PDFgear
Completely free, watermark-free and no-signup online and cross-platform desktop PDF toolkit (3 benchmarked capabilities: PDF compression, PDF merge & split, PDF to Word)
Product node overview & trust baseline
Operator provenance, privacy baseline and site-wide pricing belong directly to the product node and are inherited across linked task edgesPDFgear, operated by PDFgear Tech Pte. Ltd. (pdfgear.com) (Singapore) under a "Completely free" model, has 3 published task assessments on RealTest (PDF compression 99/100, PDF merge & split 99/100, PDF to Word 82/100). In pdf compression, 100% free and ad-free across web and desktop, shrinking our 1.66 MB PDF by 97.63% down to 39.2 KB in 1.79s while preserving 100% of selectable vector text. In pdf merge & split, merges PDFs 100% locally in the browser via WebAssembly without login, cloud uploads, or ads, and includes free "Show Pages" page-level reordering; exports a 316.1 KB 3-page watermark-free PDF in 0.16s with 100% page order and vector text fidelity.
Singapore · 2022–Present (fast-growing free cross-platform PDF suite)
Provenance baseline: 18/20 · Operated by Singapore-based PDFgear Tech Pte. Ltd., widely praised across tech communities for its 100% free Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android apps.
The official web limit is 100 MB per file. Its OCR claim is not a RealTest scanned-document test. Desktop batch and offline processing are not web capabilities.
Pricing transparency baseline: 33/35 · Cancellation: Cancellation and refund terms follow official checkout and help policies.
Instant delete icon on result card; files are automatically deleted upon leaving the site
No third-party services listed in this record; this is not proof that none exist.
Product-level pricing & rules baseline
Verified plans, billing periods and cancellation terms owned by this product node; task-specific credit costs and free export limits are detailed per capability edge belowPDFgear web PDF-to-Word; free desktop alternative noted separately · 2026-10-20
1 plan / billing-period records, all listed; — means that period is not recorded.
The official web limit is 100 MB per file. Its OCR claim is not a RealTest scanned-document test. Desktop batch and offline processing are not web capabilities.
Cancellation, sources & verification record
Cancellation and refund terms follow official checkout and help policies.
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Archived official pricing sources: Official feature and pricing page (2026-10-20) [text snapshot ↗]
Capability map & linked task edges
Whenever a capability passes fixed-fixture testing, an edge is automatically linked between this product node and the task topic for horizontal comparison.
| Linked task edge | Score | Assessment · historical test | Test scope & delivery | Inspect capability / follow edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDF to Word | 82/100 | Free login-free access includes deletion, but a skippable sharing prompt interrupts conversion and tables retain only visual borders, hindering edits. | DOCX · Output attached Historical test · 2026-10-18 Guest flow · 2-page text PDF; not a scan · Output attached | |
| PDF compression | 99/100 | 100% free and ad-free across web and desktop, shrinking our 1.66 MB PDF by 97.63% down to 39.2 KB in 1.79s while preserving 100% of selectable vector text. | PDF · Output attached Historical test · 2026-10-23 Guest flow · 2-page text & image PDF (1.66 MB) · Output attached | |
| PDF merge & split | 99/100 | Merges PDFs 100% locally in the browser via WebAssembly without login, cloud uploads, or ads, and includes free "Show Pages" page-level reordering; exports a 316.1 KB 3-page watermark-free PDF in 0.16s with 100% page order and vector text fidelity. | PDF · Output attached Historical test · 2026-10-25 Guest flow · 2 multi-page PDF fixtures merged (3 pages total, 316.8 KB) · Output attached |
Tested task edges (with scores and native artifacts) are strictly separated from discovered untested capabilities (unscored).
Peer product comparison across shared task edges
Matched by overlapping tested task edges; compare site-wide billing models alongside per-task benchmark scoresMonthly and annual modes confirm annual bills USD 72 / 180. Current PDF Unlimited and all-tool TinyWow Unlimited replace the historical Supporter description. Other single-category subscriptions do not include PDF. Numeric free limits and cancellation terms remain unspecified.
