15 Best PDF Converters to Convert Files to PDF (Free & Online)

Working in an office or for personal reasons, the need to convert files to PDF arises frequently. Converting files to PDF format is easy and quick when you use a PDF converter tool.

A PDF converter is software that allows users to change editable file formats to PDF format. The various file formats include DOC, DOCX, XLSX, XLS, PPT, PPTX, TXT. JPG, PNG, RTF, BMP, INDD, PSD, and TIFF. You can also use a PDF converter to change PDF files into editable file formats.

The best PDF converters handle the conversion of files to PDF format in a timely, convenient, and cost-effective manner. While converting files to PDF or from PDF to other file formats, there is no loss of quality. Problems such as discrepancies in the formatting or layout after conversion are non-existent.

In this article, you will learn about the 14 best free and online PDF converters to convert files to PDF.

Let’s get started.

1. Small PDF

Best Free PDF Converter for Converting to and From PDF

Small PDF is an online PDF tool that provides users with a series of PDF tools. The free PDF converter is one of the best in the market, providing quality PDF conversion services for free. Conversion from or to PDF files with SmallPDF does not result in a reduction of output quality.

The online PDF converter application shows you how to convert several file editable formats into PDF documents. These editable file formats include DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSL, PPT, PNG, JPG, TIFF, BMP, and even GIF. It also converts the aforementioned file formats into PDF formats.

Besides converting files from and to PDF, the software also performs a variety of PDF functions. They include compressing, editing, adjusting, splitting, and merging PDF files to fit the desired output a user wants to achieve.

Small PDF supports both native and scanned PDF files and even password-protected PDFs. It uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to recognize text within a digital image. The moment you upload a scanned or image-based PDF file on its website for conversion, the OCR automatically starts detecting the text in the image.

The PDF converter has a simple and intuitive user interface. It converts PDF files quickly and produces quality output with no issue of faulty layout.

Pricing

Small PDF offers a free plan which grants you access to 21 Small PDF tools including its PDF converter. If you want pro features such as unlimited document processing, no ads, conversion of scanned PDFs to Word, and others, you have to use its premium plans (pro, team, and business).

2. CloudConvert

Best PDF Converter for Converting Multiple File Formats to PDF

CloudConvert is an online PDF tool that uses advanced conversion technology to ensure that the quality of output is the same as the original file format.

The PDF converter supports over 200 file formats for PDF conversion. It supports conversion from the PDF format to different file formats. Some of the supported file formats include DXF, DOC, DOCX, HTML, PDF, RTF, TXT, EPUB, MOBI, BMP, PDB, GIF, JPG, ODD, PNG, PSD, TIFF, WEBP, SVG, EMF, and WMF.

Besides converting PDF files to different file formats, you can also convert different file formats to PDF.

Some of the supported formats for PDF conversion include AI, 3FR, AZW, AZW3, AZW4. AVIF, BMP, CDR, CSV, DCR, DNG, DOC, DOCX, DOT, DOTX, DOCM, EMF, EPUB, GIF, HTM, HTML, JFIF, JPEG, JPG, MOBI, ODD, ODT, PDF, PNG, PPM, PPT, RAW, TIF, TIFF, TXT, XPS, XLS, and XLSX.

CloudConvert also provides other services such as converting audio and video file formats from MP3 to MP4 or from MP4 to MP3. It can also convert YouTube videos to MP3 files and serve as a YouTube to MP4 converter. You do not need to download any software to use the application, the PDF converter is a free online tool for all.

The online PDF converter software provides data security for every file you upload on its website. It does not disclose or sell your data, only you have access to your files.

CloudConvert is useful and supports batch conversion. However, note that free usage has a limitation of just 25 conversions per day.

Pricing

CloudConvert offers users 25 free conversions daily. If you want to enjoy more conversions, you have to use its flexible premium plans. They are packages and subscriptions.

