Compress a PDF
To compress a PDF, add the file, choose Basic or Strong, and download the smaller version. It runs in your browser, so the document stays on your device.
Each finished file counts as one task. Your count starts again every day. A free account raises the limit to 10 a day.
or drop a file here. Up to 50 MB each.
ProBatch mode: do many PDFs at once with the same settings. See Pro
Popular with freelancers. Start from the freelance invoice template.
How to compress a PDF in 3 steps
- 1
Add your PDF
Drop the document onto the tool, or choose it from your device.
- 2
Choose how small
Basic cleans out unused data and keeps your text as text. Strong rebuilds every page as a picture and is usually much smaller.
- 3
Download the smaller file
Compare the sizes, then save. If we cannot make it smaller, you get your original back and we tell you so.
Why use PDFinish for Compress PDF
Your files stay on your device
Compression runs in your browser tab. Your contract or scan is never uploaded.
We tell you the trade-off
Strong turns text into a picture, so you cannot select or search it afterwards. We say so before you choose it.
No pretend savings
If a file is already compact, we hand it back unchanged and say that, rather than show a made-up number.
No sign-up to begin
Your first 2 tasks each day need no account. Add an email later if you want 10 a day.
Honest pricing
Free to start. Pro starts at $2.99 a month and cancels in one click. We show your usage from the first page load and check limits before a task begins, never after.
Common questions
What is the difference between Basic and Strong?
Basic removes unused data and saves the file more tightly. Text stays text, and the savings are usually small. Strong turns every page into a screen-quality picture and rebuilds the PDF, which is usually much smaller.
Will I lose quality?
Basic does not change how pages look. Strong makes pages into pictures at screen quality, so very fine print may look softer, and you can no longer select, copy or search the text. Links and form fields are lost too. Your original file is not changed.
How much smaller will my file get?
It depends on the file. A scan or a document full of photos can shrink a lot with Strong. A text-only PDF may barely change. We show the before and after sizes so you can decide.
Why did my PDF not get smaller?
Some files are already well compressed. When we cannot make one smaller, you get your original file and a note saying so.
Is my file uploaded when I use Compress PDF?
No. The file is read and compressed in your browser. The file is not sent to our servers.
Is Compress PDF free, and are there limits?
You can use it free. Without an account you get 2 tasks a day, and a free account (just an email address) raises that to 10. Free files can be up to 50 MB. Pro removes the daily limit and allows files up to 500 MB. Pro also lets you run Compress PDF on several PDFs at once with the same settings and download one zip file. We check the limits before a task starts, so a finished file is never held back.
Does Compress PDF work on my phone?
Yes. It works in the browser on a phone or tablet. Strong mode on a long document can take a while on a phone, so keep the tab open.