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Deckle vs PDF24: which PDF tool should you use?

By DeckleUpdated

Deckle and PDF24 are both free PDF tools with no sign-up, but they process files in different places. PDF24's online tools work "in the cloud on our servers" in Germany and delete files after one hour, while Deckle processes files in your browser without uploading them. PDF24 offers a much broader suite, including compression, OCR, editing and signing, plus PDF24 Creator, a free offline app for Windows. Deckle focuses on page jobs, image conversion, passwords, metadata and text extraction, and checks every result.

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

Deckle vs PDF24 at a glance

PDF24 facts are from its own pages, checked on 5 November 2026.

Deckle PDF24
Where files are processed In your browser, on your device On PDF24's servers in Germany; deleted after one hour
Cost Free Free, funded by advertising; no paid tier mentioned
Account Not needed Not needed
Limits Per-image pixel limit for exports; one PDF at a time for most tools "No artificial limits"
Merge, split, reorder, rotate Yes Yes
Split modes Split points, one file per page, fixed-size chunks, page ranges Pages per PDF, even/odd, halve, custom split points
PDF to JPG / PNG, images to PDF Yes Yes
Compression, OCR, editing, signing No Yes
Offline No; the site loads over the internet PDF24 Creator for Windows works offline

When to choose PDF24

  • You need a wide free toolkit. PDF24 covers compression, OCR, editing and signing alongside page tools, all free.
  • You work offline on Windows. PDF24 Creator installs on Windows and works without a connection, free for private and commercial use.
  • You need even/odd or halved splits. PDF24's split tool has these as ready-made modes.
  • You need to compress a PDF. Deckle does not compress PDFs.

When to choose Deckle

  • You use a Mac, Chromebook, iPhone or Android phone and want local processing. Deckle runs in any modern browser, and files stay on the device.
  • You want to plan a split before it runs. Deckle's Split PDF lists the planned files, their pages and any pages left out before you click.
  • You want each result checked. The result screen shows a Verified: line of measured facts, such as how many pages of a merged file were inspected.
  • You want to chain jobs. On a PDF result, Back to editing uses the new file as the next input, so you do not have to download and reopen it.

How to convert PDF pages to images with Deckle

  1. Open PDF to PNG or PDF to JPG and choose your PDF, or drop it onto the page.
  2. Choose a Resolution: Screen (72 DPI), Standard (150 DPI) or Print (300 DPI).
  3. Keep All pages, or choose Choose pages and type pages such as 1, 3-5.
  4. Choose Export images.
  5. Download each image, or all of them as a ZIP.

Converting PDF pages to JPG covers resolution and quality in detail.

Example: a teacher needs pages 4 and 9 of a worksheet pack as images for a slide deck. On a school Chromebook, where PDF24 Creator is not an option, PDF to PNG with 4, 9 gives two sharp images, and the worksheet is not uploaded.

Tips

  • On Windows, consider PDF24 Creator for heavy offline use. It is free and does not need a connection.
  • For sensitive files online, check where processing happens. Upload-based tools and browser-based tools handle your file differently.
  • Keep your original. Deckle creates a new file every time and leaves the source unchanged.

Frequently asked questions

Is PDF24 really free?

PDF24 says its tools are free with no artificial limits and are funded by advertising.

Does PDF24 upload my files?

Its online tools do. PDF24 says files are processed on its servers in Germany and deleted after one hour. PDF24 Creator for Windows processes files offline.

Is Deckle a PDF24 alternative for Mac?

For page jobs, image conversion, passwords, metadata and text extraction, yes. Deckle runs in Safari, Chrome and other browsers on a Mac.

Can Deckle do OCR like PDF24?

No. Deckle extracts text only from PDFs that already contain selectable text.

Related tools

Sources