The packages plan allows you to pay for the conversion minutes you spend on converting files to and from PDF, while the subscription plan charges you monthly for a fixed amount of conversion minutes.

3. Smart PDF

Best PDF Converter Web Extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge

Smart PDF is an online PDF converter software that converts files to and from PDF for free. It supports most of the popular file formats such as Word, Excel, JPG, and PPT.

The PDF converter is a fast and convenient PDF converter to use. During and after conversion, the PDF converter ensures it provides quality conversion for your images and documents to make your work easier.

Despite being a free PDF converter, Smart PDFprovides you with the full security you need to protect your official documents from fraudsters and cybercriminals. It does not sell your documents to external parties, only you have access to it.

Smart PDF servers do not store your files, once you close the page, it deletes your u[loaded information, granting you complete privacy. The PDF converter uses advanced technology (modern cryptography) to protect your data.

Smart PDF is available for desktop and mobile. You can download the Smart PDF app on Google Play Store for Android devices and the Apple App Store for iOS devices.

You can also install it as a web extension from the Chrome Web Store, Add-ons for Firefox, and Microsoft Edge Add-ons. The PDF converter supports uploading files from Google Drive for conversion.

Pricing

Small PDF offers a free plan that has an upload size limitation of 20MB with normal conversion speed. If you want to enjoy unlimited upload size, high conversion speed, customer support, and other pro features, you have to sign up for its premium plans.

4. Nitro PDF Pro

Best PDF Converter for Windows

Nitro PDF Pro is a professional-grade PDF application that offers powerful PDF capabilities such as a PDF converter, PDF editor, and PDF creator. Businesses and individuals can also use the software to review, sign, and protect documents easily.

The PDF converter converts PDFs into editable PowerPoint, Excel, or Microsoft Word formats. You can also convert several file formats into PDFs. To use Nitro PDF Pro, you need to download the software for Windows, available on its website.

Nitro PDF Pro is one of the best PDF converters that retains your original formatting and quality to the greatest possible extent. There are no layout inconsistencies problems to deal with when you use this professional-grade PDF application.

One of its greatest and most handy features is its batch conversion feature. This feature allows you to convert multiple files at once, saving time and the tedious process of converting each file individually. It is the best offline PDF converter tool to have on your Windows PC.

Pricing

Nitro PDF Pro offers a 14-day free trial version which grants you access to all its available features during that time frame. There is no fine print or credit card required to enjoy using the free trial.

After the trial period is over, you have to pay for a one-time license priced at $144 per user to continue using the service. You can also go for its discounted offers, they include the 4 pack plan for four users priced at $539.97 and its 10 pack plan for 10 users priced at $1,367.92.

5. Online PDF Converter

Best Online PDF Converter Software for Converting Single and Multiple Files to PDF

Online PDF Converter allows users to easily convert to and from PDF in a matter of seconds. The online application is easy to use. All you need to do is to click on the “Choose file” button to upload the file for conversion from your PC or smartphone or drop the files in the appropriate box.

The online PDF converter is more than an ordinary PDF converter. It supports Word, PowerPoint, Excel, PDF, and other file types that you want to convert. The converted documents are ready for download immediately.

You do not have to worry about the privacy of your files. It also uses 256-bit SSL encryption to encrypt all your files to secure them from cybercriminals. The PDF converter does not share or sell your data to any external party.

After you download the converted document, the Online PDF Converter automatically deletes records of your file from its server after three hours. If you forget to delete your file, the online application does it on your behalf.

Online PDF Converter works on any operating system including Mac, Windows, and Linux. The PDF converter offers other features such as compressing, rotating, merging and splitting and editing PDF files.

Pricing

Online PDF Converter allows you to convert files to and from PDF for free. However, it comes with several limitations including limited document size upload and no ability to convert multiple documents at once.

With its premium plans (1 month and lifetime plans), you enjoy unlimited document size upload, instant conversions, and the ability to convert multiple documents at once.

