For a portal with a strict size limit, CompressKaro is the better fit: it compresses to the exact KB you type and never uploads your file. iLovePDF has no KB option; its recommended level turned our 2.04 MB scan into 500.61 KB, and the file was uploaded to its servers. iLovePDF is the better choice for very large files and for its wider set of PDF tools.
Side by side
| CompressKaro | iLovePDF | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the file is processed | In your browser; the file is never uploaded | Uploaded to iLovePDF servers (POST to api11.ilovepdf.com/v1/upload in our test) |
| How you choose the size | Exact KB/MB target (12 presets + custom) | 3 compression levels; no KB or MB target |
| 200 KB test (a 2.04 MB scanned-style PDF (synthetic, no personal data)) | 180.5 KB (under the limit) | 500.61 KB at the recommended level (over the limit) |
| File retention | Nothing to retain: the file never leaves your device | Deleted within 2 hours, or immediately with "Delete it now" (iLovePDF's statement) |
| Free file size limit (compress) | 50 MB per PDF | 200 MB per task, 2 files per task |
| Price | Free, no account, no daily cap | Free tier; Premium removes limits |
| Hindi interface | Yes (plus Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati) | Not in our test |
| Page weight on a phone | 242 KB of JavaScript, 0 ad/tracker hosts | 675 KB of JavaScript, 5 ad/tracker hosts |
Where iLovePDF is better
- Larger files: the free plan compresses PDFs up to 200 MB; CompressKaro stops at 50 MB.
- Many more tools: OCR, eSign, Word/Excel/PowerPoint conversion, and a desktop app.
- A "Delete it now" button if you do upload something.
Where CompressKaro is better
- You type the portal's exact limit; iLovePDF only offers levels, so you guess and retry.
- Your file stays on your device. Nothing to delete afterwards.
- Built for Indian portals: exam kits with official specs, Aadhaar/PAN/EPFO tools, Hindi and five other Indian languages.
Which should you use?
Use iLovePDF for big files or tools CompressKaro does not have. Use CompressKaro when a portal rejects files over a fixed KB size, or when the document is an ID, marksheet or anything you would rather not upload.
How we tested
On 17 October 2026 we ran each tool in Chrome with the same synthetic 2.04 MB scanned PDF, measured the file each one produced for a 200 KB limit, and logged every network request that could carry the file. Numbers can differ with other files. Full method and its limits: how we test. Results for all tools: compare PDF compressors.
Sources
- CompressKaro test: output size and network log (method on /compare/how-we-test), checked 17 October 2026
- iLovePDF pricing (free vs Premium limits), checked 17 October 2026
- iLovePDF: "Are my files safe using iLovePDF?", checked 17 October 2026