- PDF to Word:PDFgear 82/100 vs TinyWow 71/100
- PDF compression:PDFgear 99/100 vs TinyWow 93/100
- PDF merge & split:PDFgear 99/100 vs TinyWow 95/100
The official tool page states free, unlimited conversion. Numeric size and page limits are not published; the claim is not a guarantee for arbitrary files.
- PDF to Word:PDFgear 82/100 vs 11zon 72/100
- PDF compression:PDFgear 99/100 vs 11zon 75/100
- PDF merge & split:PDFgear 99/100 vs 11zon 95/100
The official pricing page offers a Free tier (2 actions per 6 hours, 128 MB file limit) and an annual AvePDF Premium tier billed once at USD 55/year, with no standalone monthly plan.
- PDF to Word:PDFgear 82/100 vs avepdf.com 76/100
- PDF compression:PDFgear 99/100 vs avepdf.com 95/100
- PDF merge & split:PDFgear 99/100 vs avepdf.com 94/100
Confirmed 75 package and 73 monthly subscription capacities; subscriptions start at 1,000 credits. The table says 10 free credits/day while the footer says 10 conversions/day; this conflict does not establish 10 PDFs. PDF-to-Office has a 4-credit base and longer processing incurs more, replacing the historical mixed minutes/count description.
- PDF to Word:PDFgear 82/100 vs CloudConvert 93/100
- PDF compression:PDFgear 99/100 vs CloudConvert 98/100
- PDF merge & split:PDFgear 99/100 vs CloudConvert 98/100
Linked capability test: PDF to Word
2026-10-18 · Native output attached. Findings cover the recorded fixture and conditions; paid specifications may be untested.
Task quality
Text retained 100% · Editable table cells 0 · Page 2 preserved Yes
Detailed facts & historical record
- Measured fixture results
Text retained: 100% · Editable table cells: 0 · Page 2 preserved: Yes
- Fixture findings
Text was retained but tables were not editable grids; a sharing prompt appeared during conversion.
- Original historical observation
PDFgear stays true to its 100% free philosophy—offering both Standard and Advanced OCR modes without login (02_workspace.png) and exporting a 16.0 KB .docx with 100% text retention and instant deletion (03_download.png); its only drawbacks are a 'Share to Continue' prompt with a faint gray 'skip' button (03_share_modal.png) and paragraph-based rather than native <w:tbl> table reconstruction.
- Suitable uses · historical assessment
Users who detest paywalls and third-party ads or need free OCR text recognition on scanned PDFs
- Result & output evidence
- Scans / OCR
The fixture is a text PDF; scans and OCR were not tested
Delivery capabilities
DOCX · Output attached · No watermark in test
Detailed facts & historical record
- Recorded export specifications
DOCX · Output attached · No watermark in test
- Historical specification note · not an official maximum
Full 2-page unwatermarked .docx (16.0 KB, 39 paragraphs, free OCR mode supported)
- Watermark observation
No watermark
- Batch & API
Single-file conversion on web; unlimited local batch conversion via free Windows/macOS desktop app
- Recorded free-tier dimensions
Not verified
- Attached file dimensions
Not verified
- Published allowances & file limits · not tested
Web free: One PDF at a time, up to 100 MB; OCR is claimed by the vendor. Batch processing and no file-size limit are desktop features.
Speed & reliability
About 12.3s end to end in this run; reliability not retested
Detailed facts & historical record
- Timing observation
Network-observed server wait: 10.8s · End-to-end reference: 12.3s
- Date & fixture
2026-10-18 · anchor_pdf2word_v1 · US-West (California, AS2914)
- Repeated tests & reliability
No standardized repetition count, success rate or variability range is recorded.
Interaction experience
No login in this run
Detailed facts & historical record
- Account requirements
No login in this test
- Sign-in methods
No login or registration required
- Manual adjustment
Not verified
- Interaction observations
Zero third-party banner ads, though clicking 'Convert' pops up a 'Share to Continue — Share this tool on social media to unlock access and continue converting your files' prompt with a faint gray 'skip' link at the bottom (03_share_modal.png).
