AvePDF vs CombinePDF

AvePDF is a browser-based service for editing, converting, and managing PDF and other electronic documents. Its tools cover merging, splitting, compression, conversion, protection, redaction, signing, OCR, PDF/A conversion and validation, and scanning. The converter handles more than 100 formats, including raster and vector images, office and text formats, CAD, and SVG. Files can be uploaded from Google Drive, Dropbox, or a web address, with results saved to cloud storage. The Free plan costs nothing and includes 50+ document tools, 2 processing operations per 6 hours, files up to 128 MB, and up to 10 files per processing. Premium costs $45 a year, billed annually as one payment per user; it includes unlimited processing, files up to 512 MB, and up to 100 files per processing, as well as no ads, technical support, and early beta access. Free-service uploads may be retained to improve services, including to train models; Premium files are not retained. Premium subscribers also receive multiple levels of encryption.

CombinePDF creates one downloadable PDF from uploaded PDF files and images. It accepts PDF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, and BMP files, and lets users arrange the upload order before producing the result. Image pages and PDF pages can be mixed, while JPG, JPEG, and PNG collections can be compiled into a PDF. The service is free to use without registration or an email address and says it adds no watermark. Uploads are limited to 20 files at once, with each file up to 120 MB. Uploaded files and generated PDFs are deleted when the user leaves the page; its privacy policy says files are held temporarily during processing rather than permanently. Transfers use HTTPS. The service collects usage data such as browser type, access times, and pages viewed, and uses cookies for preferences and site analysis. It runs on web, Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows.