File tools that run on your machine.
72% of tools below process entirely in your browser. Your files never touch a server — they're just bytes on your own device, the whole time.
58
tools live
72%
run 100% local
2 hrs
server files auto-delete
0
watermarks, ever
Start here
Most popular tools
Merge PDF
Combine multiple PDFs into one document.
Runs in your browser — nothing uploaded
Compress PDF
Reduce PDF file size while preserving quality.
Runs in your browser — nothing uploaded
Compress Image
Shrink JPG, PNG, or WebP file size.
Runs in your browser — nothing uploaded
PDF to Word
Convert a PDF to an editable Word document.
Remove Background
Remove the background from an image automatically.
Compress Video
CloudReduce video file size.
Split PDF
Extract pages or split a PDF into multiple files.
Resize Image
Change image dimensions.
See the difference
Where does your file actually go?
Most "free" PDF sites upload your file to a server, process it, and send it back. Local tools skip that trip entirely.
Documateo (local tools)
- File never leaves the device
- No upload wait, no server queue
- Nothing to breach, because nothing was sent
Typical "free" PDF site
- Upload, then wait for a download link
- Your file sits on a server, however briefly
- Depends entirely on their retention policy
Honest comparison
How this is actually different
| Feature | Documateo | Typical free tool |
|---|---|---|
| File upload required | Only for video/OCR/AI tools | Always |
| Daily usage limit | None on local tools | Usually capped, then paywalled |
| Watermarks | Never | Common on free tier |
| Account required | No | Often, even for one file |
| Server file retention | Auto-deleted after 2 hours | Varies, rarely disclosed |
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need to create an account to use Documateo?+
No. Every tool works without signing up. An account is only useful if you want to track job history or unlock Pro-only tools like video, OCR, and AI features.
Is it actually free?+
The browser-based tools (PDF merge, split, compress, image conversion, and more) are free with no watermark and no daily limit, because they run on your device and cost us nothing to serve. Heavier tools that need real server compute (video encoding, OCR, AI) require a Pro or Business pass, since those run on paid Cloudflare compute.
What happens to files I upload for server-side tools?+
Files used by server-side tools (video, Office conversion, OCR, AI) are automatically deleted 2 hours after processing. They're never used for anything other than completing your request.
Which tools run locally vs. on a server?+
Each tool page states this directly, and a badge on the tool card marks anything that isn't fully local. As a rule: most PDF and image manipulation runs in your browser; video encoding, OCR, and AI features require server compute because your browser can't run those engines.