PDF Expert
Professional PDF editor and reader designed for Apple devices, offering advanced...
Smallpdf
Comprehensive PDF management platform offering 30+ tools for converting, compres...
PDF Expert vs Smallpdf: Which Is Better in 2026?
Comprehensive comparison of PDF Expert and Smallpdf covering features, pricing, pros & cons, and our expert verdict to help you make the right choice for your business.
PDF Expert vs Smallpdf: Overview
Choosing between PDF Expert and Smallpdf is a common dilemma for pdf tools users. Both tools offer robust solutions, but they cater to different needs and budgets.
PDF Expert offers a free tier and starts at $4.99/weekly, while Smallpdf also has a free option and begins at $8/monthly. But pricing is just one factor—let's dive into features, use cases, and which tool fits your specific needs.
PDF Expert is best known for excellent apple ecosystem integration, whereas Smallpdf stands out for user-friendly interface with 4.7/5 ease of use rating. In this detailed comparison, we'll analyze both tools across pricing, features, ease of use, and ideal use cases.
Quick Overview
PDF Expert
- Best for: Apple device users, Business professionals
- Starting price: Free
- Category: pdf tools
- Founded: 2013
Smallpdf
- Best for: Small businesses needing occasional PDF editing, Remote teams collaborating on documents
- Starting price: Free
- Category: pdf tools
- Founded: 2013
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side feature comparison to help you understand the key differences between PDF Expert and Smallpdf.
| Feature | PE PDF Expert | S Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| PDF Text Editing | Premium feature | |
| Advanced Annotations | Basic in free, advanced in premium | |
| AI PDF Copilot | Premium feature - summarize, analyze, and chat with PDFs | |
| PDF to Word/Excel/PPT Conversion | Premium feature | |
| OCR Text Recognition | Premium feature | |
| Digital Signatures | Premium feature | |
| PDF Merging & Splitting | Premium feature | |
| Cross-Device Sync | Works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac | |
| PDF Compression | Premium feature | |
| Construction Tools | Premium feature - measure and scale drawings | |
| PDF Conversion | Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and vice versa | |
| File Compression | Reduce PDF size without quality loss | |
| Electronic Signatures | Pro plan only | |
| PDF Merging | Combine multiple PDFs into one document | |
| Document Editing | Add text, images, shapes, and annotations | |
| Cloud Storage | Pro plan only | |
| Mobile Apps | iOS and Android applications | |
| Password Protection | Secure documents with encryption | |
| Batch Processing | Process multiple files simultaneously | |
| Integrations | Chrome extension, Google Workspace, Dropbox |
Features Deep Dive
Both PDF Expert and Smallpdf offer core pdf tools functionality, but their feature sets differ in key areas.
Shared features: Core functionality.
PDF Expert unique strengths: PDF Text Editing, Advanced Annotations, AI PDF Copilot. This makes it ideal for apple device users.
Smallpdf unique strengths: PDF Conversion, File Compression, Electronic Signatures. This makes it better suited for small businesses needing occasional pdf editing.
PDF Expert offers 10 core features with 4 integrations, while Smallpdf provides 10 features and 6 integrations.
Our Verdict
After extensive testing and analysis, Smallpdf edges out as the winner in this comparison. While both tools excel in their respective areas, Smallpdf offers better overall user satisfaction. PDF Expert remains a strong alternative, especially for users who prioritize apple device users.
Smallpdf
Best for Small businesses needing occasional PDF editing and Remote teams collaborating on documents. User-friendly interface with 4.7/5 ease of use rating.
Try SmallpdfPDF Expert
Best for Apple device users and Business professionals. Excellent Apple ecosystem integration.
Try PDF ExpertPros & Cons
PDF Expert Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent Apple ecosystem integration
- AI-powered PDF analysis and summarization
- Professional-grade editing capabilities
- Intuitive and well-designed interface
- Strong customer support
Cons
- Apple devices only (no Windows or Android)
- Premium features require subscription
- Expensive compared to competitors
- Free version is quite limited
Smallpdf Pros & Cons
Pros
- User-friendly interface with 4.7/5 ease of use rating
- Comprehensive 30+ PDF tools in one platform
- Strong security with 256-bit SSL encryption and GDPR compliance
- No software installation required for web version
- Excellent customer support with quick response times
Cons
- Free plan limited to 2 daily conversions
- Some users report occasional file upload issues
- Subscription required for advanced features
- Limited file size handling capabilities
Pricing Comparison
Compare the pricing plans and see which tool offers better value for your budget.
