Compress PDF Online β Free & Secure PDF Compression Tool
Compress large PDF documents quickly. Choose a preset or set a custom KB target. Files are processed securely, scanned (if enabled), and removed after download. Built for users and publishers who want fast downloads and small sizes for different uses.
β Usage Limits β
Guest vs User vs Premium
Guest users can upload up to 5 MB per file, with a maximum of 15 files per batch, and must wait 20 seconds between operations.
Google Login users get higher limits: 10 MB per file, 20 files per batch, and only 15 seconds cooldown.
For unlimited access, upgrade to Premium Plan.
About this Compress PDF Tool β Compress PDF Online Free
Compress PDF online free with PdfJobs to reduce file size quickly without losing essential readability. Whether you need to send documents by email, upload to a website with size limits, or free up storage on your device, our PDF compressor balances compression strength with visual quality. The tool supports three easy presets β Smallest, Balanced, High β and also allows a custom KB target when you require precise control.
Large PDFs often contain high-resolution images or embedded fonts which inflate file size. Compressing a PDF typically reduces image resolution, strips non-critical metadata, and optimizes internal structure to shrink the bytes. Our server-side process evaluates each PDF and applies safe image downsampling, selective recompression, and other optimizations to produce much smaller files while keeping text and important graphics legible. This makes PdfJobs a practical choice when you want to reduce PDF file size with reliable results.
Most users select the Balanced preset β it offers a practical compromise: significant size reduction with minimal visible difference for most documents. For users constrained by very small limits (for example, email systems or legacy upload forms), the Smallest preset aggressively compresses images and strips extra objects. Conversely, the High Quality preset applies light compression and preserves visual fidelity β best for presentations or print-ready PDFs where appearance matters more than absolute file size.
PdfJobs is also designed for convenience. Drag-and-drop files into the upload area, pick a preset or type a custom KB target, and press Compress. The site provides a preview estimate so you can see expected output sizes before downloading. If multiple files are selected, the tool offers a combined ZIP download to keep the workflow straightforward. Each operation is processed on secure servers and temporary files are removed automatically after download, so you do not need to worry about file retention.
For teams and businesses, the ability to compress PDF without losing quality means faster collaboration, quicker attachments, and lower storage costs. Compressing PDFs before archiving thousands of receipts, reports, or scanned documents yields immediate savings in storage and network bandwidth. Our API options (see API Docs) let developers integrate compression into batch workflows and server-side pipelines, so compressing PDFs can become a transparent part of your automated processes.
Tips for best results:
- Start with Balanced: it works well for mixed content β images and text.
- Try Smallest if your goal is a minimal file for email attachments and previews.
- Use High Quality when visual fidelity is essential β presentations, brochures, or images with fine detail.
- Use Custom KB for exact constraints required by specific upload systems (e.g. 200 KB maximum).
Security and privacy are central. Uploaded PDFs are processed transiently; we do not keep copies beyond the time needed for compression and download. When available, the server will run files through ClamAV for malware scanning and will reject suspicious uploads. If you need end-to-end confidentiality, compress locally or use server-side API keys with access controls.
The PdfJobs compress tool is intentionally simple yet powerful. Some advanced PDF content (complex vector graphics or many embedded fonts) may not compress as much as image-heavy scans, but the tool still optimizes internal streams and removes unnecessary metadata. If you need to maintain searchable text after compressing scanned pages, consider running OCR after compression or converting to a Word document using our PDF-to-Word tool.
Search engines and website performance benefit from optimized PDFs β smaller files lead to faster page loads and lower bounce rates. If you upload PDFs for public consumption, compressing them can improve accessibility and usability across mobile devices. For developers and site owners, automating PDF compression as part of your content pipeline can reduce hosting costs and speed up delivery for users worldwide.
In short, PdfJobs is built to be the practical, fast, and secure best PDF compressor for daily needs. It removes friction from the compression process, gives predictable results via presets and previews, and offers customization when precision matters. Try a sample upload to compare presets, or type a KB target to see how the tool adapts. For higher-volume workflows, check our pricing and API documentation to automate compression at scale.
Ready to reduce PDF file size? Upload one or more PDFs, pick a preset, and click Compress β youβll have the optimized files in seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions β Compress PDF
How do I compress a PDF with this tool?
Select PDFs using the drag & drop area or the "choose files" button. Select a preset or an exact KB target then press Compress. Single files will download as PDF; multiple files are bundled into a ZIP.
Will compressing reduce image quality?
Yes. "Smallest" reduces quality most, "Balanced" is a middle ground, and "High Quality" tries to preserve visuals. Choose according to your needs and preview before downloading.
How accurate is the predicted download size?
The preview uses server-side sampling with the same settings used for final compression so predictions closely match final download sizes.
Are uploads scanned for malware?
If ClamAV is installed on the server, files are scanned. Suspicious uploads are rejected and recorded. Guests that repeatedly upload detected files can be temporarily blocked.
How long are files stored?
Files are stored briefly for processing and preview, then deleted after download. Temporary preview files are removed promptly.
Can I request a precise KB target?
Yes β use the Custom target field. The server will attempt to produce output close to that target and the preview reflects the expected result.
Multiple files β ZIP or individual?
If you select more than one file, the tool will provide a combined ZIP. For single files, you can download the compressed PDF directly.
Is compression permanent?
The original file remains unchanged on your device β the tool provides a new compressed file for download.