Why it's a strong pick

The extension is listed in the Chrome Web Store as "Online PDF tools" and developed by ILOVEPDF S.L., the company behind ilovepdf.com. It covers the common PDF jobs in one toolbar. The trade-offs: your files are uploaded to iLovePDF's servers, and free use has file-size limits per tool. There is also a look-alike listing, so check the publisher before you install.

What it does

The listing offers merge, split, compress, convert, edit, protect, sign, OCR and JPG or image to PDF. These are iLovePDF's online tools, so files go to iLovePDF to be processed. Then you download the result.

Key features

Merge and split. Combine PDFs or split one into parts.
Compress and convert. Reduce size or convert files.
Edit. The listing includes an edit tool.
Protect and sign. Protect a PDF and add a signature.
OCR. Turn scanned pages into text you can use.
Image to PDF. JPG and other images to PDF.

Who it's for

iLovePDF suits people who need quick, one-off PDF jobs and are fine with an online tool. It works well if you already know ilovepdf.com. If you want a viewer with free comments and signing, see Adobe Acrobat. If you want a similar toolkit, see Smallpdf or Xodo. If you never want a file to leave your computer, a reader such as PDF Viewer by Mozilla PDF.js fits better.

Which iLovePDF extension is the real one?

Install the listing published by ILOVEPDF S.L. Its Chrome Web Store page is "Online PDF tools" and it links to www.ilovepdf.com. A separate listing called "iLovePDF 2" exists, with its own site, ilovepdf2.com. It looks like the official one, but we could not show that it comes from ILOVEPDF S.L. Check the publisher name before you click Add to Chrome.

How long does iLovePDF keep my files?

iLovePDF says uploaded files are deleted within two hours. That is the company's own statement, from its security and blog pages. We did not test it. Because files are uploaded, do not send sensitive documents unless you have read iLovePDF's privacy policy and are comfortable with how it handles them.

Is iLovePDF free?

Partly. iLovePDF's pricing page says free users have file-size limits that differ by tool, and premium raises them. We do not copy the numbers because they can change. Check the current limits for the tool you need, such as compress or Office to PDF, before you start a large file.

What permissions does iLovePDF ask for?

We could not confirm a permission list, so we do not state one. Check the install prompt before you add the extension. Chrome shows what it can access, and you can review it later in your extension settings. Files are uploaded to iLovePDF to be processed, so read its privacy policy as well.

FAQ

Who makes it? ILOVEPDF S.L. develops it, per its Chrome Web Store listing.

Does it need an account? We could not confirm this. Check iLovePDF's site.

Can it scan and read a photographed page? The listing includes OCR, which is meant for scanned pages. Test it on a non-sensitive file first.

Good to know

Check the publisher name on the listing every time you install a PDF tool. A near-identical name is not proof of the same maker. Also keep sensitive files out of any online PDF tool until you have read its privacy policy.

Other pdf viewers & editors to compare

iLovePDF is one of 7 picks in our PDF Viewers & Editors guide, which compares them side by side and explains how to choose. The other picks:

Adobe Acrobat: Adobe's own Chrome extension. Free to view, comment, fill and sign. Convert and compress tools need a paid plan or trial.
Smallpdf: A "Smallpdf Tools" tab for every PDF you open in Chrome. Compress, convert, merge, split, e-sign and AI summarize. The free tier has a daily task limit.
Xodo: Online PDF tools from Xodo, part of Apryse. Edit, convert, compress, merge, redact and sign. Free use is limited per day.
Kami: A PDF and document annotation tool for classrooms. The Chrome extension is free, with basic markup tools and Google Classroom support. Some tools are paid.
Enhanced PDF Viewer: A PDF reader for Chrome from PlugMonkey, built on the PDF.js engine. Keyboard shortcuts, presentation mode, text-to-speech and smart printing.
PDF Viewer by Mozilla PDF.js: An open-source extension that opens PDFs in the PDF.js viewer instead of Chrome's built-in one.

Also see: Best Chrome extensions for students.