Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups
Register | Login

Smallpdf VS LightShot

Compare Smallpdf VS LightShot and see what are their differences

ScreenSnap Pro
Stop sharing plain, boring screenshots. Add stunning backgrounds, pro annotations, and instant cloud links โ€” all in one click. Pay once, own it forever. featured
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.
Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

Smallpdf logo Smallpdf

PDF document management and conversion suite

LightShot logo LightShot

The fastest way to take a customizable screenshot.
  • Smallpdf Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-21
  • LightShot Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-26

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.

LightShot features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    LightShot provides a user-friendly interface that allows users to take screenshots quickly with minimal effort.
  • Editing Tools
    The app includes built-in editing tools that allow users to annotate, highlight, and make quick adjustments to their screenshots immediately after capturing them.
  • Cloud Storage
    LightShot offers the option to upload screenshots to the cloud, making them accessible from any device and easy to share via a link.
  • Speed
    The application runs smoothly and captures screenshots very quickly, making it efficient for users who need rapid results.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    LightShot is available for both Windows and Mac, providing flexibility for users operating on different platforms.
  • Free to Use
    The application is free to download and use, making it accessible to users without any financial investment.

Possible disadvantages of LightShot

  • Limited Advanced Features
    While LightShot offers basic editing tools, it lacks more advanced features and options found in more comprehensive screenshot and image editing software.
  • Security Concerns
    Storing screenshots in the cloud can potentially raise security and privacy issues, as sensitive information could be exposed if the cloud storage is compromised.
  • Dependency on Internet
    The cloud upload feature depends on an internet connection, which can be inconvenient for users who need to share screenshots while offline.
  • Ads
    The free version of LightShot may contain ads, which can be distracting and detract from the user experience.
  • Lack of Integrations
    LightShot lacks integration with other productivity tools and services, limiting its utility for users who need seamless workflows with their existing software.
  • Platform Limitation
    LightShot does not support mobile platforms, so users cannot utilize the tool on smartphones or tablets.

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.

Analysis of LightShot

Overall verdict

  • Overall, LightShot is a reliable and effective screen capture tool that meets the needs of most users looking for a simple solution. However, some users may prefer more advanced features available in other applications if they have specific needs.

Why this product is good

  • LightShot is considered good because it is user-friendly and allows for quick screen captures with minimal effort. It offers different annotation tools, easy uploading options to share links quickly, and is compatible with multiple operating systems. Many users find it efficient for collaborative work or simply for personal use due to its straightforward interface and functionality.

Recommended for

  • Casual users looking for a quick and easy way to take screenshots.
  • Professionals who need to share visual information rapidly.
  • Teams that require a collaborative tool for quick feedback through annotated screenshots.

Smallpdf videos

+ Add

smallpdf tutorial video

More videos:

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

LightShot videos

+ Add

How to Take Screenshots Fast with Lightshot on Windows & Mac

More videos:

  • Review - [HD] Google Chrome Extension Review : Lightshot
  • Tutorial - How to Take Screenshots Fast with Lightshot | lightshot review Hindi

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Smallpdf and LightShot)

Smallpdf

LightShot

PDF Tools
100 100%
PDF Tools
0% 0
Screenshot Annotation
0 0%
Screenshot Annotation
100% 100
PDF Converter
100 100%
PDF Converter
0% 0
Screenshots
0 0%
Screenshots
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Smallpdf and LightShot. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

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.
Source: universalfiletools.com
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.
Source: pdf-converter.ai
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.
Source: www.lifewire.com

LightShot Reviews

Keeping Mac Screenshots Simple and Helpful
Lightshot: Perfect if you want to share a link fast. It handles capturing and minimal edits, making it suitable for daily communication.
Source: medium.com
5 Best Screenshot Tools for Mac in 2024 (Free & Paid)
In conclusion, these five screenshot apps for Mac offer a range of features to cater to different user needs. Xnapper stands out as the best all-in-one screenshot tool with its automatic beautification and screen recording capabilities. CleanShot X and Snagit are feature-rich and ideal for professionals, while Lightshot is perfect for users who prefer a simple free...
Source: storychief.io
The best screenshot tools for Mac
Users can enjoy added convenience by setting a shortcut key for the tool to activate. Sharing is quite effortless โ€” once you upload your capture on the LightShot server, you receive a direct link that you can share with others. The LightShot website also offers simple tutorials for users to get a grasp of the tool.
Source: www.techradar.com
Top 13 Free Snagit Alternatives For 2021
Lightshot is yet another free software like Snagit (well, besides the โ€˜freeโ€™ part obviously). Lightshot, available in Google Chrome Web Store , is a browser extension app that not only allows you to easily take a screenshot, but allows you to upload it to the server and creates a short link, similar to Screenrec .
Source: screenrec.com
15 Best Snagit Alternatives in 2020
Lightshot is screen capture tool allows you to take a screenshot quickly. It allows the user to take a screenshot of a selected area which can be resized or moved without any hassle.
Source: www.guru99.com

Social recommendations and mentions

LightShot might be a bit more popular than Smallpdf. We know about 48 links to it since March 2021 and only 38 links to Smallpdf. 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.

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 / 7 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: about 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: about 3 years ago
View more

LightShot mentions (48)

  • Im curious
    Okay...from now on as soon as I see someone that takes hoi4 pics with PHONE I'm gonna give them this... https://app.prntscr.com/en/index.html download this shit and never use your phone to take pics of your monitor... Source: about 3 years ago
  • Crispy ship after being directly beside a reactor failure ๐ŸคŒ
    Https://app.prntscr.com/en/index.html Do yourself a favor and get a screenshot tool and display your freshly crisped ships in full quality. Source: about 3 years ago
  • underrated internet โ€œhacksโ€
    You can use Lightshot Screenshot in Mac and Windows. Https://app.prntscr.com/en/index.html. Source: about 3 years ago
  • If you use print screen for captures for any reason.
    I came across this tool a few days ago and its pretty awesome so I just wanted to share, im sure there are others out there but for thoes that don't have and could use it's called Farlight. It lets you take a customizable screenshot with a border drag feature and save just the area you want to capture. Before I was using print screen and had to load it in gimp to crop it and scale it to size. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Screenshots from phone cameras are now banned.
    I highly recommend LightShot for Mac and Windows. It lets you choose which part of the screen to capture and adjust if you messed up; save or clipboard it; and doodle, add arrows, highlight, and add text without having to bring it into Paint first! Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

iLovePDF - Premium online PDF tool set

Greenshot - Greenshot is a free and open source screenshot tool that allows annotation and highlighting using the built-in image editor.

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.

ShareX - ShareX is a free and open source program that lets you capture or record any area of your screen...

Sejda - Split, merge and other powerful PDF tools.

Snagit - Screen Capture Software for Windows and Mac

Loading...