6. Soda PDF

Best PDF Converter for Working Online and Offline

Soda PDF is an online and offline PDF converter that helps users to convert files to and from PDF. It also performs other features such as editing, compressing, merging, securing, and signing documents.

With its easy-to-use user interface, users can use the program to convert Microsoft Office files such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to and from PDF files without any conversion problems.

Soda PDF supports over 300+ available formats for conversion to PDF documents. You can save your converted files to your Google Drive account. Download its offline desktop software on any device to enjoy instant PDF conversions.

The online and offline PDF converter is ideal for users who have many documents to convert and do not have the luxury of converting them one by one. Users can use its batch conversion feature to save time and effort.

Soda PDF helps users convert images to PDF files, and image-based PDF files to PDF or editable formats thanks to its built-in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology. The technology guarantees you 100% text extraction accuracy while still retaining the quality and formatting of the original document.

Pricing

Soda PDF offers a free online PDF converter that has several limitations such as file size and access to other powerful PDF features. If you want to enjoy access to all its online PDF tools with no limits, use any of its three premium plans: 1 Week Pass, Unlimited Pass, and 1 Month Pass.

7. TalkHelper

Best PDF Converter with Multi-Language Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

TalkHelper is a comprehensive PDF conversion software for Windows. It also allows users to convert PDF to other file formats and vice versa with ease while retaining the original formatting and quality.

Users can convert PDFs into Microsoft Office formats (XLS, XLSX, ODS, PPT, DOC, DOCX, ODT), image (TIFF, JPG, BMP, PNG, GIF), AutoCAD (DWG), hypertext (HTML, HTM), ebook (EPub), Microsoft PowerPoint format (PPT), and Spreadsheet formats (XLS, XLSX, ODS)

Thanks to its built-in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature that can read text written in up to 46 languages, it extracts text from scanned or image-based PDF files easily and accurately. It converts these PDF files into editable Word or Excel files.

Some of the languages supported by its OCR technology include English, Czech, Italian, Japanese, Danish, French, Spanish, German, Dutch, Finnish, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Korean, Polish, and more.

The PDF converter provides the option of partial file conversion. If you do not want to convert the entire document but only want to extract specific pages or page ranges, TalkHelper allows you to choose the pages you want to convert.

Pricing

TalkHelper costs $29.95 for one user license. If you purchase its other license options such as special 2 users, 5 users, 10 users, 20 users, and 30 users, you get discounted prices compared to when you purchase individually.

The license runs for a lifetime and includes free lifetime technical support and product upgrades. You also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on purchase.

8. PDF Candy

Comprehensive PDF Converter with Offline Application

PDF Candy is one of the most comprehensive online PDF tools with lots of features such as converting, compressing, editing, unlocking, merging and splitting, protecting, rotating, and resizing PDFs.

The versatile PDF tool is also available offline for download on Windows. However, it is only available to users who purchase its lifetime license.

You do not need any prior experience to navigate and effectively use the rich array of PDP tools that PDF Candy provides. The interface is user-friendly.

With PDF Candy, you can convert different file formats to PDF such as Word, Excel, JPG, DOCX, HTML, EPUB, DjVu, MOBI, FB2, PNG, TIFF, BMP, RTF, ODT, PPT, TXT, XML, and CHM. You can also convert PDF to other file formats such as Word, JPG, DOCX, RTF, PNG, BMP, and TIFF.

PDF Candy has a built-in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology that extracts text and data from scanned PDF files and images.

You can use the PDF tool to rearrange pages, edit metadata, delete pages, add watermark to your file, crop PDF, extract images and text, add header and footer, and page numbers.

Pricing

PDF Candy is a free online PDF converter. However, if you want access to the full PDP Candy web tools, you have to subscribe to either its web monthly or web yearly plans.

The Web lifetime plan, where you pay once in a lifetime, gives access to both the PDF Candy web tools and PDF Candy Desktop.

