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Head-to-head · PDF Compression Software

iText pdfOptimizer vs PDF2Go

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score iText pdfOptimizer #2 in PDF Compression Software 9.1/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 3 features Visit iText
PDF2Go #6 in PDF Compression Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit PDF2Go

iText pdfOptimizer leads on 0 checks, PDF2Go on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreiText pdfOptimizer · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly iText pdfOptimizer

iText pdfOptimizer scores higher on our rubric for pdf compression software: 9.1 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

iText pdfOptimizer is the better fit for developers embedding PDF optimization. PDF2Go is the better fit for users needing target-size compression online.

  • iText pdfOptimizer fits best

    Developers embedding PDF optimization

  • PDF2Go fits best

    Users needing target-size compression online

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Side by side

Feature iText pdfOptimizer 9.1/10 Visit ↗ PDF2Go 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.7
Ranking #2 in PDF Compression Software #6 in PDF Compression Software
Best for Developers embedding PDF optimization Users needing target-size compression online
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Integrations 5 integrations 2 integrations
Features iText pdfOptimizer 2/3 · PDF2Go 2/3
Batch compression ✓ ✓
Offline desktop app Not checked yet ✓ (best)
API access ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Compression modes Not checked yet Not checked yet
Maximum file size Not checked yet 50 MB
Supported platforms api, self_hosted web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android
Our review
Pros
  • Preset and custom profiles cover high, mid, low, and lossless compression.
  • Optimizes images, fonts, streams, color spaces, and document structure.
  • Supports batch processing, automation, size checks, and custom reports.
  • Compress PDFs to a target file size with selectable presets
  • Supports grayscale, image removal, and batch processing
  • Works on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android
Cons
  • Commercial licensing uses custom or volume-based pricing.
  • The AGPLv3 option requires disclosure of the application's full source code.
  • Designed for Java and .NET integrations rather than general browser use.
  • Free processing is limited, with a 50 MB upload limit
  • Paid plans use credits for monthly processing capacity
  • Advanced automation and desktop access start on the Pro plan
Our verdict

iText pdfOptimizer is a developer-focused add-on for the iText Core PDF library, intended for teams embedding PDF optimization into Java or .NET applications. It can optimize PDFs for file size or processing speed through configurable…

Read the review →

PDF2Go is a browser-based PDF editor, converter, and compression service for individuals, professionals, and organizations. Its compression tools include basic and strong modes, selectable presets, target-size compression, grayscale…

Read the review →
  1. iText pdfOptimizerPDF Compression Software 9.1Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. PDF2GoPDF Compression Software 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • iText pdfOptimizer — where it wins

    • Preset and custom profiles cover high, mid, low, and lossless compression.
    • Optimizes images, fonts, streams, color spaces, and document structure.
    • Supports batch processing, automation, size checks, and custom reports.

    Where it doesn't

    • Commercial licensing uses custom or volume-based pricing.
    • The AGPLv3 option requires disclosure of the application's full source code.
    • Designed for Java and .NET integrations rather than general browser use.
  • PDF2Go — where it wins

    • Compress PDFs to a target file size with selectable presets
    • Supports grayscale, image removal, and batch processing
    • Works on web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Free processing is limited, with a 50 MB upload limit
    • Paid plans use credits for monthly processing capacity
    • Advanced automation and desktop access start on the Pro plan
  • iText pdfOptimizer9.1/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    A developer-focused PDF optimizer with detailed controls, automation, and flexible licensing.

    Visit iTextFull verdict →
  • PDF2Go8.7/10 · Free plan

    A broad PDF toolkit with target-size compression and coverage across web, desktop, and mobile.

    Visit PDF2GoFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update