Online converters are the Swiss Army knives of the web: turn a Word file into a PDF, a video into an MP3, a HEIC photo into a JPG, or shrink a PDF small enough to email. They’re free to start and need no installation. The catch is in two places: daily limits that appear exactly when you’re in a hurry, and the fact that every file you convert is uploaded to someone else’s server.
This guide compares the most-searched converters and PDF tools, CloudConvert, Convertio, 123apps, Smallpdf, PDF Candy and AudioAlter, on what’s free, what paid plans cost and what happens to your files. Details come from official pages checked on 27 October 2026 unless we say otherwise.
Converters and PDF tools compared
| Tool | Best for | Free use | Paid from | Files and privacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CloudConvert | Almost any format, including documents, video, audio and images | 10 conversions a day, files up to 1 GB | One-time credit packages or monthly subscription (prices shown at checkout) | Uploads deleted within 24 hours; servers in Germany (US users served from the US) |
| Convertio | Quick conversions in the browser | A free tier exists; limits not stated on the pricing page | Lite: $11.99 a month, or $6.99 a month billed yearly (1 GB files) | Output files tied to the IP address that started the conversion |
| 123apps | Simple video, audio and PDF editing as well as conversion | Free account | Premium: $6 a month (files up to 10 GB, no ads) | Retention not stated on the homepage; see its privacy terms |
| Smallpdf | PDF compress, convert, edit and e-sign | Reported as 2 tasks a day | Pro reported at about $15 a month; 7-day trial per Smallpdf’s blog | Check Smallpdf’s privacy policy for retention |
| PDF Candy | A broad free PDF toolbox | Reviewers report 1 task per hour on the free web version | Paid plans remove limits | Windows desktop version available for offline use |
| AudioAlter | Audio effects: 8D, pitch, reverb, vocal removal | Web tools; pricing not stated on the homepage | Not stated | See its privacy policy |
General converters: CloudConvert, Convertio and 123apps
CloudConvert is the most transparent about privacy of the tools we checked. Its privacy policy says uploaded files are “automatically deleted after 24 hours at the latest”, and sooner if you delete them yourself. Its servers are in Germany, with US users served from US servers. The free tier allows 10 conversions a day with files up to 1 GB. Paid credits come as a one-time package that never expires, or a monthly subscription whose unused credits don’t roll over.
Convertio publishes clear paid tiers: Lite at $11.99 a month ($6.99 billed yearly) for 1 GB files, Basic at $22.99 ($13.99) for 3 GB and Pro at $44.99 ($25.99) for 10 GB. It offers a free tier but doesn’t list its limits on the pricing page.
123apps is more of a toolbox than a converter. Alongside audio, video, image, document, font, archive and ebook converters, it offers a video editor, screen recorder, audio trimmer and PDF tools. Its Premium plan costs $6 a month and removes video length limits and ads, and raises the file size to 10 GB.
PDF tools: Smallpdf and PDF Candy
Smallpdf covers the everyday PDF jobs: compress, convert to and from Office formats, edit, merge and e-sign. Its pricing page couldn’t be read in our check. Third-party reviews consistently report a free limit of two tasks a day and Pro at around $15 a month, and Smallpdf’s own blog describes a 7-day free trial of Pro. Confirm current prices on smallpdf.com.
PDF Candy (often searched as “Candy PDF editor”) offers more than 40 PDF tools, including conversion, OCR, watermarking, page management and password protection, plus a basic editor. Reviewers such as PCWorld note a free limit of one task per hour. A Windows desktop version lets you process files offline.
Audio: AudioAlter
AudioAlter is a set of web tools for audio files: 8D audio, slowed-and-reverb presets, pitch and tempo changes, bass boost, noise reduction, vocal removal, BPM detection and a converter. It’s useful for quick creative edits. Remember that removing vocals from a song doesn’t change the copyright on it.
Privacy: what happens to your files
Think before you upload
Every online converter receives a copy of your file. That’s fine for a holiday photo, but not for contracts, ID documents, medical records or client data. For sensitive files, use a converter with a clear deletion policy (like CloudConvert’s 24-hour rule), delete files as soon as you’re done, or use desktop software that works offline, such as PDF Candy’s Windows app or the PDF export built into your office software.
How to choose a converter
- Match the tool to the jobUse a general converter for format changes, a PDF suite for editing and signing, and a specialist tool for audio effects.
- Check the free limit before you startDaily caps (CloudConvert’s 10 a day, Smallpdf’s reported 2) matter if you have a batch of files.
- Check the file-size limitVideo files quickly exceed 1 GB; 123apps Premium and Convertio’s higher tiers go up to 10 GB.
- Read the deletion policyLook for a stated time limit and a manual delete option.
- Prefer offline for sensitive filesThe safest upload is the one you don’t make.
Our verdict
Bottom line
For general conversions with the clearest privacy terms, CloudConvert stands out: 10 free conversions a day, and files deleted within 24 hours. Convertio and 123apps are good value if you convert often ($6.99 and $6 a month respectively). For PDFs, Smallpdf is the polished choice and PDF Candy the broad free toolbox. AudioAlter covers quick audio effects.
Keep sensitive documents offline. Details were checked on 27 October 2026.
Common questions
Is CloudConvert free?
Yes, for up to 10 conversions a day with files up to 1 GB. Paid credits are available as a one-time package that doesn't expire or as a monthly subscription.
Is CloudConvert safe?
CloudConvert's privacy policy says uploaded files are automatically deleted within 24 hours, or immediately if you delete them, and that its servers are in Germany. For highly sensitive documents, an offline tool is still safer.
How much does Convertio cost?
Convertio offers a free tier. Paid plans are Lite at $11.99 a month ($6.99 billed yearly), Basic at $22.99 ($13.99) and Pro at $44.99 ($25.99), with file limits from 1 GB to 10 GB.
What is 123apps?
123apps is a collection of web apps for converting and editing video, audio, PDFs and other files. It has a free account option and a $6 a month Premium plan with 10 GB files and no ads.
Is Smallpdf free?
Smallpdf has a free plan, reported by reviewers as 2 tasks a day, and a Pro plan reported at about $15 a month. Smallpdf's own blog describes a 7-day free trial of Pro.
What is PDF Candy?
PDF Candy, often searched as "Candy PDF editor", is a free online PDF toolbox with more than 40 tools for converting, editing, OCR and protecting PDFs. Reviewers report a free limit of one task per hour, and there's a Windows desktop app.
What is AudioAlter?
AudioAlter is a set of web tools for audio files, including 8D audio, pitch and tempo changes, reverb, bass boost, noise reduction and vocal removal.
