An iLovePDF alternative that works offline
iLovePDF is handy, but its web tools work by uploading your PDF. If the file is private, KinoFlux Editor does the same everyday PDF jobs on your own computer.
Nitiksh Kumar2 min readKinoFlux Editor
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You need to merge two PDFs or make one smaller. You search, land on iLovePDF, drag the file in, and it works. Fine for a menu or a flyer.
But what if the PDF is a bank statement, an ID scan or a contract? On a web tool, "drag the file in" means "upload it to someone else's server".
What iLovePDF does well#
- Lots of PDF tools in one place, in the browser.
- Nothing to install.
- Quick for one-off, non-private files.
The catch with web PDF tools#
The web tools work by sending your file to their servers, processing it there, and letting you download the result. Even with a deletion policy, the file has left your computer. For private papers, that is the part people want to avoid.
What KinoFlux Editor does instead#
KinoFlux Editor is a desktop app. It does the same everyday jobs on your own computer:
- Merge, split and compress PDFs
- Split a PDF to fit an upload limit
- Reorder and rotate pages, add page numbers or a watermark
- Password-protect or unlock a PDF
- Save PDF pages as JPG, pull out images or text
- Word, Excel and PowerPoint to PDF, and back
It has no account and never opens a network connection. Results are saved as new files next to the originals, so nothing is overwritten.
Side by side#
| iLovePDF (web) | KinoFlux Editor | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the file goes | Uploaded to a server | Stays on your computer |
| Works without internet | No | Yes |
| Account | Optional | None |
| Price | Free with limits, paid plans | Free |
| Platforms | Browser | Windows 10/11, macOS (Apple Silicon) |
When to use which#
Use a web tool for files you would happily email to a stranger. Use an offline tool for anything with your name, money or ID on it.
Related guides#
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free offline alternative to iLovePDF?
Yes. KinoFlux Editor is a free desktop app for Windows and Apple Silicon Macs that merges, splits, compresses, protects and converts PDFs on your computer, with no upload.
Does KinoFlux Editor upload my PDF?
No. It has no network code at all. The file is processed on your computer and the result is saved next to the original.
Can it convert Word to PDF and PDF to Word?
Yes. Word, Excel and PowerPoint to PDF, and PDF to Word, Excel or PowerPoint, all offline.
- ilovepdf alternative
- offline
- privacy