Background & reputation
PDFgear Tech Pte. Ltd. (pdfgear.com) · Long-term reputation not independently verified
Detailed facts & historical record
- Service lifecycle notice
Not verified
- Operator
PDFgear Tech Pte. Ltd. (pdfgear.com)
- Recorded origin
Singapore
- Domain history record
2022–Present (fast-growing free cross-platform PDF suite)
- Background & reputation assessment
Operated by Singapore-based PDFgear Tech Pte. Ltd., widely praised across tech communities for its 100% free Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android apps.
- External reputation record
Not verified
Engineering & privacy
Uploaded for cloud processing;Explicit retention period unconfirmed; inspect policy record
Detailed facts & historical record
- Processing location
Uploaded for cloud processing
- Third-party tracking record
Not verified
- Engineering & privacy assessment
Provides an instant trash-can delete icon right beside 'Download File' and explicitly states 'Your files remain private and will be deleted after leaving our site' (03_download.png).
- Retention statement
Explicit retention period unconfirmed; inspect policy record
Task free allowance & pricing disclosure
Both the web tool (including Advanced OCR) and cross-platform desktop/mobile apps are currently 100% free
Completely free throughout; only requires clicking 'skip' on the social share modal
Site-wide plans belong to the product node (see Product-level pricing baseline ↑).
Expand site-wide plans aligned for PDF to Word (1 records)
PDFgear web PDF-to-Word; free desktop alternative noted separately · 2026-10-20
1 plan / billing-period records, all listed; — means that period is not recorded.
The official web limit is 100 MB per file. Its OCR claim is not a RealTest scanned-document test. Desktop batch and offline processing are not web capabilities.
Cancellation, sources & verification record
Cancellation and refund terms follow official checkout and help policies.
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Evaluation basis & full scores · Overall 81.6/100
Overall = honesty & reputation × 30% + capability × 70%. Component maxima follow this report’s rubric. List scores are rounded for display; original precision is retained here.
Scoring version 2.3.1 · Test fixture anchor_pdf2word_v1
Honesty & reputation · 84/100 · 30%
| Criterion | Score | Rationale | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing transparency | 33 / 35 | Genuinely free with no subscription paywall, no registration requirement, no watermark, and even makes its 'Advanced (Enable OCR to recognize text from scans)' mode completely free for guests (02_workspace.png, 03_download.png). | Evidence A → |
| Interaction restraint | 19 / 30 | Zero third-party banner ads, though clicking 'Convert' pops up a 'Share to Continue — Share this tool on social media to unlock access and continue converting your files' prompt with a faint gray 'skip' link at the bottom (03_share_modal.png). | Evidence A → |
| Background & reputation | 18 / 20 | Operated by Singapore-based PDFgear Tech Pte. Ltd., widely praised across tech communities for its 100% free Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android apps. | Evidence A → |
| Engineering & privacy | 14 / 15 | Provides an instant trash-can delete icon right beside 'Download File' and explicitly states 'Your files remain private and will be deleted after leaving our site' (03_download.png). | Evidence A → |
Capability · 80.5/100 · 70%
| Criterion | Score | Rationale | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Task quality | 51 / 65 | OpenXML inspection confirms 100.0% text retention (all 4/4 headings, 12/12 table values, 3/3 body phrases, and Page 2 code preserved) with 3 background graphics preserving visual table borders, though it does not generate a native Word <w:tbl> table object (51.0/65) | Evidence A → |
| Deliverable specifications | 18 / 20 | Exports a clean 16.0 KB .docx with no login or watermark, plus free optional Advanced OCR mode (18.0/20) | Evidence A → |
| Processing speed | 11.5 / 15 | End-to-end cloud upload and conversion finishes in ~12.3s (11.5/15) | Evidence A → |
Legacy scores may include advertised maximum capabilities. Read tested output separately from paid capabilities. Records without matching tiers and scope are not ranked together.
Linked capability test: PDF compression
2026-10-23 · Native output attached. Findings cover the recorded fixture and conditions; paid specifications may be untested.
