Of the seven PDF compressors we tested, only CompressKaro (180.5 KB) and Pi7 (186.54 KB) got our 2.04 MB scan under a 200 KB limit. Both let you type the exact size and neither uploaded the file. Two pages titled "Compress PDF to 200KB", Adobe's and 11zon's, produced files over 200 KB.
Results: one 2 MB scan, a 200 KB limit
| Tool | How you set the size | Result | Under 200 KB? | Uploads your file? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CompressKaro | Exact KB/MB target | 180.5 KB | ✓ Yes | No |
| iLovePDF | 3 levels, no KB box | 500.61 KB | ✗ No | Yes |
| Smallpdf | 4 levels, no KB box; Strong is Pro-only | ~255.7 kB (its own estimate) | ✗ No | Yes |
| Adobe Acrobat online | Levels; page titled "to 200KB" | 203.74 KB | ✗ No | Yes (Adobe servers) |
| 11zon | % slider; page titled "to 200KB" | 209.92 KB | ✗ No | Yes (its privacy policy) |
| Pi7 PDF / Image Tool | Exact KB/MB field | 186.54 KB | ✓ Yes | No upload seen |
| PDF24 Tools | DPI + image quality % | 540.10 KB | ✗ No | Yes (online tool) |
Smallpdf's figure is its own estimate before compressing; our automated run did not finish. "No upload seen" means no request carried the file in our network log. Method: how we test.
Image-only tools we also checked
- CloudConvert: uploads your file. Asked an anonymous first visit to buy credits in Sep 2026.
- TinyPNG: uploads your file. Images only, no KB target.
- Squoosh: uploads nothing. Images only, quality slider instead of a KB target.
Detailed comparisons
- CompressKaro vs iLovePDF: Exact KB Size and No Upload (Tested)
- Smallpdf Alternative With No Daily Limit: CompressKaro vs Smallpdf
- Adobe Acrobat Online vs CompressKaro for 100–250 KB Portal Limits
- 11zon vs CompressKaro: Which One Actually Gets Under 200 KB?
- Pi7 vs CompressKaro: Both Hit 200 KB, Here's the Difference
- PDF24 vs CompressKaro: Online, Offline and Privacy Compared
- Best Photo & Signature Resizer for SSC, UPSC, IBPS Forms (Tested)
What to look for in a compressor for Indian portals
- A size you type, not a level. Portals reject anything over the limit; "strong" or "60 %" doesn't tell you where you'll land.
- No upload for ID documents. Aadhaar, PAN, marksheets and bank statements are safest when they never leave your device. You can check any site yourself: how to tell if a website uploads your file.
- A clear pass or fail. The result should say whether the file is under your limit, not just its new size.
- A light page. On patchy mobile data, a page with megabytes of ad scripts is slow before you even choose a file.