Looking for a free PDF splitter that actually works? With dozens of options available, choosing the right one isn't straightforward.
Some tools upload your files to servers (privacy concern), others add watermarks, and many have strict file size limits. We tested the most popular free PDF splitters to help you make an informed choice.
Quick Summary: If privacy matters, use Edesy (processes files in your browser, no upload). For advanced features, try Sejda or ILovePDF. For offline use, PDFsam is excellent.
How We Tested
We evaluated each tool based on:
- Privacy - Does it upload files to servers or process locally?
- Speed - How fast does it split a 50-page PDF?
- File limits - Maximum file size and daily usage caps
- Features - Split modes (by range, every N pages, specific pages)
- Ease of use - How intuitive is the interface?
- Watermarks - Does the free version add watermarks?
Now let's dive into each tool.
1. Edesy PDF Splitter - Best for Privacy
Website: edesy.in/tools/split-pdf
Edesy takes a different approach than most online PDF tools - it processes files entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your PDF never leaves your device, making it the most private option available.
Key Features:
- Split by page range (e.g., 1-5, 10-15)
- Split every N pages (auto-divide into equal parts)
- Extract specific pages (e.g., 1, 3, 7, 12)
- Download as ZIP when splitting into multiple files
- No file size limits (depends on your device)
Pros:
- 100% private - files never uploaded
- No signup or email required
- No watermarks
- Works offline after page loads
- Unlimited usage
Cons:
- Requires modern browser
- Very large files (200MB+) may be slow on older devices
Best For:
Confidential documents, legal contracts, financial statements - anything you don't want on someone else's server.
Privacy Score: 10/10 Overall Rating: 9/10
2. ILovePDF - Best Feature Set
Website: ilovepdf.com
ILovePDF is one of the most popular PDF tools online. It offers a comprehensive suite of features beyond just splitting, including merge, compress, and convert.
Key Features:
- Split by range or extract pages
- Split after every N pages
- Visual page selector
- Batch processing (premium)
- Desktop app available
Pros:
- Clean, intuitive interface
- Fast processing
- Many additional PDF tools
- Mobile apps available
Cons:
- Files are uploaded to servers
- Free tier limited to 2 tasks per hour
- 15MB file limit on free tier
- Requires account for some features
Best For:
Users who need multiple PDF tools and don't mind server-side processing.
Privacy Score: 5/10 Overall Rating: 8/10
3. SmallPDF - Best User Experience
Website: smallpdf.com
SmallPDF is known for its polished interface and ease of use. The drag-and-drop experience is smooth, and the visual preview makes it easy to see what you're splitting.
Key Features:
- Split by page range
- Extract individual pages visually
- Merge after splitting
- Cloud integrations (Dropbox, Google Drive)
Pros:
- Beautiful, modern interface
- Visual page previews
- Integrations with cloud storage
- 21-day free trial of Pro features
Cons:
- Limited to 2 free tasks per day
- Files uploaded to servers
- Aggressive upselling to Pro
- 5MB limit on free tier
Best For:
Occasional users who value a polished experience and don't need frequent access.
Privacy Score: 5/10 Overall Rating: 7/10
4. Sejda - Best Free Limits
Website: sejda.com
Sejda stands out for having generous free limits - up to 200 pages or 50MB per file, with 3 tasks per hour. It also offers a desktop version for offline use.
Key Features:
- Split by page ranges
- Split every N pages
- Split by bookmarks (chapters)
- Split by file size
- Desktop app (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Pros:
- Generous free limits (200 pages)
- Split by bookmarks feature
- Desktop app for offline use
- No watermarks
Cons:
- Files uploaded to servers (online version)
- 3 tasks per hour limit
- Interface feels dated
- Desktop app requires Java
Best For:
Users with larger files who can work within the hourly limits.
Privacy Score: 6/10 (online) / 9/10 (desktop) Overall Rating: 8/10
5. PDF2Go - Best for Simplicity
Website: pdf2go.com
PDF2Go offers a straightforward, no-frills approach to PDF splitting. The interface is simple, and it gets the job done without unnecessary complexity.
Key Features:
- Split by page range
- Extract individual pages
- Split all pages into separate files
- Optional OCR processing
Pros:
- Simple, clean interface
- No account required
- Works on all devices
- Additional PDF tools available
Cons:
- Files uploaded to servers
- Ads on free version
- 50MB file limit
- Slower processing than competitors
Best For:
Quick, one-off splits when you don't want to create an account.
