PDF24 is run by geek Software GmbH in Berlin and is free to use. DocPro is a web app by a different team. Because we make DocPro, we have based everything about PDF24 on its own pages, and where PDF24 wins we say so. Details are as of October 2026.
The short version
- Choose PDF24 if you are on Windows and want a free, full desktop toolbox that works offline, or you want a large set of free online tools.
- Choose DocPro if you want to stay in the browser, on any device, with no upload and no install.
Two products under one name
PDF24 has two parts. PDF24 Tools is the website, where files are uploaded and processed on its servers. PDF24 Creator is a free Windows desktop program. On its Creator page, PDF24 says it can be used free of charge and without restrictions, including commercially, that it runs on Windows 10 and 11 only, and that files stay on your PC.
That makes PDF24 Creator one of the best offline free options for Windows users, and it is a good reason to choose PDF24 over DocPro. If you use a Mac, Linux or a phone, you are back to the online version.
Where files go online
On PDF24's website, files are uploaded. The site says transfers are encrypted. Its privacy policy states that files and results are usually deleted one hour after upload or creation, with longer storage possible if processing takes more than an hour, and that servers processing files are located within the EU. It also notes that an optional AI invoice recognition feature uses Google's Gemini API, which may process data outside the EU. The service is funded by advertising on its web pages.
DocPro does not upload files in the first place. The work happens in your browser, so there is no retention period, no server location to think about and no third-party processor. The trade is that DocPro only offers the tools it has built.
Tools and features
PDF24 offers a very large collection of free tools. We cannot list them all and the list changes, so see its site for the current set. Because the online service is free without usage restrictions, it is a strong option for heavy use if you are comfortable with uploads.
DocPro has 38 tools. They cover merge, split, organize, compress, watermark, page numbers, crop, flatten, grayscale, annotate, convert to and from images, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, OCR, protect and unlock, metadata removal, an image editor and passport photos. It does not edit existing PDF text, redact or build forms.
Cost
PDF24 is free. DocPro's web tools are free too, apart from Sign PDF and the signature vault, which are DocPro Pro at A$5.99 a month after a 7-day free trial. If signing is a big part of your day, PDF24's offerings may save you money, but check whether its signing meets what you need, since an image signature and a certificate-based signature are not the same thing. DocPro's signature is an image placed on the page.
Who runs it and what they say
PDF24's privacy policy names geek Software GmbH in Berlin as the operator. That is useful for people who care about which legal system applies, because an EU-based operator with EU-located processing falls under European data protection law. DocPro's design avoids the question for file contents, because they stay on your device. DocPro does run an account service for Pro subscriptions, and that holds account details, not documents.
It is worth reading a policy before sending anything sensitive to any service, PDF24 included. Look at the retention wording, the list of processors and any optional features that send data elsewhere. The guide on checking whether a PDF website uploads your files shows how to confirm the behaviour in your own browser rather than relying only on the text.
A practical way to use both
Many people will do well with a mix. Install PDF24 Creator on a Windows PC for big batches and offline work. Use DocPro in a browser on a phone, a Mac or a shared computer when you need a quick merge, compression or OCR and do not want to install anything. Use whichever you prefer for public files, and keep the most private documents on the tool that never uploads.
Ads and interface
PDF24's online service is funded by ads. DocPro's tool pages are simple and focused. Which interface feels better is a matter of taste, so open both with a test file.
Platforms
PDF24 Creator: Windows. PDF24 Tools: any browser. DocPro: any modern browser on desktop or phone, installable as a PWA, offline after the first visit. DocPro has no desktop app and the Android app is coming soon but not released.
Bottom line: which should you pick?
Pick PDF24 Creator if you use Windows and like having a full offline toolbox. Pick PDF24 Tools online if you want maximum choice and do not mind uploads. Pick DocPro for private files on any device where you want nothing uploaded and nothing installed. For an overview of other options see the roundup of the best free PDF tools.
Frequently asked questions
Is PDF24 really free?
PDF24 states that its online tools and the Windows program PDF24 Creator are free to use, including for commercial purposes. The online tools are funded by advertising.
Does PDF24 work offline?
PDF24 Creator is a Windows desktop program that keeps files on your PC. The website tools need an internet connection and upload your files. DocPro works offline in the browser once you have visited it.
How long does PDF24 keep my files?
Its privacy policy says uploaded files and results are usually deleted one hour after upload or creation. Check the current policy for details.