THE FILES.CO JOURNAL
Notes on PDFs, privacy, and standards.
How the tools work, why your files never leave the browser, and the technical detail that matters.
Latest
How to convert Word to PDF without installing anything
Turn a Word document into a PDF that looks the same everywhere — using Word itself or your browser, with no software to install and no upload.
Jun 27, 2026 · 5 min read StandardsWhat is OCR, and when do you actually need it?
OCR turns a scanned PDF into searchable, copyable text. Here is what it does, when you need it, and how files.co runs it with Tesseract in your browser.
Jun 27, 2026 · 6 min read GuidesHow to compress a PDF so it fits in an email
Your PDF is too big for Gmail or Outlook? Here's why it's heavy, how to shrink it in your browser by picking a level, and when not to bother.
Jun 26, 2026 · 4 min read SecurityAre online PDF tools safe? What '0 uploads' really means
Most online PDF tools upload your file to a server. Learn what '0 uploads' truly means, the real risks, and how to verify a tool with DevTools.
Jun 25, 2026 · 6 min read GuidesHow to sign a PDF without printing or scanning
Add a handwritten signature to a PDF right in your browser with files.co. No printer, no scanner, no upload. Plus when a simple signature is enough.
Jun 24, 2026 · 5 min read StandardsPDF/A, explained: documents that survive decades
What PDF/A (ISO 19005) is, why it exists for long-term archiving, the difference between PDF/A-1, 2 and 3, and how to convert files locally on files.co.
Jun 23, 2026 · 5 min read Guidesfiles.co vs Adobe Acrobat: when do you really need the paid giant?
Adobe Acrobat is the professional PDF standard, and it costs money. files.co does daily PDF tasks free in your browser, no uploads. Here's how to choose.
Jun 22, 2026 · 8 min read Guidesfiles.co vs Smallpdf: the free, private alternative explained
Smallpdf uploads your file to the cloud and caps the free plan at 2 documents a day. files.co works in your browser, free, no account. Here's the honest comparison.
Jun 21, 2026 · 7 min read GuidesHow to merge PDFs without uploading them
Combine two or more PDF files right in your browser with files.co — no upload, no account, no limits. Here's the step-by-step, and how to verify it.
Jun 20, 2026 · 4 min read Guidesfiles.co vs iLovePDF: which one actually keeps your files private?
An honest comparison of files.co and iLovePDF. Where iLovePDF wins, where files.co does, and the one real difference: your file never gets uploaded.
Jun 19, 2026 · 7 min read Guidesfiles.co vs PDFsam: do you need to install Java for that?
PDFsam Basic is a solid, private desktop app for splitting and merging PDFs, but it runs on Java and the advanced tools cost money. files.co is free in the browser.
Jun 17, 2026 · 6 min read Guidesfiles.co vs PDF Arranger: page tweaks vs the full toolbox
PDF Arranger is a great open-source desktop app for reordering pages on Linux. files.co runs 20 PDF tools in any browser, nothing to install. Here's the honest split.
Jun 16, 2026 · 6 min read Guidesfiles.co vs Stirling-PDF: hosted yourself, or just open a tab?
Stirling-PDF is excellent open-source PDF software you self-host. files.co runs in your browser with nothing to install. Here's how to pick.
Jun 15, 2026 · 7 min readNo spam. Just PDF craft.
Once in a while, a useful note on PDFs and privacy.