PDF24's local privacy, without Windows or an installer
PDF24 deserves respect: its free Windows desktop app processes files locally, which makes it one of the few mainstream tools that shares our core principle. The catch is the word Windows — and the fact that PDF24's online tools, like everyone's, upload to a server. PDFAirlock brings the local-processing model to every machine with a browser: Mac, Linux, ChromeOS, a locked-down work laptop where you can't install anything. Same privacy stance, zero installation.
Why people look for a PDF24 alternative
- You're on a Mac, Linux, or ChromeOS — the PDF24 desktop app isn't
- You can't install software on your work machine
- You used PDF24's online tools assuming they were local like the app — they aren't
- You want verified redaction, which PDF24 doesn't offer
What PDF24 does better
Honest credit: on Windows, PDF24 Creator is a genuinely good free citizen — a large local toolset, a virtual PDF printer, and no subscription. If you're a Windows user who's happy installing software, it's a fine choice, and its local processing means our core criticism of the category doesn't apply to the desktop app.
Switching: your PDF24 task, done here
Every tool below runs in your browser — no upload, no account, and it works offline after your first visit.
| On PDF24 | On PDFAirlock |
|---|---|
| Merge PDF | Merge PDF files |
| Split PDF | Split PDF |
| Compress PDF | Compress PDF |
| Rotate pages | Rotate PDF |
| Remove pages | Delete pages |
| Extract pages | Extract pages |
| Add watermark | Watermark PDF |
| Add page numbers | Add page numbers |
| Protect PDF | Protect PDF (AES-256) |
| Unlock PDF | Unlock PDF |
When to stay with PDF24
- You're on Windows and prefer a desktop application
- You use the virtual PDF printer workflow
- You need its OCR today
Verify it in 30 seconds
Don't trust this page — test it. Open any tool with your browser's Network tab visible and process a file: zero requests. Or load the page, turn on airplane mode, and keep working. How the enforcement works →
Frequently asked questions
Is there a PDF24 for Mac?
PDF24's desktop app is Windows-only. PDFAirlock offers the same local-processing principle in the browser, so it works identically on macOS, Linux, ChromeOS and Windows — with nothing to install.
Are PDF24's online tools private like its desktop app?
No — the desktop app processes locally, but PDF24's online tools upload files to its servers like other web tools. PDFAirlock's web tools are local: verify with the network tab or by going offline.
Is PDFAirlock really free like PDF24?
Everything is free during beta, with no ads. The long-term plan is one-time licenses for advanced features — never a subscription.
More comparisons: the full side-by-side · vs iLovePDF · vs Smallpdf · vs Adobe Acrobat · vs Sejda · vs Stirling PDF
Based on publicly documented behavior as of September 2026. All trademarks belong to their owners. Corrections: support@pdfairlock.com.