PDF compressors allow users to make PDF files smaller so that they can be more easily shared, stored, or managed, in general. PDF files can contain a great deal of information as well as high-resolution images that increase their overall size, which can sometimes overwhelm size limits on most email services and storage platforms. As PDF files tend to be widely shared, it then becomes more difficult to send them via email or other platforms. They can also take up space on a hard drive or local drive. PDF compressors fix those problems and more by reducing the overall size of the file, while still maintaining its quality and other important design elements.
1. Lumin PDF
Lumin PDF is an online program that is also available for download to a desktop or a mobile phone. Lumin is available to registered users for free, but it has other premium features that are available for a monthly or yearly subscription fee. The program has a wealth of different PDF editing and managing services that are intuitive and easy to use.
Among the services offered by Lumin is the compression of PDF files. The feature was designed to be as easy to use as possible and only requires a few basic steps to get started. First, users can select the Compression tab from the Lumin browser menu, which opens up the compression page.
Second, users can then upload the file they want to be compressed either by opening it from the local drive or dragging and dropping the file into the browser. Uploading the file automatically begins the compression process, which is a feature that is not unique to Lumin, as many other compression services use the same method.
Lumin allows for multiple file compressions, at least, for premium users. The size limit for each file is 10Mb and files can only be compressed once. Another important feature of Lumin is that it preserves the integrity and quality of images from PDF files so only insignificant information is deleted.
2. Adobe PDF Compressor
The Adobe Acrobat suite is the gold standard in all things having to do with the PDF format. As the company created the format back in the 90s, it was in the best position to create tools and processes that were best-suited to handle the multiple applications that make the format easier to use.
The Adobe PDF compressor is one of those useful tools that let users shrink their files and answers the question of how to make a PDF smaller. The Adobe PDF compressor works similarly to many other tools on this list. Even though it is the premier PDF editing software, it is not so complicated to use.
Users who have the Adobe Acrobat suite can simply select the Compression tab on the Adobe browser to begin the process. Much like a lot of the compressors on this list, uploading the file to the compressor can either be done by opening the file or dragging and dropping the file into the compression field.
Once the file has been compressed, it will retain the quality of its most important design elements, like image and text resolution, while the file’s size will be reduced drastically. The only downside to the program is its high cost, but if users are constantly working with PDFs then it is a worthy investment.
3. Small PDF
Small PDF justifies its name by having a minimalist user interface that makes it easier to use its many different PDF functions. The program is online-based and gives users the ability to browse through its many different tools, all listed on its website. The site does charge a premium for use of its many wares, but users can still sample the tools for a short, free-trial period.
One unique feature about Small PDF is that it allows for different types of compression for different purposes. There is a feature for compressing a PDF file specifically for sending it via email. Yet another compression service is available for download so users can still compress files offline.
4. PDF2Go
PDF2Go is a website bursting with PDF editing options, as well as other features like conversion, and, of course, compression services. The site is easy-to-use and its layout is very easy to follow, as the options are all put out front without any other clutter or distractions. Users can choose to compress a file, as well unlocking and other security options right from the home page.
But rather than presenting the same compression options as other services, PDF2Go gives users a little more customization. Users can either enter the URL of the PDF they want to convert, as well as dragging and dropping or uploading the file from a storage platform like Google Drive or Dropbox.
When uploaded, PDF2Go gives users the option to select their level of compression. They can choose a basic level, a stronger one, or choose from a list of preset compression levels that lets users select what elements to change and which to leave untouched. Best of all, PDF2Go’s services are largely free to use, although premium members get upgraded features and unlimited use of them.
5. Free PDF Convert
Free PDF Convert is an outlier on this list as its offerings are focused solely on giving users many different options to convert their PDF files into other formats. The web-based site is awash in many different file formats to both convert into PDFs as well as from PDFs to other file types like JPGs, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
The site does offer users the ability to compress PDF files as well, but it is not as heavily featured as all the conversion options. The site is free to use up to a point. Free PDF Convert does impose limits on the number of files that can be compressed and their size, but a premium membership gives users more freedom to compress large files and many more of them.
6. iLovePDF
iLovePDF is yet another clearinghouse for everything PDF. The site lets users perform all sorts of different functions from conversion to merging and splitting PDFs. Something that the site lacks, along with Free PDF Convert and Small PDF are editing features that let users add or remove text or fundamentally change the layout of a specific PDF.
Still, the site is largely free, but, again, premium membership comes with upgraded features that do include editing features, as well as protection and OCR (optical character recognition) tools to make searching through PDF files much easier. Users can also repair PDFs that have lost important data or have become corrupted.
7. Ashampoo PDF Pro
Ashampoo PDF Pro is an exclusively paid software, much like Adobe Acrobat, that users must buy and download. The program has a bevy of standard as well as more advanced PDF features that include PDF creation, as well as editing and conversion, and compression features. The software also lets users convert and compress the file as they want, as they have unlimited access to conversions and unlimited file sizes to convert.