PDF Candy vs PDFOptim

PDF Candy is a PDF toolkit for editing, converting, merging, splitting, compressing, signing, protecting and managing documents. Its tools include text editing, annotations and OCR, while AI features can summarize, chat with and translate PDF documents. Users can import files from Google Drive or Dropbox and save updated versions back to cloud storage. PDF Candy Desktop is a Windows download with 35 tools that can operate offline; the company lists 98 PDF tools and 19 languages. Access is listed for web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. The free plan has page and hourly restrictions, limited file size, no batch processing and a desktop operations limit. Students and teachers can get one year of PDF Candy PRO online at no cost, with no hourly limits and uploads up to 500 MB. PDF Candy says files are deleted from its servers within two hours after processing. The free plan is available, with paid access from $6/mo.

PDFOptim compresses and optimizes PDF files to reduce their size while retaining visual quality. Four automatic methods analyze a document and apply a compression approach, while a synchronized side-by-side preview lets users compare the original and compressed files before saving. Manual controls include JPEG quality, image downsampling, color profiles, and hidden metadata removal. The Mac app can process folders in batches using multiple CPU cores and drag-and-drop queues. Scanned documents can be converted to grayscale, monochrome, or bitonal profiles; RootRise says this can produce files up to 40 times smaller. A five-level vector optimization feature removes excess anchor paths and structural data from vector-heavy PDFs. Apple Shortcuts can trigger compression, and the maker describes using the app as a Finder Quick Action. RootRise says processing runs locally, files are not uploaded, and core features work offline; internet is used for purchase validation. The free version allows one compressed PDF export per week and restricts Shortcuts Actions. Premium plans are $0.99 a month, $6.99 a year, or $9.99, paid once.