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Smallpdf VS Quad9

Compare Smallpdf VS Quad9 and see what are their differences

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Smallpdf logo Smallpdf

PDF document management and conversion suite

Quad9 logo Quad9

Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform that provides end users robust security protections, high-performance, and privacy.
  • Smallpdf Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-21
  • Quad9 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-24

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.

Quad9 features and specs

  • Privacy-Focused
    Quad9 does not store any personal data about users and maintains a stringent privacy policy, ensuring that your DNS queries are not tracked or sold to third parties.
  • Security
    Quad9 provides robust security features by blocking access to known malicious domains, which helps protect users from phishing, malware, and other online threats.
  • Performance
    With a global network of servers, Quad9 offers fast DNS resolution, which can contribute to quicker website load times and improved overall internet browsing experience.
  • Easy to Set Up
    Changing your DNS to Quad9 is straightforward and can be easily configured on most devices without requiring technical expertise.
  • Free Service
    Quad9 offers its DNS services free of charge, making it an accessible option for anyone looking to improve their online privacy and security without additional costs.

Possible disadvantages of Quad9

  • Limited Customization
    Quad9 does not offer as many customization options as some competing services, which may be a drawback for advanced users looking for more control over their DNS settings.
  • Possible Geolocation Issues
    Using a global DNS resolver like Quad9 can sometimes lead to geolocation issues, where content or services are delivered based on server location rather than user location.
  • Not as Established
    Quad9 is a relatively new entrant in the DNS space compared to longstanding providers like Google Public DNS and OpenDNS, which might make some users hesitant.
  • Dependency on Upstream Filters
    Quad9's security filtering relies on upstream threat intelligence providers. Therefore, the comprehensiveness of the protection is dependent on the accuracy and timeliness of these third-party sources.

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 Quad9

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Quad9 is generally considered a good DNS service.

Why this product is good

  • Quad9 offers a DNS service that prioritizes security, privacy, and performance. It blocks known malicious domains using threat intelligence from multiple sources, enhancing cybersecurity for its users. Additionally, Quad9 respects user privacy by not logging or selling personal data.

Recommended for

  • Individuals and organizations seeking enhanced security against phishing and malware.
  • Users concerned about privacy and looking for a DNS provider that respects these values.
  • Anyone needing a reliable and fast DNS resolver for their internet activities.
  • IT administrators interested in a robust, secure DNS solution for networks.

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

Quad9 videos

+ Add

Quad9 9.9.9.9 VS Google 8.8.8.8 Benchmark Testing & Keeping Your Computer safer with Quad9 DNS

More videos:

  • Review - Quad9 on PS4!! DNS Settings 9.9.9.9 (My Review)
  • Review - Keep your data and computer safe with Quad9
  • Review - Here's Why DNS Matters w/ John Todd from Quad9

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Smallpdf and Quad9)

Smallpdf

Quad9

PDF Tools
100 100%
PDF Tools
0% 0
DNS
0 0%
DNS
100% 100
PDF Editor
100 100%
PDF Editor
0% 0
Security & Privacy
0 0%
Security & Privacy
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Smallpdf and Quad9. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Smallpdf and Quad9

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.cloud’s reliability—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

Quad9 Reviews

Best DNS servers of 2022: Boost your internet speed with these free, public services
The company sells itself on its ability to block malicious domains by collecting intelligence from 'a variety of public and private sources.' It's not clear what these sources are, but the website says Quad9 used 18+ 'threat intelligence providers' as of December 2018.
Source: www.techradar.com
Best DNS Servers to Use for Free in 2022
As the name Quad9 suggests, their primary DNS is 9.9.9.9. Quad9’s DNS is fairly easy to remember as the name indicates. Quad9 focuses on security, performance, privacy, and speed. Though it may not be the fastest DNS, it surely is one of the best DNS servers. Quad9 was built on the factor of security, focusing mainly on protecting its users
Source: jv16powertools.com
Best free DNS servers: 14 options to check out
Quad9 emphasizes security, privacy and performance — the company was founded on the goal to make the internet safer for everyone. It blocks malicious domains, phishing and malware while maintaining your anonymity. Quad9 is constantly expanding to new regions. Right now, it comes in at No. 8 on the DNS Performance Analytics and Comparison ratings.
Source: www.allconnect.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Quad9 might be a bit more popular than Smallpdf. We know about 49 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 — 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 / 9 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 I‘ve used it occasionally and it has always worked really well. When I was running an agency, we inherited their first office – 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 — 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

Quad9 mentions (49)

  • The Great DNS Trail
    So assuming the answer to a query of what something like dev.to is mainly starts at the locally designated DNS servers. This will most likely be your ISP but it's not uncommon to utilize public DNS servers such as Quad9, Google, and Cloud Flare. Public DNS servers were popularized after "certain ISPs" decided that showing ad littered pages for unknown domains was a good idea. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • AT&T Paid a Hacker $370k to Delete Stolen Phone Records
    Maybe consider using https://quad9.net for DNS? It's nice having archive.today work. Otherwise you can always copy/paste the link to TFA into https://archive.org. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Information Security Best Practices
    Automate everything. Use a password manager, enable automatic updates, use DNS malware filtering at router level (Free with https://quad9.net ). Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Firefox has surpassed Chrome on Speedometer
    Depends on your region and what sites you're using. I live in the middle of nowhere far from civilization, and 1.1.1.1 returns terrible IPs for many sites including google.com (which pings at 350-400 ms if you resolve it through 1.1.1.1, but at 90-100 ms if you're using any other resolver). They do it because they block EDNS0 in order to protect your privacy or something like that. So I use 8.8.8.8 and 9.9.9.9 in... - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • 96 ms to a DNS server OK?
    9.9.9.9 is run by Quad9. They’re more privacy oriented, afaik. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Smallpdf and Quad9, you can also consider the following products

iLovePDF - Premium online PDF tool set

NextDNS - Block ads, trackers and malicious websites on all your devices.

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.

1.1.1.1 - The free app that makes your Internet safer.

Sejda - Split, merge and other powerful PDF tools.

OpenDNS - OpenDNS provides faster and safer Internet access for your home or Business.

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