Free
Compress a PDF
Shrink a file that is too big to email, without handing it to a website.
Free, with no account, no watermark and no page limit.
Updated 25 October 2026
The short answer
PDF Coast compresses PDFs on your own PC, for free. Open the file, choose Compress PDF, pick a profile and save a smaller copy. Most of the saving comes from re-encoding images, so scans shrink the most. Text stays selectable, and the original file is not changed.
- Price
- Free, no watermark
- Your file
- Stays on your PC, never uploaded
- Internet
- Not needed
- Works on
- Windows 10 and 11
How to do it
- Open the PDF and choose Compress PDF.
- Choose a profile. A lighter one keeps images sharp; a stronger one gets under attachment limits.
- Save the compressed copy. The size before and after is shown.
Compress PDF online, or on your PC?
Online converters are handy on a phone. For anything private, a desktop app is safer.
 PDF Coast |
Typical online converter | |
|---|---|---|
| Your file is uploaded | Never | Yes, to their servers |
| Works without internet | Yes | No |
| Limits on free use | None on free tools | Daily or file-size limits are common |
| Account | Not needed | Often needed after a few files |
Questions
How much smaller will it get?
It depends on the images inside. Scans usually shrink a lot. A PDF that is mostly text is already small and changes little.
Will the text stay selectable?
Yes. Compression re-encodes pictures. It does not turn your pages into pictures.
Is my file uploaded?
No. Nothing leaves your computer, unlike online compressor websites.
Is my file uploaded anywhere?
No. PDF Coast opens and saves the file on your own computer, and works with the internet switched off. Nothing about the document is sent anywhere.
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Get PDF Coast for free
Everyday PDF work is free forever. Pro is US$26.49 once, and you can try every Pro tool free for 14 days. No account, no card, no subscription.
Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit. English, 简体中文 and 繁體中文.