# Compress PDF: Arthize vs Soda PDF

_Updated July 2026 · Arthize · https://arthize.com/vs/soda-pdf/compress-pdf_

To compress a PDF, Arthize offers a free, private compress pdf with no watermark — a focused alternative to Soda PDF. Compressing a PDF reduces file size — often 50–90% on image-heavy scans — by down-sampling images and stripping redundant data, while keeping text selectable.

## Arthize's compress pdf vs Soda PDF

Soda PDF is a PDF suite with online and desktop editions. Soda PDF sells online and desktop editions on a subscription model.

**Arthize's approach:** Compressing a PDF reduces file size — often 50–90% on image-heavy scans — by down-sampling images and stripping redundant data, while keeping text selectable.

- Transparent pricing: free forever, Pro from $6/mo or $48/yr, and a one-time $149 lifetime option.
- Files are processed inside your private Arthize workspace and deleted after the job — never sold or used to train models.
- 50+ tools live in one workspace, so you don't jump between single-purpose pages.
- No subscription needed for core tools.

## How to compress a PDF with Arthize

PDF file size almost always comes from embedded images, not text.

Down-sampling scans to a lower DPI usually gets an image-heavy file under 1MB.

Light compression is visually lossless for most documents.

## How to compress a PDF with Arthize

1. **Open the compress tool** — Sign in and open the Compress tool.
2. **Add your PDF** — Upload the oversized file; it is processed privately.
3. **Pick a compression level** — Higher compression down-samples images more; light compression keeps them crisp.
4. **Download the smaller file** — Most image-heavy PDFs drop well under 1MB with no visible quality loss.

## FAQ

### Is Arthize a good Soda PDF alternative to compress a PDF?

Yes. Compressing a PDF reduces file size — often 50–90% on image-heavy scans — by down-sampling images and stripping redundant data, while keeping text selectable. Arthize does it free with no watermark and deletes the file after the job. Soda PDF offers a broad feature set for teams that want a full desktop suite.

### How do I compress a PDF to under 1MB?

Compressing a PDF reduces file size — often 50–90% on image-heavy scans — by down-sampling images and stripping redundant data, while keeping text selectable. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.

### Will compressing a PDF lose quality?

Compressing a PDF reduces file size — often 50–90% on image-heavy scans — by down-sampling images and stripping redundant data, while keeping text selectable. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.