PDF Incognito vs iLovePDF
Both tools let you merge, split, compress, and convert PDFs online. The key difference? PDF Incognito never uploads your files to a server.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | PDF Incognito | iLovePDF |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | ✓Files never leave your browser | Files uploaded to iLovePDF servers |
| Price | ✓Free — no premium tier | Free tier + Premium at ~$7/mo |
| Account required | ✓No account needed | Required for some features |
| Usage limits | ✓No limits | Batch processing limited on free tier |
| Processing | ✓100% browser-based (JavaScript/WASM) | Server-side processing |
| OCR (text recognition) | ✓Yes — private, browser-based (Tesseract.js) | Yes — requires server upload |
| Number of tools | 12+ tools | ✓25+ tools |
| Desktop app | No (browser only) | ✓Yes (Windows & Mac) |
| API access | No | ✓Yes (paid) |
| Works offline | ✓Yes (after page loads) | Only desktop app |
Key Differences
Privacy & Security
iLovePDF processes your files on their servers. While they state files are deleted after processing, your documents still leave your device during the process. PDF Incognito processes everything locally in your browser using JavaScript and WebAssembly — your files never leave your device, period. You can even disconnect from the internet and keep working.
Pricing & Limits
iLovePDF offers a free tier with batch processing limits and a Premium plan at approximately $7/month for full access. PDF Incognito is completely free with no premium tier, no usage limits, and no feature gating. You get full access to every tool without paying anything.
Account & Registration
iLovePDF requires an account for certain features and to manage your subscription. PDF Incognito requires no account at all. You visit the site, use the tools, and leave. No email, no sign-up, no personal data collected.
Tool Selection
iLovePDF offers a broader set of 25+ tools including PDF/A conversion and repair. PDF Incognito currently offers 12+ tools covering the most common PDF tasks: merge, split, compress, convert, edit, rotate, watermark, OCR, and more. Both platforms offer OCR, but PDF Incognito runs it entirely in your browser while iLovePDF requires uploading your scans to their servers.
Why Choose PDF Incognito Over iLovePDF?
- ✓True privacy: Your files are processed entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, nothing is stored on a server, nothing can be intercepted.
- ✓Completely free: No premium tier, no feature gating, no “upgrade to unlock” prompts. Every tool is available without restrictions.
- ✓No account needed: Start using tools immediately. No email required, no sign-up forms, no password to remember.
- ✓No usage limits: Process as many files as you want, as many times as you want. No daily caps, no batch limits.
- ✓Works offline: Once the page loads, you can disconnect from the internet and continue processing PDFs.
When iLovePDF Might Be a Better Fit
iLovePDF is a solid tool with a well-established feature set. It may be a better choice if you:
- —Need advanced features like PDF/A conversion or PDF repair
- —Want a dedicated desktop application for Windows or Mac
- —Need API access to integrate PDF processing into your workflow
Try PDF Incognito Now
No sign-up, no upload, no limits. Pick a tool and start working with your PDFs privately.