Task quality
File reduction 97.63% · Output size 39.2 KB · Selectable text retained 100% · Page 2 preserved Yes
Detailed facts & historical record
- Measured fixture results
File reduction: 97.63% · Output size: 39.2 KB · Selectable text retained: 100% · Page 2 preserved: Yes
- Fixture findings
Reduced the 2-page PDF by 97.63% (39.2 KB output) while retaining 100% of all 27 native vector text operator blocks and table text.
- Original historical observation
PDFgear compressed our 1.66 MB PDF fixture down to 39.2 KB (-97.63%) in 1.79s of server processing while preserving all 27 vector text operator blocks (02_workspace.png, 03_result.png).
- Suitable uses · historical assessment
Users seeking a 100% free, ad-free tool that achieves extreme size reduction (-97.63%) while keeping all vector text selectable
- Result & output evidence
Delivery capabilities
PDF · Output attached · No watermark in test
Detailed facts & historical record
- Recorded export specifications
PDF · Output attached · No watermark in test
- Historical specification note · not an official maximum
Full 2-page native vector PDF (39.2 KB · -97.63% · watermark-free · 3 free presets)
- Watermark observation
No watermark
- Batch & API
Single-file web tool; batch compression available in the free desktop app
- Recorded free-tier dimensions
Not verified
- Attached file dimensions
Not verified
Speed & reliability
About 24.73s end to end in this run; reliability not retested
Detailed facts & historical record
- Timing observation
Network-observed server wait: 1.79s · End-to-end reference: 24.73s
- Date & fixture
2026-10-23 · anchor_pdfcompress_v1 · US-West (California, AS2914)
- Repeated tests & reliability
No standardized repetition count, success rate or variability range is recorded.
Interaction experience
No login in this run
Detailed facts & historical record
- Account requirements
No login in this test
- Sign-in methods
100% guest-accessible without login
- Manual adjustment
Not verified
- Interaction observations
No registration required; choose a preset, click Compress, and download a watermark-free PDF from a clean, ad-free workspace.
Background & reputation
PDFgear Tech Pte. Ltd. (pdfgear.com) · Long-term reputation not independently verified
Detailed facts & historical record
- Service lifecycle notice
Not verified
- Operator
PDFgear Tech Pte. Ltd. (pdfgear.com)
- Recorded origin
Singapore
- Domain history record
2022–Present (fast-growing free cross-platform PDF suite)
- Background & reputation assessment
Developed by PDFgear Tech Pte. Ltd. in Singapore, widely praised for its completely free cross-platform PDF toolkit.
- External reputation record
Not verified
Engineering & privacy
Uploaded for cloud processing;Explicit retention period unconfirmed; inspect policy record
Detailed facts & historical record
- Processing location
Uploaded for cloud processing
- Third-party tracking record
No third-party services listed in this record; this is not proof that none exist.
- Engineering & privacy assessment
Uses TLS encryption and purges temporary server files after download, alongside 100% offline desktop and mobile apps.
- Retention statement
Explicit retention period unconfirmed; inspect policy record
Task free allowance & pricing disclosure
All 3 compression levels are 100% free with no daily task caps (up to 50 MB per file)
All 3 compression modes are openly accessible upfront with zero hidden paywalls
Site-wide plans belong to the product node (see Product-level pricing baseline ↑).
Expand site-wide plans aligned for PDF compression (1 records)
PDFgear web PDF-to-Word; free desktop alternative noted separately · 2026-10-20
1 plan / billing-period records, all listed; — means that period is not recorded.
The official web limit is 100 MB per file. Its OCR claim is not a RealTest scanned-document test. Desktop batch and offline processing are not web capabilities.
Cancellation, sources & verification record
Cancellation and refund terms follow official checkout and help policies.
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Evaluation basis & full scores · Overall 98.5/100
Overall = honesty & reputation × 30% + capability × 70%. Component maxima follow this report’s rubric. List scores are rounded for display; original precision is retained here.
