Quick Comparison Table of Recommended Word to PDF Converters

Before picking a converter, check out this quick summary of what each Word to PDF tool provides. To make your decision easier, we’ve prepared a clear comparison table below, highlighting key features side by side.

6 Best Word to PDF Converter

In this section, we’ll explore the 6 best Word to PDF converters for Windows, Mac, phone, or online, highlighting tools that balance ease of use, accuracy, and flexibility so you can choose the right solution for your specific device and workflow.

#1. Adobe Acrobat

Best for: Professionals, legal teams, and others who require precise, secure, and high-quality PDF conversions.

Platforms: Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android (via online and desktop).

Professionals rely on Adobe Acrobat to convert Word to PDF without losing formatting for secure, polished results. It helps keep your documents looking professional and uniform. Recognized as one of the safest Word to PDF converters for documents, it ensures secure and accurate file sharing.

Key Features of Adobe Acrobat:

• Provide high-quality, reliable conversions, especially noticeable and superior when handling complex documents with graphic elements.
• Ensures that the original document's layout, fonts, images, and alignment look exactly as intended on any device or operating system.
• Allows setting passwords, restricting editing, copying, or printing with permissions, and using redaction tools for sensitive information.
• The conversion process usually retains and even enhances interactive elements.
• Allows simultaneous conversion of several Word files to individual PDFs.

Pros:

• Converts Word docs to high-quality PDFs with better formatting control, security features, and advanced options like adding video, sound, and hyperlinks.
• Delivers reliable security settings and is widely recognized for legally valid e-signatures.
• Provides tools for editing, creating forms, combining documents, and arranging pages.
• Enhances your PDF workflow by working directly with Microsoft Office applications.

Cons: 

• Casual users might feel overwhelmed by the number of features and the interface complexity.
• Can be resource-heavy, resulting in sluggish performance or occasional crashes on large documents.
• Uses a subscription model, so long-term costs are higher than free or one-time tools.

Pricing: Offers a free trial. Starts at US$12.99 per month. 

#2. SwifDoo PDF

Best for: Everyday users and small teams wanting simple, efficient Word to PDF conversion tools.

Platforms: Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.

SwifDoo PDF is a powerful alternative to Adobe Acrobat designed for users who want simplicity and speed. It serves as a free Word to PDF converter for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, providing flexible access across devices. In addition, SwifDoo PDF Online Word to PDF Converter ensures efficient, high-quality conversions for everyday and professional use. Users have the option to batch convert Word to PDF, improving efficiency for multiple files.

Key Features of SwifDoo PDF:

• Utilizes smart recognition to retain accurate text and formatting when transforming Word documents into PDFs.
• Convert multiple Word documents to PDFs in one step, speeding up your workflow.
• Edit PDFs with ease—text, images, links, and annotations.
• Reduces PDF file size without significant data loss, great for sharing.
• Protect your PDFs by adding passwords, encryption, and digital signatures.
• Turns scanned or image-based Word files into searchable, editable text in PDFs.
• Offers a small install size and an efficient, intuitive interface for quick workflows.
• Enables seamless conversion between PDFs and Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or image formats.

Pros:

• Beginner-friendly design with a straightforward interface.
• Launches fast and consumes fewer system resources than larger PDF applications.
• Handles Word to PDF (and vice versa) well, preserving layout in most documents.
• It can convert multiple files at once, saving time.
• Offers solid tools for text editing, image addition, annotation, merging/splitting, and compression.
• Allows password protection and permission settings for PDFs. 

Cons: 

• The Mac version doesn’t include the advanced features found on Windows.

Pricing: Offers a free trial. Starts at US$16 per month (billed quarterly). 

#3. Microsoft Word

Best for: Users who already work in Microsoft Office and want a built-in, no-extra-tool way to export polished, familiar Word files as PDFs.

Platforms: Windows, macOS, and Web.

Microsoft Word itself serves as a convenient Word to PDF converter without watermark. It allows users to convert Word to PDF offline directly from the app. Built into the app, Microsoft Word converts files reliably without relying on online tools.

