Is LocalPDF just as private as AttachKit?

For its core tools, yes — LocalPDF processes files in your browser and does not upload them, which is the same zero-upload posture AttachKit is built on. Where AttachKit differs is capability: it adds an AI agent, form fill, and signing on top of that same privacy. The one thing to know is AttachKit's optional AI sends extracted text (never the file) to Claude — or, in Local AI mode, to your own Ollama so nothing leaves your machine at all.

If I only need to merge or compress PDFs, should I switch?

Probably not just for that. If quick, free, private manual merge/split/compress is all you need, LocalPDF does it well with zero cost and zero install. AttachKit is worth switching to when you also want to fill forms, sign and verify, redact PII, or tell an agent to make multi-step edits — and AttachKit's free tier covers unlimited fill, edit, redact, and OCR too.

What does the AI agent do that LocalPDF's tools don't?

LocalPDF is a manual grid — you pick a tool and run it. AttachKit's agent lets you describe the outcome in plain language; it then proposes a plan of concrete operations (reorder pages, replace text, watermark, Bates-number, compress, and more) that you review and approve before anything is applied. It's the difference between running each tool yourself and reviewing a plan the agent drafts for you.

Is AttachKit's signing a legally qualified signature?

No — AttachKit's signatures are PAdES-aligned and content-bound (tamper-evident and verifiable), valid as electronic signatures for most everyday use, but they are not QES (qualified electronic signatures). LocalPDF doesn't offer signing at all, so if e-signing with verification matters, AttachKit adds it; if you need QES specifically, you'd need a dedicated qualified-signature provider.

Alternative · LocalPDF

AttachKit vs. LocalPDF — same privacy, plus an agent that actually edits your PDF

LocalPDF: A free, genuinely zero-upload in-browser PDF toolkit — merge, split, compress, convert, all on your device.

LocalPDF gets the hard part right: it's a genuinely zero-upload, free PDF toolkit that processes your files on-device and never sends them to a server. If you just need quick, private, no-cost merge, split, compress, or convert with nothing to install, it's an excellent, honest choice. AttachKit shares that exact privacy posture — your PDF never leaves your browser, provable in DevTools → Network — but goes further: an AI agent you can tell what to do in plain language, a bundled government-form fill library with on-device auto-fill, redaction with PII detection, and content-bound signing with verification.

Why pick AttachKit for these cases

Same zero-upload privacy as LocalPDF — but with an AI agent that edits the file from a reviewable, propose-then-apply plan you approve before anything changes.
A bundled government/PDF-form fill library with on-device AI auto-fill — no equivalent in a manual tool grid.
Content-bound, PAdES-aligned signing plus a verifier, so you can sign and prove integrity without the file ever leaving your browser.
Redaction with PII detection and OCR, all client-side — the AI only ever sees extracted text, never the file.
Optional Local AI mode using your own Ollama, so even the extracted text stays on your machine.

Side-by-side

A marks the side with the genuine advantage on that row — honestly, including the few where LocalPDF wins.

Where your file goes

LocalPDFProcessed entirely in your browser — files are not uploaded. Genuine zero-upload, same as AttachKit.

AttachKitProcessed entirely in your browser — the PDF never leaves the tab, provable in DevTools → Network. Optional AI sends only extracted text, never the file.

Completely free

LocalPDFFree, open-ethos toolkit — no paid tier to run its core tools.

AttachKitFree tier is genuinely capable (unlimited fill/edit/redact/OCR/convert), but signing, bulk send, and higher AI volume are paid ($12/mo Pro, $19/mo Max).

Ease / no install

LocalPDFPick a tool from the grid and run it — dead simple, nothing to learn, no account.

AttachKitAlso browser-only with no install; the agent and form library add capability but a slightly larger surface to learn.

AI approach

LocalPDFNo AI layer — it's a manual tool grid, so there's nothing to send anywhere.

AttachKitAn AI agent you address in natural language; it only ever sees extracted text, never the file, and there's an optional Local AI mode using your own Ollama so no third party sees anything. Metered 10/200/500 actions per month by tier.

Editing vs. running tools

LocalPDFYou choose each tool and operate it yourself, one action at a time.

AttachKitTell the PDF what to do and the agent proposes a reviewable plan — rotate, reorder, delete, add/replace text, extract, stamp, watermark, Bates-number, compress, flatten — that you approve before anything is applied.

