What it does
ActuallyFreeTools compresses PDFs for free in three ways: Tidy rebuilds the file and strips metadata while keeping text sharp; Flatten re-renders pages as JPEGs, which shrinks scans dramatically; Fit to size finds the best quality that fits a limit such as 100 KB, 200 KB or 1 MB. It all runs in your browser, with no upload.
How to use it
- Drop the PDF.
- Pick Tidy, Flatten, or Fit to size and choose the limit.
- Press Compress and download the smaller file.
Questions people ask
How small can a PDF get?
Text-only PDFs are usually already small. Scans and photo-heavy PDFs can shrink 80–95% with Flatten. Very small limits (100 KB for many pages) work best with the Grayscale option.
Will the text still be selectable?
With Tidy, yes. Flatten and Fit to size turn pages into images, so text is no longer selectable — run OCR afterwards if you need it searchable.
Why is my file barely smaller in Tidy mode?
It was already efficiently packed. Most of the size is images, which only Flatten or Fit to size can reduce.
Is Compress PDF on ActuallyFreeTools really free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no daily limit, no watermark and no paid tier. Nothing is held back for paying users.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. Compress PDF runs inside your browser, so your files are processed on your own device and never sent to a server. That is also why there is nothing to meter or charge for.
Related tools
Last updated 30 October 2026. ActuallyFreeTools tools run entirely in your browser.