Privacy Score: 5/10 Overall Rating: 7/10
6. Adobe Acrobat Online - Best Brand Trust
Website: acrobat.adobe.com
Adobe's online tools bring the Acrobat experience to the browser. If you're already in the Adobe ecosystem, this might feel familiar.
Key Features:
- Split by page count
- Extract pages
- Preview before splitting
- Integration with Adobe Document Cloud
Pros:
- Trusted brand
- Clean interface
- Good for Adobe users
- Reliable processing
Cons:
- Requires Adobe account (free)
- Limited free tasks
- Files stored on Adobe servers
- Pushes Acrobat Pro subscription
Best For:
Users already using Adobe products who trust the brand.
Privacy Score: 6/10 Overall Rating: 7/10
7. PDFsam Basic - Best Desktop App
Website: pdfsam.org
PDFsam (PDF Split and Merge) is a free, open-source desktop application. It's the best choice if you want to work completely offline.
Key Features:
- Split by page numbers
- Split by bookmarks
- Split by size
- Rotate pages
- Merge PDFs
Pros:
- 100% offline - total privacy
- Open source
- No file limits
- No watermarks
- Works on Windows, Mac, Linux
Cons:
- Requires download and installation
- No visual preview
- Interface is basic
- No cloud sync
Best For:
Users who prefer desktop software and want complete offline privacy.
Privacy Score: 10/10 Overall Rating: 8/10
Comparison Table
| Tool | Privacy | File Limit | Watermarks | Free Tasks | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edesy | Local only | Unlimited* | No | Unlimited | Client-side processing |
| ILovePDF | Server | 15MB | No | 2/hour | Feature set |
| SmallPDF | Server | 5MB | No | 2/day | User experience |
| Sejda | Server | 50MB | No | 3/hour | Generous limits |
| PDF2Go | Server | 50MB | No | Unlimited | Simplicity |
| Adobe | Server | 100MB | No | Limited | Brand trust |
| PDFsam | Local | Unlimited | No | Unlimited | Offline |
*Depends on device memory
Which PDF Splitter Should You Use?
Here's our recommendation based on your situation:
Choose Edesy if:
- Privacy is your top priority
- You're splitting confidential documents
- You want unlimited usage without signup
- You prefer not to upload files anywhere
Choose ILovePDF if:
- You need multiple PDF tools in one place
- File privacy isn't a major concern
- You're okay with usage limits
Choose Sejda if:
- You have larger files (up to 50MB)
- You want to split by bookmarks/chapters
- You want a desktop app option
Choose PDFsam if:
- You want a desktop application
- You need complete offline functionality
- You split PDFs frequently
Privacy Matters: Server vs. Browser Processing
Most online PDF tools work like this:
- You upload your PDF to their server
- They process it on their server
- You download the result
- Your file may be stored for hours/days
This means your confidential documents sit on someone else's computer. For contracts, financial documents, or personal files, this is a real concern.
Browser-based tools like Edesy work differently:
- The website loads in your browser
- You select a file (it stays on your device)
- JavaScript processes the file locally
- You download the result directly
Your file never leaves your computer. No upload, no server storage, no privacy risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to split PDFs online?
It depends on the tool. Most online tools upload your files to their servers, which creates privacy risks. Tools like Edesy and PDFsam process files locally, keeping your data private.
Can I split a PDF without Adobe Acrobat?
Absolutely. All the tools in this list work without Adobe Acrobat. For a completely free option with no limits, try Edesy's PDF splitter.
What's the best free PDF splitter for Windows?
For online use, Edesy works great in any browser. For desktop software, PDFsam Basic is an excellent free option.
Do free PDF splitters add watermarks?
None of the tools in our list add watermarks to the free version. Avoid tools that do - there are plenty of quality options without watermarks.
Can I split a password-protected PDF?
You'll need to unlock it first using the correct password. Most tools, including Edesy's Unlock PDF, can remove password protection if you know the password.
Final Thoughts
For most users, we recommend starting with Edesy's PDF splitter. It's completely free, has no limits, and keeps your files private by processing everything in your browser.
If you need to work offline regularly, download PDFsam Basic. And if you need advanced features and don't mind server-side processing, ILovePDF or Sejda are solid choices.
The best tool is the one that fits your workflow. Try a few and see what works best for you.
Related Tools:
- Split PDF Online - Free, private, no signup
- Merge PDF - Combine multiple PDFs
- Compress PDF - Reduce file size
- Extract PDF Pages - Pull specific pages