While many appreciate the simplicity of PDFs in preserving content and original formatting, sharing or sending large-sized PDFs online can be challenging. This is where compressing PDF files becomes essential.
Explore the Best PDF Compression Tools
Effortlessly reduce file size by utilizing specialized PDF compression tools, making it easy to send or share with friends, colleagues, and freeing up valuable hard drive space.
Below is a list of the Top 5 PDF file compression tools that you can consider.
Top 5 Best PDF Compression Tools
1. Smallpdf
Smallpdf stands out as one of the best online PDF file compressors in the current market. Whether you upload PDFs from your computer or your Google Drive/Dropbox account, Smallpdf automatically compresses the files. Simply download the compressed file or save it back to your Google Drive or Dropbox account.
Note that Smallpdf allows PDF compression per hour. However, you can delete browser cookies to continue compressing additional files. For frequent PDF tasks, consider subscribing for $6/month, offering unlimited compressions, batch processing, encrypted connections, and an ad-free experience.
Download Smallpdf to your computer and install it here: Download Smallpdf
2. iLovePDF
Unlike Smallpdf, iLovePDF offers a completely free online PDF file compression solution with no restrictions on the number of compressions or the quantity of PDF files.
All you need to do is upload your PDF file and choose one of the three file size reduction modes to initiate the process. iLovePDF excels in rapid file compression, automatically downloading the compressed file via the default link. Additionally, premium users can upload and compress multiple files simultaneously.
Download iLovePDF to your computer and install it here: Download iLovePDF
3. PDF Compressor
Despite being an aging PDF file compression tool without recent updates, PDF Compressor maintains its standing among the top 5 tools for reducing PDF file size, thanks to its capability to compress PDFs without compromising file quality.
This PDF file compression tool is exclusively developed for Windows, featuring a simple interface that allows users to upload multiple PDF files and folders for batch processing. Similar to Smallpdf, PDF Compressor may lack extensive compression options, but its default compression settings work remarkably well.
Additionally, you can import and export lists of files and optimize the file list for web viewing. PDF Compressor is free for personal use, while business users need to pay 29.95 USD for a license.
Download PDF Compressor to your computer and install it here: Download PDF Compressor
4. IrfanView Magic
Despite being an image manipulation tool, IrfanView opens up a world of possibilities with its tailored IMPDF plugin for PDF file handling and manipulation.
IMPDF, an indispensable plugin for IrfanView, empowers users to seamlessly view and compress PDF files within the IrfanView environment. Start by downloading and installing IrfanView, followed by the comprehensive installation of all IrfanView plugins, including the IMPDF plugin.
The next step involves launching IrfanView and opening your target PDF file for compression. Simply select the Open option from the File menu.
Moving forward on the File menu, click on Save As to access the options for saving the PDF file.
Here, set the Save as type to PDF to preserve the output format as PDF.
On the screen, you'll notice a small box named PDF save options on the right side. Choose compression options from the menus next to Color images and Grayscale images, including Best, High, Medium, and Low. After clicking Save, the PDF file will be compressed and saved to the location of your choice.
Download IrfanView to your computer and install it here: Get IrfanView
5. 7-Zip Marvel
Introducing 7-Zip, the ultimate PDF file compression tool in Mytour's curated list. While 7-Zip can compress any file, including PDFs, it may not significantly reduce the size compared to the original file. To view compressed files, you'll need to use 7-Zip or other decompression tools.
7-Zip serves as a practical solution for compressing PDF files, especially when you need to send or share them online or for less frequently accessed files.
Download 7-Zip to your computer and install it. The tool will automatically add an option to the right-click menu. Simply right-click on the PDF file you want to compress and select Add to archive.
In the Add to archive window, set Compression level to Ultra and Compression method to LZMA2, then click OK. The compressed file will be saved in the same directory as the original file.
Alternatively, you can opt to use other built-in file compression tools on Windows, but 7-Zip provides more compression options and better efficiency.
Download 7-Zip to your computer and install it. Get it here: Download 7-Zip
In this article, Mytour has just introduced the top 5 best PDF file compression tools available. Additionally, when it comes to file compression, data wouldn't be complete without mentioning WinRAR. Explore how to compress and decompress files using WinRAR on your computer to make the most of this excellent software. If you have any questions or need clarification, please feel free to leave your comments below the article.
