Soda PDF
Multi-capability online workspace by Avanquest Software / LULU Software (sodapdf.com) (2 benchmarked capabilities: 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 edgesSoda PDF, operated by Avanquest Software / LULU Software (sodapdf.com) (Montreal, Canada) under a "Free tier + subscription" model, has 2 published task assessments on RealTest (PDF merge & split 89/100, PDF to Word 88/100). In pdf merge & split, downplays restrictions behind a "free*" asterisk; while our 316.8 KB fixture sits under its 3 MB paywall cap and merges in 2.25s into a 316.9 KB 3-page watermark-free PDF with 100% page order and vector text fidelity, Soda PDF redirects to `/file-ready-s/` and gates the download behind mandatory account signup. In pdf to word, automatic login-free conversion retains text and tables; free frequency and size limits apply, with no immediate deletion control observed and a stated 24-hour retention.
Montreal, Canada · 2010–Present (16-year commercial PDF software suite)
Provenance baseline: 18/20 · Developed and operated since 2010 by Montreal-based LULU Software / Avanquest Software Group, a veteran North American PDF software vendor.
Annual order totals checked without payment: Pro USD 89 first year, renewing at 129; Business 198/year; default 3-seat Team first year 240 (card says 80 per seat). The Team monthly card shows 11.25 per seat, not the 3-seat total. All seat tiers, optional add-ons and taxes were not exhaustively verified.
Pricing transparency baseline: 28/35 · Cancellation: Checkout states automatic renewal, cancellable through the account or support. Full conditions of the 30-day refund guarantee were not separately verified.
Temporary cloud files are automatically purged within 24 hours
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 belowSoda PDF USD web/desktop Pro, Team and Business; annual team bill uses default 3 seats · 2026-10-20
USD 89 first year, then USD 129 every 12 months until cancelled
USD 80/seat first year, then USD 129/seat every 12 months; total depends on seats
USD 198 every 12 months until cancelled
7 plan / billing-period records, all listed; — means that period is not recorded.
Annual order totals checked without payment: Pro USD 89 first year, renewing at 129; Business 198/year; default 3-seat Team first year 240 (card says 80 per seat). The Team monthly card shows 11.25 per seat, not the 3-seat total. All seat tiers, optional add-ons and taxes were not exhaustively verified.
Verification has gaps; unknown prices and quotas are not inferred.
Cancellation, sources & verification record
Checkout states automatic renewal, cancellable through the account or support. Full conditions of the 30-day refund guarantee were not separately verified.
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Archived official pricing sources: Official feature and pricing page (2026-10-20) [text snapshot ↗] · Official feature and pricing page (2026-10-20) [text snapshot ↗] · Official feature and pricing page (2026-10-20) [text snapshot ↗] · Official feature and pricing page (2026-10-20) [text snapshot ↗] · Official feature and pricing page (2026-10-20) [text snapshot ↗] · 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 merge & split | 89/100 | Downplays restrictions behind a "free*" asterisk; while our 316.8 KB fixture sits under its 3 MB paywall cap and merges in 2.25s into a 316.9 KB 3-page watermark-free PDF with 100% page order and vector text fidelity, Soda PDF redirects to `/file-ready-s/` and gates the download behind mandatory account signup. | PDF · Output attached Historical test · 2026-10-25 Signed-in flow; paid tier not standardized · 2 multi-page PDF fixtures merged (3 pages total, 316.8 KB) · Output attached | |
| PDF to Word | 88/100 | Automatic login-free conversion retains text and tables; free frequency and size limits apply, with no immediate deletion control observed and a stated 24-hour retention. | DOCX · Output attached Historical test · 2026-10-18 Guest flow · 2-page text PDF; not a scan · 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 merge & split：Soda PDF 89/100 vs TinyWow 95/100
- PDF to Word：Soda PDF 88/100 vs TinyWow 71/100
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 merge & split：Soda PDF 89/100 vs 11zon 95/100
- PDF to Word：Soda PDF 88/100 vs 11zon 72/100
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 merge & split：Soda PDF 89/100 vs avepdf.com 94/100
- PDF to Word：Soda PDF 88/100 vs avepdf.com 76/100
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 merge & split：Soda PDF 89/100 vs CloudConvert 98/100
- PDF to Word：Soda PDF 88/100 vs CloudConvert 93/100
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 316.9 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
Soda PDF merges the 2-page main report and 1-page appendix into a 316.9 KB 3-page PDF in 2.25s while preserving all 37 native vector text streams and embedded figures (result.png, download.png).
