SECURITY & PRIVACY
Private by default. Clear about what runs where.
SimplyPDF is a browser-first workspace, not a document cloud by default. This page explains exactly which operations stay on your device and which need the processing service.
Runs in your browser
PDF editing, text replacement, annotations, signatures, merging, splitting, page operations, image placement, DOCX editing and editor export.
Uses the SimplyPDF service
OCR, heavier format conversion, research, and some repair/flatten workflows. These run only when you choose that tool.
Stored locally
Editor snapshots live in IndexedDB for the current tab. Local plan and credit counters live in localStorage. Neither is a remote document store.
Never claimed as remote
SimplyPDF does not promise cloud sync, remote auth or remote AI execution for features that do not have a backend. Where an account is needed, the UI says so.
The safety scanner is deliberately strict
Files with active PDF JavaScript, launch actions, embedded files or macros are blocked. If a legitimate document is blocked, the dialog lists the exact reasons and lets you open it anyway after confirming that you trust the source. The scanner is a warning system, not a guarantee that a file is harmless.
QUESTIONS
What happens to my file?
Do my files get uploaded when I edit a PDF?+
The inline editor runs in your browser. The PDF, page images, annotations and text edits stay in the tab unless you choose a server-assisted feature such as OCR or conversion.
What stays in the browser?+
Editing, merging, splitting, rotating, crop, resize, reordering, page numbers, watermarks and DOCX/PDF export from the editor are handled locally.
What uses the SimplyPDF service?+
OCR, heavier Office/image conversion, research and some repair or flattening workflows use the processing service only when you select them.
Where are editor sessions saved?+
A local snapshot is stored in IndexedDB, keyed by a per-tab session id. Reloading the tab restores it. Closing the tab or using Discard local copy clears it.
What does the safety scanner block?+
Uploads are checked for PDF JavaScript, launch actions, embedded files, rich media and DOCX macros. A blocked file can be opened only after the user reviews the reasons and explicitly chooses to continue.