Comparison

LocalKit vs everyone else

Every alternative uploads your files to their servers. LocalKit doesn't. Here's the full comparison so you can decide for yourself.

All LocalKit claims are verifiable — open Chrome DevTools → Network tab while using any tool
🧩 LocalKit
localkitapp.github.io
Smallpdf
smallpdf.com
ILovePDF
ilovepdf.com
Adobe Acrobat
acrobat.adobe.com
TinyPNG
tinypng.com
Privacy & Data
Files uploaded to servers
Does processing happen on their servers?
 ✓
Never		 ✗
Always		 ✗
Always		 ✗
Always		 ✗
Always
Verifiable zero network requests
Can you prove it in DevTools?
 ✓
Yes — DevTools		 ✗
No		 ✗
No		 ✗
No		 ✗
No
Analytics & tracking ✓
Zero		 ✗
Yes		 ✗
Yes		 ✗
Yes		 ✗
Yes
Files retained after processing
Do they keep a copy?
 ✓
Never stored		 1 hour 2 hours Variable Unknown
Account & Access
Account required ✓
No account		 Free tier: No
Full access: Yes		 Free tier: No
Full access: Yes		 ✗
Required		 ✓
No account
Works offline ✓
Yes — always		 ✗
Internet required		 ✗
Internet required		 ✗
Internet required		 ✗
Internet required
Pricing
Free tier available ✓
6 tools free		 Limited Limited Very limited ✓
Yes (slow)
Paid plan cost
To remove all limits
 $9
one-time forever		 $12/mo
$144/year		 $9/mo
$108/year		 $25/mo
$300/year		 $25/mo
$300/year
Subscription required ✓
No subscription		 ✗
Monthly only		 ✗
Monthly only		 ✗
Monthly only		 ✗
Monthly only
Tools & Features
PDF Merge ✓
Free (3 files)
Unlimited Pro		 Limited free Limited free ✓
Paid only		 ✗
N/A
Image compression ✓
Free · local		 Yes (cloud) Yes (cloud) Yes (cloud) ✓
Cloud upload
Screenshot capture ✓
Free · local		 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
Password generator ✓
Free · crypto secure		 ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗
QR Code Generator ✓
Pro · local		 ✗ ✓
Cloud		 ✗ ✗
Total distinct tools 13 ~21
all cloud		 ~24
all cloud		 ~15
all cloud		 1
images only
Where it runs Your browser
(Canvas, pdf-lib,
Web Crypto)		 Their servers Their servers Their servers Their servers

What you pay over time

For equivalent functionality (PDF + image + annotation tools).

🧩 LocalKit Pro
$9
once · forever
$0/year after that
Smallpdf
$12
per month
$144/year
ILovePDF
$9
per month
$108/year
Adobe Acrobat
$25
per month
$300/year
TinyPNG Pro
$25
per month
$300/year

Head to head

Specific comparisons for users switching from each tool.

LocalKit vs Smallpdf
Smallpdf is one of the most popular PDF tools online — and one of the most aggressively monetised. Every PDF you upload goes to their servers.
🧩LocalKitRECOMMENDED
PDF merge, split, and unlimited merge in one $9 purchase
Files never leave your browser — pdf-lib runs locally
Works offline — no internet needed after install
Plus 10 other tools: screenshots, passwords, QR, compress
No subscription, no monthly billing, no renewal emails
Smallpdf
Uploads all PDFs to their servers for processing
$12/month subscription — $144/year for unlimited access
Files retained on their servers for up to 1 hour
Requires account for most features
More PDF tools than LocalKit (compression levels, OCR)
LocalKit vs ILovePDF
ILovePDF has a large free tier, but all processing happens on their servers. Your documents go through their infrastructure every single time.
🧩LocalKitRECOMMENDED
PDF processing via pdf-lib — pure browser, zero upload
Screenshot and image tools in the same extension
$9 once vs $9 every month
No file size warnings or throttling on the free tier
ILovePDF
Every file is uploaded to their servers in Spain
Files stored for 2 hours after processing
Free tier has file size limits and rate limiting
More specialised PDF tools (repair, flatten, page numbers)
Mobile apps available
LocalKit vs TinyPNG
TinyPNG is the go-to for image compression — but every image you compress is uploaded to their servers. For personal or client photos, that's worth thinking about.
🧩LocalKitFOR PRIVACY
Canvas API compression — runs entirely in your browser
Interactive before/after drag slider to compare quality
JPEG, PNG, WebP — no file count limits
No upload = faster on slow connections
TinyPNG
Images uploaded to their servers for compression
Free tier limited to 20 images/month
$25/month for unlimited API access
Superior compression algorithm (pngquant, MozJPEG)
AVIF and WebP output in paid plans
Try LocalKit — it's free

6 tools free forever. 7 Pro tools for $9 once. Install in 30 seconds, no account needed.

Add to Chrome — Free → View all tools