Privacy friendly suite of PDF tools
Hi HN, I have been working on a set of PDF tools that does all the processing directly in the web browser. From time to time I needed to do some simple PDF manipulations like merging PDF files. Sometimes the files contain my personal data and I was not comfortable using other online services where the file usually is uploaded to a remote server. Behind the scenes there is a small library written in C++ doing the changes to the PDF files. I am using the Emscripten compiler to compile it to WebAssembly that is running in the browser. It was a very good learning for me and it was easier than I…
Privacy friendly suite of PDF tools launched on February 9, 2023 with 99 votes, #454 of 3,829 launches that month and more than 90% of that year's launches.
In plain words
This is a suite of PDF tools that processes files directly in the web browser rather than uploading them to remote servers. The tools handle common PDF tasks like merging files using WebAssembly technology compiled from C++. It works as a progressive web app and functions offline after initial loading. The product targets users who handle sensitive documents and prefer local processing over cloud-based alternatives for privacy reasons.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
In the maker’s words, at launch
Hi HN, I have been working on a set of PDF tools that does all the processing directly in the web browser. From time to time I needed to do some simple PDF manipulations like merging PDF files. Sometimes the files contain my personal data and I was not comfortable using other online services where the file usually is…
Does a similar job
all alternatives →
PDFyogi - Privacy First PDF Tools2025 · pdfyogi.com · ▲24Private and Instant PDF Tools that Run 100% in Your Browser
PDFMergely – In-browser PDF tools that never upload your filesJun 2026 · pdfmergely.com · ▲1856 free PDF tools that run in your browser: merge, convert, compress, sign, OCR, plus on-device AI. Files never upload, a live meter proves it. Works offline.
PDFly – 56 free PDF tools that run in the browserJul 2026 · pdfly.uk · ▲10Hi HN! I built PDFly — a PDF toolkit that runs entirely client-side. No file uploads, no server processing, no account needed. It has 56 tools including merge, split, compress, convert, redact, compare, and an AI chat feature to ask questions about your PDF content. Everything runs in your browser using [mention your tech stack if relevant, e.g., WASM/JS libraries]. Would love feedback on the tools, UX, or anything else!
PDF WorkSpace - Privacy MattersFeb 2026 · pdfwork.space · ▲5Private, local, offline PDF editing — fully in your browser.
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Source: Show HN post ↗ · launch text quoted in part
