UploadOff vs CloudConvert, iLovePDF, Smallpdf and Convertio
They all turn one file into another. The difference is where it happens: their servers, or your own device.
At a glance
| Service | Your files | Free limit | Works offline |
|---|---|---|---|
| UploadOff | Stay on your device, never uploaded | None: any number of files, as big as your device can handle | Yes, after the first visit |
| CloudConvert | Uploaded and converted on their servers, deleted within 24 hours | 10 conversions a day | No |
| iLovePDF | Uploaded to their servers, deleted within 2 hours | Size and file caps per tool; some tools paid only | Desktop app, tools on a paid plan |
| Smallpdf | Uploaded to their servers, deleted after 1 hour | 2 conversions a day | Desktop app, paid plan only |
| Convertio | Uploaded to their servers in Germany, results deleted after 24 hours | File size cap and daily conversion time | No |
From each service's own website, checked .
Where the work happens
A cloud converter needs your file on its server: you upload it, wait for it to be converted there, and download the result. It keeps the file for an hour or a day, and pays for every conversion, which is why the free plans are capped.
UploadOff skips the trip. The converter runs in your browser, so your photos and documents are read and written on your computer or phone and nothing goes to a server. With no server bill, there is nothing to ration. How it works explains more.
What you only get here
- Converting with Wi-Fi off. After the first visit the whole site stays on your device, so it works on a plane or with no signal.
- iPhone photos keep their date. HEIC to JPG copies the date taken and camera details into the JPG, so your gallery keeps them in order.
- No waiting. There is no upload and no queue: a photo converts as soon as you add it.
- One tool hands over to the next. Merge PDFs, then rotate or remove pages in the result, without choosing the files again.
- An app when you want one. Install it on a computer or Android phone; on Android it shows up in the share menu of your gallery.
When a cloud converter is the better pick
UploadOff does images and PDFs. For video, audio, Word or Excel files, OCR on a scanned PDF, or an API that converts files from your own code, a cloud service like the ones above is the right tool. A very large file on an older phone can also be quicker on a powerful server.
Questions
Is UploadOff really free?
Yes. There is no paid plan and nothing is held back for one. Converting costs us nothing, because your device does the work, and ads help pay for the site.
How can I check that my files aren't uploaded?
Open a converter, turn off Wi-Fi or switch to airplane mode, then convert. It still works, because the file never needs to go anywhere. Your browser's network panel shows the same thing: no file leaves the page.
Which PDF tools does UploadOff have?
Merge, split, remove pages and rotate, plus images, text, Markdown or HTML to PDF and PDF to JPG or PNG. Compressing PDFs, OCR and Word or Excel conversions are not here yet.
Where do the numbers above come from?
From each service's own pricing, terms and privacy pages, checked in October 2026. Plans change, so check theirs before you pick one.