Head-to-head · PDF Software
Smallpdf vs Okular
Smallpdf leads on 0 checks, Okular on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreSmallpdf · 9.3/10
- Free planboth
- Free trialonly Smallpdf
- Most featuresSmallpdf · 2 of 5
Smallpdf scores higher on our rubric for pdf software: 9.3 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.
Smallpdf is the better fit for individuals and teams handling varied PDF tasks. Okular is the better fit for people who need a free cross-platform PDF reader.
- Smallpdf fits best
Individuals and teams handling varied PDF tasks
- Okular fits best
People who need a free cross-platform PDF reader
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Side by side
| Feature | Smallpdf 9.3/10 Visit ↗ | Okular 8.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.3 | 8.7 |
| Ranking | #2 in PDF Software | #8 in PDF Software |
| Best for | Individuals and teams handling varied PDF tasks | People who need a free cross-platform PDF reader |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free |
| Starting price | $7/seat/mo | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | 7 days | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension | Desktop |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome extension | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Smallpdf 2/5 · Okular 0/5 | ||
| Edit PDF text | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| PDF conversion | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| OCR | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| E-signing | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Batch processing | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Supported platforms | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Our verdict | Smallpdf brings everyday PDF work into one suite for individuals, small businesses, teams, and larger organizations. Its tools cover editing text, adding annotations, converting files, recognizing text in scans, organizing pages, creating… Read the review → |
Okular is KDE’s free, open-source desktop document viewer for individuals and organizations that need to read PDFs and other supported formats. It handles e-books, comics, images, EPUB, and DjVu alongside PDF files, making it useful for… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Smallpdf — where it wins
- Free plan includes 30+ document tools
- Pro adds text editing, OCR, and unlimited downloads
- Works across web, Windows, mobile apps, and Chrome
Where it doesn't
- Free plan limits document downloads and mobile access
- Pro costs more with monthly billing than annual billing
- Team and Business add support and management features beyond Pro
Okular — where it wins
- Free, open-source viewer for Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Annotations, PDF form filling, and signature viewing and signing
- Reads PDFs, EPUB, DjVu, comics, images, and other formats
Where it doesn't
- Not positioned as a verified PDF editor
- No OCR or document-conversion features
- macOS builds are described as untested nightly builds
- Smallpdf9.3/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial
A broad PDF toolkit across web, desktop, mobile, and Chrome, with a free plan and paid tiers.
Visit SmallpdfFull verdict → - Okular8.7/10 · Free plan
A capable free reader for annotations, forms, signatures, and multiple desktop platforms.
Visit OkularFull verdict →
More comparisons
- Foxit PDF Editor vs Okular
- Smallpdf vs Adobe Acrobat Sign
- Smallpdf vs PDF-XChange Editor
- Smallpdf vs PDFsam Enhanced
- iLovePDF vs Okular
- Wondershare PDFelement vs Okular
- Adobe Acrobat Sign vs Okular
- PDF-XChange Editor vs Okular
All PDF software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update







