Honest Comparison
Peregrine PDF vs Smallpdf
Smallpdf is one of the most well-known PDF tools online. Here's an honest comparison with Peregrine PDF across privacy, pricing, and capabilities.
Feature
Peregrine PDF
Smallpdf
Privacy
✓100% browser-based — files never leave your device
Files uploaded to Smallpdf cloud servers; deleted after 1 hour
Cost
✓Completely free, no limits, no watermarks
Free: 2 tasks/day; Pro from $12/month
Daily Limits
✓Unlimited
Free tier: 2 tasks per day
Speed
✓Instant local processing — no upload required
Upload → server processing → download
Sign-up Required
✓No account needed
Required for most features
Tool Count
13 PDF tools
✓20+ PDF tools plus eSign
eSignature
Basic signature placement (draw or type)
✓Full eSign workflow with multiple signers
Desktop App
PWA installable from browser
✓Native desktop app available
The Verdict
For quick, private PDF tasks — merging, splitting, compressing, converting — Peregrine PDF is faster, completely free, and never touches your files. Smallpdf offers a broader feature set and collaborative eSign workflows, but locks most functionality behind a $12/month paywall with a strict 2-task-per-day free limit. If you just need to get PDF work done without friction, Peregrine PDF wins.
Try Peregrine PDF — Free, Private, Instant
No sign-up required. Your files never leave your device.