PDF Candy offers a downloadable desktop app with offline processing. PDF Toolbox runs in your browser — no installation needed. Both prioritize privacy.
| Feature | PDF Toolbox | PDF Candy Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Compress PDF | ✅ | ✅ |
| Merge PDF | ✅ | ✅ |
| Split PDF | ✅ | ✅ |
| PDF to JPG | ✅ | ✅ |
| JPG to PDF | ✅ | ✅ |
| PDF to Word | Coming soon | ✅ |
| Installation required | No (web) | Yes (desktop) |
| Cross-platform | Any browser | Windows only |
| Files uploaded to server | Never | No (offline) |
| Free tier | Unlimited | Free |
| Registration required | No | No |
| Privacy-first | 100% local | Local (desktop) |
| Mobile access | Yes (browser) | No |
Yes — PDF Candy Desktop is free for personal use with no daily limits. PDF Toolbox is also completely free and works in any browser without installation.
Both are excellent for privacy. PDF Candy Desktop processes locally on your machine, and PDF Toolbox processes locally in your browser. Neither uploads your documents.
Use PDF Toolbox for instant access from any device. Use PDF Candy Desktop if you prefer a dedicated offline app and need Word conversion.