Overleaf vs Smallpdf vs Soda PDF Comparison
Overleaf
Starting at $15 /Month
- Free Trial
- Individuals
- Large Enterprises
Overleaf is an online document creation tool that connects people who write with people who design. It takes the hassle out of the traditional document production workflow so that user can focus on writing and content wi…
Smallpdf
Starting at $7 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Smallpdf is a software to create PDF documents on the fly. With this software anyone can easily create PDF documents from any printable document like doc, xls, ppt. Its very easy to use and have fast conversion speed. Sm…
Soda PDF
Starting at $6.75 /Month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
Soda PDF is a fast, easy and complete software for scanned documents, PDF files editing, image conversion and other office tasks. Soda PDF produces flawless multipage documents with text, graphics, images and photographs…
Overleaf leads on user satisfaction with a 4.2-star rating across 59 reviews.
Overleaf vs Smallpdf vs Soda PDF — at a glance
| Feature | Overleaf | Smallpdf | Soda PDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Reviews | 59 | 518 | 483 |
| Starting price | $15 /Month | $7 /User/Month | $6.75 /Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Individuals, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | Document Creation Software | Document Creation Software | Document Creation Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows |
| API | — | — | — |
| Support modes | Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | GDPR | SOC 2, GDPR | GDPR |
| Data residency | Global | Global | Global |
Key differences between Overleaf and Smallpdf
- Pricing: Overleaf starts at $15 /Month, while Smallpdf starts at $7 /User/Month.
- Target audience: Overleaf is built for Individuals and Large Enterprises, while Smallpdf targets Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises.
- User satisfaction: Overleaf scores higher with a 4.2-star average.
- Deployment: Overleaf supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Smallpdf supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Compare Overleaf vs Smallpdf vs Soda PDF — and walk away knowing which one fits.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Document Creation Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for collaborative LaTeX document creation and academic publishing online.
- You need real-time, in-browser collaboration on LaTeX documents.
- Your team consists of researchers or technical writers focused on academic or technical content.
- You want a simple, streamlined workflow that minimizes formatting hassles.
- Your team requires offline document editing capabilities.
- You need advanced design customization beyond LaTeX formatting.
Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
Overleaf typically suits Individuals and Large Enterprises. Smallpdf tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | Overleaf is an online document creation tool that connects people who write with people who design. It takes the hassle out of the traditional document production workflow so that user can ... Read More about Overleaf | Smallpdf is a software to create PDF documents on the fly. With this software anyone can easily create PDF documents from any printable document like doc, xls, ppt. Its very easy to use and ... Read More about Smallpdf | Soda PDF is a fast, easy and complete software for scanned documents, PDF files editing, image conversion and other office tasks. Soda PDF produces flawless multipage documents with text, ... Read More about Soda PDF |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability | |||
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | Small BusinessMedium Business | — | — |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
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Compare Overleaf, Smallpdf and Soda PDF on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | — | ✓ Yes | — |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No | — |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🌐 Global | 🌐 Global |
Overleaf vs Smallpdf User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | |||
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Rating Distribution | |||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Users appreciate Overleaf for its ease of collaboration and simplifying complex document formatting, though some note limitations in design flexibility and reliance on internet connectivity. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is mixed across 842 reviews, so it is worth reviewing the tradeoffs closely. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is mixed to positive across 463 reviews, with clear strengths and a few common watchouts. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers |  Caltech  The University of Queensland  York |  Verizon  Hilton  Unilever |  TATA  NASA  Scotiabank |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  2 Screenshots | No screenshots available. | No screenshots available. |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  3 Videos |  1 Videos |
Alternatives
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Overleaf or Smallpdf?
- Overleaf edges out the other on user ratings (4.2 vs 3.2). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Overleaf and Smallpdf offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Overleaf and Smallpdf offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Overleaf vs Smallpdf?
- Overleaf starts at $15 /Month. Smallpdf starts at $7 /User/Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Overleaf?
- Top alternatives to Overleaf include Manuscripts, Etherpad, PleaseReview, Documint, Microsoft Word.
- What are the top alternatives to Smallpdf?
- Top alternatives to Smallpdf include AltoPDF, ZonePDF, iLovePDF, Adobe Acrobat DC, pdfFiller.