Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Smallpdf VS Notarize

Compare Smallpdf VS Notarize and see what are their differences

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Smallpdf logo Smallpdf

PDF document management and conversion suite

Notarize logo Notarize

Notarize is an on-demand remote electronic notary service that allows anyone to legally notarize a document from their iPhone 24x7.
  • Smallpdf Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-21
  • Notarize Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-14

Notarize

Release Date
2015 January
Startup details
Country
United States
City
Boston
Founder(s)
Adam Pase
Employees
100 - 249

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.

Notarize features and specs

  • Convenience
    Notarize allows users to get documents notarized online 24/7, eliminating the need to visit a notary in person and offering flexibility in scheduling.
  • Wide Accessibility
    The platform is available nationwide in the United States, making it accessible to a large number of users who need notarization services.
  • Security
    Notarize employs robust security measures, including encryption and identity verification, to ensure that transactions are secure and compliant with legal standards.
  • Time-Saving
    The process of notarization is significantly quicker compared to traditional in-person methods, saving time for both individuals and businesses.
  • Integration
    Notarize can be integrated with other platforms and services, which can be beneficial for businesses looking to streamline their document workflows.

Possible disadvantages of Notarize

  • Cost
    Using Notarize might be more expensive than visiting a local notary, especially for those who need frequent notarial services.
  • Internet Dependency
    Notarize requires a stable internet connection, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity or for individuals without reliable internet access.
  • State Limitations
    Not all states support online notarization for all types of documents, which could limit the service's applicability for certain legal documents.
  • Technology Barriers
    Some users might face challenges if they're not comfortable using technology or online platforms, potentially making the process less accessible.
  • Identity Verification Discomfort
    The online identity verification process, which may involve uploading identification documents and being recorded on video, could be uncomfortable for some users.

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.

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

Notarize videos

How Online Notarization Works Using Notarize

More videos:

  • Review - Notarize for Mortgage - How it Works
  • Review - Notarize for Mortgage
  • Review - A Full Online Closing Using Notarize
  • Review - Notarize: I signed and notarized a document in 5 minutes

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Smallpdf and Notarize)
PDF Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Legal
0 0%
100% 100
PDF Converter
100 100%
0% 0
Notary
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

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.

Notarize Reviews

We have no reviews of Notarize yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Smallpdf should be more popular than Notarize. It has been mentiond 38 times since March 2021. 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: over 3 years ago
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Notarize mentions (23)

  • My experience trying to find a decent RON
    Notarize.com: Promised multi-location notarization but software was not capable of doing it. They did not alert me to that limitation until I was part way through the process. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Title company requiring signature of ex-wife's new husband
    The company I've worked with the most is notarize.com, maybe your settlement company can do this, or you can find another local notary company that provides the service. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Can someone in Virginia notarize something for me?
    I haven't had much time to go out to get something notarized, so I did the online notary with notarize.com via camera. The notary was in Virginia. The document is for a name change in Seminole County. Is this allowed? Source: over 3 years ago
  • Flying in a few hours with my nephew
    This is no longer useful (hope things went smoothly), but notarize.com is $25 I think and you can get a notarization done online in a couple of minutes. My understanding is that online notarizations are valid in most if not all states (it's worked for me anytime I've used it), but I'm not a lawyer! Source: over 3 years ago
  • Buy your trust through National Gun Trusts!
    Notarize.com you can get anything notarized and not leave your office chair for 25 dollars. Source: over 3 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

iLovePDF - Premium online PDF tool set

Playhouse - TikTok for real estate

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.

NotaryCam - eSign and eNotarize Documents OnlineWe provide a secure and legal service to notarize your documents in an online session with our licensed and professionally certified notaries.

Sejda - Split, merge and other powerful PDF tools.

PandaDoc Notary - Legally sign and notarize documents 100% online- Reduce fraud with secure ID verification- Trace every notarial transaction with audio-visual session recordings and cloud-based electronic journaling