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A Smallpdf alternative that keeps files on your Mac.

Smallpdf works in your browser: your PDF goes to its servers, and the free plan limits what you can download. Fyllyo is a Mac app. Merge, split, reorder, protect and OCR happen on your Mac, free, with no daily limit.

Download free for MacFree and Paid

Free, with no account · Fyllyo Paid is $99 once · Apple silicon, macOS 13 or later

The short answer

Choose Fyllyo if

  • You work with contracts, tax returns or IDs and don’t want them uploaded.
  • You hit the free plan’s daily limit. Fyllyo’s free tools have none.
  • You want to work offline. Smallpdf’s desktop app is for Windows only.
  • You’d rather pay once than $9 to $12 a month.

Choose Smallpdf if

  • You’re on a Chromebook, a Windows PC or someone else’s computer.
  • You convert PDFs to and from Word and Excel.
  • You want e-signature requests and team workspaces.

Side by side

What Smallpdf does comes from its own pages, checked October 2026. Sources are below the table.

FeatureFyllyoSmallpdf
Where your files goStay on your MacUploaded; deleted after an hour, servers in Ireland
PriceFree, or $99 onceFree with limits; Pro $9 a month billed yearly or $12 monthly
Free limitsNone on the free toolsDaily download limit
Works offline on a MacDesktop app is Windows only
Merge, split, reorder pagesFreeFree with daily limit
Make scans searchable (OCR)FreeFree with daily limit
Password-protectFreeFree with daily limit
RedactionPaid, with a check for leftoversFree with daily limit
Edit textPaidPro
Convert to Word or Excel

Sources: Smallpdf pricing · Is Smallpdf safe? · Smallpdf desktop · Smallpdf price comparison

Questions

Does Smallpdf upload my files?

Yes. Smallpdf processes files on its servers, which it says are in Ireland, and removes them after one hour unless you keep them in your account. Fyllyo processes everything on your Mac.

Is there a Smallpdf app for Mac?

Smallpdf’s desktop app for offline use is for Windows. On a Mac, Smallpdf works in the browser. Fyllyo is a Mac app that works offline.

Is Fyllyo free like Smallpdf?

Fyllyo’s free tools, such as merging, splitting, reordering, text recognition and passwords, have no daily limit and don’t expire. Fyllyo Paid adds the pro tools for $99 once.

See it for yourself

Each of these shows the real app doing the job.

Download free for Mac