iLovePDF helped make online PDF tools mainstream, and for a lot of people it's the first site that comes to mind when they need to merge or compress a file. But it has two trade-offs that send people looking for something else: it uploads your files to its servers, and the free experience is heavy with ads. If you want the same convenience with more privacy and less clutter, here's a genuine alternative — and how to switch in about thirty seconds.
What people actually want from an alternative
When we talk to people looking to move away from a mainstream PDF site, the same wishes come up again and again:
- "I don't want my documents uploaded to someone's server."
- "I'm tired of ads and pop-ups covering the tool."
- "I just want it to be fast and get out of my way."
- "I need to automate this — is there an API?"
AXS PDF was built around exactly these needs.
Why choose AXS PDF
Private by design. This is the big one. Most AXS PDF tools — merge, split, compress, rotate, organize, image conversion — run 100% in your browser using WebAssembly. Your files never leave your device. There's no upload, no server-side copy, nothing to leak. See exactly how it works on our security page.
A clean, fast interface. No wall of ads in the middle of the page, no interstitials between you and your download. You drop a file, you get a result.
Free core tools, no watermark. The everyday tools are free and don't stamp your documents.
A real developer API. If you process PDFs at scale or want to automate a workflow, our developer API exposes the same tools over simple HTTP endpoints with a single API key — no separate paid add-on required to get started.
A named EU company behind it. AXS PDF is built by AXS LEARNING SRL, based in Romania (EU), operating under GDPR. You know who you're dealing with and how to reach us.
Feature comparison
| Feature | AXS PDF | Typical online tool |
|---|---|---|
| Files processed in-browser | ✅ Yes | ❌ Uploaded to a server |
| Free core tools | ✅ | ✅ |
| Watermark on free output | ❌ None | Sometimes |
| Ads on free tier | Minimal | Often heavy |
| Developer API | ✅ Included | Paid add-on |
| Made in the EU (GDPR) | ✅ | Varies |
Tool-by-tool: the equivalents you're used to
Everything you reach for on iLovePDF has a home here:
- Merge → Merge PDF
- Split → Split PDF
- Compress → Compress PDF
- Rotate → Rotate PDF
- Organize → Organize PDF (visual page editor)
- JPG to PDF → JPG to PDF
- PDF to JPG → PDF to JPG
- Page numbers → Add Page Numbers
- Watermark → Add Watermark
Office conversions (PDF to Word and back) and OCR are on the way as well.
Migrating your workflow
There's genuinely nothing to migrate. AXS PDF requires no account for the core tools, so you don't need to export anything or recreate settings. Just bookmark the tool you use most, or start from all tools. If you automate PDF tasks in code, swap your calls to our API endpoints using the demo key to test, then request a production key.
Is it really free — and safe?
Yes on both counts. The core tools are free with no watermark, and because most of them run in your browser, there's no server copy of your file to worry about. For the small number of tasks that need a server, files are processed in isolated jobs and deleted automatically within a few hours. Our full approach is documented on the security and privacy pages.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to create an account? No — core tools work without signing up.
Will my files be uploaded? For most tools, no. They're processed locally in your browser.
Can businesses use it? Yes. There's a Business plan and an API for teams and developers — see pricing.
Ready to switch? Start with Merge PDF, Compress PDF, or browse all tools. No sign-up required.