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Deckle vs PDF Candy: which PDF tool should you use?

By DeckleUpdated

PDF Candy and Deckle both merge, split and convert PDFs without an account, but PDF Candy uploads files to its servers and says it keeps them for no longer than two hours, while Deckle processes files in your browser without uploading them. PDF Candy offers more tools, including Word and Excel conversion, compression, OCR, editing and signing, and a Windows desktop app that works offline. Its free web plan has page, hourly and file-size restrictions; Deckle's tools are free with no sign-up.

Organize PDF pages
Illustrated report, proposal and notes beside a numbered page sequence.
Illustration · choose the pages and order for your reader.

Deckle vs PDF Candy at a glance

PDF Candy facts are from its own pages, checked on 5 November 2026.

Deckle PDF Candy
Where files are processed In your browser, on your device On PDF Candy's servers, kept for no longer than two hours
Account Not needed Not needed
Free-plan limits No account or plan Page and hourly restrictions, limited file size, no batch processing; split accepts files up to 100 MB
Paid plans None Web Monthly, Desktop + Web Yearly, Desktop + Web Lifetime
Split Split points, one file per page, fixed-size chunks, page ranges Every page, ranges such as 3-6, selected pages into one file, remove sections
PDF to JPG Page images at 72, 150 or 300 DPI, three quality levels Yes, with High, Medium or Low quality
Office conversion No Word, Excel and PowerPoint to and from PDF
Compression, OCR, editing, signing No Yes
Offline No; the site loads over the internet Windows desktop app that works offline

When to choose PDF Candy

  • You need to convert to or from Word or Excel. Deckle does not convert Office formats.
  • You need compression, OCR or editing. PDF Candy offers all three; Deckle does not.
  • You want an offline Windows app. PDF Candy's desktop app runs without a connection.
  • You want batch processing and are happy to pay, since batch is not part of the free plan.

When to choose Deckle

  • You would prefer not to upload. Deckle reads and writes PDFs in the browser.
  • You hit hourly limits. Deckle has no hourly task limit.
  • You want to choose the resolution in DPI. PDF to JPG has Screen, Standard and Print (72, 150 and 300 DPI) alongside three JPEG quality levels.
  • You want each result checked. The result screen ends with a Verified: line, such as how many images were produced, after Deckle has checked that each one opens.

How to collect selected pages into one PDF with Deckle

PDF Candy has a mode that puts selected pages into one file. In Deckle, do it in Organize PDF pages:

  1. Open Organize PDF pages and choose your PDF, or drop it onto the page.
  2. Remove the pages you do not want.
  3. Drag the remaining pages into the order you need.
  4. Choose Save pages and download the new PDF.

Deleting pages from a PDF covers removing pages in detail, and Split PDF handles ranges when you want separate files.

Example: a student needs pages 2, 7 and 15 of a 30-page lecture handout as one PDF for revision. In Organize PDF pages, removing the other 27 pages and saving gives a 3-page PDF. The handout is never uploaded.

Tips

  • Read the free-plan limits before a big job. PDF Candy describes page, hourly and file-size restrictions on its free plan.
  • Use the right tool for scanned files. Deckle extracts text only from pages with selectable text; scans need OCR.
  • Keep your original. Deckle never changes the PDF you open.

Frequently asked questions

Is Deckle a free PDF Candy alternative?

For page jobs, image conversion, passwords, metadata removal and text extraction, yes. For Office conversion, compression, OCR or editing, PDF Candy offers more.

Does PDF Candy upload my files?

Yes. PDF Candy says files are kept on its servers for no longer than two hours.

Does Deckle have a desktop app like PDF Candy?

No. Deckle runs in the browser, on any device with a modern browser.

Can Deckle convert PDF to Word?

No. PDF to text copies the text into a plain text file.

Related tools

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