ASAPDF vs Smallpdf — honest comparison
Looking for a Smallpdf alternative? Here's an honest ASAPDF vs Smallpdf comparison. Smallpdf is a polished web suite of PDF tools with a broad conversion toolbox and a longer history than ASAPDF, which is still in development. ASAPDF is device-based and signing-first, so you sign in a native app on the device in your hand and send to people who have no account.
| At a glance | ASAPDF | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $0 (sign your own documents free) | Free (limited daily tasks) |
| Most popular plan | $95.99 / yr ($7.99/mo, billed annually) | $9 / mo (Pro, billed annually) |
| Lifetime license | $399 one-time | None |
| Platforms | Mac (planned) · iPhone (planned) · iPad (planned) · Web (planned) | Web · iOS · Android · Windows (desktop app) |
Pick Smallpdf if
- ·A polished, complete web suite of PDF tools — convert, compress, merge, split, e-sign — available right now. ASAPDF's clients are in development.
- ·A broad conversion toolbox (PDF to and from Office, images, etc.) that ASAPDF does not aim to match.
- ·Cheaper Pro tier (around $9/mo) if you want unlimited web processing across many tools.
- ·Cross-platform web plus desktop and mobile apps, with a familiar workflow.
- ·An established track record and brand recognition.
Pick ASAPDF if
- +Device-native signing — sign in a real Mac, iPhone, or iPad app with Apple Pencil or a finger, not in a browser tab (planned).
- +Send for signature with a QR-code drop and email link, so recipients sign with no app and no account (planned).
- +A free tier for signing your own documents with no watermark and no daily-task cap on signing.
- +A cross-device saved-signature library with a Face ID / Touch ID gate (planned).
- +One Bravely account, and the annual and lifetime plans include the other premium utilities from Bravely.
Full feature comparison
Verified 2026-05-30. Source linked at the bottom.
| Feature | ASAPDF | Smallpdf |
|---|---|---|
| Sign your own document free | Yes (planned) | Limited daily; Pro for more |
| Broad conversion toolbox | Page reorder, merge, split (planned) | Yes — wide |
| Native device signing app | Planned (Mac/iPhone/iPad) | Web-first, with apps |
| Apple Pencil signing flow | Planned (iPad) | No |
| QR-code drop / in-person sign | Planned (Pro) | Limited |
| Web signer for recipients (no app) | Planned (Pro) | Yes (e-sign) |
| Batch processing | No | Yes |
| Lifetime purchase | $399 one-time (planned) | No |
| Pricing model | Free + subscription + lifetime | Free + subscription |
Bottom line
Smallpdf is a polished, broad PDF web suite, and if you want a big conversion toolbox in the browser for a low monthly price, it's a strong pick that's available today — ASAPDF is still in development with a much narrower toolset. ASAPDF's bet is different: device-native signing in real Mac, iPhone, and iPad apps, plus sending documents to people who have no account. If conversion breadth is what you want, choose Smallpdf. If signing-first, on-device, send-to-anyone is what you want, that's the wedge ASAPDF is being built around.
FAQ
Does ASAPDF have as many tools as Smallpdf?+
No. Smallpdf's conversion toolbox is broader. ASAPDF is signing-first with page reorder, merge, and split (planned), not a wide conversion suite.
Why pick ASAPDF for signing over Smallpdf?+
Native device signing (Apple Pencil, finger) and send-for-signature with a QR-code drop, rather than a browser tab. These are planned launch features.
Is there a pay-once option?+
Yes — a planned $399 lifetime, plus a free tier for signing your own documents. Smallpdf is subscription-only.
Is ASAPDF available yet?+
It is in active development. Join the early-access list on the ASAPDF page.
More ASAPDF comparisons
Pricing verified 2026-05-30. Smallpdf pricing source. Subject to change.