Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Squishly VS Smallpdf

Compare Squishly VS Smallpdf and see what are their differences

Squishly logo Squishly

Free tools to compress and convert images, PDFs and video โ€” most run entirely in your browser, so your files never leave your device. No watermark, no sign-up required.

Smallpdf logo Smallpdf

PDF document management and conversion suite
  • Squishly Split images
    Split images //
    2026-08-02
  • Squishly Compress PDF
    Compress PDF //
    2026-08-02
  • Squishly Re-Color image
    Re-Color image //
    2026-08-02
  • Squishly Compress Images
    Compress Images //
    2026-08-02
  • Squishly Chat With PDF
    Chat With PDF //
    2026-08-02

Squishly is a free collection of file tools for images, PDFs and video, built to run in your browser rather than on someone else's server.

DOCUMENTS. Compress a PDF with Quick or Deep mode, or set an exact target size such as 100 KB or 1 MB โ€” useful when an upload form imposes a limit. Text stays selectable. Organise pages on a single canvas: merge several PDFs into one, split a document into separate pages, drag to reorder, and rotate or delete individual pages. Convert PDF pages to JPG or PNG, and add a text or image watermark with either a quick centred stamp or full drag-and-resize control on every page.

IMAGES. Compress JPG, PNG and WebP individually or in batches, or compress to an exact target size. Convert between formats with quality control. Resize and crop, split an image into a grid of tiles, or build a collage or photo mosaic. Remove backgrounds in one click on your device, with an HD mode for studio-quality edges. Recolour a single colour while keeping natural shading, extract text from photos and scans with OCR, and turn images into a PDF.

VIDEO. Compress clips, convert between MP4, MOV and WebM, trim to just the part you need, export to GIF, and recolour footage โ€” all on your own device.

AI DOCUMENT TOOLS. Summarise a PDF, Word or PowerPoint file into clear key points, translate a document, or ask questions and get answers drawn straight from the file. These run server-side and use credits.

The everyday tools run entirely in your browser using WebAssembly, so files are never uploaded. No queue, no upload size ceiling, no watermark on the result and no sign-up required. Every output comes with a short report showing original versus final size, dimensions and quality, so you can see exactly what was traded away.

Free to use, with a Pro plan for higher limits and monthly AI credits. Any free tool can also be embedded on your own website at no cost. The whole site is available in English and Arabic, including right-to-left layout and Arabic OCR.

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

Squishly

$ Details
freemium $8.0 / Monthly (Free tools + Pro tools $8 monthly or $6/mo billed yearly ($72))
Platforms
Web
Release Date
2026 July
Startup details
Country
Jordan
State
Amman
City
Amman

Smallpdf

$ Details
-
Platforms
-
Release Date
-

Squishly features and specs

  • PDF Compression
    Quick or Deep mode. Set an exact target size (100 KB, 500 KB, 1 MB); text stays selectable.
  • PDF organise
    Merge, split, reorder, rotate and delete pages on one canvas. Split exports a ZIP.
  • Image compression
    JPG, PNG and WebP. Batch process, or compress to an exact target size.
  • Image Conversion
    Convert between JPG, PNG and WebP with full quality control.
  • Background Removal
    One-click cut-outs on your device, plus an HD mode for studio-quality edges.
  • OCR / text extraction
    Pull text out of photos and scans. On-device, or AI mode for messy scans and Arabic.
  • Video tools
    Compress, convert between MP4/MOV/WebM, trim clips, and export to GIF.
  • Runs in your browser
    Most tools process files on your own device โ€” nothing is uploaded to a server.
  • Proof of Fidelity report
    Every result shows original vs final size, dimensions and quality, so you see the trade-off.
  • AI document tools
    Summarise, translate, or ask questions about a PDF, Word or PowerPoint file.
  • Embeddable widgets
    Embed any free tool on your own website at no cost.
  • English & Arabic
    Fully bilingual interface, including right-to-left layout and Arabic OCR.

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.

Squishly videos

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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 Squishly and Smallpdf)
PDF Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Image Tools
100 100%
0% 0
PDF Editor
0 0%
100% 100
Video Editors
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Squishly and Smallpdf.

What makes your product unique?

Squishly's answer

Three things.

Breadth: images, PDFs and video in one place, plus AI document tools. Most free alternatives do only one of those, so people end up bouncing between sites.

Where the work happens: the everyday tools โ€” compress, convert, resize, merge, split, watermark โ€” run entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. The file is never uploaded, which also means no queue and no server-imposed size cap.

Honesty about the result: every output with suitable tools comes with a short report showing exactly what changed โ€” original vs final size, dimensions, quality โ€” so you can see what you traded away instead of guessing.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Squishly's answer

People who need one file job done quickly, without installing software or creating an account.

In practice: students and job applicants fighting upload limits on portals ("PDF must be under 100 KB"), freelancers and small businesses preparing documents and product images, and office workers who can't install desktop software on a managed machine.

There's also a distinct Arabic-speaking audience across the Gulf and wider MENA region โ€” the site is fully localised, which most competitors in this space are not.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Squishly's answer

Most free file tools are single-purpose: a PDF site, an image site, a video site. Squishly covers all three, plus AI document work โ€” summarise, translate, or ask questions about a document โ€” so one bookmark replaces several.

Beyond that: no sign-up to use the free tools, no watermark on the output, no waiting queue, and no upload size ceiling, because for most tools nothing is uploaded at all.

It's also fully bilingual โ€” English and Arabic with proper right-to-left layout, including Arabic OCR โ€” which is rare in this category.

What's the story behind your product?

Squishly's answer

I build and run Squishly on my own.

It started from a small annoyance: to make a file smaller you usually have to upload it to a stranger's server, wait in a queue, and then find a watermark on the result โ€” or be asked to create an account first. For a private document, that's a lot to accept for something the browser can already do by itself.

So I built the opposite. The file stays on your device wherever possible, every result shows honestly what changed, and the everyday tools stay free with no watermark and no sign-up. Server-side and AI features exist where a server is genuinely needed, and they're clearly labelled.

Being independent is also why it's bilingual in English and Arabic from the start, with proper right-to-left layout โ€” not added later as an afterthought.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Squishly's answer

The front end is React with TypeScript and Tailwind CSS.

The interesting part is client-side: the heavy processing runs in the browser via WebAssembly. That's what makes it possible to compress, convert and edit without uploading โ€” video encoding, PDF manipulation, OCR and background removal all run on your own device.

Accounts and payments use established third-party providers rather than anything home-grown, and the site is bilingual end to end.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

Squishly's answer

Squishly is a free consumer tool used by individuals and small teams rather than named enterprise accounts, so we don't publish a customer list.

User comments

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Reviews

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

Squishly Reviews

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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 more popular. 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.

Squishly mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Squishly yet. Tracking of Squishly recommendations started around Aug 2026.

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 Squishly and Smallpdf, you can also consider the following products

iLovePDF - Premium online PDF tool set

TinyPNG - Make your website faster and save bandwidth. TinyPNG optimizes your PNG images by 50-80% while preserving full transparency!

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.

Squoosh - Compress and compare images with different codecs, right in your browser

Sejda - Split, merge and other powerful PDF tools.

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