If you work in Google Drive and regularly edit PDFs, you’ve probably searched for a tool that just works without disrupting your workflow. The market is crowded, but three options stand out for Google Drive users: Super PDF Editor, Smallpdf, and iLovePDF.
We tested all three with real-world tasks — editing contract text, translating a document into Spanish, and saving back to Drive — to help you choose.
Quick Verdict
- Super PDF Editor — Best for Google Workspace teams who need native Drive integration and PDF translation
- Smallpdf — Best for occasional users who want a polished web interface with broad file conversion options
- iLovePDF — Best for budget users who need batch processing and basic edits
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Super PDF Editor | Smallpdf | iLovePDF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive integration | Native (right-click to open) | Connect via account linking | Connect via account linking |
| Text editing | Direct in-browser | Web-based editor | Web-based editor |
| PDF translation | 100+ languages, preserves layout | Not available | Not available |
| Save back to Drive | One-click, same location | Export to Drive | Export to Drive |
| Batch processing | Single file focus | Limited on free | Yes, multiple files |
| File conversion | PDF-focused | PDF, Word, Excel, PPT, JPG | PDF, Word, Excel, PPT, JPG |
| Free tier | Core editing + save to Drive | 2 tasks per day | Limited tasks per day |
| Paid pricing | Affordable plans | $12/month (billed annually) | $7/month (billed annually) |
| Offline capability | No (cloud-based) | Desktop app available | Desktop app available |
| Data privacy | Files stay in Google ecosystem | Files processed on Smallpdf servers | Files processed on iLovePDF servers |
Super PDF Editor: The Google-Native Option
Super PDF Editor’s biggest advantage is that it lives inside Google Drive. You don’t visit a separate website, upload a file, edit it, download it, and re-upload it. You right-click a PDF in Drive, select “Open with Super PDF Editor,” make changes, and save. The file stays where it was.
The translation feature is unique. Neither Smallpdf nor iLovePDF offer built-in PDF translation. If you work with international documents — contracts, research papers, HR materials — this alone justifies choosing Super PDF Editor. The translation preserves original formatting, which is something Google Translate absolutely cannot do.
Best for: Teams embedded in Google Workspace who edit PDFs frequently and need translation capabilities.
Smallpdf: The Swiss Army Knife
Smallpdf is the most polished of the three. The interface is clean, the tools are intuitive, and it handles file conversions (PDF to Word, PDF to PPT, compress PDF) better than most competitors.
The Google Drive integration exists but feels bolted on — you connect your account and then import/export files rather than working natively inside Drive. It’s two extra steps compared to Super PDF Editor’s right-click workflow.
The free tier is restrictive. Two tasks per day means you’ll hit the paywall quickly if you use it regularly. At $12/month, it’s the most expensive option here, though the breadth of tools justifies the price if you need more than just editing.
Best for: Users who need a versatile PDF toolkit (conversion, compression, signing) beyond just editing.
iLovePDF: The Budget Pick
iLovePDF offers surprisingly capable tools for the price. Batch processing is its standout feature — upload multiple PDFs and apply the same operation to all of them. The free tier is more generous than Smallpdf’s, and the paid plan at $7/month is the cheapest option.
The editing experience is functional but basic. Text editing works, but you won’t get the same precision as Super PDF Editor or Smallpdf. The Google Drive connection works similarly to Smallpdf — account linking with import/export.
No translation support. Like Smallpdf, if multilingual documents are part of your workflow, iLovePDF can’t help.
Best for: Budget-conscious users who need batch processing and basic PDF operations.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Super PDF Editor if:
- You live in Google Workspace and want zero-friction Drive integration
- You work with multilingual documents and need translation
- Keeping files in Drive without download/upload cycles matters to you
- Your team collaborates on PDFs and needs them to stay in shared folders
Choose Smallpdf if:
- You need a broad PDF toolkit (convert, compress, sign, merge, split)
- You work across multiple cloud storage providers, not just Google Drive
- A polished desktop app for offline work is important
- You’re willing to pay $12/month for the full feature set
Choose iLovePDF if:
- Budget is your primary concern
- You process PDFs in batches regularly
- Basic editing covers your needs
- You don’t need translation or deep Google integration
The Bottom Line
For Google Workspace users, the answer is straightforward. Super PDF Editor wins on workflow integration and translation. If you need broader PDF tools beyond editing, Smallpdf justifies its higher price. If you’re watching costs and need batch processing, iLovePDF delivers solid value.
The best PDF editor is the one that fits your workflow, not the one with the longest feature list.