PDF Expert
freemium- Basic PDF reading
- Basic annotations
- Fill PDF forms
- All premium features
- PDF editing
- AI PDF Copilot
- All premium features
- PDF editing
- AI PDF Copilot
- All premium features
- PDF editing
- AI PDF Copilot
Smallpdf
freemium- 30 PDF tools
- 2 daily conversions
- Basic editing
- Unlimited conversions
- All PDF tools
- Electronic signatures
- All Pro features
- Team collaboration
- Admin controls
Pricing Comparison Analysis
PDF Expert Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $4.99/weekly. 4 plans available: Free, Weekly, Yearly, Lifetime.
Smallpdf Pricing: Free tier available. Paid plans start at $8/monthly. 3 plans available: Free, Pro Personal, Pro for Teams.
Verdict: PDF Expert is more affordable at the entry level and offers a free tier. However, Smallpdf may offer better value at scale with more advanced features.
For budget-conscious teams, PDF Expert is the clear winner. For teams prioritizing small businesses needing occasional pdf editing, Smallpdf's pricing may be justified.
Which Tool Is Best For You?
Choose PDF Expert if you need:
- Apple device users
- Business professionals
- Students and educators
- Document-heavy workflows
- Excellent Apple ecosystem integration
- AI-powered PDF analysis and summarization
Choose Smallpdf if you need:
- Small businesses needing occasional PDF editing
- Remote teams collaborating on documents
- Students and educators working with digital documents
- Independent professionals handling contracts and signatures
- User-friendly interface with 4.7/5 ease of use rating
- Comprehensive 30+ PDF tools in one platform
Final Verdict
Choose PDF Expert if: You need apple device users or business professionals. It excels at excellent apple ecosystem integration and ai-powered pdf analysis and summarization.
Choose Smallpdf if: You prioritize small businesses needing occasional pdf editing or remote teams collaborating on documents. It's particularly strong for user-friendly interface with 4.7/5 ease of use rating and comprehensive 30+ pdf tools in one platform.
Overall: Smallpdf has a slight edge with a 4.7/5 rating from 1,000 reviews. However, PDF Expert has a larger user base with 17,000 reviews, suggesting broader market validation.
Both tools are solid choices in the pdf tools space. Your decision should ultimately depend on your specific requirements, team size, and budget.
PDF Expert vs Smallpdf FAQ
What are the main differences between PDF Expert and Smallpdf?
PDF Expert focuses on apple device users with excellent apple ecosystem integration, while Smallpdf excels at small businesses needing occasional pdf editing with user-friendly interface with 4.7/5 ease of use rating. Key differences include pricing structure, feature depth, and target user base.
Is PDF Expert or Smallpdf better for small businesses?
PDF Expert offers a free tier which is great for small businesses starting out. For small businesses with limited budgets, consider starting with the tool that offers PDF Expert's lower starting price of $4.99/month.
What is the pricing difference between PDF Expert and Smallpdf?
PDF Expert starts at $4.99/month with a free tier available, while Smallpdf starts at $8/month with a free tier available. Both offer multiple pricing tiers with different feature sets.
Can PDF Expert integrate with Smallpdf?
While direct integration may vary, both PDF Expert and Smallpdf support third-party integrations through platforms like Zapier. PDF Expert integrates with iCloud, Dropbox, Apple Pencil, while Smallpdf works with Google Workspace, Dropbox, Chrome Extension.
Which tool is easier to use, PDF Expert or Smallpdf?
Based on user reviews, Smallpdf generally receives higher marks for ease of use with a 4.7 rating. However, ease of use can depend on your specific needs and technical background. PDF Expert is known for ai-powered pdf analysis and summarization.
Does PDF Expert or Smallpdf offer better customer support?
Both PDF Expert and Smallpdf provide customer support, with options varying by plan tier. PDF Expert offers support through standard support channels. Check each tool's specific plan for support details.
What are the pros of PDF Expert compared to Smallpdf?
PDF Expert's main advantages include: Excellent Apple ecosystem integration, AI-powered PDF analysis and summarization, Professional-grade editing capabilities. Compared to Smallpdf, it's particularly strong for apple device users.
What are the cons of PDF Expert compared to Smallpdf?
PDF Expert's potential drawbacks include: Apple devices only (no Windows or Android), Premium features require subscription. Smallpdf may be a better choice if these limitations affect your use case.
Should I switch from PDF Expert to Smallpdf or vice versa?
Consider switching if your current tool doesn't meet your needs. Key factors include: current pain points, migration complexity, team training, and total cost of ownership. Use our ROI calculator to estimate the potential impact of switching.
Which tool is best for pdf tools in 2026?
In 2026, Smallpdf leads in this comparison with a 4.7 rating. However, the best choice depends on your specific requirements. PDF Expert excels for apple device users, while Smallpdf is ideal for small businesses needing occasional pdf editing.