About pdfdots
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pdfdots is a collection of free PDF tools built by Mobtive. We made it because we were tired of uploading contracts, invoices and personal documents to random websites just to merge two pages or shrink a file.
Our mission
We also keep a simple rule for ourselves: every tool page says plainly where your file goes. If a tool runs in your browser, the page says so; if it needs our server in Germany, the page says that instead, before you pick a file. When a limitation matters, like compression turning pages into images or a simple signature not being a qualified e-signature, we put it on the page rather than hiding it in a footnote.
We want PDF tools that are free, simple and private. Whenever it is technically possible, our tools run right in your browser, so your files stay on your device. You need only a free account, created with one click through Google sign-in; there are no ads, and we don't sell data.
We also keep our own footprint small. The site is hosted by Hetzner in Nuremberg, Germany, and we only load Google Analytics if you click Accept in the cookie banner. Even then, we measure anonymous tool usage such as the tool name, the number of files and whether it worked, never your file names or contents. That helps us see which tools need improvement without learning anything about your documents.
Why in the browser
Modern browsers are powerful enough to merge, split, compress, rotate, sign and edit PDFs locally. Doing the work on your device means nothing is uploaded unless you choose to save it to My files, there is nothing for us to store, and it is often faster too, because no file has to travel across the internet and back.
Honest labels on server tools
Some conversions, such as PDF to Word or Office to PDF, still need heavier software than a browser can run. For those few tools we use our own server in Germany, and we say so clearly on the tool page. Files are processed in a temporary folder and deleted immediately after the result is sent back. We think you deserve to know exactly where your file goes before you choose it.
How we write our guides
The explanations, tips and FAQs on pdfdots are written by our team. We test the tools ourselves with real documents before describing them, and we try to be clear about limitations instead of promising magic.
Get in touch
We are always happy to hear about bugs, ideas for new tools or things we could explain better. Write to us at contact@pdfdots.com; every message is read by a person on our team.