Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about PurePDF
General Questions
Does PurePDF upload my files to a server?
Compression runs locally inside your browser tab using a WebAssembly build of Ghostscript, typically reducing file size by 40–90%. Splitting, signing, protecting, and organizing are local too. Merging is the exception — it runs on our servers and files are deleted within 10 minutes. Every tool page states which applies.
Is PurePDF really free to use?
Yes. Every tool is free with no registration, no watermarks, no credit card, and no daily operation cap. There is no paid tier — the site is funded by advertising.
What is the maximum file size PurePDF can handle?
It depends on the tool, not on any plan. The Office converters accept up to 50MB, PowerPoint to PDF and HTML to PDF up to 25MB, image conversion up to 20MB, and Merge PDF up to 15MB per file across 10 files. Tools that run in your browser have no server limit at all. See the pricing page for the full table.
Technical Questions
How much can PurePDF compress a PDF file?
Typically 40–90%, depending on content. Image-heavy PDFs compress the most; text-only PDFs compress the least. Choose Extreme, Balanced, High Quality, or set a custom target size.
Which browsers work with PurePDF?
Chrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 14+, and Edge 90+. Any modern browser with JavaScript and WebAssembly support will work.
Do I need an internet connection to use PurePDF?
You need a connection to load the page. Once a browser-based tool has loaded, the processing itself runs on your device rather than over the network. The server-backed tools — Merge PDF, image conversion, and the Office converters — need a live connection to finish.
Privacy & Security
Is PurePDF safe for sensitive or confidential documents?
Most PurePDF tools — compress, split, rotate, edit, sign, watermark, and more — process files locally in your browser using WebAssembly, so those files never leave your device. A few tools (Office conversions, image conversion, multi-file merge) use secure server processing over HTTPS. Each tool page's FAQ tells you which mode it uses, so you can choose browser-only tools for your most sensitive documents.
Are my files stored anywhere after processing?
For browser-based tools, files exist only in your browser's memory and are cleared when you close the tab. For server-based conversions, files are encrypted in transit and automatically deleted from our servers within 10 minutes.
Features & Comparisons
Can PurePDF merge PDFs with different page sizes and orientations?
Yes. PurePDF preserves each page's original dimensions and orientation when merging, so landscape and portrait pages are kept exactly as-is.
How does PurePDF compare to Adobe Acrobat?
PurePDF is free, requires no installation, and runs most tools entirely in your browser. Adobe Acrobat offers deeper editing and enterprise features but requires a paid subscription. Worth knowing: PurePDF's Office conversions are themselves powered by Adobe PDF Services, so those particular files do go to Adobe.
Does PurePDF add watermarks to processed files?
Never. PurePDF adds no watermarks to any processed file — there is no paid tier and no watermark to remove.