Privacy Policy

Last updated: May 30, 2026

PDFMax is built around a simple idea: your documents are yours. We designed our free online PDF tools to collect as little personal data as technically possible, to process files without storing them, and to never sell your information. This policy explains exactly what that means in practice.

Who we are

PDFMax provides free online tools for working with PDF files, powered by the open-source Stirling-PDF engine. Some operations run entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly (WASM); others run on our own servers. For the purposes of data protection law, PDFMax is the data controller for the limited personal data described below. You can reach us through our contact page.

What data we collect

In short, almost nothing. We do not require you to create an account, and we do not ask for your name, address, or payment details to use the tools.

• Technical server logs. Like virtually every website, our hosting infrastructure automatically records standard request information such as your IP address, browser type and version, the page requested, referring page, and a timestamp. These logs are used only to operate the service securely, diagnose errors, and prevent abuse. They are retained for a short period and then deleted.
• No tracking profiles. We do not build advertising profiles, and we do not sell, rent, or trade your personal data to anyone.

How your files are processed

The way a file is handled depends on which tool you use.

• Client-side tools (WebAssembly). For operations such as compress and split, the work is performed locally in your browser. Your file is never uploaded to us and never leaves your device. We cannot see it, store it, or recover it.
• Server-side tools. For operations that require our engine, your file is sent over an encrypted connection, processed in memory, and the result is returned to you. We do not retain the original file or the output, we do not inspect their contents, and we do not share them with any third party. Temporary working data is discarded as soon as the operation completes.

We never use your documents to train machine-learning models, for advertising, or for any purpose other than performing the operation you requested.

Data stored in your browser (localStorage)

To make the site usable, PDFMax saves a small amount of information in your browser's local storage. This data stays on your device, is not transmitted to our servers, and is not accessible to us. It includes your interface language preference, your light or dark theme choice, your local file library (references to files you have worked with in the current session), and your cookie or storage consent choice. You can clear this data at any time through your browser settings.

Third-party services

PDFMax offers an optional Google Drive integration so you can open or save files from your own Drive. This feature is used only if you choose to connect it and explicitly grant access. When you do, that integration is governed by Google's API Services User Data Policy and Google's own privacy terms. PDFMax requests only the access needed to perform the action you initiated and does not use Google user data for any other purpose. We also load a web font from Google Fonts to render the site; this may involve a request to Google's servers.

Analytics (with your consent)

With your consent, we load Google Analytics 4 (provided by Google LLC) and Microsoft Clarity (provided by Microsoft Corporation). These services may set cookies and collect information about how you use the site — including pages visited, clicks, and session recordings — in order to help us understand and improve the product. This data is transmitted to and processed by Google and Microsoft respectively. If you decline or have not yet responded to the cookie banner, neither service is loaded and no data is sent. You can withdraw consent at any time by clearing this site's cookies and local storage, or by using your browser's privacy controls. For details on how each provider handles data, see Google's Privacy Policy and Microsoft's Privacy Statement.

Your privacy rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights under laws such as the EU and UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These can include:

• The right to access the personal data we hold about you;
• The right to request correction or deletion of that data;
• The right to object to or restrict certain processing;
• The right to data portability;
• The right not to be discriminated against for exercising these rights.

Because we collect so little and store no files, in most cases there is very little data to act upon. To exercise any right, reach us through our contact page and we will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.

Selling of personal data

We do not and will not sell or share your personal data for monetary or other valuable consideration, as those terms are defined under the CCPA and similar laws.

Children

PDFMax is not directed to children under the age of 13 (or the minimum age in your jurisdiction), and we do not knowingly collect personal data from them. If you believe a child has provided us with personal data, please contact us so we can remove it.

Security

We use encryption in transit, in-memory processing, and prompt deletion of temporary data to protect your information. No system is perfectly secure, but minimizing what we hold is our primary safeguard. To report a vulnerability, please use our contact page.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our service or legal requirements. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date above. Significant changes will be highlighted on this page. Your continued use of PDFMax after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Contact

If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your data, reach us through our contact page.