How we handle your files
A plain-language explanation of where your documents are processed, what we keep, and what we measure.
Tools that run entirely in your browser
These tools read and edit your file on your own device. The file is not uploaded, so it never reaches our servers:
- Organize PDF
- Delete PDF Pages
- Watermark PDF
- Crop PDF
- Sign PDF
- Fill PDF Form
- Redact PDF
- Flatten PDF
- Repair PDF
- Compare PDF
- PDF to Text
- Extract PDF Images
- HTML to PDF
- WebP to PDF
- HEIC to PDF
- Scan to PDF
Sign PDF and Fill PDF Form use the PDF editor, which is covered in the next section.
Tools that may use our servers
The longer-standing tools (merge, split, compress, rotate, page numbers, lock, unlock, OCR, the editor, and the converters to and from Word, Excel, PowerPoint, HTML and images) work in your browser for smaller files. Larger files, very long documents, and files processed on paid plans are sent to our servers over an encrypted connection (HTTPS) so they can be processed there. OCR is a server-side feature.
Files sent for processing are used only to produce your result and are deleted automatically afterwards. We do not read your documents or use them for anything else.
Passwords and encryption
Protect PDF encrypts your document with AES-256. When it runs in your browser, the password you choose is never sent anywhere. We cannot recover a forgotten password, so keep an unprotected original somewhere safe.
Redaction
Redact PDF flattens each redacted page into an image with the marked areas painted black, so the hidden text and pictures are removed from those pages rather than just covered. Always check the result yourself, including by trying to select or search the redacted area, before you share a sensitive document.
Analytics and cookies
If you accept, we use Google Analytics to count visits and see which tools are used. It records which tool page you are on and whether a conversion succeeded. It never receives your files, file names or their contents. If you decline, analytics stays off. You can change your choice any time with “Cookie settings” in the footer.
Our advice for sensitive documents
- Prefer the browser-only tools above when a file is confidential.
- Use a strong, unique password with Protect PDF, and send it by a different route than the file.
- Keep the original file until you have checked the result.
Questions
If something here is unclear, or you spot a case we have not covered, contact us.