularly and hit Smallpdf's free tier limits
- You also compress video and images in your workflow
- You want a faster offline process without upload delays
Choose Smallpdf when...
- You need PDF merging, splitting, or conversion alongside compression
- You compress PDFs only occasionally from different devices
- You do not own a Mac or need cross-platform access
Pricing
Compresto
One-time purchase $19.99 or free tier with limits
Smallpdf
Free (2 tasks/day); Pro plan $9/month or $72/year
Switching from Smallpdf?
If you hit Smallpdf's 2 daily tasks limit regularly, Compresto's one-time cost pays for itself in under 2 months compared to the Pro subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Smallpdf safe for confidential PDFs?
- Smallpdf processes files on their servers and states files are deleted after an hour. For sensitive PDFs, Compresto is safer — files are processed locally and never uploaded.
- What is Smallpdf's free tier limit?
- Smallpdf free allows 2 tasks per day. Compresto's free tier has file size limits but no daily count restriction. The paid Compresto plan has no limits.
- Does Smallpdf have a Mac app?
- Smallpdf is primarily a web tool, though it has a desktop app for Pro subscribers. Compresto is a native macOS app available without a subscription.
- Can Compresto merge or split PDFs like Smallpdf?
- No. Compresto focuses on PDF compression only. Smallpdf offers a broader suite of PDF manipulation tools including merge, split, and convert.
- Which is cheaper long-term, Compresto or Smallpdf?
- Compresto is significantly cheaper long-term. $19.99 one-time vs $108/year for Smallpdf Pro. Compresto pays for itself within 3 months of Smallpdf Pro usage.
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Compresto vs Permute 3
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Compresto vs Apple Compressor
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