Best alternatives to MakeMB in 2026

Most free PDF compressors work by uploading your file to a server, shrinking it there, and sending it back — which is fine for a random flyer, but not something you want to do with a signed contract, a passport scan for an immigration form, or anything else genuinely private. MakeMB does the same job — compress a bloated PDF, or split one into smaller files by page count or size limit — but the processing happens entirely in your browser, so the file never leaves your device. It works on a credit system rather than a subscription: you get a handful of free credits on signup, and buy more as pay-as-you-go packs that don't expire, so it's aimed at occasional use rather than a monthly bill for something you might do twice a year. There's also a Chrome extension for quicker access, and the tool keeps a history of past compressions so you can find a file you processed earlier.