Key Features of Microsoft Word:

• Quickly turn documents into PDFs with Word’s built-in tools while maintaining original formatting.
• Use a virtual printer to convert any printable Word document to a PDF.
• Maintains text styles, colors, tables, charts, and images accurately in PDFs.
• Ensure safe sharing by restricting PDF access and editing permissions.
• Automatically turns links and bookmarks into clickable elements for smooth PDF navigation.

Pros:

• It's part of the widely used Microsoft Office suite and is available on Windows, macOS, and mobile devices, ensuring universal coverage.
• PDFs ensure your document appears the same everywhere, with no changes to formatting or visuals.
• Keep the original .docx editable for future updates while sharing a finalized, locked PDF.
• The "Save As PDF" or "Export to PDF" function is fast and integrated directly into the application.

Cons: 

• PDFs are hard to edit; you'll always need the original Word file for significant changes.
• Occasional issues like text thickening, blurring, or misalignment during conversion require careful review.
• Large Word documents can sometimes slow down the conversion process.

Pricing: Starts at US$99.99 per year or US$9.99 per month (for the first month).

#4. Smallpdf

Best for: Casual users and students who want a fast, online way to convert, compress, and manage PDFs.

Platforms: Web and Mobile apps (iOS/Android).

Recognized among the best free online Word to PDF converters, Smallpdf simplifies PDF creation. Smallpdf can convert PDF to Word and vice versa. This provides a flexible, web-based way to manage documents quickly and efficiently.

Key Features of Smallpdf:

• Excels at preserving original fonts, layout, and formatting from a Word document (DOC/DOCX) into the PDF.
• Offers a straightforward drag-and-drop interface for quick file conversion.
• Convert multiple Word files to PDF simultaneously to boost efficiency.
• Offers more than 20 tools to edit, compress, merge, split, and sign your newly created PDF, extending its utility beyond simple conversion.
• Even for free users, conversions remain tidy with no watermarks added.

Pros:

• Simple drag-and-drop interface, intuitive for beginners.
• Effortlessly turn Word files into PDFs while maintaining their original formatting.
• Offers many PDF tools (compress, merge, edit, sign) in one place.
• Works in any web browser, making it ideal for fast access.
• Protects files with TLS encryption and automatically deletes them shortly after upload.

Cons: 

• Limits access, encouraging an upgrade to premium.
• A paid subscription is needed to unlock all tools.
• Requires online access and lacks the full capabilities of desktop tools.

Pricing: Offers a free plan. Prices start at US$12 per month. 

#5. iLovePDF

Best for: Users wanting a complete online PDF toolkit for batch tasks and document organization.

Platforms: Web (mobile responsive).

iLovePDF is a versatile tool that lets you convert Word to PDF online and offers features such as merging, splitting, and compressing files, making it ideal for users who need a quick, all-in-one PDF solution.

Key Features of iLovePDF:

• No software installation required; accessible from any device with an internet connection.
• Faithfully retains fonts, layouts, images, and tables from Word documents.
• Easily turn multiple Word files into PDFs at the same time.
• Easily download converted files to smartphones via QR codes.
• Convert scanned PDFs or images within Word files into editable text.

Pros:

• Simple, intuitive interface makes conversion very easy for most users.
• Offers merging, splitting, compressing, editing, and organizing PDFs.
• Speedy document processing for common tasks, boosting productivity.
• Files are encrypted and removed from servers within hours, with ISO/IEC 27001 certification.

Cons: 

• Daily task limits and file-size restrictions encourage users to upgrade.
• Requires a stable connection, and compression can sometimes drastically reduce PDF quality. 
• Not a full-fledged editor; lacks detailed formatting or complex editing of desktop apps.

Pricing: Offers a free plan. Prices start at US$9 per month. 

#6. CloudConvert

Best for: Users and developers who want efficient, multi-format conversions plus cloud and workflow automation.

Platforms: Web (API and integrations).

Lastly on our list is CloudConvert. It is an efficient online Word to PDF converter with cloud integration and seamless batch processing. CloudConvert is perfect for users who want fast, flexible, and automated document conversion solutions.

