iLovePDF and Pagestays serve different document needs. Choose Pagestays for supported local page tasks; choose iLovePDF when its documented strengths match the work.
What the source says
| Question | iLovePDF | Pagestays |
|---|---|---|
| Free access | Basic merge: 100 MB per task. Basic compression: 200 MB per task. | Listed tools are free, with no daily task counter. |
| Paid price | Paid price not verified in the retrieved pricing page. | No paid plan available. Pro is in development. |
| File handling | Ordinary processed files deleted within 2 hours; signing has separate terms. | Local browser processing; document contents are not uploaded. |
Where iLovePDF is a better fit
Office conversion, PDF/A conversion, and password tools cover jobs Pagestays does not offer. Both products offer OCR with their own limits.
The iLovePDF table is useful because it lists limits per tool. A compression allowance is not evidence that an Office conversion of the same size will be accepted. The service also separates ordinary conversion from signing products. If you need cloud integrations or an office-format round trip, evaluate those directly. Pagestays is aimed at local page manipulation and simple image conversion.
Choose based on the output
Separate the jobs that need document reconstruction from those that only rearrange pages. Keep local page changes in the browser if that suits your policy, and use a suitable converter for Office output after reviewing its upload handling.
Pagestays can rearrange pages, fill supported existing fields, add a visible signature, and convert pages to images. It cannot edit existing paragraphs, create certificate signatures, or validate archival conformance. If one of those is the actual task, a broader product can be the better choice even when a free page tool is available.
How to read this comparison
This is a source review, not a claim that every paid feature was personally tested. Vendor statements are dated, and account-specific limits can differ. An unverified amount is left unquoted. A deletion window for processed files should not be applied to saved account documents or backups unless the vendor explicitly says so.
Prices and features checked on 2026-10-29. Spotted something out of date? Email contact@pagestays.com.
Product update, October 30, 2026: Pagestays also offers printed-text OCR and smart split locally. Vendor facts and their checked dates above are unchanged.