How much can I reduce a PDF file?

FileSwiftly typically reduces PDF size by 40-70% depending on content. A 5 MB PDF often becomes 1.5-2 MB on Recommended mode, and under 1 MB on Maximum mode.

Is there a file size limit?

The free tool supports PDF files up to 50 MB. FileSwiftly Pro supports files up to 500 MB with batch processing.

Is my PDF safe and private?

Yes. Your file is uploaded over HTTPS, processed on our secure servers, and automatically deleted after 1 hour. We never store or share your files.

Does compression reduce PDF quality?

In Recommended mode, the visual quality difference is imperceptible. Maximum mode reduces image resolution, ideal for email. Quality mode is for high-res printing.

Can I compress multiple PDFs at once?

Batch compression is available with FileSwiftly Pro. The free tool compresses one file at a time.

Compress PDF

Reduce the size of your PDF files without visible quality loss. Free, fast and secure.

~5–15 seconds Average reduction: 40–70% File deleted after 1h Max 50 MB

Drag & drop your PDF here

or click to select

PDF only — Max 50 MB

Compression level

Maximum

Smallest size

Recommended

Good balance

Quality

High fidelity

Concrete results

Real compression examples on typical files

Before / After

4.8 MB

Before

1.9 MB

After

60% average reduction

60%

average reduction

average time

Reduction by mode

Maximum mode −70 to −80%

Before

100%

After

25%

Recommended mode −55 to −65%

Before

100%

After

40%

Quality mode −30 to −40%

Before

100%

After

65%

"Reduced my PDFs from 4 MB to 1.2 MB in seconds. Perfect for sending by email!"

Secure HTTPS connection

File deleted after 1h

50,000+ files processed/day

Processing in under 30s

How to compress a PDF online for free?

Compressing a PDF reduces file size by up to 70% with no visible quality loss. FileSwiftly uses Ghostscript, a professional PDF processing engine, to handle your files directly in the browser — no installation or account required.

Three PDF compression levels

Maximum mode shrinks the PDF to the smallest possible size by reducing embedded image resolution — perfect for email attachments. Recommended mode gives the best size/quality balance, ideal for web publishing and presentations. Quality mode applies light compression preserving high fidelity for professional printing.

Which PDF types can be compressed?

Our online PDF compressor supports all standard PDF files: reports, presentations, forms, brochures, eBooks, and invoices. PDFs containing high-resolution images benefit the most from compression. Text-only PDFs see moderate reduction since text is already efficiently encoded in the PDF format.

Security and privacy

Your PDF files are transferred over HTTPS encryption, processed in complete isolation on our secure servers, then automatically deleted after 1 hour. No data is retained, shared, or analysed. FileSwiftly is GDPR-compliant and requires no account.

FAQ

Why compress a PDF?

A compressed PDF downloads faster, fits email attachment limits, and uses less storage space — essential for documents shared online or via messaging apps.

Does compression reduce quality?

In Recommended mode the difference is imperceptible. In Maximum mode embedded images are downscaled, which is fine for screen viewing but not for professional printing.

What is the maximum PDF file size?

The free tool accepts PDFs up to 50 MB. FileSwiftly Pro supports files up to 500 MB with batch compression.

Need more?

Compress up to 12 PDFs at once with Pro

Batch processing Files up to 500 MB REST API access

Discover FileSwiftly Pro

★

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