Question 1

Is compressing PDFs really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, usage is completely free. No registration is required, there are no hidden costs, and PDFs are created without watermarks.

Question 2

Are my data GDPR compliant (General Data Protection Regulation)?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your PDFs are processed exclusively to create the final file. All data is encrypted during processing, protected, and temporarily stored. If you do not delete the PDF immediately, the system automatically and irreversibly removes the documents after at most 2 hours. No third-party access. No permanent storage. No account creation necessary. More information can be found here: ilovepdf.com/help/security.

Question 3

Why isn’t my PDF getting smaller – can all PDFs be compressed?

Accepted Answer

Although most PDFs can be reduced in size, there are technical limitations depending on each PDF. Many users also ask how much a PDF can be compressed. There are many factors affecting if and how much a PDF can be compressed. Here are the 7 most important background information:

1. The PDF document might already be maximally compressed.
2. The file is corrupt or has faulty structures.
3. Born-digital documents can also already be maximally compressed.
4. The PDF content is quality-critical and thus cannot be compressed.
5. The file is restricted by PDF/A standards or security.
6. Images contained in the PDF were not embedded during creation.
7. The PDF contains scans (raster images). The PDF file could be further compressed but at the cost of PDF quality, which means readability would be severely impaired.

Question 4

How do I choose the right compression level?

Accepted Answer

After uploading your PDF, three compression levels appear on the right side navigation: "EXTREME", "RECOMMENDED" and "LOW COMPRESSION". High compression can affect the visual clarity (readability) of the PDF. Therefore, the default setting is "good quality", which we recommend. If you highly value the PDF’s quality, you can select the "low compression" option. In many cases, this option reduces your PDF only minimally but does not affect its visual representation in any way.

Question 5

Does PDF compression work on mobile, Mac, and Windows?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the tool works directly in the internet browser on your phone. You can also use the mobile app (ilovepdf.com/mobile) on your phone for free (iOS / Android).

Another option is to merge your PDFs offline , meaning not through the online service, but locally on your device. This option is available for Mac and Windows. Visit this link: ilovepdf.com/desktop

Question 6

Can I compress multiple PDFs at the same time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can upload and compress up to 2 PDF documents simultaneously. For free. Premium users can compress up to 10 PDFs at once. Important: The compression rate is the same for the free option as for the paid version. A premium upgrade does NOT allow better compression.

Compress PDF files

Select PDF and reduce size without quality loss.

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