- Suitable uses · historical assessment
Downplays restrictions behind a "free*" asterisk; while our 316.8 KB fixture sits under its 3 MB paywall cap and merges in 2.25s into a 316.9 KB 3-page watermark-free PDF with 100% page order and vector text fidelity, Soda PDF redirects to `/file-ready-s/` and gates the download behind mandatory account signup.
- 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 (316.9 KB · watermark-free · requires login to claim download)
- Watermark observation
Watermark-free
- Batch & API
Supports multi-PDF import and page preview before merging; larger batches require a paid subscription
- Recorded free-tier dimensions
Not verified
- Attached file dimensions
Not verified
Speed & reliability
About 4.1s end to end in this run; reliability not retested
Detailed facts & historical record
- Timing observation
Network-observed server wait: 2.25s · End-to-end reference: 4.1s
- 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
Login required in this run
Detailed facts & historical record
- Account requirements
Account required in this test
- Sign-in methods
Forces account creation or login on the post-merge screen before downloading
- Manual adjustment
Not verified
- Interaction observations
Allows users to select files, preview pages, and click "Merge Files" without warning before gating the finished download behind mandatory account creation (while files over 3 MB hit a hard `?r=psl` paywall).
Background & reputation
Avanquest Software / LULU Software (sodapdf.com) · Long-term reputation not independently verified
Detailed facts & historical record
- Service lifecycle notice
Not verified
- Operator
Avanquest Software / LULU Software (sodapdf.com)
- Recorded origin
Montreal, Canada
- Domain history record
2010–Present (16-year commercial PDF software suite)
- Background & reputation assessment
Long-standing desktop and web PDF suite operated by LULU Software / Avanquest Software in Montreal, Canada.
- External reputation record
Not verified
Engineering & privacy
Uploaded for cloud processing；Claims deletion within 1 hours; deletion not independently verified
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
Stores merged outputs on Microsoft Azure Blob Storage (productionsodapdf.blob.core.windows.net) while firing multiple marketing attribution trackers (Google Ads, Avanquest Funnel).
- Retention statement
Claims deletion within 1 hours; deletion not independently verified
Task free allowance & pricing disclosure
Files under 3 MB can be downloaded after creating a free account; files over 3 MB hit a hard paywall
Places only an asterisk on "free*" upfront and reveals the mandatory signup wall after merging completes
Site-wide plans belong to the product node (see Product-level pricing baseline ↑).
Expand site-wide plans aligned for PDF merge & split (7 records)
Soda PDF USD web/desktop Pro, Team and Business; annual team bill uses default 3 seats · 2026-10-20
USD 89 first year, then USD 129 every 12 months until cancelled
USD 80/seat first year, then USD 129/seat every 12 months; total depends on seats
USD 198 every 12 months until cancelled
7 plan / billing-period records, all listed; — means that period is not recorded.
Annual order totals checked without payment: Pro USD 89 first year, renewing at 129; Business 198/year; default 3-seat Team first year 240 (card says 80 per seat). The Team monthly card shows 11.25 per seat, not the 3-seat total. All seat tiers, optional add-ons and taxes were not exhaustively verified.
Verification has gaps; unknown prices and quotas are not inferred.
