Free Download 5 Best PDF Compressors

July 31, 20231.2K views

A PDF compressor software is a specialized program that helps you to reduce the overall file size of a PDF so that it takes up less storage space. You may compress PDF files to turn down the size to meet the size limit for attachments imposed by mail clients, messaging apps, online channels that require you to upload documents, among others. Also, by performing PDF compression, you get to store or archive PDF files way better by saving storage space.

Naturally, PDFs are optimized for compression and there are two ways you can implement to reduce PDF file size; Lossless (mainly used on text PDF files), and Lossy (mainly used on PDFs with graphics and images). Of course, you need the best PDF compressor to keep a good balance between the output quality and size, and this article presents you with just the right programs for the job.

1-WPS Office

WPS Office is one of the world's most popular, cross-platform, high performing, all-in-one, yet considerably more affordable solutions. It integrates all office processor functions such as Word, PDF, Presentation, Spreadsheet, in one application, and is fully compatible and comparable to Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Google Doc, and Adobe PDF format. WPS Office is one of the best smallest-size and all-in-one complete free office suites out there. It's available on Windows PC, MAC OS, Linux, Android and iOS.

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Pros:

  • Offers PDF compression presets
  • Support partial PDF compression
  • Allows you to batch compress PDFs
  • Delivers high-quality output fast
  • Offers PDF compression presets
  • Support partial PDF compression
  • Allows you to batch compress PDFs
  • Offers custom PDF compression options
  • Helps you to optimize PDF scans via OCR
  • Compress PDF files of up to 5GB

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1-Open the PDF file you need to compress in WPS Office.

  1. Head to the Tools tab, and click Compress to pop up a dialog.

  2. Check the PDF file you need to compress, and set the Level of compression.

  3. You can also click Add File to add more files to compress.

  4. Set the Location to save the compressed file at Save to Directory.

  5. Click Compress to get the compressed file.

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Cons:

Pretty pricey

Supported Platforms: Windows PC, MAC OS, Linux, Android and iOS

Best for: A rich and customizable PDF compression process without compromising quality (it balances the file size against the expected quality of fonts, transparency, images, and more).

With these steps, you are able to compress PDF files quickly and freely. Did you get it?

2-Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is one of the best PDF compressor software considering that it pioneered the PDF format. It presents a very rich PDf compression process that gives you great control over various components. For instance, you get to decide how images (color, grayscale, or monochrome), fonts, and transparency are handled, besides letting you choose what objects and user data to discard from the PDF.

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To avoid the hassle of tweaking these options, you can just choose one of the available presets. Also, at the click of a button, you get to optimize and enhance scanned PDFs (quality or size first), not forgetting filters, and the built-in OCR that helps to extract data.

Pros:

  • Offers PDF compression presets
  • Support partial PDF compression
  • Allows you to batch compress PDFs
  • Delivers high-quality output fast

Cons:

Pretty pricey

Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, Mobile, Web-based

Best for: A customizable PDF compression process without compromising quality

3-iLovePDF

iLovePDF is known to present all the tools that PDF lovers and this time boast a reliable online PDF compressor tool. With it, you can compress local files or even directly import PDFs from the integrated Google Drive and Dropbox cloud services.

You are opened up to 3 levels of compression; Extreme Compression (offers high compression but less quality), Recommended Compression (balances between good quality and compression), and Less Compression (outputs high-quality PDFs with little compression).

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Even better, you are allowed to rotate the added PDFs as you wish and still have access to batch compression options. For those who may not want to reduce PDF file size online, an offline desktop version of this PDF compressor is also available.

Pros:

  • Offers several compression levels
  • Batch processing is available
  • Available for online and offline use
  • Integrates Dropbox and Google Drive cloud services
  • Multiplatform
  • Strive to optimize PDFs without quality compromise

Cons:

  • The free version offers limited features
  • Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, Mobile, Web-based

Best for: Reducing document file size while optimizing for maximal PDF quality, online and offline.

4-PDF Compressor

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PDF Compressor is a dedicated online tool that helps you to reduce PDF file size for easy sharing or publishing on websites, socials, or email attachments. Different from the approach that other tools take, PDF Compressor does not change the original PDF DPI and therefore retains the print and zoom capabilities on a document.

To save you time and effort, you are allowed to upload up to 20 files simultaneously for batch compression. Once the PDF compression process is complete, you can either download every file individually or have all the PDFs added to a single ZIP archive. Overall, this free online tool delivers exemplary output on a very simple interface.

Pros:

  • Very simple to use
  • Retains the original DPI (quality)
  • The output files can download in a ZIP archive
  • Available for online use on multiple platforms
  • Free

Cons:

  • Only 20 files can be batch converted at a time
  • Supported Platforms: Web-based

Best for: Simple, high-quality, online PDF compression on any platform.

5-Smallpdf

Smallpdf is home to a plethora of tools that guarantee a seamless and streamlined workflow. Among the many tools, you get to appreciate a free online PDF compressor app. The most outstanding feature is that you are opened up to 2 compression modes; Basic Compression (results in medium file size and considerable high quality) and Strong Compression (outputs a small file size with good quality).

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Even better, you will be provided with information telling you the estimated file size together with the compression level as a percentage. Smallpdf is also among the few tools that can reduce scanned PDF size up to 144 DPI. Other than that, you get 100% privacy, ease of use, batch processing, and integrated cloud services.

Pros:

  • Offers two preset conversion modes
  • Largely optimizes scanned PDF documents
  • Supports batch PDF compression
  • Available for use on multiple platforms
  • Integrates Google Drive, Dropbox, and Smallpdf cloud services

Cons:

  • A short 7-day trial period
  • Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, Mobile, Web-based

Best for: Reducing the size of a PDF document without compromising quality.

Conclusion

The best WPS Office software is a tool that should always be in your arsenal if you want to avoid bounce backs on websites, email clients, social media, and others when you exceed the allowed PDF file size.

And of course, you require a program that will aptly identify and get rid of redundancy, identify patterns, and highlight document parts that can be compressed while keeping the original quality intact as much as possible. To save you the hassle of searching for that kind of tool, this article has got you acquainted with the best PDF compressor software available at your disposal. It is now time to choose one.

Still looking for more advices on how to compress your PDF in online or offline ways? Check here: How to Compress PDF in Best Online and Offline Ways

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.