Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about how fastpdfnow works.
Privacy and security
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. Everything runs inside your browser. The file is read from your disk into your device memory, processed there, and the result is downloaded from there. You can check the Network tab of your browser: no upload happens.
How long do you keep my files?
We never receive them, so there is nothing to keep. Closing the tab discards everything.
Do you use my documents to train AI or for analysis?
No. We cannot, because they never reach us.
General
Is it really free?
Yes. The tools are free, with no account and no locked download button. The site is supported by ads.
Can I use it for work or for clients?
Yes. Many users are assistants, freelancers and small businesses handling contracts, invoices and application files.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes, on recent versions of Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox. Very large files may be slow on older phones.
Technical
Why is a big file slow?
Because your own device does the work. A 100-page scan has to be read and rendered page by page. A laptop is faster than an old phone.
Why did compressing turn my text into an image?
When the lossless step is not enough, the compressor renders each page as an optimized image to hit the size you asked for. Text documents usually stay as text; scans are already images.
My PDF has a password. Can I use the tools?
Not until you remove the password. Open it in a reader with the password and "print to PDF" to get an unlocked copy.
About the tools
Is the signature legally valid?
The tool adds a visual signature (simple electronic signature). Many private documents accept it; some institutions require a digital signature with a certificate. Ask the receiving party when in doubt.
Which image formats can I turn into PDF?
JPG, PNG, WEBP, GIF and BMP. HEIC from iPhone must be saved as JPG first.
Can I remove a watermark later?
No, it becomes part of the page content. Keep your original file.