Scoring version 2.3.1 · Test fixture anchor_pdfcompress_v1
Honesty & reputation · 96/100 · 30%
| Criterion | Score | Rationale | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing transparency | 35 / 35 | 100% free across Low, Medium, and High compression presets with zero login walls, daily limits, ads, or post-compression paywalls (01_landing.png, 02_workspace.png, 03_result.png). | Evidence A → |
| Interaction restraint | 29 / 30 | No registration required; choose a preset, click Compress, and download a watermark-free PDF from a clean, ad-free workspace. | Evidence A → |
| Background & reputation | 18 / 20 | Developed by PDFgear Tech Pte. Ltd. in Singapore, widely praised for its completely free cross-platform PDF toolkit. | Evidence A → |
| Engineering & privacy | 14 / 15 | Uses TLS encryption and purges temporary server files after download, alongside 100% offline desktop and mobile apps. | Evidence A → |
Capability · 99.5/100 · 70%
| Criterion | Score | Rationale | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Task quality | 65 / 65 | Deterministic PDF stream inspection: shrinks the 1,659.0 KB fixture down to 39.2 KB (-97.63%, 42.27× ratio) while retaining 100.0% of all 27 native vector text operator blocks (BT/TJ), 4/4 headings, 12/12 table cells, and the Page 2 token (65.0/65) | Evidence A → |
| Deliverable specifications | 20 / 20 | Exports a 39.2 KB watermark-free 2-page vector PDF without login, with all three compression presets unlocked for free (20.0/20) | Evidence A → |
| Processing speed | 14.5 / 15 | Once upload completes (22.94s), server-side PDF compression finishes in just 1.79s (14.5/15) | Evidence A → |
Legacy scores may include advertised maximum capabilities. Read tested output separately from paid capabilities. Records without matching tiers and scope are not ranked together.
Linked capability test: PDF merge & split
2026-10-25 · Native output attached. Findings cover the recorded fixture and conditions; paid specifications may be untested.
Task quality
Merged page count 3 / 3 · Page order preserved Yes · Selectable text retained 100%
Detailed facts & historical record
- Measured fixture results
Merged page count: 3 / 3 · Page order preserved: Yes · Selectable text retained: 100%
- Fixture findings
Merged 2 multi-page anchor PDFs (3 pages total, 316.8 KB) into a 316.1 KB watermark-free standard PDF with 3/3 pages in exact cross-document sequence (DOC1-P1 -> DOC1-P2 -> DOC2-P3) and 100% retention of all 37 native vector text operator blocks, 5/5 headings, and 12/12 financial table cells.
- Original historical observation
PDFgear merges the 2-page main report and 1-page appendix into a 316.1 KB 3-page PDF in 0.16s while preserving all 37 native vector text streams and embedded figures (result.png, download.png).
- Suitable uses · historical assessment
Merges PDFs 100% locally in the browser via WebAssembly without login, cloud uploads, or ads, and includes free "Show Pages" page-level reordering; exports a 316.1 KB 3-page watermark-free PDF in 0.16s with 100% page order and vector text fidelity.
- Result & output evidence
Delivery capabilities
PDF · Output attached · No watermark in test
Detailed facts & historical record
- Recorded export specifications
PDF · Output attached · No watermark in test
- Historical specification note · not an official maximum
Full 3-page native vector merged PDF (316.1 KB · watermark-free · 100% browser-local processing)
- Watermark observation
Watermark-free
- Batch & API
Supports multi-PDF batch import, file-level sorting, and "Show Pages" page-level reorganization
- Recorded free-tier dimensions
Not verified
- Attached file dimensions
Not verified
Speed & reliability
About 0.16s end to end in this run; reliability not retested
Detailed facts & historical record
- Timing observation
Recorded local processing time: 0.16s · End-to-end reference: 0.16s
- Date & fixture
2026-10-25 · anchor_pdfmerge_v1 · US-West (California, AS2914)
- Repeated tests & reliability
No standardized repetition count, success rate or variability range is recorded.
Interaction experience
No login in this run
Detailed facts & historical record
- Account requirements
No login in this test
- Sign-in methods
100% login-free browser-local processing
- Manual adjustment
Not verified
- Interaction observations
Exceptionally clean, ad-free workspace; supports both file-level ordering and a free "Show Pages" view to reorder, rotate, or delete individual pages across documents before merging.