9. Foxit

Best Online PDF Converter that Supports a Wide Range of Files

Foxit is an online PDF converter tool that converts PDF files to and from different file formats. It converts PDF files into Word, PPT, Excel, HTML, Text, and image formats like JPG and PNG. You can also convert Word, JPG, PPT, and Excel file formats to PDF.

The PDF converter uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to convert existing files like images and scanned PDF files into editable formats without breaking a sweat.

Foxit supports batch PDFconversion of multiple files, saving you the time and energy it would have taken to convert each file individually. Its offline application interface is user-friendly and resembles that of Microsoft Office, making it easy for anyone to navigate and use the online application.

The online PDF converter is fast and free to use without affecting the output quality. You can also use its PDF merging and compression tools. After converting your file from or to PDF, a pop-up appears on your screen with a link to download the converted file.

Pricing

Foxit has a free online PDF converter that allows users to convert files from and to PDF formats. It offers a desktop application with a 14-day free trial period. There are two plans on the desktop application, the Foxit PDF Editor 11 and the Foxit PDF Editor Pro 11.

10. PDFMate

Best Free PDF Converter for Customizing PDFs

PDFMate is a free PDF converter for Windows that converts PDF to different file formats to DOC, EPUB, IMG, HTML, SWF, and TXT. You can also use it to convert JPG files to PDF files.

One of its best features is its powerful Optical Character Recognition (OCR) that converts scanned files into editable documents. However, the free PDF converter has a 3-page limit.

The PDF converter offers advanced customization options which you can use to alter the output size, layout, direction, and edges. It supports changing the layout (A3, A4, A5) and page size (1IN1, 2IN1, 4IN1) to your preferred format. You can use the application to add a permission password to PDF files.

PDFMate is a simple freeware software that performs several features for users. You can use it to create, edit, merge, and convert PDF files. It also supports converting PDF files into multiple languages.

The PDF tool offers free PDF merger features which allow users to join, break, and combine PDF files. With the free PDF file merger, you can split big PDF files, eliminate unnecessary pages, combine several PDF files into one, and merge parts of the PDF documents you need into a single document. You can also rearrange the files into the desired order you want.

Pricing

PDFMate is a 100% free PDF converter. It offers three premium plans for more features. They include Ebook Converter Pro, PDF Converter Pro, and PDF to Word.

11. Adobe Acrobat

Popular PDF Converter with Built-in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Technology

Adobe Acrobat offers a free PDF tool that allows users to convert Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or image files to PDF. The software supports numerous file formats such as DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, PPT, among other editable formats.

During the conversion process, the online PDF converter keeps all font, layout, and general formatting such as tables and bullet points intact, exactly the way it is in the original. You do not have to make any re-edits.

With its built-in Optical Character Recognition (OCR), the PDF converter extracts the text out of complex PDF scans and images.

If you do not want to extract all the text from the document, Adobe Acrobat allows you to extract only the text you need. You can also use its batch convert feature to convert multiple files at a time to save both time and effort.

Adobe Acrobat is notable for its fast PDF conversion. It is one of the highest quality PDF converters that does not diminish the quality of the output during conversion.

Pricing

Adobe Acrobat offers a free online PDF converter on its website. If you want access to more PDF features, you have to pay for its premium plans: Acrobat Pro DC and Acrobat PDF Pack.

12. ILovePDF

Comprehensive PDF Tool for Individuals and Businesses

iLovePDF is a comprehensive PDF software that provides users with tools for merging, splitting, compressing, and converting PDF files.

You can use the online PDF converter to convert PDFs to a wide range of formats such as JPG, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. You can also convert different file formats into PDF.

The user interface is extremely simple to use. Beginners with no experience will find it easy to use the tool. iLovePDF converts PDFto general smaller file sizes while still retaining the original file quality.

Converting multiple files one after the other is a painstaking task. With its premium plans, users enjoy access to a fast batch conversion feature that supports the conversion of multiple files at once.

