The private Smallpdf alternative
Same PDF jobs — without the 2-a-day limit or the upload.
Smallpdf caps its free plan at two file tasks a day and processes everything on its servers. DiemDesk does the same everyday jobs — merge, split, compress, sign and more — right inside your browser, with no daily limit and nothing uploaded.
Nothing gets uploaded
DiemDesk’s in-browser tools open and rebuild your file on your device. Smallpdf uploads it to their cloud.
No 2-tasks-a-day wall
Use every in-browser tool as often as you like — no daily limit, no watermark. (Office conversions: 3 free a day.)
More than PDF
Image, QR, password and video tools live alongside the PDF suite — one private toolkit, not a single-purpose site.
| Feature | DiemDeskFree during launch | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Every in-browser tool, no daily cap | 2 tasks / day |
| Files stay on your device | ||
| Use without an account | For most | |
| No watermarks on free | Some limits | |
| Combine unlimited files free | Capped / paid | |
| Paid plan | Free now · Pro ~$5.98/mo planned | ~$10–15/mo |
| Beyond PDF (image, QR, video) | PDF-focused |
Smallpdf figures are from their published plans as of July 2026 and may change — verify at the source. See the full comparison for more names.
Fair disclosure: DiemDesk is in pre-launch. Annotate, Redact and OCR are marked coming soon, and the Pro plan isn’t on sale yet — so everything is free right now. We’d rather show the full roadmap than hide it.
Switching from Smallpdf — your questions
Is DiemDesk really free like Smallpdf’s free plan?
The in-browser tools are free with no daily limit — where Smallpdf’s free plan stops at two tasks a day on everything. Our few server tools (Office conversions) give you 3 free a day; a Pro plan makes those unlimited and adds batch and bigger files. The in-browser tools cost nothing to run, so they stay free.
Does DiemDesk upload my files like Smallpdf?
No. The in-browser tools process your file locally, so it never leaves your browser. A few tools genuinely need a server (Office conversions and — later — OCR); for those we’re upfront and delete your file right after.
Does DiemDesk have the same tools as Smallpdf?
It covers the core PDF jobs — merge, split, compress, convert, rotate, sign, protect, unlock, watermark and more — plus image, QR, password and video tools. Annotate, Redact and OCR are rolling out and marked coming soon.
Give it a try — nothing to install
No signup, no upload, no watermark. Drop in a file and watch it work entirely in your browser.
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