Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

FILExt VS Smallpdf

Compare FILExt VS Smallpdf and see what are their differences

FILExt logo FILExt

Open, view and convert files online

Smallpdf logo Smallpdf

PDF document management and conversion suite
  • FILExt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-06-22

FILExt is one of the oldest and most respected collections of file formats and file extensions. Over the past 20 years, more than 50 million users have found the right information and tools to open any file on their computer or smartphone. Our knowledge gathered during this period is regularly reviewed and updated. Tom Simondi first provided this information in 2000 as a free online resource for the Internet community.

FILExt is committed to helping users to identify, access, open, view or convert unknown files. To this end we provide FILExt free to all computers and smartphone users. FILExt has been mentioned in many books over the years. It is used and recommended by experts around the world as a source of information about file extensions, including: from the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, PC World, Lifehacker, Oracle and Microsoft.

  • Smallpdf Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-21

FILExt

Website
filext.com
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
free
Release Date
2000 June

FILExt features and specs

  • Extensive Database
    FILExt offers a comprehensive database of file extensions and associated programs. This is useful for users who need to identify or understand specific file types.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The website features an easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users of all technical levels to find information about file extensions quickly.
  • Regularly Updated
    The database is regularly updated to include new file types and extensions, ensuring that users have access to the most current information.
  • Free Access
    FILExt provides this vast array of information for free, allowing users to access necessary data without any financial commitment.

Smallpdf features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Smallpdf provides a clean, intuitive, and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users of all technical levels.
  • Wide Range of Tools
    Offers a variety of tools for PDF editing, including compressing, merging, splitting, and converting PDFs to other formats.
  • Cloud Integration
    Seamlessly integrates with cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox, allowing users to work directly with their files stored online.
  • Security
    Utilizes strong encryption and deletes files from their servers after one hour, ensuring user data is kept secure and private.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Accessible from various devices including desktops, tablets, and smartphones with responsive web design.
  • Free Tier
    Provides a free tier with limited features, which is suitable for occasional or basic users.

Possible disadvantages of Smallpdf

  • Limited Free Features
    The free version only allows for two tasks per day and places restrictions on larger files and advanced features, leading to potential inconvenience for frequent users.
  • Subscription Cost
    The premium subscription can be considered expensive for some users, particularly those who only need occasional PDF edits.
  • File Size Limit
    Even with a premium subscription, there are restrictions on the maximum file size that can be uploaded and processed.
  • Internet Dependence
    Requires an active internet connection to use most of its features, which can be a limitation for users with unreliable or slow connectivity.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Despite strong encryption, some users may still have reservations about uploading sensitive documents to an online service.
  • Limited Customization
    The range of customization options for certain tools may be limited compared to more specialized PDF software.

Analysis of Smallpdf

Overall verdict

  • Smallpdf is a reliable and efficient tool for managing PDF documents, suitable for both casual users and professionals. Its combination of versatility, ease of use, and security features makes it a strong contender in the realm of online PDF services.

Why this product is good

  • Smallpdf is considered good because it offers a wide range of PDF tools that are easy to use and accessible online. It provides functionalities such as PDF conversion, compression, editing, and signing, all within a user-friendly interface. This makes it an ideal choice for both individuals and businesses looking for efficient document management solutions. Additionally, it emphasizes security by ensuring encrypted file transfers, which is crucial for handling sensitive information.

Recommended for

  • Individuals who frequently work with PDFs and need a straightforward tool for conversions, compressions, or edits.
  • Students who need to annotate and organize their study materials in a PDF format.
  • Professionals who require a reliable tool for signing documents and collaborating with team members remotely.
  • Businesses looking for secure document management solutions with the flexibility of online access.

FILExt videos

No FILExt videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Smallpdf videos

smallpdf tutorial video

More videos:

  • Review - Smallpdf Review
  • Tutorial - Smallpdf | How to do Unlimited Free Conversions ? | Hack for Smallpdf | Bypass limit of 2 conversion

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FILExt and Smallpdf)
File Converter
100 100%
0% 0
PDF Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Video Converter
100 100%
0% 0
PDF Editor
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing FILExt and Smallpdf.

What makes your product unique?

FILExt's answer

FILExt.com is a specialized online resource that provides comprehensive information about file extensions and the software applications associated with them. What makes FILExt.com unique is its extensive and meticulously curated database of file extension information, which serves as a valuable tool for users trying to identify unknown file types or seeking compatible software to open specific files.

Key Features That Make FILExt.com Unique:

  1. Extensive Database: FILExt.com boasts one of the largest collections of file extension information available online, covering a wide range of file types across various platforms and industries.

  2. Detailed Information: Each entry includes detailed descriptions of the file type, its purpose, and the software programs that can open, edit, or convert the file, providing users with actionable information.

  3. User-Friendly Interface: The website is designed for easy navigation, allowing users to search for file extensions alphabetically or use a search function to find specific file types quickly.

  4. Regular Updates: The database is continually updated to include new file extensions and software applications, ensuring that the information remains current and relevant.

  5. Community Engagement: FILExt.com often incorporates user contributions, allowing individuals to submit new information or corrections, which helps maintain the accuracy and breadth of the database.

  6. Educational Resources: Beyond just listing file extensions, FILExt.com may offer articles and guides that educate users on how to handle different file types, troubleshoot issues, and understand the nuances of file compatibility.

By focusing exclusively on file extensions and their associated applications, FILExt.com provides a niche but essential service that assists users in navigating the complexities of various file formats, making it a unique and valuable resource on the internet.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

FILExt's answer

FILExt.com provides a comprehensive and up-to-date database of file extensions with reliable information on how to open them, making it a user-friendly choice over its competitors.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

FILExt's answer

The primary audience of FILExt.com is users seeking information about unknown or unfamiliar file extensions, including how to open, use, or convert files with those extensions.

