Checked 6 November 2026 against ilovepdf.com/pricing. Competitor limits change; this page is re-checked quarterly and CI fails if it isn't.
Toolzum vs iLovePDF: free limits, honestly compared
iLovePDF is a mature, full-featured PDF service with desktop and mobile apps and a real business model: a limited free tier that pushes you toward Premium, with files processed on their servers. Toolzum takes the opposite trade: processing happens locally in your browser (files never leave your device), and the free tier is quota-based and disclosed up front. Neither is "free unlimited" — here is exactly what each side allows.
| Capability | iLovePDF | Toolzum |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Essential tools only, limited document processing | Local tools: unlimited, no account. Pro-tool outputs: 2/day signed in, unlimited on Pro |
| Where files go | Uploaded to iLovePDF servers (ISO 27001, GDPR) | Processed in your browser; never uploaded (local tools) |
| Merge PDFs | 25 files free, 100 MB/file; 500 files / 4 GB on Premium | Unlimited merging locally, files never leave your device |
| Batch processing | Limited free (1-2 per task); unlimited on Premium | Local tools unlimited; Pro-tool outputs metered |
| OCR / AI features | Premium-only or AI-credit-gated (2,000 credits on Premium) | Credits-based: 5 one-time trial, 200/mo on Pro |
| File size | 100-200 MB free depending on tool; up to 4 GB Premium | Up to 150 MB free signed-in, 2 GB on Pro |
| Price to remove limits | Premium ₹242/mo annual (₹500 monthly) in India; Business custom | Pro $9.99/mo (₹299 in India), 200 AI credits/mo |
What we checked, and what we didn't
- The free (Basic) plan gives access to essential tools with limited document processing; paid Premium unlocks all tools, unlimited processing, desktop/mobile/web access, digital signatures, workflows, ad-free use, priority support, and regional file processing.
- Premium includes 2,000 AI credits; advanced AI features (smart split, advanced OCR, advanced AI summarizer, advanced translate) are Premium-only or AI-credit-gated.
- Free-tier batch limits are much smaller than Premium: merge 25 files vs 500, compress 2 vs 10, image-to-PDF 20 vs 500, protect/unlock 2 vs 10, and so on.
- Free-tier file-size limits are smaller than Premium: merge 100 MB vs 4 GB, office-to-PDF 15 MB vs 4 GB, OCR 15 MB vs 4 GB.
- Files are processed on their servers; the page lists ISO 27001, eIDAS, GDPR and IAB certifications and 'secure HTTPS connection'.
- Pricing shown for India: ₹242/month billed annually or ₹500 billed monthly; Premium covers 1-25 users, Business is custom.
Deliberately not claimed:
- The USD price — the page is geo-priced and only INR was legible in the served page, so no USD number is asserted.
- Whether the free plan has a daily download cap or only a per-task limit — the page says 'limited' but not the reset cadence.
- Whether iLovePDF deletes files after processing, or retains them — their page claims encryption but does not state a deletion window.
- Their internal architecture beyond their own public security claims.
When NOT to use us
If you need desktop apps, mobile apps, team workflows, digital signatures with audit trails, or regional file processing, iLovePDF's Premium or Business tier is the better tool. We serve the free, private, browser-local PDF worker who wants no account and no upload.
Try the free tools
- Bulk PDF Merger — combine files locally
- PDF Editor — edit, sign, OCR free
- Bulk PDF Size Reducer — shrink for email