# PDFelement vs Smallpdf

**Leader by Vioscale score:** Smallpdf

| Attribute | PDFelement | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 36.8 (47% (low)) | 46.3 (55% (medium)) |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true}` | `{"cloud":true}` |
| description.long | A multi-purpose PDF tool that lets users modify document content (text and images), create interactive forms, read text from scanned files, reorganize pages, convert between document formats, and apply digital signatures. Works on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and through a web interface. | A cloud-based PDF software platform providing over 30 tools for document conversion, compression, editing, e-signing, and file management. Available via web, desktop application, and mobile apps with a freemium pricing model. |
| features.capabilities | `{"iso_27001":true,"pricing_model":"one_time_purchase","deployment_model":"native_desktop","file_size_compression_engine":true,"interactive_form_field_creation":true,"password_protection_and_encryption":true,"microsoft_office_docx_xlsx_conversion":true,"page_merging_extraction_and_splitting":true,"base_text_and_image_editing_within_pdf":true,"ocr_optical_character_recognition_scanning":true,"digital_signature_certification_enforcement":true}` | `{"iso_27001":true,"soc2_type_ii":false,"pricing_model":"freemium","deployment_model":"cloud_saas","file_size_compression_engine":true,"interactive_form_field_creation":false,"password_protection_and_encryption":true,"permanent_blackout_redaction_engine":false,"microsoft_office_docx_xlsx_conversion":true,"page_merging_extraction_and_splitting":true,"base_text_and_image_editing_within_pdf":true,"ocr_optical_character_recognition_scanning":true,"digital_signature_certification_enforcement":true}` |
| integrations.count | - | 5 |
| integrations.list | - | `[{"name":"Google Drive"},{"name":"Dropbox"},{"name":"Google Chrome"},{"name":"Google Workspace"},{"name":"Sign.com"}]` |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"hqCountry":"CH","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"ios":true,"mac":true,"web":true,"android":true,"windows":true}` | `{"web":true,"windows":true}` |
| pricing | `{"type":"hybrid","plans":[{"free":false,"name":"PDFelement for Individuals","summary":"$129.99 perpetual (12% discount from $159)","features":["Edit text and images","Annotate documents","Merge and split pages","OCR scanning","Convert to and from PDF","Compress file size","Create fillable forms","Digital signatures","Protect PDFs"],"components":[{"kind":"one_time","amount":129.99,"currency":"USD"}],"description":"Edit, print, convert, eSign, and protect PDFs on Windows PC or Mac","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"PDFelement for Team","summary":"$139/user/month with custom services available (contact for details)","components":[{"kind":"per_unit","unit":"seat","amount":139,"period":"month","currency":"USD"}],"description":"Flexible team licensing with provisioning, tracking, and management across groups","contactSales":true}],"summary":"From $129.99 one-time for individuals or $139/user/month for teams. Free trial available.","currency":"USD","freeTier":false,"sourceUrl":"https://pdf.wondershare.com/business/acrobat-reader-enterprise-pricing.html","retrievedAt":"2026-08-25T15:45:56.513Z","startingPrice":{"amount":129.99,"currency":"USD"}}` | `{"type":"subscription","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"Free","summary":"Free","features":["30+ document management tools","Limited document downloads","Limited mobile app access","Limited Sign.com access"],"minSeats":1,"components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":0,"period":"month","currency":null}],"description":"30+ document management tools with limited usage","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"tools":"30+","downloads":"limited","mobile_access":"limited","sign_com_limit":"2 documents/month"}},{"free":false,"name":"Pro","summary":"Billed annually","features":["Unlimited access to 30+ tools","Unlimited document downloads","Edit Text, OCR, and more","Strong Compression","Unlimited AI-powered tools","Unlimited mobile app access","Unlimited Sign.com Premium subscription"],"minSeats":1,"commitment":"annual","description":"Unlimited access to all tools, AI features, and premium compression","contactSales":false},{"free":false,"name":"Team","summary":"Per-seat billed annually","features":["Everything in Pro","Special discounted pricing","Priority customer support","Centralized billing","Member access management","Unlimited Sign.com Premium for each team member"],"minSeats":2,"commitment":"annual","description":"Team collaboration with discounted per-seat pricing and centralized management","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"team_size":"2-19 seats"}},{"free":false,"name":"Business","summary":"Custom pricing available upon request","features":["Everything in Pro for Teams","Custom pricing","Flexible payment options","Dedicated customer support"],"minSeats":20,"description":"Enterprise solutions for large teams with custom terms","contactSales":true}],"summary":"Freemium model with paid subscription tiers billed annually.","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://smallpdf.com/pricing","retrievedAt":"2026-08-25T15:50:20.686Z","freeTrialDays":7,"billingPeriods":["month","year"]}` |
| pricing.free_tier | no | yes |
| pricing.model | commercial | freemium |
| pricing.price_level | high | low |
| pricing.starting_price | `{"amount":129.99,"currency":"USD"}` | - |
| pricing.transparent | no | no |
| security.gdpr | - | yes |
| security.iso27001 | yes | yes |

## Capabilities (PDF Editors)

| Capability | PDFelement | Smallpdf |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Deployment model | Native desktop | Cloud saas |
| Base text and image editing within PDF | ✓ | ✓ |
| Page merging extraction and splitting | ✓ | ✓ |
| OCR optical character recognition scanning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Permanent blackout redaction engine | - | ✗ |
| Password protection and encryption | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interactive form field creation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Digital signature certification enforcement | ✓ | ✓ |
| Microsoft office docx xlsx conversion | ✓ | ✓ |
| File size compression engine | ✓ | ✓ |
| SOC2 type ii | - | ✗ |
| ISO 27001 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pricing model | One time purchase | Freemium |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T14:39:57.624Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*