Xodo started life as a well-loved free PDF reader, and that reader still exists. What changed is the web tools. As of October 2026, Xodo's pricing page says everyone gets 1 free action a day, so a second merge or compress on the same day hits a paywall. Below is what Xodo's plans cost, where the free parts are still worth using, and free alternatives for the jobs that now cost money. If you just need to compress a PDF or merge two files right now, our tools do it in your browser with no daily limit and no upload.
| Plan | Price | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Free web | $0 | 1 action or download a day; compress at Low only |
| Free PDF Reader (desktop) | $0 | View, annotate, fill forms, basic signing on Windows, Mac and Linux |
| Xodo Web | $7.99 a month, billed $95.88 a year | Paid access to the web tools, no daily cap on actions |
| Xodo Desktop (PDF Studio) | $9.99 a month, billed $119.88 a year; or $240 perpetual | Full desktop editor and conversions |
| Xodo Document Suite | $8.99 a month, billed $107.93 a year | Web, desktop and more bundled |
| Mobile Pro | iOS $39.99 a year; Android $109.99 a year | Paid mobile plan; the free plan watermarks edited documents |
Figures are from xodo.com/pricing and Xodo's own plans article as of October 2026. The Suite price was shown as a sale price, and Xodo is running a "save 40% for life" offer on new annual plans until December 31, 2026, so expect it to move. Web and Desktop have 3-day free trials, and both ask for a payment method up front. Set a reminder if you start one.
Yes, the desktop reader. Xodo PDF Reader is free on Windows, Mac and Linux, and it handles the things most people open a PDF app for: reading, highlighting, adding comments, filling in forms and signing. Linux users in particular don't get many polished free readers, so it's a good one to keep. Where it stops is editing existing text and converting to Word or Excel, which need the paid PDF Studio.
The daily action limit is what pushes most people to look elsewhere. It applies to the web tools, where one compress or one merge uses up the day.
| Option | Where your file goes | Free limit | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ToolAspect PDF tools | Stays in your browser | No daily or file cap | Merge, compress, split, sign and annotate without uploading |
| Xodo PDF Reader | Your computer | Free | Reading, markup and forms, including on Linux |
| PDF24 Creator | Your PC, offline | Free, including business use | A full offline toolbox on Windows |
| PDF24 Tools (online) | PDF24's EU servers, deleted after an hour | No stated limit | Lots of tools on any device |
| Mac Preview | Your Mac | Free with macOS | Merging, reordering, signing and markup |
| Okular | Your computer | Free, open source | Annotating on Linux and Windows |
| LibreOffice Draw | Your computer | Free, open source | Changing text in simple PDFs |
| Microsoft Word | Your computer | Included with Office | PDF to Word: open the PDF directly |
| Xodo tool | Free swap, no upload | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Compress PDF | Compress PDF | Pick lossless clean-up or a DPI from 72 to 300, not just one free level |
| Merge PDF | Merge PDF | No file cap. Pages are copied, not re-rendered |
| Split PDF | Split PDF | Custom ranges, every N pages, or one file per page |
| Annotate PDF | Annotate PDF | Or the free Xodo PDF Reader on your desktop |
| Sign PDF | Sign PDF | Draw, type or upload a signature. No audit trail |
| Add text to PDF | Add Text to PDF | Places new text on top. It doesn't edit existing text |
| PDF to JPG | PDF to JPG | JPEG or PNG at 72 to 300 DPI, multi-page as a ZIP |
| Rotate or reorder pages | Organize PDF | Drag to reorder, rotate or remove pages |
| Protect PDF | PDF Password Tools | AES-256 with an open password |
For everyday files it's fine. Xodo's compress page says uploads are permanently deleted after 1 hour, which is in line with the bigger PDF sites. What Xodo doesn't publish is where its servers are, which matters if you work under GDPR or a client contract that names a region. For sensitive documents, the simplest fix is a tool that never uploads in the first place. Our guide on uploading PDFs safely compares retention policies across services.
It makes sense if you want PDF Studio's full editor on a Mac or Linux machine, where good paid editors are fewer, and the $240 perpetual licence avoids yet another subscription. For web tools alone, $95.88 a year is a lot to pay for merge and compress when those jobs are free elsewhere. And if your only problem is the daily limit, try the free reader first. It may already do the job you were reaching for. Looking at other options too? Our PDF Candy alternatives guide covers a similar freemium tool.
Some of it. The Xodo PDF Reader for Windows, Mac and Linux is free for viewing, annotating, filling forms and basic signing. The web tools allow 1 free action a day, and the mobile app's free plan adds a watermark to documents you edit. Xodo Web costs $7.99 a month, billed $95.88 a year.
Free use of Xodo's web tools is limited to 1 action or download a day, and the limit resets daily. Merging, compressing or converting each counts. If you need more today, use a free browser tool with no task limit or the free Xodo PDF Reader desktop app for annotating and signing.
Xodo says documents edited on the free mobile plan get a watermark. Its free desktop reader is for viewing, annotating, form filling and basic signing, and editing or conversion there needs the paid PDF Studio.
Xodo's compress tool page says uploaded files are permanently deleted after 1 hour. Its terms also say files tied to an account are deleted 30 days after the account is closed. Xodo doesn't state where its servers are.
Xodo is made by Apryse Software Inc., the company formerly known as PDFTron. Apryse also sells PDF software development kits to other companies, and Xodo PDF Studio is its desktop editor.