Smallpdf Alternative for Batch PDF Jobs
Batch and multi-step file jobs in one sentence, with finished files at the end. Free to run. See where Smallpdf is still the better pick.
Smallpdf is a full PDF suite with e-sign. Uncomplex covers the files a PDF suite doesn't: CSVs, spreadsheets, images, video, archives.
The short version
Choose Smallpdf if
- You need PDF tools Uncomplex doesn't have: editing, redaction, OCR, forms.
- You need signatures. Sign.com e-sign is built in; the free plan covers 2 documents a month (their pricing page, as of 7 Oct 2026).
- You want a mobile app, a Windows app, a Chrome extension, and integrations with Google Workspace and Dropbox (their site, as of 7 Oct 2026).
- Certification matters to your client work: they state ISO/IEC 27001 certification and GDPR, CCPA and nFADP compliance (their site, as of 7 Oct 2026).
Choose Uncomplex if
- The job is a batch: up to 50 files per task. Their free plan has no batch processing (their pricing page, as of 7 Oct 2026).
- The job has more than one step and you want it in one run.
- The files aren't only PDFs: CSVs, spreadsheets, images, video, archives.
- You want free to be the whole price. There is no paid plan today.
Side by side
Checked on 7 Oct 2026. Every Smallpdf figure comes from the sources listed at the bottom of this page.
| Smallpdf | Uncomplex | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | PDF work: convert, compress, edit, sign. 30 tools on their site | Whole jobs across file types |
| Free plan | Daily download limits on most features. No batch processing. | Free, within fair-use limits: 10 custom tasks per 5 hours |
| Batch on free | No batch processing | Up to 50 files per task |
| E-sign on free | Sign.com access limited to 2 documents a month | Not offered |
| Paid plans | Pro unlocks unlimited downloads and batch processing. Team and Business plans for larger groups. Amounts not shown when we checked (as of 7 Oct 2026) | No paid plan exists |
| Apps | Mobile, Windows, Chrome extension, Google Workspace and Dropbox integrations (their site, as of 7 Oct 2026) | Web only |
| File retention | With an account: within 1 hour unless saved. Without an account: "within a reasonable period" after last opened. Files are processed server-side | Browser tasks stay on your device; cloud uploads 24 hours; public tools 1 hour |
Where Smallpdf is the better pick
A full PDF suite. 30 tools including editing, redaction, OCR, forms and protection (their site, as of 7 Oct 2026). Uncomplex does structural PDF work (merge, split, convert, compress) and stops there.
Signing. Sign PDF and request signatures through Sign.com (their site). The free plan covers 2 documents a month (their pricing page, as of 7 Oct 2026). Uncomplex doesn't sign anything.
Shorter cloud retention. With an account, files are removed within 1 hour unless you save them (their privacy page, as of 7 Oct 2026), shorter than our 24 hours. Without an account their window isn't a fixed number: "within a reasonable period" after the file was last opened.
Apps and integrations. Mobile, Windows, Chrome extension, Google Workspace and Dropbox (their site, as of 7 Oct 2026). Uncomplex is web only.
Independent certification. ISO/IEC 27001 certification and GDPR, CCPA and nFADP compliance, stated on their site (as of 7 Oct 2026).
Where Uncomplex is the better pick
Batch on the free plan. Their free plan has no batch processing (their pricing page, as of 7 Oct 2026). Ours runs up to 50 files per task.
The whole job once. Convert, rename and zip in one sentence, not tool by tool, with a download limit between steps.
Any file type. CSVs, spreadsheets, images, video and archives sit alongside PDFs in the same task.
No download limits. Their free plan puts daily download limits on most features (their pricing page, as of 7 Oct 2026). Uncomplex doesn't count downloads.
Files and privacy
| Smallpdf | Uncomplex | |
|---|---|---|
| Where files are processed | Server-side (their privacy page, as of 7 Oct 2026) | Browser tasks: your device. Cloud tasks: an isolated sandbox. |
| Deleted after | Within 1 hour with an account, unless saved. Without an account: "within a reasonable period" after last opened | 24 hours for cloud tasks; 1 hour for public tools |
| Files never leave your device | Not stated | Yes, for browser tasks |
Their 1-hour window with an account is shorter than our 24 hours, and it is worth saying plainly. What it doesn't cover: their processing is server-side, while browser tasks on Uncomplex never leave your device. No upload, no retention window.
Pricing and limits
| Smallpdf | Uncomplex | |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Daily download limits on most features; no batch processing; e-sign limited to 2 documents a month (as of 7 Oct 2026) | Everything, within fair-use limits |
| Paid | Pro unlocks unlimited downloads and batch processing; Team and Business plans for larger groups. We checked their pricing page on 7 Oct 2026 and it didn't show amounts, so we don't quote a price | No paid plan exists |
| Batch | Paid plans only (their pricing page, as of 7 Oct 2026) | Up to 50 files per task, free |
Check their pricing page for current amounts. We only print figures we could read on their own site on 7 Oct 2026.
FAQ
What can't Uncomplex do?
No PDF editing, signing, redaction or OCR. No mobile or desktop app. No saved workflows yet. Limits: 10 custom tasks per 5 hours, 50 files and 200 MB per task. If your job needs those, Smallpdf is the better pick.
Is Uncomplex really free?
Yes. There is no billing today: no plans, no card, no credits. Fair-use limits keep it running for everyone. Custom tasks require sign-in, and everything on them is free; the single-purpose tools run without an account.
Does Smallpdf really have no batch processing on the free plan?
Their pricing page puts batch processing on the Pro plan, and lists the free plan with daily download limits on most features (as of 7 Oct 2026). Read their page for today's exact terms. Plans change.
Can Uncomplex sign a document?
No. Uncomplex works on file structure, not signatures. If you need a signed PDF, Smallpdf's Sign.com is built for that.
What happens to my files?
Browser tasks never leave your device. Cloud uploads are deleted automatically within 24 hours (1 hour for public tools). Smallpdf removes files within 1 hour with an account unless you save them (as of 7 Oct 2026).
Comparison checked on 7 Oct 2026. Figures come from each company's own pages, linked below, and can change. Smallpdf is a trademark of its owner. Uncomplex isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Smallpdf. Spot something out of date? Tell us at hello@uncomplex.run.
Sources: https://smallpdf.com/pricing · https://smallpdf.com/privacy · https://smallpdf.com/
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Client exports, PDFs, invoices and spreadsheets: cleaned and delivered without the clicking.