Forms & signing

LocalPDFFocused on document manipulation (merge/split/compress/convert); no verified-form library and no e-signature workflow.

AttachKitBundled government/PDF-form fill with on-device AI auto-fill, plus content-bound, PAdES-aligned signing with a verifier (not QES).

Feature depth

LocalPDFA focused, reliable set of core manipulation tools done well.

AttachKitBroader: agent editing, forms, redaction with PII detection, OCR, compare, and verifiable signing — all client-side.

Who it's for

LocalPDFAnyone who wants fast, free, private manual PDF fixes with zero fuss.

AttachKitPeople who want that same privacy but also need to fill forms, sign and verify, redact PII, or drive multi-step edits by conversation.

	LocalPDF	AttachKit
Where your file goes	Processed entirely in your browser — files are not uploaded. Genuine zero-upload, same as AttachKit.	Processed entirely in your browser — the PDF never leaves the tab, provable in DevTools → Network. Optional AI sends only extracted text, never the file.
Completely free	Free, open-ethos toolkit — no paid tier to run its core tools.	Free tier is genuinely capable (unlimited fill/edit/redact/OCR/convert), but signing, bulk send, and higher AI volume are paid ($12/mo Pro, $19/mo Max).
Ease / no install	Pick a tool from the grid and run it — dead simple, nothing to learn, no account.	Also browser-only with no install; the agent and form library add capability but a slightly larger surface to learn.
AI approach	No AI layer — it's a manual tool grid, so there's nothing to send anywhere.	An AI agent you address in natural language; it only ever sees extracted text, never the file, and there's an optional Local AI mode using your own Ollama so no third party sees anything. Metered 10/200/500 actions per month by tier.
Editing vs. running tools	You choose each tool and operate it yourself, one action at a time.	Tell the PDF what to do and the agent proposes a reviewable plan — rotate, reorder, delete, add/replace text, extract, stamp, watermark, Bates-number, compress, flatten — that you approve before anything is applied.
Forms & signing	Focused on document manipulation (merge/split/compress/convert); no verified-form library and no e-signature workflow.	Bundled government/PDF-form fill with on-device AI auto-fill, plus content-bound, PAdES-aligned signing with a verifier (not QES).
Feature depth	A focused, reliable set of core manipulation tools done well.	Broader: agent editing, forms, redaction with PII detection, OCR, compare, and verifiable signing — all client-side.
Who it's for	Anyone who wants fast, free, private manual PDF fixes with zero fuss.	People who want that same privacy but also need to fill forms, sign and verify, redact PII, or drive multi-step edits by conversation.

Switching questions, answered

Is LocalPDF just as private as AttachKit?: For its core tools, yes — LocalPDF processes files in your browser and does not upload them, which is the same zero-upload posture AttachKit is built on. Where AttachKit differs is capability: it adds an AI agent, form fill, and signing on top of that same privacy. The one thing to know is AttachKit's optional AI sends extracted text (never the file) to Claude — or, in Local AI mode, to your own Ollama so nothing leaves your machine at all.
If I only need to merge or compress PDFs, should I switch?: Probably not just for that. If quick, free, private manual merge/split/compress is all you need, LocalPDF does it well with zero cost and zero install. AttachKit is worth switching to when you also want to fill forms, sign and verify, redact PII, or tell an agent to make multi-step edits — and AttachKit's free tier covers unlimited fill, edit, redact, and OCR too.
What does the AI agent do that LocalPDF's tools don't?: LocalPDF is a manual grid — you pick a tool and run it. AttachKit's agent lets you describe the outcome in plain language; it then proposes a plan of concrete operations (reorder pages, replace text, watermark, Bates-number, compress, and more) that you review and approve before anything is applied. It's the difference between running each tool yourself and reviewing a plan the agent drafts for you.
Is AttachKit's signing a legally qualified signature?: No — AttachKit's signatures are PAdES-aligned and content-bound (tamper-evident and verifiable), valid as electronic signatures for most everyday use, but they are not QES (qualified electronic signatures). LocalPDF doesn't offer signing at all, so if e-signing with verification matters, AttachKit adds it; if you need QES specifically, you'd need a dedicated qualified-signature provider.

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