What's the story behind your product?

FILExt's answer

FILExt was established in 2000 by Tom Simondi in California and is now based in the heart of Europe. In the 1990s, Tom Simondi worked mainly in computer support, sharing his knowledge with the Internet community. A single file extension page on 'Computer Knowledge' became particularly popular, because this website contained not only the appropriate description but also links to the software manufacturers. PC Magazine has selected Tom's file extension site as one of their Best 100 Undiscovered Sites. Microsoft became aware of this website and integrated it into Windows XP. When XP tried to open a file it did not know how to open it gave the user the option of choosing a local program or go to the Internet to find the answer. The second option resulted in Tom's file extension research page. Due to the great response to this single web page, FILExt.com was launched in 2001.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

FILExt's answer

FILExt.com primarily uses Microsoft technologies like ASP.NET for its server-side scripting.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

FILExt's answer

Some of FILExt's biggest customers are Fortune Global 500 companies.

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare FILExt and Smallpdf

FILExt Reviews

  1. Great online tool to look into files

    Better than Apache Tika's File Analyzer. The Filext online viewer shows any text found in a uploaded files. thousands of file types are previewed.

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: FileInfo.com, Convertio

Smallpdf Reviews

Best Free Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat in 2026
Smallpdf is a well-known online PDF platform with a clean interface. It works entirely in the browser and integrates with Google Drive and Dropbox, making it convenient if you store files in the cloud. The free tier limits you to two tasks per hour and adds a watermark on some output files. Files are uploaded to Smallpdf's servers for processing.
Best Online Image Converters in 2026: Docpose.cloud Leads the Pack
Users highlight Docpose.cloudโ€™s reliabilityโ€”no failed conversions even on rare formats. CloudConvert gets praise for quality tweaks but frustrates with daily resets. iLoveIMG is loved for extras like AI, but free limits irk. Smallpdf suits PDF-image hybrids, less pure images. Convertio is straightforward but caps freebies quick.
Source: fileproinfo.com
Ever wondered why bank statements are always in PDF?
Platforms like iLovePDF and Smallpdf are among the most popular choices. They do a decent job for simple PDFs, but I quickly realized a few issues:
Source: medium.com
Top 10 PDF Converters for converting to or from PDF effortlessly
Smallpdf is one of the most well-known PDF converter tools online. Offering a simple, user-friendly interface, it allows users to convert files to and from PDF without any hassle. Smallpdf supports over 18 file types and integrates with Google Drive and Dropbox for easy cloud storage access.
The 13 Best Free PDF Editors (February 2024)
One of the quickest ways to add images, text, shapes, or your signature to a PDF is with Smallpdf. I find it extremely easy to use for those things, but I opt for one of the editors that top this list if I need to edit the text because this one won't do it for free.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Smallpdf seems to be a lot more popular than FILExt. While we know about 38 links to Smallpdf, we've tracked only 2 mentions of FILExt. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

FILExt mentions (2)

  • how do you open or use .bin files as in to edit the contents or something similar to that
    Use https://filext.com to determine what kind of file it is, because some extensions are used for multiple file types. For example it can be used on DVDs as part of an automatic launching, as a form of executable file refered to as Binaries as they are made up machine language binary info in Windows, or data files stored in raw binary on some other OS's or as a part of a portable app. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Need help decompiling AITD : The New Nightmare
    I can't figure out the ones without the filetype The VRM files are probably VR Model files, which you can learn more about here: https://vrm.dev/en/ Howeveer, the VRM files also say that they are gzip compressed, and I can't figure out anything about the the contents of that file. In general, this website, where you can upload the file and it will give you info on the file is a decent resource.... Source: over 4 years ago

Smallpdf mentions (38)

  • OpenDataLoader: Safe, Open, High-Performance โ€” PDF for AI
    According to statistics from smallpdf.com, by 2025, there will be a massive 2.5 trillion PDF documents stored worldwide, and 290 billion new PDF documents will be created every year. - Source: dev.to / 8 months ago
  • Stirling-PDF: local web application to perform various operations on PDFs
    Smallpdf [1] probably deserves a mention here. Not OSS and not self-hosted, but Iโ€˜ve used it occasionally and it has always worked really well. When I was running an agency, we inherited their first office โ€“ very cool folks. [1] https://smallpdf.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Looking fore college ruled template to print
    And use this one to merge two single-page pdf to make a double side page. Source: over 2 years ago
  • PDF to Excel without O365/Adobe Acrobat?
    I don't have Office 365 for the "Get Data" option, nor do I have Adobe Acrobat. I've tried the smallpdf website but it came out a mess, possibly because my original spreadsheet had highlighted rows and lots of text in some of the cells. Source: over 3 years ago
  • 5 tips to improve your SaaS user onboarding
    Examples of companies doing this well: - SmallPDF users can convert or compress a limited number of files without an account โ€” turning users into advocates and customers once paid use cases comes along; - Freshline uses interactive product demos to help users self-educate and understand the value of their features, without a paywall or registration;. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing FILExt and Smallpdf, you can also consider the following products

Convertio - File Conversion in the Cloud

iLovePDF - Premium online PDF tool set

CloudConvert - convert anything to anything - more than 200 different audio, video, document, ebook, archive, image, spreadsheet and presentation formats supported.

Adobe Acrobat DC - Make your job easier with Adobe Acrobat DC, the trusted PDF creator. Use Acrobat to convert, edit and sign PDF files at your desk or on the go.

Sejda - Split, merge and other powerful PDF tools.

Online Convert - Convert files like images, video, documents, audio and more to other formats with this free and fast online converter.