A PDF24 alternative that works in your browser without uploading
PDF24 itself points to its desktop app for keeping files on your PC, but that app is Windows only. Here is an alternative that skips the upload, in any modern browser.
What PDF24 does well
PDF24, run by Geek Software GmbH, offers free PDF tools. As of October 2026, per tools.pdf24.org, it says all its tools are free without restrictions, paid for by some advertising on the web pages, and that there are no artificial limits. It is a legitimate service.
Why people look for an alternative
PDF24's own homepage points out the trade-off itself: the online tools process files on its servers, and if you prefer to keep files on your own computer it offers PDF24 Creator, a desktop app where files stay on your PC. The catch is that, per its FAQ (as of October 2026), PDF24 Creator can only be installed on Windows, so it is not an option on a Mac, a Chromebook, a phone or a locked-down work laptop, which is exactly where people go looking for an alternative.
PDF24's stated retention and security practices for the online tools are covered in Is PDF24 safe?.
What changes with a browser-based tool
Stayput's PDF tools run inside the browser tab itself, so your files are not uploaded, whatever the device: merge PDF, split PDF, compress PDF, unlock PDF, rotate PDF and reorder and delete pages all work the same way on Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebooks and phones, without installing anything.
Where PDF24 still has the edge
PDF24's toolbox is larger, including OCR, redaction and comparing PDFs, and its Windows app adds a PDF printer. If you are on Windows and need those specifically, Creator keeps files on your PC; for the everyday jobs above, a browser tool matches PDF24's lack of limits without the upload or the install.
Questions
Is PDF24 Creator available for Mac?
No, PDF24 Creator is Windows-only; on other platforms, PDF24's online tools upload the file to its servers instead.
Does PDF24's online version have file size limits?
As of October 2026, per tools.pdf24.org, PDF24 says there are no artificial limits on its tools and that they are free without restrictions, paid for by some advertising.
Is there a way to edit PDFs privately on a Mac or phone?
Yes, a tool that runs inside the browser, such as Stayput's PDF tools, processes the file on your device without uploading it, on any platform.
Why does PDF24 recommend its desktop app over the website?
Its own homepage explains that the online tools process files on its servers, while the desktop app keeps everything on your own PC, which it frames as the more private option.