iLovePDF is one of the best known free PDF websites. DocPro is a smaller web app that runs its tools in your browser. This comparison is written by DocPro, so read it with that in mind. We have based every statement about iLovePDF on its own pages, and we say where it is the better choice. Figures are as of October 2026 and may have changed.
The short version
- Choose DocPro when you want to process a file without it leaving your device, and you need common jobs such as merge, split, compress, convert or OCR.
- Choose iLovePDF when you want the widest toolbox, apps for desktop and phone, or features such as digital signature workflows and teams.
Where your file is processed
This is the main difference. iLovePDF is an online service: you upload a file, its servers process it and you download the result. Its own help pages say uploaded documents are automatically deleted within two hours, and you can delete a file immediately after a task. It describes its servers as secured under European legislation and uses HTTPS for transfer.
DocPro processes files in your browser using JavaScript and WebAssembly. The file is read from your device, the result is built in the browser and it is saved back to your device. Nothing is sent to a server, so there is no retention period to rely on. That is the whole of the privacy argument, and it matters most for documents such as IDs, tax forms and contracts. The on-device explainer covers how this works.
For a restaurant menu or a public brochure, the difference hardly matters. For a passport scan it might.
Tools and features
iLovePDF lists more tools than DocPro. Beyond the basics, its pricing page names tools such as Edit PDF, Redact PDF, Compare PDF, Repair PDF, PDF to PDF/A, Sign PDF, forms, AI summarizer and translation. Some are limited or paid.
DocPro has 38 web tools: merge, split, compress, organize pages, rotate and reorder, watermark, page numbers, crop, flatten, grayscale, annotate, images to PDF, PDF to images, PDF to Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Word and Excel to PDF, OCR, password protect and unlock, metadata removal, an image editor, and passport photos. It does not edit existing PDF text, redact or build forms, and it has no PDF/A or camera scanning on the web.
Free plan and pricing
DocPro: all web tools are free with no account, except Sign PDF and the signature vault, which are DocPro Pro at A$5.99 a month after a 7-day free trial.
iLovePDF: the free plan is web only, with a limited tool set, batch limits and ads. Its pricing page lists example free file size limits such as 100 MB for merging and 200 MB for compressing, and 15 MB for converting between PDF and Office formats. Premium was listed at US$5 a month billed annually, or US$9 billed monthly, and adds all tools, larger limits, no ads, and the desktop and mobile apps. Business plans are quoted on request.
If you convert PDFs to Word on iLovePDF's free plan, check that your file fits under the free limit. DocPro's tools list limits around very large files too, mostly tied to your device's memory, with about 300 MB mentioned for several tools.
Apps and platforms
This is a clear win for iLovePDF. It offers a desktop app for Mac and Windows and a mobile app for iOS and Android, so you can work in an installed app. DocPro is a web app that can be installed as a PWA and works offline after the first visit. It has no desktop app, and the Android app is coming soon but is not released.
Signing
DocPro's Sign PDF places an image of your signature on the page. It is not a certificate-based signature, and it is a Pro feature. iLovePDF lists signing and, in Premium, digital signatures and workflows. If you need signatures from other people or an audit trail, iLovePDF or a dedicated e-signature service is the better fit. DocPro does not have request signature on the web.
Quality of conversions and compression
Neither tool does miracles. DocPro's PDF to Word rebuilds paragraphs from the text in the file, so complex layouts can shift. DocPro's Compress PDF re-saves each page as an image, which makes files smaller but removes selectable text. If you need to keep the text layer while shrinking, test the result first or try a tool that offers that mode. iLovePDF's results depend on the tool and plan, and we have not benchmarked them, so try each with a sample file.
Bottom line: which should you pick?
Pick DocPro if privacy is the main concern, if you do not want to create an account or hit daily limits, or if you are on a shared computer and want nothing uploaded. Pick iLovePDF if you want the biggest toolbox, regular desktop or mobile apps, redaction, form tools or team features, and you are comfortable with files being uploaded and deleted after the time it states.
You do not have to choose only one. Many people use an on-device tool for private files and a full online suite for everything else.
Frequently asked questions
Does DocPro upload my files like iLovePDF does?
No. DocPro processes files in your browser and does not send them to a server. iLovePDF is an online service that uploads files, and says it deletes them from its servers within two hours.
Is iLovePDF free?
It has a free plan that is web only, with a limited tool set, batch limits and ads. A paid Premium plan adds all tools, larger limits and the apps. See iLovePDF's pricing page for current prices.
Which has more tools, DocPro or iLovePDF?
iLovePDF has more tools, including redaction, editing and PDF/A. DocPro has 38 web tools that cover the common jobs and run on your device.