ASAPDF vs Smallpdf — honest comparison
Looking for a Smallpdf alternative? Here's an honest ASAPDF vs Smallpdf comparison. Smallpdf is a polished web suite of PDF tools with a broad conversion toolbox and a longer history than ASAPDF. ASAPDF is native on the desktop and signing-first: you sign in a real Mac, Windows, or Linux app and send to people who have no account. It ships on Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android, and the web.
| At a glance | ASAPDF | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $0 for 7 days, then $9.99/mo | Free (limited daily tasks) |
| Most popular plan | $95.99 / yr ($7.99/mo, billed annually) | $9 / mo (Pro, billed annually) |
| Lifetime license | $399 one-time | None |
| Platforms | Mac · Windows · Linux · iPhone · iPad · Android · Web | Web · iOS · Android · Windows (desktop app) |
Pick Smallpdf if
- ·A polished, complete web suite of PDF tools — convert, compress, merge, split, e-sign — that ASAPDF does not match. ASAPDF does not convert or compress at all.
- ·A broad conversion toolbox (PDF to and from Office, images, etc.) that ASAPDF does not aim to match.
- ·Cheaper Pro tier (around $9/mo) if you want unlimited web processing across many tools.
- ·A familiar browser workflow you can run from anywhere without installing anything, plus its own desktop and mobile apps.
- ·An established track record and brand recognition.
Pick ASAPDF if
- +Native desktop signing — sign in a real Mac, Windows, or Linux app with your trackpad, not in a browser tab.
- +Send for signature with a QR-code drop and email link, so recipients sign in their phone's browser with no app and no account. This ships today.
- +Native desktop apps with no daily-task cap, and a pay-once $399 lifetime instead of subscription-only.
- +A saved-signature library that syncs across your signed-in devices, plus a tamper-evident audit trail and Certificate of Completion on every signed document.
- +One Bravely account, and the annual and lifetime plans include the other premium utilities from Bravely.
Full feature comparison
Verified 2026-05-30. Source linked at the bottom.
| Feature | ASAPDF | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| Sign your own document | Yes — included in every plan | Limited daily; Pro for more |
| Broad conversion / compress toolbox | No — page reorder/split on every platform, merge on all but the web app | Yes — wide |
| Native desktop signing app | Yes — Mac, Windows, Linux | Web-first, with apps |
| QR-code drop / in-person sign | Yes | Limited |
| No-account web signer for recipients | Yes — sign in a phone browser, no app | Yes (e-sign) |
| Audit trail + Certificate of Completion | Yes — SHA-256 hash-chained | Limited |
| Batch processing | No | Yes |
| Lifetime purchase | $399 one-time | No |
| Pricing model | Subscription + lifetime (7-day free trial) | Free + subscription |
FAQ
Does ASAPDF have as many tools as Smallpdf?+
No. Smallpdf's conversion and compression toolbox is far broader. ASAPDF is signing-first — it does page reorder/split (Mac/Web) and merge (Mac), but no conversion suite.
Why pick ASAPDF for signing over Smallpdf?+
Native desktop signing (trackpad on Mac/Windows) and send-for-signature with a QR-code drop, rather than a browser tab. These ship today, with a tamper-evident audit trail and Certificate of Completion.
Is there a pay-once option?+
Yes — a $399 lifetime, plus a 7-day free trial. Smallpdf is subscription-only.
Is ASAPDF available yet?+
Yes. It ships on Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android, and the web. The iPhone and iPad apps are on the App Store, and the Android app is on Google Play.
More ASAPDF comparisons
Pricing verified 2026-05-30. Smallpdf pricing source. Subject to change.