Need to turn iPhone photos into a PDF for a form, a claim or an assignment? Many tools can do it, but they differ a lot in limits, privacy and how well they handle multiple pages. Here’s an honest comparison.
Disclosure: ConvertHEICto is our tool; it’s included alongside the others.
Comparison
| Tool | Where it runs | Uploads files? | Multiple photos → 1 PDF | Free limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ConvertHEICto | Your browser | No | Yes, reorderable | None |
| Smallpdf | Online | Yes | Yes | Limited free tasks |
| PDFgear | Online + desktop app | Online: varies; desktop: no | Yes | Free |
| CloudConvert | Online | Yes | Yes | Daily free quota |
| iPhone Files → Create PDF | On device | No | Yes | None |
| Mac Preview / Finder | On device | No | Yes | None |
| Windows Microsoft Print to PDF | On device | No | Yes (needs HEIC codecs) | None |
ConvertHEICto (HEIC to PDF)
Our HEIC to PDF converter builds the PDF entirely in your browser. You can combine many photos into one PDF or make one PDF per photo, reorder pages with arrow buttons, and choose A4, Letter or fit-to-photo page sizes. Landscape photos get landscape pages automatically. Setting a maximum image size keeps PDFs under upload limits.
Best for: private documents (IDs, statements, medical paperwork), and anyone on a phone or Chromebook.
Smallpdf
Smallpdf is a popular online PDF suite with a HEIC to PDF tool. It’s polished and easy, and it includes other PDF tools such as compression and merging. Files are uploaded to its servers for processing, and the free tier limits how many tasks you can run before upgrading.
Best for: people who already use Smallpdf for other PDF tasks.
PDFgear
PDFgear offers a free HEIC to PDF converter online and a free desktop app for Windows and Mac. The desktop app works offline, which is a plus for privacy, and it supports combining and rearranging images.
Best for: Windows users who want a free offline PDF app.
CloudConvert
CloudConvert converts HEIC to PDF along with hundreds of other formats. Files are uploaded, and the free tier includes a daily quota. It’s a good choice if you need its other conversion features or API.
Built-in tools
You may not need any third-party tool at all:
- iPhone: Files app → select photos → Create PDF
- Mac: Finder → Quick Actions → Create PDF, or Preview → Print → Save as PDF
- Windows: Print → Microsoft Print to PDF (requires the HEIC extensions)
Step-by-step instructions are in How to convert HEIC to PDF on Mac, Windows and iPhone.
How to choose
- Private documents: use a built-in tool or a local browser converter — your files never leave your device.
- Already using a PDF suite: Smallpdf or PDFgear fit naturally.
- Phone or Chromebook: ConvertHEICto or the iPhone Files app.
- Just need an image? A JPG is smaller and simpler — see Best free HEIC to JPG converters.
Limits and features of online services change frequently. Check each provider’s pricing page for the current details.