PDF24: The Largest Free Tool Suite
PDF24 offers over 25 PDF tools and a dedicated desktop application for Windows. It is genuinely the most comprehensive free PDF service available, with conversion formats that neither LocalPDF nor most competitors cover (ePub, HTML, PowerPoint, and more). For sheer breadth of tools, PDF24 leads the market.
Privacy: The Key Difference
PDF24 processes files on servers in Germany and is GDPR-compliant. Files are stated to be deleted after processing. Despite this, every file you process on PDF24 travels over the internet to a remote server. For documents containing personal, legal, or financial data, this is a meaningful privacy exposure. LocalPDF processes everything in your browser, so your document never leaves your device at any step.
Where LocalPDF Wins
LocalPDF offers Compare PDF, a unique feature not available on PDF24. Processing History in LocalPDF tracks your recent file operations locally, while PDF24 has no equivalent. LocalPDF also requires no account and works fully offline after the initial page load, which PDF24's server-based tools cannot match.
Where PDF24 Wins
PDF24 has more conversion formats (PowerPoint, ePub), a desktop application, and a longer track record. If you need to convert PDFs to formats beyond Word and Excel, PDF24 is the better choice. Its desktop app is also useful for users who prefer not to use a browser for PDF work.
Verdict
PDF24 is the right choice when you need a rare conversion format or the desktop application. LocalPDF is the right choice when privacy is a priority, you work with sensitive documents, you need Compare PDF, or you want a tool that works offline without any account.