Private PDF Editor — Edit, Merge, and OCR PDFs in Your Browser
A full PDF workspace that runs entirely on your device. Edit text, merge documents, run OCR on scans, compress, split, and convert — with zero uploads, no server storage, and full offline support. Drag pages between documents visually, like paper on a desk.
uploaded to any server — everything runs in your browser
edit, merge, OCR, compress, split, convert — all in one workspace
works without internet — on a plane, train, anywhere
action latency — no waiting for servers, instant response
The old way vs the LocalPDF way
If you've ever needed to move a page between PDFs or just wanted to edit a document without uploading it somewhere — here's how the experience changes.
With online PDF tools
- Upload the file to a remote server
- Use a separate page for each operation
- Extract pages with one tool, merge with another
- Wait for every upload and download
- Accept whatever their privacy policy says
- Create an account to do more than one thing
With LocalPDF
- Open a file from your device — zero upload
- All tools in one canvas, switch freely
- Drag pages between documents directly
- Instant response, no network roundtrips
- Nothing leaves your device, ever
- No account, no signup, no subscription
Open, work, export — in three steps
No accounts, no uploads, no servers. Just a workspace that works the way you expect.
Open a PDF
Drag any PDF into the Studio or open it from your device. The file stays in your browser's memory — zero bytes sent anywhere. Works offline too.
Work visually
Edit text, merge documents, run OCR, reorder pages by dragging, or move pages between open PDFs — all on the canvas.
Export the result
Download the finished PDF. No cleanup, no accounts to delete, no files left on someone else's server.
The most in-demand PDF tools
Six most-used tools, all in one workspace. Switch between them without leaving the document.
Edit PDF
Edit text and images directly on the page
Merge PDF
Combine documents by dragging pages together
OCR PDF
Extract text from scanned documents, local processing
Compress PDF
Reduce file size without uploading to a server
Split PDF
Extract or remove pages from any document
Convert PDF
PDF to JPG and other format conversions
How to edit, merge, and OCR PDFs — privately
Real workflows that make the most of local-first PDF processing.
How to Merge PDF Files
Combine multiple PDFs into one document without uploading them anywhere.
How to Edit Text in a PDF
Edit PDF text directly — replace words, cover sensitive sections, and more.
OCR PDF: Extract Text from Scans
Turn scanned PDFs into searchable documents — all locally, no upload required.
Local-first vs upload-first PDF tools
The difference is simple: your files never leave your device. Here's what that means in practice.
LocalPDF
- Files stay in your browser
- Drag-and-drop between documents
- One workspace for everything
- Works offline
- No account required
- Zero bytes sent to servers
Smallpdf / iLovePDF / Adobe
- Files uploaded to remote servers
- One tool per page, no workspace
- Separate page for each operation
- Requires internet connection
- Account upsells everywhere
- Privacy depends on a policy page
Best for
- Contracts and legal documents
- Invoices and financial records
- HR files and offer letters
- Sensitive operational PDFs
- Offline work on the go
- Anyone who values privacy
Common questions about private PDF editing
No. LocalPDF runs entirely in your browser. You open a file from your device, work on it, and download the result — nothing is uploaded to any server.
Yes. Open two PDFs side by side in the canvas, select a page from one, and drag it into the other. The page is copied instantly — no extract-then-merge workflow required.
All six core tools — edit PDF, merge PDF, OCR PDF, compress PDF, split PDF, and convert PDF — are completely free. There's a Pro plan that unlocks higher workspace limits for heavy users, but there's no trial expiration, no hidden limits on basic usage, and no credit card required to start.
Two key differences. First, LocalPDF keeps everything on your device — no uploads, no server storage, no privacy policies to trust. Second, LocalPDF uses a visual canvas where you can work with multiple documents side by side and drag pages between them, not a list of separate tool pages each requiring its own upload.
Yes. After the initial page load, all processing runs locally in your browser via WebAssembly. You can edit, merge, OCR, compress, split, and convert PDFs on a plane, train, or anywhere with no internet connection.
LocalPDF works in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. All processing uses WebAssembly, so there's nothing to install. You can also install it as a Chrome app via the PWA prompt for quick access.
Try the PDF workspace that keeps your files private
No signup, no upload, no commitment. Just a PDF tool that works the way it should.