After converting hundreds of Google Docs to PDFs for client deliverables, internal reports, and legal documents, we’ve tested nearly every conversion tool available. Here’s our unfiltered take on 4 popular options.
Why We Needed Better Conversion Tools
Our team’s typical reaction when conversions went wrong – formatting disasters and lost elements
The native “Download as PDF” option in Google Docs served us well for simple documents, but we kept encountering these problems:
- Complex layouts breaking between Docs and PDF
- Font substitutions changing document appearance
- No options for compression or quality control
- Batch processing limitations
Tool Comparison: Key Features That Mattered
| Tool | Free Tier | Batch Processing | Compression | Cloud Integration | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PDF Candy | Yes (limited) | No | Excellent | Google Drive | ★★★★☆ |
| iLovePDF | Yes | Yes | Good | Google Drive, Dropbox | ★★★★★ |
| PDF24 Tools | Fully free | Yes | Excellent | None | ★★★★☆ |
| TinyWow | Fully free | No | Poor | None | ★★☆☆☆ |
Standout Performers
1. iLovePDF – The Balanced Workhorse
iLovePDF’s intuitive layout helped our team adopt it quickly
We were initially skeptical, but iLovePDF held its own and became a reliable fallback for many use cases:
- Good formatting preservation: Most layouts held up well during conversions
- Generous free usage: Unlimited tasks for small file sizes
- Desktop and mobile apps available: Helped our remote team work consistently
- Direct Google Drive and Dropbox access: Seamless cloud integration
The catch? Advanced features like OCR or batch compression require a Pro subscription ($7/month), and we encountered occasional hiccups with font rendering in long documents.
2. PDF Candy – Best for Quality Control
When we needed pixel-perfect conversions for client presentations, PDF Candy delivered:
- Adjustable DPI settings (up to 600dpi)
- Multiple compression levels
- Direct Google Drive access
- OCR capability for scanned docs
We particularly appreciated the preview feature showing exactly how the PDF would look before conversion.
3. PDF24 Tools – The Free Powerhouse
For teams on a tight budget, PDF24 Tools surprised us with its capabilities:
- No usage limits whatsoever
- Desktop application available
- Built-in PDF editor for quick fixes
- Excellent batch processing
The interface feels slightly dated, but the functionality more than compensates.
Disappointments
TinyWow – Style Over Substance
While the minimalist design initially appealed to us, we encountered:
- Frequent formatting errors
- No cloud integration
- Files deleted after 15 minutes
- No advanced options
We stopped using it after three consecutive failed conversions of our annual report.
Our Current Workflow
- For quick single docs: Still use native Google Docs export (it’s improved recently)
- For sensitive documents: iLovePDF desktop version
- For batch processing: PDF24 Tools
- For presentation-quality PDFs: PDF Candy with 600dpi setting
Pro Tips We Learned
Conversion Checklist
- Always check page breaks – they often shift unexpectedly
- Verify embedded fonts – some tools substitute missing fonts
- Test hyperlinks – they sometimes become inactive
- Confirm image quality – compression can be aggressive
Final Recommendation
After six months of regular use across our 12-person team:
- Best free option: PDF24 Tools (unlimited use)
- Best premium option: iLovePDF Pro ($5/month)
- Most reliable: iLovePDF (both free and paid)
- Best for designers: PDF Candy (quality control)
The right tool depends on your specific needs, but these options will cover virtually any Google Docs to PDF conversion scenario you encounter.
🔧 Tools Featured in This Article
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