PDF Tools FAQ
Short, honest answers to the questions people ask most about working with PDFs online. If you are new to pdfly, this is a good place to start; each answer links to the relevant guide if you want the full detail.
Is it really free?
Yes. Every tool — merge, compress, split, protect, images-to-PDF, PDF-to-Word, URL-to-PDF, and the editor — is free to use, with no watermark stamped on your files and no account to create. The site is supported by unobtrusive ads, which is why you do not have to pay or sign up.
Do I have to create an account?
No. There is no sign-up, no email, and no login. You open a tool, use it, and download your file. Because there is no account, there is nothing tying your documents to an identity on the service.
What happens to my files — are they private?
Files are uploaded only so the tool can do its job, and they are removed from the server shortly afterward. Nothing is stored long-term, shared, or sold, and the connection runs over HTTPS. For sensitive documents that is exactly the handling you want; see our privacy policy for specifics.
Will editing reduce the quality of my PDF?
Structural tasks — merging, splitting, protecting — copy pages exactly, so there is no quality loss at all. Only compression deliberately trades some image detail for a smaller file, and even then it is usually invisible for everyday use.
Is there a file size or page limit?
The tools handle typical everyday documents comfortably. Very large files can be slow to upload and process; if you hit a wall, split the document or compress it first and work with the smaller result.
Why did my PDF-to-Word conversion look messy?
Almost always because the PDF was a scan (a picture of a page) rather than real text, or because it had a complex multi-column layout. Our PDF-to-Word guide explains the difference and how to get the best result.
Can I use these tools on my phone?
Yes — everything runs in your mobile browser, so you can merge receipts, sign a form, or turn photos into a PDF from a phone or tablet without installing an app.
Can I recover a PDF password I forgot?
No. A strong open password cannot be bypassed — that is precisely what makes it secure. You can remove a password from a file you can already open; see the protect & unlock guide.
Do I need to install anything?
No downloads, no browser extension, no desktop app. The tools work in a normal web browser on any operating system.
Which tool should I use for my task?
Combine files → Merge. Make a file smaller → Compress. Pull out pages → Split. Make it editable → PDF to Word. Lock or unlock it → Protect. Photos into a file → Images to PDF. Save a link → URL to PDF. Sign or mark up → Edit a PDF.
Do it now: Try the PDF tools on pdfly — free, no signup, right in your browser.