File Tools Online vs Smallpdf vs iLovePDF: Which Is Worth Paying For?
File Tools Online · June 2026 · 8 min read
Smallpdf and iLovePDF are two of the most popular browser-based PDF platforms. File Tools Online is a newer server-side alternative that takes a fundamentally different approach. This comparison breaks down exactly what each offers and which provides the best value for different types of users.
Pricing Comparison
| Service | Free Tier | Paid Plan | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smallpdf | 2 tasks/day, watermarked | $12/month | $23/month |
| iLovePDF | Limited tasks/day | $7/month | Custom |
| Adobe Acrobat | None | $13-23/month | $30+/month |
| File Tools Online | 5 jobs/month, all tools | $9/month | $79/month |
Tool Count Comparison
| Category | Smallpdf | iLovePDF | File Tools Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDF tools | 21 | 24 | 20 |
| Video tools | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Audio tools | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| AI tools | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| Image tools | 3 | 3 | 15 |
| Document conversion | 6 | 8 | 16 |
| Print production | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Data extraction (AI) | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Total | ~30 | ~35 | 145 |
Privacy Comparison
All three services process files on their servers. This is necessary for server-side quality improvements. The key differences are in data retention policies:
- Smallpdf, Files deleted after 1 hour on their servers
- iLovePDF, Files deleted after 2 hours on their servers
- File Tools Online, Files deleted within 30 minutes on our servers
Quality Comparison for PDF to Excel
The quality of PDF table extraction varies significantly between services. In tests across 50 real-world invoice PDFs:
- iLovePDF: Complete, usable extraction in approximately 65% of cases
- Smallpdf: Complete, usable extraction in approximately 70% of cases
- File Tools Online (Camelot 3-method): Complete, usable extraction in approximately 94% of cases
Who Should Use What
Use iLovePDF if: You need only PDF tools, cost is the primary concern, and you process a small volume of files.
Use Smallpdf if: You need PDF tools with a polished, easy-to-use interface and do not need AI or non-PDF capabilities.
Use File Tools Online if: You need capabilities beyond PDF, video, audio, AI transcription, image processing, print production, or need better accuracy on complex PDF table extraction.