I’m trying to choose between PDFgear and PDF24 for merging and compressing scanned invoices for my side accounting gig. Has anyone compared them recently on Windows, especially how well compression holds up on bigger files?
I tested both for scanned paperwork, and PDF24 has been more predictable with larger batches, while PDFgear feels a little simpler for quick merges. I would run the same invoices through each and compare readability at 100% zoom, since compression results depend heavily on the scans themselves.
I haven’t tested those two side by side, but for scanned invoices I’d just try compressing a sample batch in each and compare file size and readability yourself, since results can vary a lot with scan quality. What’s your average file size right now?
I haven’t compared those two recently, so I’d not guess which handles bigger files better. For scanned invoices I’d test on a copy: merge a handful first, then compress and check both file size and whether the text stays readable. Keep the original untouched until you’re happy.
I handle a lot of scanned invoices, and the main thing to watch with compression is DPI. If you compress too hard, invoice numbers and decimals get smudged, which makes pulling data into Excel a nightmare. For big batches, test a few pages first to ensure the small figures stay readable.
I haven’t used those two in a while. For merging and compressing scanned invoices I just drop them into PDFcap, merge first, then compress on the medium option so the numbers stay sharp.
Avoid going full blast on compression because bigger files get fuzzy.
It holds up on the Windows machines I set up, not sure if it’s the same on Mac.
I would test both with the same 20 to 30 page invoice batch before committing. For scanned invoices, check whether small type and totals stay readable after compression, not just the final file size.
Also keep an untouched original folder. If you need to search invoice numbers later, run OCR before compressing and spot-check a few pages for recognition errors.
Had the same choice for a batch of family tax records recently. On Windows, PDF24 gave me better control over image quality and handled large merges more reliably, while PDFgear felt simpler for quick editing and markup. For scanned invoices, I would test medium compression on a representative 50-page file, since aggressive settings can make small figures fuzzy. PDF24 would be my pick for regular batch work, though both did the basic job.
i compress scanned insurance forms all day at work and pdf24 has been my pick for years. the quality slider lets you drop dpi on big scan batches and text stays readable. tried pdfgear briefly, seemed fine, but i never had a reason to switch
@distracted_hunter I had the same issue with fuzzy text when shrinking scanned documents for my thesis. I used PDFcap once on my old laptop and it worked okay for basic merges. Compressing too much always ruins the readability anyway. Now I just put everything in a standard Windows zip folder to reduce the file size before I hit the submission portal.
@orla_ward honestly using a basic zip folder is the best move. i do the same thing for my supplier invoices so the numbers stay clear. to be fair it saves a ton of headache when dealing with large batches.
@chess_addict pretty much matches what I’ve seen. PDF24’s quality slider is the real win on scanned stuff, you can dial dpi down without turning totals into mush. For a side gig with invoices I’d skip pdfgear and just batch test medium compression on a sample first.