Background & reputation
PDFgear Tech Pte. Ltd. (pdfgear.com) · Long-term reputation not independently verified
Detailed facts & historical record
- Service lifecycle notice
Not verified
- Operator
PDFgear Tech Pte. Ltd. (pdfgear.com)
- Recorded origin
Singapore
- Domain history record
2022–Present (fast-growing free cross-platform PDF suite)
- Background & reputation assessment
Developed by PDFgear Tech Pte. Ltd., widely praised across global user communities for its genuinely free, ad-free PDF software.
- External reputation record
Not verified
Engineering & privacy
On-device processing;This flow runs locally; post-close deletion not independently verified
Detailed facts & historical record
- Processing location
On-device processing
- Third-party tracking record
No third-party services listed in this record; this is not proof that none exist.
- Engineering & privacy assessment
Executes PDF merging 100% locally inside the browser via WebAssembly/JS (upload_s_net = 0.0s); zero document bytes are uploaded to external servers, ensuring instant speed and strict privacy.
- Retention statement
This flow runs locally; post-close deletion not independently verified
Task free allowance & pricing disclosure
Completely free and unlimited with no daily caps or Pro locks on page-level reordering
All features are openly free, with explicit disclosure that files are processed locally in the browser
Site-wide plans belong to the product node (see Product-level pricing baseline ↑).
Expand site-wide plans aligned for PDF merge & split (1 records)
PDFgear web PDF-to-Word; free desktop alternative noted separately · 2026-10-20
1 plan / billing-period records, all listed; — means that period is not recorded.
The official web limit is 100 MB per file. Its OCR claim is not a RealTest scanned-document test. Desktop batch and offline processing are not web capabilities.
Cancellation, sources & verification record
Cancellation and refund terms follow official checkout and help policies.
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Evaluation basis & full scores · Overall 99.3/100
Overall = honesty & reputation × 30% + capability × 70%. Component maxima follow this report’s rubric. List scores are rounded for display; original precision is retained here.
Scoring version 2.3.1 · Test fixture anchor_pdfmerge_v1
Honesty & reputation · 97.5/100 · 30%
| Criterion | Score | Rationale | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing transparency | 35 / 35 | 100% free across both web and native apps with zero subscription tiers, daily task caps, or hidden file-size paywalls (landing.png, result.png, download.png). | Evidence A → |
| Interaction restraint | 29.5 / 30 | Exceptionally clean, ad-free workspace; supports both file-level ordering and a free "Show Pages" view to reorder, rotate, or delete individual pages across documents before merging. | Evidence A → |
| Background & reputation | 18 / 20 | Developed by PDFgear Tech Pte. Ltd., widely praised across global user communities for its genuinely free, ad-free PDF software. | Evidence A → |
| Engineering & privacy | 15 / 15 | Executes PDF merging 100% locally inside the browser via WebAssembly/JS (upload_s_net = 0.0s); zero document bytes are uploaded to external servers, ensuring instant speed and strict privacy. | Evidence A → |
Capability · 100/100 · 70%
| Criterion | Score | Rationale | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Task quality | 65 / 65 | Deterministic multi-PDF stream inspection: merges our 2 anchor PDFs (3 pages total, 316.8 KB) into a 316.1 KB standard PDF with exact 3/3 page count, 100% sequential page-order token verification (DOC1-P1 -> DOC1-P2 -> DOC2-P3), and 100.0% retention of all 37 native vector text operator blocks (BT/TJ), 5/5 headings, and 12/12 cross-document financial table cells (65.0/65) | Evidence A → |
| Deliverable specifications | 20 / 20 | Exports a complete 3-page watermark-free standard PDF (316.1 KB) locally without login, including free "Show Pages" page-level reorganization (20.0/20) | Evidence A → |
| Processing speed | 15 / 15 | 100% browser-local in-memory merge completes in 0.16s with zero network upload wait (15.0/15) | Evidence A → |
Legacy scores may include advertised maximum capabilities. Read tested output separately from paid capabilities. Records without matching tiers and scope are not ranked together.


