PDFescape vs PDFsam
Two philosophies: PDFescape bets on the web, PDFsam bets on open-source desktop. Neither has the other's side, and that's interesting.
Feature-by-feature comparison
Faites défiler pour comparer.
| Feature | PDFescape | PDFsam |
|---|---|---|
| App type | Web (browser) | Desktop (Java multi-OS) |
| Open source | Yes (Basic, AGPL v3) | |
| Text editing | Limited (Enhanced only) | |
| Merge / split / rotate | ||
| OCR | Premium only | Visual or Enhanced (paid) |
| E-signature | Simple non-eIDAS (Premium) | Visual only |
| Data sent to cloud | Yes (US/Canada) | No, 100% local (offline) |
| Usable free plan | Yes (10 MB, 100 pages) | Yes (Basic unlimited, AGPL) |
| Free file size limit | 10 MB / 100 pages | None (machine RAM limit) |
| Premium / Enhanced price | $8.99/mo (~$108/year) | $49/year (Enhanced one-shot) |
PDFescape wins on convenience: zero install, accessible from any browser, direct text editing. PDFsam wins on confidentiality (100% local, audited AGPL code) and price/perpetuity ratio ($49/year Enhanced one-shot vs $108/year recurring PDFescape Premium). For sensitive HR/legal PDFs: PDFsam (zero cloud upload). For quick occasional retouching from any machine: PDFescape.
If you want PDFescape's web convenience WITH a true binding eIDAS / ESIGN signature and an AI assistant that pre-fills your forms, iFillPDF combines those for a single $8.99 one-time payment (Lifetime, no subscription) with EU Frankfurt hosting — a notch above PDFescape Premium, but with eIDAS / ESIGN signing, native AI, and no recurring charge.
Frequently asked questions
Is PDFsam really open source?+
Yes for the Basic version (AGPL v3, code on GitHub). Visual and Enhanced versions are proprietary paid but built on the open-source core.
Does PDFescape send my PDFs to the cloud?+
Yes, by definition it's a web app. PDFs transit through their servers (US/Canada) — avoid for confidential data.
Does PDFsam really do text editing?+
Limited: Basic focuses on merge/split/rotate. For real text editing, you need PDFsam Enhanced ($49/year) or another tool.
Which one for eIDAS / ESIGN-compliant signing?+
Neither is ideal. PDFescape Premium does non-eIDAS only. For eIDAS / ESIGN signing, look at Adobe Sign, DocuSign or iFillPDF.