If you hit Smallpdf's daily limit or need a specific KB size, CompressKaro is a free alternative with no daily cap that compresses in your browser. Smallpdf uploads your file to cloud storage, keeps its strongest compression for Pro (from ₹979 a month on its Indian pricing page), and has no KB target. It is the more complete PDF suite.
Side by side
| CompressKaro | Smallpdf | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the file is processed | In your browser; the file is never uploaded | Uploaded to Smallpdf cloud storage (PUT to an r2.cloudflarestorage.com bucket in our test) |
| How you choose the size | Exact KB/MB target (12 presets + custom) | Basic, Moderate, Strong, Smallest; no KB target. "Strong Compression" is listed under Pro |
| 200 KB test (a 2.04 MB scanned-style PDF (synthetic, no personal data)) | 180.5 KB (under the limit) | Smallpdf estimated ~255.7 kB before compressing (over the limit); our automated run did not finish |
| Free use | Free, no account, no daily cap | Free plan with a "daily download limit" (no number given on the pricing page) |
| Price in India | Free | Pro from ₹979 a month (pricing page, viewed from India) |
| 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 | 876 KB of JavaScript, 7 tracker hosts |
Where Smallpdf is better
- Shows an estimated output size before you compress (CompressKaro shows the target, not a prediction).
- A full suite: editor, eSign, AI summaries, mobile apps.
- ISO/IEC 27001 certified, according to its pricing page.
Where CompressKaro is better
- No daily cap and no Pro tier: every compression level is free.
- Exact KB target for portal limits.
- The file never leaves your device.
Which should you use?
Use Smallpdf if you already pay for Pro and need its editor or eSign. Use CompressKaro for free, unlimited compression to a portal's size limit without uploading.
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
- Smallpdf pricing and plans (viewed from India), checked 17 October 2026