Key Features of CloudConvert:

• Easily convert DOCX to PDF and connect directly to Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive to import and export files.
• Adjust quality, resolution, and compression for PDFs, and merge multiple DOCX files into a single PDF.
• The platform keeps data secure, with fast and accurate conversions.
• Allows developers to integrate Word to PDF conversion into custom applications, with options for high-volume processing and cloud storage.
• Create mass documents, such as invoices, by using placeholders in a DOCX template that CloudConvert replaces with custom data during PDF conversion. 

Pros:

• Simple, clean, intuitive, and ad-free interface, no software to install. 
• Handles over 200 formats, covering documents, videos, and images.
• Provides accurate, fast, and reliable conversions, sometimes with AI optimization. 
• Connects with cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive) and offers an API for automation. 
• Offers customizable conversion settings for more control.

Cons: 

• Free usage has restrictions on file size (e.g., 1GB), conversion time, and number of simultaneous conversions. 
• Some advanced options can be hard to find within the interface. 
• Minor quality dips can occur during heavy compression or extraction in some instances.

Pricing: Offers a free version. Prices start at US$9 per month. 

Online vs Offline Word to PDF Converters

Choosing online or offline Word to PDF tools depends on your workflow and needs. Online options give flexibility and accessibility, but offline converters deliver speed, safety, and offline Word-to-PDF conversion. Let’s look at their pros and cons to assess them more effectively. 

#Pros and Cons of Online Converters

Pros:

• Reachable from any internet-connected device, without needing to install software.
• Beginner-friendly interfaces, making fast conversions simple and hassle-free.
• Many fundamental features don’t cost anything, reducing expenses.
• Frequent updates keep platforms current with new features and supported formats.
• Works across different operating systems (Windows, Mac, mobile).
• Many support numerous file types (docs, images, audio, video).

Cons:

• Sharing confidential documents online may expose them to breaches or malicious software.
• A steady internet connection is necessary, and speed impacts processing.
• Free versions often limit file size or restrict advanced tools (batch processing, OCR). 
• It can sometimes result in poorly formatted or lower-quality output. 
• Useless without internet access. 
• Free services may inject ads or watermarks.

#Pros and Cons of Offline Converters

Pros:

• Retaining files locally minimizes security threats, making it suitable for sensitive documents.
• Functions independently of the internet, perfect for limited connections and stable performance.
• Performs conversions locally, avoiding upload/download wait times, especially with big files.
• Often includes advanced options like batch processing, quality settings, and customization.
• Generally handles huge files without restrictions.
• It can be a one-time purchase rather than a recurring subscription. 

Cons: 

• Full-featured versions usually require payment (one-time or subscription), unlike many free online tools. 
• Needs software installation and setup on your device. 
• You're responsible for downloading and installing updates. 
• Performs tasks using your computer’s CPU, which may slow older hardware under load.

How to Choose the Best Word to PDF Converter

To choose the ideal Word to PDF converter, consider your needs, workflow, and the documents you handle. The proper tool guarantees precise formatting, strong security, and smooth, hassle-free conversion. Ask yourself the following questions before deciding:

• Do I need free or professional features?
• How important is formatting accuracy for my documents?
• Do I require security and encryption for sensitive files?
• Is optical character recognition required for handling scanned files?
• Do I often require batch conversion of several documents?
• Are there file size limits that could affect my work?

Best Picks by Use Case: 

• Best overall: SwifDoo PDF - Quick, precise, and flexible, supporting both online and offline conversion with powerful PDF tools.
• Best cost-effective: CloudConvert — Cost-effective online converter offering versatile format support and cloud connectivity.
• Best free online: Smallpdf — Effortless online conversion with extra features for casual users.
• Best offline free: Microsoft Word — Export PDFs directly, watermark-free, without needing an internet connection.
• Best for professionals: Adobe Acrobat — Effortless online conversion with extra features for casual users.
• Best for batch conversion: iLovePDF — ideal for processing multiple files at once.

Wrapping Up

Converting Word files to PDF is now a key task for students, professionals, and everyday users. Finding the best Word to PDF converter requires understanding your specific requirements. You may pick one based on accuracy, security, batch processing, or platform flexibility. Tools like SwifDoo PDF, Smallpdf, and CloudConvert offer reliable solutions, making Word to PDF conversion simple and efficient for everyone.