Cancellation, sources & verification record
Checkout states automatic renewal, cancellable through the account or support. Full conditions of the 30-day refund guarantee were not separately verified.
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Evaluation basis & full scores · Overall 89.1/100
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 · 73/100 · 30%
| Criterion | Score | Rationale | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing transparency | 23 / 35 | Advertises "Combine multiple PDF files online: easy and free*" on the landing page; because our 316.8 KB fixture sits under Soda PDF's 3 MB paywall threshold, the server merges the file but redirects to `/file-ready-s/?r=ready` demanding "Create an account or sign in to instantly download your file" (landing.png, result.png, download.png). | Evidence A → |
| Interaction restraint | 20 / 30 | Allows users to select files, preview pages, and click "Merge Files" without warning before gating the finished download behind mandatory account creation (while files over 3 MB hit a hard `?r=psl` paywall). | Evidence A → |
| Background & reputation | 18 / 20 | Long-standing desktop and web PDF suite operated by LULU Software / Avanquest Software in Montreal, Canada. | Evidence A → |
| Engineering & privacy | 12 / 15 | Stores merged outputs on Microsoft Azure Blob Storage (productionsodapdf.blob.core.windows.net) while firing multiple marketing attribution trackers (Google Ads, Avanquest Funnel). | Evidence A → |
Capability · 96/100 · 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 316.9 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 | 17 / 20 | Produces a complete 3-page watermark-free standard PDF (316.9 KB, 100% page order and vector text retention) for files under 3 MB, but gates download behind mandatory login (17.0/20) | Evidence A → |
| Processing speed | 14 / 15 | Cloud merge and redirect complete in ~2.25s server wait (4.10s end-to-end) (14.0/15) | 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.
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 16 · Page 2 preserved Yes
Detailed facts & historical record
- Measured fixture results
Text retained: 100% · Editable table cells: 16 · Page 2 preserved: Yes
- Fixture findings
Converted automatically with text and editable tables retained; scans and long documents were not tested.
- Original historical observation
Soda PDF Online delivers veteran commercial quality: auto-converting upon upload in 14.3s and exporting a super-compact 5.5 KB .docx with 100% text retention and 16 native Word table cells (02_workspace.png, 03_download.png).
- Suitable uses · historical assessment
Office users seeking a clean, ad-free, no-login converter that accurately rebuilds native 16-cell Word tables (<w:tbl>)
- 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 native .docx (5.5 KB, 46 paragraphs + 16-cell native table, watermark-free)
- Watermark observation
No watermark
- Batch & API
Supports local file and Google Drive / Dropbox cloud imports and exports
- Recorded free-tier dimensions
Not verified
- Attached file dimensions
Not verified
- Published allowances & file limits · not tested
Free online conversion: FAQ says “2 files per day or 3 MB”; the rule is ambiguous. Advanced features require payment; arbitrary free exports are not guaranteed.
Speed & reliability
About 14.3s end to end in this run; reliability not retested
Detailed facts & historical record
- Timing observation
Network-observed server wait: 12.8s · End-to-end reference: 14.3s
- 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 required for standard single-file conversion
- Manual adjustment
Not verified
- Interaction observations
Clean, ad-free commercial interface that automatically starts conversion upon upload and presents a clear blue 'Download file' button on the same page (02_workspace.png, 03_download.png).
Background & reputation
Avanquest Software / LULU Software (sodapdf.com) · Long-term reputation not independently verified
Detailed facts & historical record
- Service lifecycle notice
Not verified
- Operator
Avanquest Software / LULU Software (sodapdf.com)
- Recorded origin
Montreal, Canada
- Domain history record
2010–Present (16-year commercial PDF software suite)
- Background & reputation assessment
Developed and operated since 2010 by Montreal-based LULU Software / Avanquest Software Group, a veteran North American PDF software vendor.