ILovePDF offers fast conversion speeds and maintains the layout flow and formatting of the original document when converting. If you do not want to convert the whole file, the PDF converter allows you to pick the pages or page ranges you want to extract from the document.

The comprehensive PDF tool offers other amazing PDF functions such as organizing, repairing, rotating, adding page numbers and watermarks, editing, unlocking, protecting, and signing PFs. iLovePDF has a desktop application you can download to convert PDF offline.

Pricing

iLovePDF is free to use. If you want to enjoy access to premium services such as unlimited document processing, no ads, customer support, and full access to iLovePDF tools, you have to subscribe to its premium or business plan. The business plan is suitable for businesses that have their own unique needs.

13. PDFBear

Free Online PDF Converter Granting Full Access to PDF Tools

PDFBear is an online PDF converter that offers everything you need to improve your PDF experience. Users can convert different file formats into PDF on the website and also convert PDF to other file formats.

Apart from being a PDF converter, the online application also merges, splits, and compresses your PDF files. It is a handy tool for everyday office tasks involving document processing.

You do not need to download any software to use PDFBear. Users enjoy access to its PDF tools from anywhere and at any time. From your mobile device, you can access the website and convert files to or from PDF.

PDFBear is compatible with any platform. It does not matter if you are using iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, or Linux devices, you can access this PDF converter easily. It supports almost every web browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera. You can even download its Chrome Extension for easy PDF conversion while using Chrome.

The PDF converter offers Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to protect your personal information contained in your documents from cybercriminal attacks.

Pricing

PDFBear offers two membership plans: anonymous and pro. The anonymous plan is free and includes access to all PDFBear tools. However, it has several limitations such as the number of task conversions and storage space for files.

The pro plan costs $9.99 per month and $99.99 per year. It offers a free 14-day trial and it is free from the limitations imposed on the anonymous membership plan.

14. PDF Converter Pro

Most Versatile PDF Converter for Windows and Mac

PDF Converter Pro by Wondershare is one of the best PDF converters for converting PDFs into different file formats such as Microsoft Office and images without affecting the output quality. You can also use the application to convert from its supported file formats to PDF.

The PDF Converter is compatible with the following file formats: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, HTML, and image formats.

Scanned PDF files and images in the form of text are converted by PDF Converter Pro to editable documents such as Word, PDF, Excel, EPUB, TXT, and PPT files. It relies on its Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology for accurate and fast conversion of scanned PDF files.

PDF Converter Pro is one of the most popular and versatile PDFconverters in the market thanks to its rich array of PDF tools. Users can encrypt their PDF documents to keep them safe. It also supports compressing PDF files and merging multiple PDF files into one single PDF.

Pricing

PDF Converter Pro offers three premium plans: perpetual license, 1-year license, and 1 quarter license. The perpetual license is a once-in-a-lifetime plan. All plans come with free customer support, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and continuous product development.

15. PDF Expert

Best PDF Converter and Editor for Mac

PDF Expert is a popular PDF tool for Mac known for its PDF editing features. The PDF application for Mac now offers PDF converting features only on its paid plan. Subscribers can convert different file formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Apple Pages, Slides, Sheets, and other documents to PDF format.

You can also convert images into PDF documents with PDF Expert. Users can import images from their local storage, photos library, or a cloud service for conversion to PDF form.

The PDF tool for Mac users offers file size reduction features. You can shrink large PDF files into smaller sizes before sharing them with others. It offers four quality settings for you to choose from, they are lossless, high, medium, and low. It is recommended you choose the medium or high-quality setting option to get the best possible quality.

PDF Expert offers other PDF features such as annotating, filling, and combining PDF files. It has a friendly user interface and allows users to customize their toolbar section and place PDF tools they frequently use there.

Pricing

PDF Expert costs $79.99 for a single license.

Was This Article Helpful?