Best PDF Converters (2026): 10 Tools Compared

Somebody sends you a contract as a PDF and you need it in Word. A supplier wants your invoice as a PDF, but all you've got is a spreadsheet. Converting files is one of those small jobs that eats ten minutes if you pick the wrong tool, and it's easy to end up uploading a private document to a site you know nothing about.

Here's a list of ten PDF converters, in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Two or three are familiar names and the rest are smaller or more specialised. I've taken every description from each tool's own website, so check the current details on each site before you upload anything sensitive. If you also need to change what's inside a document, my notes on why PDFs matter for business give some useful background.

PDF converters at a glance

In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free plan or free use you can try without taking out a subscription. Free use almost always has limits, such as the number of files a day, the file size or the pages you can process, so check those against your own jobs.

Tool	Type	Good for	Free plan
CloudConvert	File converter	Documents, images, audio and video	Yes
iLovePDF	Online PDF suite	Converting, merging and splitting PDFs	Yes
PDF Candy	Online PDF tools	Quick one-off PDF conversions	Yes
PDF24 Tools	Online and offline PDF tools	Browser tools or offline Windows use	Yes
PDF2Go	Online converter	Converting and editing in the browser	Yes
PDFgear	PDF editor and converter	Desktop, web and mobile PDF work	Yes
Sejda	Online and desktop PDF tools	Editing and converting without signing up	Yes
Smallpdf	Online PDF suite	Converting, signing and compressing	Yes
Xodo	PDF converter and suite	Converting PDFs to Office formats	Yes
Zamzar	File converter	Documents, ebooks, images and media	Yes

Ten PDF converters for everyday business files

CloudConvert

Best for: People who convert many file types, not only PDFs, and want one converter to cover them.

iLovePDF

Best for: Anyone who wants a long menu of simple PDF actions in the browser, plus desktop and mobile apps.

PDF Candy

Best for: Occasional users who want a big set of single-purpose converters without installing anything.

PDF24 Tools

Best for: Owners who'd like the option of converting on their own computer, so files stay local.

PDF2Go

Best for: Small teams who want a browser converter that also offers editing, compression and a workspace.

PDFgear

Best for: People who'd like an editor and a converter in one app across computer, web and phone.

Sejda

Best for: Anyone who prefers to try tools without creating an account and has smaller jobs.

Smallpdf

Best for: Owners who want a tidy set of document tools, including signing, from a well-known name.

Xodo

Best for: Teams who sometimes need to turn PDFs into Word, Excel or HTML and manage signatures too.

Zamzar

Best for: Casual users who convert a mix of document and media formats and don't want a PDF-only tool.

How to choose a PDF converter

A converter that handles a one-page invoice may fall over on a long report with tables, so think about the files you convert most often.

• Formats. List the formats you really need, such as PDF to Word, Excel to PDF or images to PDF, and check that the tool covers them.
• Layout quality. Convert a typical document and compare the result with the original. Tables, columns and fonts are where converters struggle.
• Scanned pages. A scan is a picture of text. If you need to edit it, look for text recognition, often called OCR.
• File limits. Free use usually caps size, pages or the number of jobs each day. Match that to your busiest week.
• Where files go. Online tools upload your document to a server. Offline tools keep it on your own computer.
• Extras. Merging, splitting, compressing and signing are handy if you do them often.

Online or offline PDF converting: which suits you?

Online converters are quick, need no install and work on any device. The trade-off is that your file travels to someone else's server. Offline software stays on your computer, which is gentler on privacy but takes a minute to set up. A few tools on this list offer both, so you can choose by document.

For anything with customer details, bank information or contract terms, I'd lean towards offline or towards a tool that says clearly how long it keeps files and who can see them. That's a general habit that applies to every tool on this page.

A privacy note before you upload a document

Read the privacy page and terms of any converter before you upload something sensitive. Look for how long files are stored, whether they're deleted automatically and whether the tool says it uses uploads for anything else. If a document includes personal data about customers or staff, UK GDPR may apply to how you handle it, so check the official guidance for your own situation. This isn't legal advice.

Questions to ask before you settle on a PDF converter

• Does it handle my usual formats, including Office files and images?
• What's the daily or monthly limit on the free option?
• Will it convert scanned pages into editable text?
• Can I delete my files straight away after converting?
• Does it work well on my phone as well as my computer?
• What happens to the layout when a document has tables or columns?

If you'd like a wider view of tools that save time, my guide to productivity tools worth your time covers how to judge them.

Why a smaller PDF converter can be a smart pick

Smaller PDF tools tend to do a handful of jobs and do them quickly. Some are open about how they store files, and some give you an offline option. The usual caution applies: check that the site is still being updated, read the terms and test it on a harmless document first.

Do you make a PDF converter or document tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Trying out your shortlist of PDF converters

Pick two or three and convert the same awkward file in each, such as a report with a table and a logo. Compare the layout, the time it took and how clearly the site explains its limits. Keep the one that gets closest to your original and note anything you'd like to ask the maker.

Frequently asked questions

What's the easiest way to convert a PDF to Word?

Use an online converter or a desktop PDF editor that exports to Word. Upload the file, choose the output format and download the result. Check the layout afterwards, especially tables and columns.

Are free PDF converters safe?

It depends on the tool. Read the privacy page, check how long files are stored and avoid uploading sensitive documents unless you're comfortable with the terms. Offline software keeps files on your own computer.

Can a converter turn a scanned PDF into editable text?

Some can, using text recognition, often called OCR. If you've got scanned pages, check that the tool offers it before you rely on it.

Will my formatting survive the conversion?

Simple documents usually convert well, while complex layouts with tables, columns or special fonts may need tidying. Test with a typical file before you commit to a tool.

Do I need to create an account to convert a PDF?

Often not for a quick job, but some tools ask you to sign up once you pass a daily limit. Check each site's current rules.