The PDF24 alternative for Mac and Linux
PDF24 Creator is free, offline and good — on Windows. 1FileTool brings local PDF processing to macOS and Linux too, and carries the images, video, audio and automation that PDF24 does not.
Free for 8 files/day · No account · Mac & Windows
Why people look for a PDF24 alternative
PDF24 Creator is a free Windows PDF toolbox that processes files on your own machine with no upload, no account and no cost. For a Windows user with document-only needs it is a hard offer to beat. Its separate online tools do upload, there is no native macOS app, and it does not go beyond PDFs.
Windows only on the desktop
PDF24 Creator is Windows software. On a Mac or a Linux box you are pushed to its online tools, which upload your documents — losing the exact property that made the desktop app worth using.
PDF and nothing else
The photos to compress, the screen recording to trim and the audio to convert all need somewhere else to go. PDF24 is a document toolbox by design.
No workflow memory
There are no saved multi-step recipes and no watched folders. A job you do every Monday is a job you set up every Monday.
No on-device AI
Background removal, PII detection, read-aloud and audiobook conversion are not part of it — so those tasks go to a web service, and the file leaves the machine after all.
1FileTool vs PDF24
How a local, one-time desktop app compares to a cloud-based service.
| Feature | 1 1FileTool | PDF24 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $29 once (free tier included) | Free |
| Local processing (desktop app) | ||
| Native macOS app | ||
| Linux build | ||
| PDF tools | 39 PDF tools | Large PDF toolset |
| Beyond PDF | 265+ tools (image, video, audio, text…) | |
| On-device AI | ||
| Saved workflow recipes & watched folders | ||
| MCP access for AI assistants | 64 operations | |
| OCR | Scans to editable DOCX, offline | Also outputs searchable PDFs |
Why switch to 1FileTool
- Local PDF processing on macOS and Linux, not just Windows.
- One app for the images, video, audio and archives that arrive with the documents.
- On-device AI — background removal, PII detection, read aloud — with nothing sent anywhere.
- Saved recipes and content-aware watched folders for the jobs that repeat.
- Batches run in parallel with exact before/after sizes for every file.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about switching from PDF24 to 1FileTool.
Is PDF24 Creator really free and offline?
Yes on both counts. PDF24 Creator processes files on your Windows machine at no cost, and that is a legitimately good offer — its separate online tools upload, but the desktop app does not. If you are on Windows with PDF-only needs, there is a real case for staying.
Is there a PDF24 for Mac?
Not as a native desktop app. Mac users are pointed at PDF24’s online tools, which upload documents to its servers. 1FileTool is a native macOS app on Apple Silicon and Intel, so the work stays local.
Then why switch?
For platform coverage and scope: macOS and Linux builds, 226 tools beyond PDF, on-device AI, saved workflow recipes, content-aware watched folders, and MCP access so an AI assistant can run the tools for you.
Does 1FileTool have OCR like PDF24?
Yes, offline — the Scanned PDF to Word tool OCRs scans into an editable DOCX on your machine. PDF24 can also write a searchable text layer back into the PDF, which 1FileTool does not.
Is 1FileTool free too?
It is free to use with every tool unlocked and 8 files per day. Pro removes the daily count for a one-time payment from $29, with no subscription.
Keep exploring
Keep your files safe and local
Switch from PDF24 to 265+ offline file tools. One-time payment, no subscription, no uploads.
Get 1FileTool — $29 once7-day money-back guarantee · Free for 8 files/day