PDFs, one of the reliable ways to share documents while preserving their layout and formatting in today’s time, have become a ubiquitous file format. While working on them, we often need to convert or edit PDFs to another format like Word, Excel or any other. And this is where the online PDF converter comes into the picture.
However, as there are many free and paid options, it is often quite overwhelming to choose the right tool. In this comprehensive guide, we will help you to choose the perfect tool for your PDF needs.
Free online PDF convertors: Convenience at your fingertips.
A lot of companies offer free online converters that are easily accessible with an internet connection and browser. With free tools, you can easily convert PDFs from anywhere and on any device.
Regarding its user-friendly interface, it often offers a drag-and-drop feature that easily allows you to upload files to its software and makes the conversion process simpler. If you need a converter for occasional conversions of simple PDFs, free converters can help you a lot. You can convert anything with them, be it a scannable receipt or an expense report.
However, there are certain limitations as well. For example, few tools have imposed file size restrictions that create hurdles for many.
Moreover, there are also limitations on the number of conversions per day, especially when you want to convert a lot of files daily.
Lastly, security is a significant concern with a few tools. It might not be a great idea to upload sensitive documents to the free conversion websites as they might risk leaking that data to some third party.
The security and power of paid online converters: An investment-worthy solution
Paid PDF converters are often considered a more robust solution that caters to the requirements of individuals who mostly work on sensitive documents like health reports and financial statements. Unlike paid converters, free PDF converters offer several features that make your work easy and save a lot of time.
For example, one of the key features is batch conversions. It allows you to convert multiple PDF files at once, which saves valuable time. Secondly, if you need to convert a large file exceeding the limits of free tools, paid converters have you covered with generous size limits.
Thirdly, and most importantly, security is another advantage of paid online converters. Most paid online tools, like Adobe Acrobat Pro, have implemented advanced, robust security measures that protect your document during the conversion process and assure you of the privacy and security of confidential information.
Lastly, key security features, like password protection, ensure the security of converted PDFs to prevent unauthorised access.
Choosing the perfect PDF conversion tool
Deciding between free and paid tools is no less than a battle. However, if you have specific needs listed, then you can make a quick decision.
- Occasional converter with basic needs: A free tool is a perfect choice if you only need to convert PDFs occasionally, and security is not a significant concern. Adobe Acrobat online services are widely used as a reliable, free online converter. Frequent converter or working on sensitive documents: A paid tool is well suited to make frequent conversions and handle sensitive documents with advanced features, including bulk processing.
- Frequent converter or working on sensitive documents: A paid tool is well suited to make frequent conversions and handle sensitive documents with advanced features, including bulk processing.
Beyond free vs paid: The extra considerations
It is not always a good idea to consider the price tag as the only option when choosing a tool. Here are some additional factors that you can consider when choosing an online PDF converter:
- Conversion accuracy: Not every PDF converter is created with the same features and accuracy. Hence, it is great to test different tools with a sample document to ensure its formatting and content preservation.
- Supported formats: Ensure that the converter supports all the required formats, whether they're standard formats like Excel and Word or more specialised software like JPG or ePub.
- Offline conversion needs: Check if you can convert PDFs without an internet connection. If yes, then you should explore some paid desktop software.
Based on these points, you will be able to select the perfect tool to meet all your needs and keep your digital workflow flowing smoothly.