General
Is ThePDFBuddy really free?
Yes. All seven PDF tools — merge, split, rotate, compress, watermark, page numbers, and images to PDF — are completely free, with no account, no trial, and no watermark stamped on your output files.
Do I need to create an account or install anything?
No. ThePDFBuddy works in any modern browser — desktop or mobile — with nothing to install and no account required. Open a tool, add your files, and download the result.
Which PDF tools are available?
Seven tools: Merge PDF (combine files in order), Split PDF (one file per page, as a ZIP), Rotate PDF (90°, 180°, 270°), Compress PDF (shrink oversized files), Watermark PDF (stamp text on every page), Add Page Numbers (number pages at the bottom), and Images to PDF (turn JPG/PNG photos into one PDF).
Which browsers are supported?
Any modern browser: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and their mobile versions. The tools run on web standards built into these browsers, so keep your browser reasonably up to date for the best results.
Does ThePDFBuddy work on mobile phones?
Yes. Every tool works in mobile browsers on iPhone, Android, and tablets. Pick files with your device's file picker, use the on-screen controls, and the result downloads to your device.
Privacy & security
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. Every tool processes your documents entirely in your browser, on your own device. Your files never leave your computer or phone.
Can you see or store my documents?
No. Because all processing happens locally in your browser, we never receive, see, or store your files. There is nothing on our servers to leak, sell, or hand over — your documents stay yours.
Is it safe to process sensitive documents like tax forms or contracts?
In-browser processing is the safest way to use an online PDF tool for sensitive files, because nothing is transmitted. That said, always double-check you are on the real thepdfbuddy.com, keep your browser updated, and keep your originals backed up before editing.
Why do you show ads, and do they affect my files?
Light advertising is how the tools stay free without usage caps or paywalls. Ads are placed between sections — never over your document controls — and they have no access to your files, which are processed locally on your device.
Tool-specific
Why won't my file process?
The two most common causes are password protection and file damage. Encrypted PDFs that require a password cannot be processed — unlock the file in your PDF reader first. If the file is corrupted, try opening it in a PDF reader; if the reader cannot open it either, you will need a fresh copy.
Can I reorder files when merging PDFs?
Yes. Use the up and down arrow buttons next to each file in the list. The file at the top becomes the first pages of the merged document. See the merging guide for a full walkthrough.
Why does my split PDF download as a ZIP?
Splitting creates one PDF per page, and a ZIP bundles them into a single download instead of dozens of separate save dialogs. Open the ZIP with your device's built-in support (double-click on desktop, the Files app on mobile) to find files named page-001.pdf, page-002.pdf, and so on.
Can I rotate only some pages of a PDF?
The Rotate PDF tool turns every page by the same amount. For individual pages, split the PDF into single pages, rotate just the ones you need, and merge everything back in order.
Quality & limits
Will compressing my PDF make it blurry?
Not noticeably with the recommended High quality setting — pages stay sharp for reading and everyday printing. Only the Maximum setting visibly softens pages, and it exists for strict size limits. If your file is already optimized, the tool tells you so instead of degrading it.
Why can't I select text after compressing my PDF?
When the compression tool rebuilds pages to shrink them, the pages become high-resolution images that preserve the exact look of the original. Text selection no longer works on the rebuilt pages, so keep your original file if you still need to copy text from it.
Is there a file size limit?
There is no advertised file size cap — the tools handle everyday files comfortably. Very large files simply take longer to process, especially on older phones. If a huge job feels slow, splitting it into smaller batches is the practical approach.
Will merging or splitting change my document's quality?
No. Merging and splitting only copy and reorder pages — they never re-render them. Page size, orientation, and content quality are preserved exactly.
What image formats can I convert to PDF?
The Images to PDF tool accepts JPG (JPEG) and PNG files. Each image becomes one page of the PDF, in the order you select them, with your choice of page size (fit each image, A4, or US Letter) and margin.