What is the best free PDF splitter?

The best free PDF splitters in 2025: PDFlite.io offers unlimited splitting with visual page selection, no watermarks, and fast processing under 5 seconds. PDF24 Tools provides free desktop splitting for Windows with offline functionality. PDF Candy offers simple browser-based splitting. For most users, PDFlite.io provides the best combination of features, speed, and ease of use.

Can I split a PDF by page range?

Yes, quality PDF splitters support multiple splitting methods: specific page ranges (pages 1-10, 15-20), extract individual pages (pages 3, 7, 12), split into equal parts (divide 100-page PDF into 10-page chunks), or split at bookmarks. PDFlite.io offers visual page selection for precise control over which pages to extract or split.

Do split PDFs lose quality or formatting?

Properly functioning PDF splitters preserve 100% of original quality because they extract existing PDF pages without re-rendering content. Text, images, fonts, and formatting remain identical to the source document. Poor-quality splitters that decompress and recompress may degrade image quality. PDFlite.io maintains native PDF structures for perfect quality preservation.

How do I split a large PDF into smaller files?

Methods for splitting large PDFs: visual page selection (PDFlite.io, Adobe Acrobat), specify page ranges (pages 1-50, 51-100), split by file size (create 5MB chunks), split at bookmarks for chapter divisions, or use batch automation for regular splitting tasks. Online tools handle files up to 100MB, desktop software manages multi-GB files.

Can I extract specific pages from a PDF?

Yes, page extraction is a core feature of PDF splitters. PDFlite.io provides visual thumbnails to select specific pages (e.g., pages 2, 5, 7-9, 15) for extraction into a new PDF. Advanced tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro allow extraction with deletion from original or keeping both files. Extracted pages maintain all formatting, annotations, and bookmarks.

Is it safe to split confidential PDFs online?

Security varies by service. PDFlite.io uses HTTPS encryption and automatically deletes files after processing for privacy protection. For highly confidential documents, consider desktop software like PDF24 Tools or PDFsam that processes files locally without cloud upload. Always verify privacy policies before uploading sensitive documents.

How long does it take to split a PDF?

Splitting speed depends on file size and page count. PDFlite.io splits typical documents (50-page PDF, 10MB) in under 5 seconds. Large files (500+ pages, 100MB) may take 15-30 seconds with online tools. Desktop software performs local splitting faster, completing even large files in seconds without upload time.

Can I split password-protected PDFs?

Most PDF splitters require removing password protection before splitting. Tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro can split protected PDFs if you provide the password. Online tools typically need the PDF unlocked first. After splitting, you can re-apply password protection to the output files for continued security.

What splitting options do professional tools offer?

Professional PDF splitters offer: split by page ranges, extract specific pages, divide into equal-sized chunks, split by file size limits, split at bookmark locations, batch processing multiple files, custom splitting rules, and automation scripts. Free tools like PDFlite.io provide visual page selection and range-based splitting sufficient for most needs.

What's the difference between free and paid PDF splitters?

Free splitters like PDFlite.io and PDF24 offer core splitting functionality with no limitations. Paid tools ($7-20/month) add features like batch automation, bookmark-based splitting, OCR for scanned PDFs, and cloud storage integration. Professional software ($69-149 one-time) includes API access, advanced automation, and enterprise features. For basic splitting needs, free tools deliver professional results.

PDF Tools Guide

Best PDF Splitter 2025: Top 10 Tools Compared

Expert comparison of the best PDF splitter tools for extracting and dividing PDF documents. Compare features, pricing, and performance.

Published: November 8, 2025•8 min read

Quick Answer: Best PDF Splitter 2025

Best Overall Free

PDFlite.io - Visual page selection, unlimited splitting

Best Professional

Adobe Acrobat Pro - Advanced automation

Best Value

PDFsam Enhanced - One-time purchase, powerful features

Best Batch Processing

Sejda PDF - Automated splitting workflows

Top 10 PDF Splitter Tools Ranked

PDFlite.io

4.9

Free

Best Overall Free PDF Splitter

Pros

Completely free with no file limits
No watermarks on split PDFs
Visual page selection interface
Split by range or extract specific pages
Browser-based - no installation
Fast processing (under 5 seconds)

Cons

Requires internet connection
No desktop offline version

Adobe Acrobat Pro

4.8

$19.99/month

Best Professional PDF Splitter

Pros

Industry-standard reliability
Advanced splitting options (bookmarks, size)
Batch processing automation
Integrate with Adobe Creative Cloud
Desktop and mobile apps
Comprehensive PDF editing suite

Cons

Expensive subscription required
Overkill for simple splitting needs
Resource-intensive software

Sejda PDF Splitter

4.6

$7.50/month

Best for Batch Splitting

Pros

Powerful batch splitting automation
Split by file size or page count
Desktop and web versions
Bookmark-based splitting
OCR support for scanned PDFs

Cons

Free version limits to 3 tasks per hour
Desktop version requires separate license
Complex interface for beginners

PDFsam Enhanced

4.5

$69 one-time

Best One-Time Purchase

Pros

No recurring subscription fees
Advanced splitting modes
Visual preview interface
Bookmark extraction
Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Cons

Requires Java installation
Less intuitive than online tools
Fewer updates than subscription products

Smallpdf Split

4.4

$9/month

Best for Teams

Pros

User-friendly interface
Cloud storage integration
Team collaboration features
Mobile app available
Extract or split by range

Cons

Daily file limit on free plan
Requires account creation
Internet connection required

PDF24 Tools Split

4.3

Free

Best Windows Desktop Tool

Pros

Completely free desktop version
No watermarks or limitations
Offline functionality
Multiple splitting modes
German privacy standards (GDPR compliant)

Cons

Windows only
Basic user interface
Limited customer support

iLovePDF Split

4.2

$4/month

Best Budget Online Tool

Pros

Affordable pricing
Fast processing
Split by page ranges
Mobile-friendly interface
Multiple PDF tools suite

Cons

File size limits on free plan
Ads on free version
Basic splitting options only

Foxit PhantomPDF

4.1

$149 one-time

Best for Business Users

Pros

One-time purchase option
Advanced document splitting
Batch automation scripts
Form creation and filling
Full PDF editing suite

Cons

Expensive upfront cost
Windows only
Steep learning curve

PDF Candy Split

Free

Best Simple Splitter

Pros

Simple and straightforward
Completely free
Fast splitting
No installation required
Privacy-focused (files deleted after 1 hour)

Cons

Very basic features only
No visual page selection
Limited splitting modes

#10

Soda PDF Split

3.9

$6.99/month

Best for Occasional Use

Pros

Low monthly cost
Easy to use
Extract specific pages
Cloud storage
Mobile app

Cons

Limited features compared to competitors
Slower processing speeds
Requires subscription for full features

Why Choose PDFlite.io for Splitting PDFs?

PDFlite.io ranks #1 for free PDF splitting because it offers professional features without subscription costs:

Visual Page Selection: See thumbnails of all pages and select exactly which pages to extract or split
Unlimited Splitting: Split as many PDFs as you need with no daily or monthly limits
No Watermarks: Get clean, professional split PDFs ready for business use
Fast Processing: Split large documents in under 5 seconds with optimized servers