- External reputation record
Not verified
Engineering & privacy
Uploaded for cloud processing；Claims deletion within 24 hours; deletion not independently verified
Detailed facts & historical record
- Processing location
Uploaded for cloud processing
- Third-party tracking record
Not verified
- Engineering & privacy assessment
Full SSL encryption with automatic 24-hour server file deletion.
- Retention statement
Claims deletion within 24 hours; deletion not independently verified
Task free allowance & pricing disclosure
Free guests can convert standard single files without login; high-volume batch jobs and full online editing require a Soda PDF plan
Zero-friction direct conversion and download
Site-wide plans belong to the product node (see Product-level pricing baseline ↑).
Expand site-wide plans aligned for PDF to Word (7 records)
Soda PDF USD web/desktop Pro, Team and Business; annual team bill uses default 3 seats · 2026-10-20
USD 89 first year, then USD 129 every 12 months until cancelled
USD 80/seat first year, then USD 129/seat every 12 months; total depends on seats
USD 198 every 12 months until cancelled
7 plan / billing-period records, all listed; — means that period is not recorded.
Annual order totals checked without payment: Pro USD 89 first year, renewing at 129; Business 198/year; default 3-seat Team first year 240 (card says 80 per seat). The Team monthly card shows 11.25 per seat, not the 3-seat total. All seat tiers, optional add-ons and taxes were not exhaustively verified.
Verification has gaps; unknown prices and quotas are not inferred.
Cancellation, sources & verification record
Checkout states automatic renewal, cancellable through the account or support. Full conditions of the 30-day refund guarantee were not separately verified.
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Official feature and pricing page ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗
Evaluation basis & full scores · Overall 88.2/100
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 | 28 / 35 | Supports direct no-login drag-and-drop PDF-to-Word conversion and exports a full unwatermarked .docx (01_landing.png, 03_download.png), subject to daily free task frequency and file size limits. | Evidence A → |
| Interaction restraint | 26 / 30 | Clean, ad-free commercial interface that automatically starts conversion upon upload and presents a clear blue 'Download file' button on the same page (02_workspace.png, 03_download.png). | Evidence A → |
| Background & reputation | 18 / 20 | Developed and operated since 2010 by Montreal-based LULU Software / Avanquest Software Group, a veteran North American PDF software vendor. | Evidence A → |
| Engineering & privacy | 12 / 15 | Full SSL encryption with automatic 24-hour server file deletion. | Evidence A → |
Capability · 90/100 · 70%
| Criterion | Score | Rationale | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Task quality | 61 / 65 | Excellent OpenXML reconstruction: 100.0% text retention (4/4 headings, 3/3 body phrases, Page 2 verified) and 100% native Word <w:tbl> table reconstruction (4 rows, 16 cells, 12/12 data values intact) in a compact 5.5 KB file (61.0/65) | Evidence A → |
| Deliverable specifications | 17.5 / 20 | Exports a complete, unwatermarked 5.5 KB .docx with no login required (17.5/20) | Evidence A → |
| Processing speed | 11.5 / 15 | Auto-converts upon upload in ~14.3s without requiring an extra Convert click (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.
Developer & citation kit · Claim updates, request benchmarks & embed verified badges
Product developers and writers can embed these SVG badges in official websites, GitHub READMEs or documentation, or use the channels below to sync product-wide plans and capabilities.
[](https://realtest.org/tools/sodapdf.com/) <a href="https://realtest.org/tools/sodapdf.com/"><img src="https://realtest.org/badges/sodapdf.com.svg" alt="Soda PDF — RealTest" height="24" /></a> 
[](https://realtest.org/tools/sodapdf.com/#feature-pdf-merge-split) 
[](https://realtest.org/tools/sodapdf.com/#feature-pdf-to-word) PDF Compressor
This assessment is under review. Its score, findings and ranking are withheld until the review is complete.
Recorded test date: 2026-10-23
PDF OCR
This assessment is under review. Its score, findings and ranking are withheld until the review is complete.
Recorded test date: 2026-10-25