Compress PDF

Free compress PDF tool. Deep compress shrinks the file on our server and keeps text selectable, then deletes it immediately. Or choose in-browser mode, which never uploads but turns pages into images.

Updated 9 August 2026

Make a PDF smaller. Choose deep compress, which keeps your text selectable and usually gives the best result (it processes the file on our server, then deletes it), or an in-browser mode that never uploads but rebuilds pages as images. Pick whichever matters more to you: quality or privacy.

Drop a PDF here, or click to choose

Your file stays in your browser and is never uploaded.

Deep compress processes the file on our server (with Ghostscript) and deletes it immediately; nothing is stored. In-browser mode keeps the file entirely on your device but flattens text into images. If you need selectable text preserved, use deep compress; if the file must never leave your device, use in-browser.

Make a PDF small enough to send

Email limits and upload caps have a way of rejecting the one PDF you need to send. This compressor shrinks it, and it lets you choose what matters more to you: the best result, or keeping the file entirely on your device. Deep compress is the default and runs on our server; switch to in-browser mode if the file must not leave your device. Either way it is free, with no signup and no watermark.

Two ways to compress

Deep compress: processes the file on our server with Ghostscript, keeping your text selectable and usually giving the biggest saving. The file is sent securely, compressed, and deleted immediately.
In your browser: never uploads the file, but rebuilds each page as an image, so text is no longer selectable. Best for scans when privacy is the priority.

Which one should you use

For most PDFs, deep compress is the better choice: it preserves text, links and structure while cutting the size, and it handles files up to 25 MB. Choose the in-browser method when the document must never leave your device, or when it is already made of scanned images so flattening it loses nothing. The tool shows you the new size and how much you saved before you download.

Honest about the trade-off

Deep compress sends your PDF to our server, works on it, and deletes the temporary files straight away; nothing is stored or logged. In-browser keeps everything local but turns pages into images. Pick the balance of quality and privacy that fits, and use the rest of the Etoolio PDF toolkit, merge, split, protect and more, to finish the job.

Good to know

Compress PDF, frequently asked questions

How do I compress a PDF?

Add your PDF, pick deep compress or in-browser mode, choose a level (strong, balanced or light) and click Compress. The tool shows the new size and how much you saved before you download.

Is my file uploaded?

In deep compress, the default, yes: your PDF is sent over a secure connection to our server, compressed with Ghostscript and deleted immediately, never stored or logged. In-browser mode never uploads the file at all.

Which mode should I use?

Deep compress for most PDFs: it keeps text, links and structure and usually saves the most, for files up to 25 MB. In-browser mode when the document must not leave your device, or for scans, since it rebuilds every page as an image.

Why does the text stop being selectable in in-browser mode?

In-browser mode re-renders each page as a compressed image, which shrinks scans and image-heavy PDFs well but flattens text so it can no longer be selected or searched. Deep compress keeps text selectable.

Is it free?

Yes, free with no signup and no watermark.

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