Criply vs iLovePDF — Which Free PDF Tool Should You Use?

Both Criply and iLovePDF provide free PDF tools with no daily task cap. The key differences are how they handle your files (browser vs server), advertising in the free tier, and total feature breadth.

Feature comparison

FeatureCriplyiLovePDF
Free tierUnlimited — no daily capGenerous — no daily cap
Signup requiredNeverNo for basic; optional account available
Files stay in browserYes — processed locallyNo — uploaded to iLovePDF servers
WatermarksNeverNone on free outputs
AdsNone currentlySignificant advertising in free tier
Free file size limitUp to 100 MB100 MB per file
Batch processingCriply ProPaid plan
Mobile appBrowser only (mobile web works well)iOS + Android apps available
Total PDF tools8 core tools25+ tools including watermark, numbering
Desktop appNone — browser onlyDesktop app for Windows and Mac

Based on publicly available information as of 2026. Verify current terms on each site.

Which should you choose?

Choose Criply if…

  • You handle confidential documents and need files to stay entirely on your device
  • You want an ad-free experience without creating an account
  • You prefer a clean, focused interface over a large feature set

Choose iLovePDF if…

  • You need more than 8 PDF tools — watermarking, page numbering, OCR, form filling
  • You want a desktop app on Windows or Mac for offline processing
  • You use PDF tools heavily enough to want a dedicated mobile app

Try Criply free — no signup needed

No account, no daily limit, no ads. Files processed in your browser — they never leave your device.

Try Merge PDF free →

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