Comparison

PyMuPDF vs Smallpdf

On the evidence we track, PyMuPDF leads this comparison with a composite score of 57/100. Scores are only directly comparable because these tools share a category; the full breakdown and every source is below.

Machine formatsMarkdownJSONGraphQLMarkdown is open. JSON and GraphQL need a free key.
★PyMuPDF57
Smallpdf44
Score
vioscaleAI score
PyMuPDF57 / 100medium · 63%
Smallpdf44 / 100medium · 74%
Pricing
Free tier
PyMuPDF✓
Smallpdf✓
Model
Smallpdffreemium
Price level
PyMuPDFfree
Smallpdflow
Transparent
PyMuPDF✗
Smallpdf✗
Integrations
Count
PyMuPDF1
Smallpdf3
Security
Certifications
PyMuPDF–
SmallpdfISO 27001
Gdpr
PyMuPDF–
Smallpdf✓
Iso27001
PyMuPDF–
Smallpdf✓
Scorecard
PyMuPDF5.2
Smallpdf–
Adoption
Dependent repos
PyMuPDF1,798
Smallpdf–
Github stars
PyMuPDF10,910
Smallpdf–
Activity
Commits last 30d
PyMuPDF100
Smallpdf–
Release
Cadence days
PyMuPDF35
Smallpdf–
History
PyMuPDF20 items
Smallpdf–
License
Spdx
PyMuPDFAGPL-3.0
Smallpdf–
Language
Primary
PyMuPDFPython
Smallpdf–
Market
Availability
Content
Faq
PyMuPDF5 items
Smallpdf7 items

Capabilities

Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for pdf editors. “-” means undocumented, not absent.

Capabilities
Deployment model
PyMuPDFNative desktop
SmallpdfCloud saas
Base text and image editing within PDF
PyMuPDF✓
Smallpdf✓
Page merging extraction and splitting
PyMuPDF✓
Smallpdf✓
OCR optical character recognition scanning
PyMuPDF✓
Smallpdf✓
Permanent blackout redaction engine
PyMuPDF✓
Smallpdf✗
Password protection and encryption
PyMuPDF✓
Smallpdf✓
Interactive form field creation
PyMuPDF✓
Smallpdf✗
Digital signature certification enforcement
PyMuPDF-
Smallpdf✓
Microsoft office docx xlsx conversion
PyMuPDF✓
Smallpdf✓
File size compression engine
PyMuPDF✓
Smallpdf✓
SOC2 type ii
PyMuPDF-
Smallpdf✗
ISO 27001
PyMuPDF-
Smallpdf✓
Pricing model
PyMuPDFFreemium
SmallpdfFreemium

What each one is

The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.

PyMuPDF

Leader

A Python library providing efficient, precise control over PDF documents for reading, editing, and converting their contents. Built on a lightweight C engine with both low-level control and high-level convenience functions.

Independently observed

Smallpdf

Smallpdf is a cloud-based PDF service offering 48 tools for converting, editing, compressing, and managing PDF documents. It's available as web applications, browser extensions, desktop software for Windows and macOS, and mobile apps for iOS and Android, with integrations for Google Workspace and Dropbox.

Independently observed

Pricing

List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.

PyMuPDF

Leader
Open sourceFree tier
as of verify ↗

Smallpdf

SubscriptionFree tier7-day trial

Freemium model with paid subscription tiers billed annually.

  • FreeFree
    • 30+ document management tools
    • Limited document downloads
    • Limited mobile app access
    • Limited Sign.com access
  • ProBilled annually
    • Unlimited access to 30+ tools
    • Unlimited document downloads
    • Edit Text, OCR, and more
    • Strong Compression
    • Unlimited AI-powered tools
    • +2 more
  • TeamPer-seat billed annually
    • Everything in Pro
    • Special discounted pricing
    • Priority customer support
    • Centralized billing
    • Member access management
    • +1 more
  • BusinessContact sales
    • Everything in Pro for Teams
    • Custom pricing
    • Flexible payment options
    • Dedicated customer support
as of verify ↗

Platform & deployment

Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.

Platforms
Web
PyMuPDF✗
Smallpdf✓
iOS
PyMuPDF✗
Smallpdf✓
Android
PyMuPDF✗
Smallpdf✓
macOS
PyMuPDF✓
Smallpdf✓
Windows
PyMuPDF✓
Smallpdf✓
Linux
PyMuPDF✓
Smallpdf✗
Deployment
Cloud / SaaS
PyMuPDF✗
Smallpdf✓
Self-hosted
PyMuPDF✓
Smallpdf✗
Hybrid
PyMuPDF✗
Smallpdf✓

Integrations

What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.

PyMuPDF

Leader
1 total
  • Tesseract
Independently observed

Smallpdf

5 total
  • Google Drive
  • Dropbox
  • Google Chrome
  • Google Workspace
  • Sign.com
Independently observed
Still deciding?

PyMuPDF or Smallpdf: which one depends on you

A composite score cannot know your constraints. Describe them and both get re-weighted against what you actually need, with the evidence behind every position.

Free to run, no account needed to start. How the evaluation works

Comparison generated from independently-sourced facts. Every value links to its source and retrieval date. See the method.