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Ombly vs Smallpdf

Smallpdf is a quick way to black out a PDF in the browser without installing anything, with files deleted after an hour. Ombly suggests what to hide and does the work on your own computer, so the original never has to be handed over.

Scorecard

Smallpdf1/7
Ombly7/7

Rows in your favour, from the table below. A row counts only when the vendor's own page confirms it.

Where Ombly is ahead

  • Is the original uploaded?
  • Runs on your company's own infrastructure
  • Audit trail for compliance
  • Automatic detection
  • National ID and bank formats (IBAN, SSN, NI…)
  • Metadata and hidden content

Where Smallpdf is ahead

  • You need to black out something once, from any device, without installing an app.
  • The document isn't sensitive enough that uploading it is a concern.

What Ombly does

  1. 01

    Runs on your computer

    Your document is opened, checked and redacted on your own machine. Nothing is uploaded.

  2. 02

    Finds what to hide

    Card and account numbers, IBANs, national ID numbers, names, addresses, contact details and file paths are suggested for you to accept.

  3. 03

    Leaves nothing behind

    Every page is rebuilt from pixels, so there's no hidden text, metadata or old revision in the copy you share.

For firms: run Ombly on your own servers or cloud, with encrypted storage and an audit trail, and add your own patterns for matter, case or reference numbers. The personal app is coming soon.

For your firm

Redacting a 200-page client bundle

Statements and contracts going to an auditor or the other side, wherever your firm works.

With Smallpdf

Every file in the bundle is uploaded to Smallpdf and marked by hand. Client agreements and internal policies often restrict sending client documents to third-party services, so check yours first.

With Ombly for teams

With Ombly, the bundle stays on your firm's own servers or cloud. Account numbers, IBANs, national IDs, names and file paths are suggested on every page, a reviewer checks them, and the audit log records each step without keeping the private text. You add your own patterns for matter, case or client reference numbers.

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For you

Sharing a bank statement with a landlord

The same everyday job, done both ways.

With Smallpdf

With Smallpdf, you'd open the statement in your browser, highlight the account number, IBAN and phone number yourself, and download the result. Smallpdf says files are deleted after an hour.

With Ombly

With Ombly, the statement never leaves your computer. The account number, IBAN and phone are suggested for you to accept, and you send a copy rebuilt from pixels, with nothing left to copy.

How the workflows differ

How a file moves: Smallpdf vs OmblyWith Smallpdf, the original document is uploaded to its servers, redacted there, then downloaded. With Ombly, the document is checked and rebuilt on your own computer.SmallpdfYour fileUploaded totheir serverDownload theredacted copyOmblyYour fileReview onyour computerRebuilt frompixels
Smallpdf: The original leaves your deviceOmbly: The original never leaves your device

Side by side

  • In your favour: In your favour
  • Partly: Partly
  • Not in your favour: Not in your favour
  • Not stated by the vendor: Not stated by the vendor
Where it runs
Smallpdf: Web browser, with mobile and Windows apps
Ombly: On your own computer (personal app coming soon) or on your company's own servers
Is the original uploaded?
Not stated by the vendor: Smallpdf: The redact page describes processing both in your browser and on Smallpdf's servers. It says files are deleted after one hour
In your favour: Ombly: No. The original stays on your device or inside your network
Runs on your company's own infrastructure
Not in your favour: Smallpdf: No. A hosted web service
In your favour: Ombly: Yes. Teams run it on their own servers or cloud; processing workers have no internet access
Audit trail for compliance
Not stated by the vendor: Smallpdf: Not stated on the redact page
In your favour: Ombly: Yes. Every upload, review, export and download is logged, without storing the private text itself
Automatic detection
Not in your favour: Smallpdf: No. You highlight the text or areas to remove
In your favour: Ombly: Yes. Suggestions you review: ID, account and card numbers, contact details, names, addresses and file paths
National ID and bank formats (IBAN, SSN, NI…)
Not in your favour: Smallpdf: No automatic detection
In your favour: Ombly: Yes. Card numbers, IBANs and Aadhaar numbers must pass their checksums; US SSN, UK National Insurance, PAN and IFSC formats are checked, and you can add your own
Metadata and hidden content
Not stated by the vendor: Smallpdf: Not stated on the redact page
In your favour: Ombly: Nothing from the original file is carried over. Exports carry fixed, neutral metadata
Output
In your favour: Smallpdf: A PDF with the redacted content removed, which Smallpdf says is permanent
In your favour: Ombly: A new PDF rebuilt from page images. Not searchable, nothing left to copy
Best for
Smallpdf: Occasional, quick redactions without installing software
Ombly: Firms and individuals with documents that shouldn't leave their own machines or network
Pricing
Smallpdf: Free with usage limits. Pro removes the limits
Ombly: Teams: book a call to talk through a pilot. Personal app: join the waitlist

When Smallpdf is the better choice

  • You need to black out something once, from any device, without installing an app.
  • The document isn't sensitive enough that uploading it is a concern.
  • You already use Smallpdf's other PDF tools.

When Ombly is the better choice

  • You'd rather not upload a bank statement, payslip or ID copy to any service.
  • You want ID and account numbers found for you instead of highlighting each one.
  • You're redacting client documents that shouldn't leave your device or network.

Questions

How long does Smallpdf keep files?

Its redact page says files are automatically deleted after one hour. It also mentions deletion after processing, so check its privacy policy for the exact terms.

Does Smallpdf find sensitive details automatically?

Its redact page describes highlighting the text or areas you want to remove yourself. It doesn't mention automatic detection.

Does Ombly upload my document?

No. Ombly is built to process documents on your own computer, or on your company's servers for teams.

Last checked 18 October 2026

Facts about Smallpdf come from the pages below, as they read on that date. Products change; if something here is out of date, email dilpreetgrover2@gmail.com.

Share the document. Keep the secrets.

Ombly removes private details from your documents, on your own computer.

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