If you’re not careful, your time can be sucked up by administrative tasks. This is true whether you’re working remotely, in an office, or running your own business.
to make the most of your time, the right tools are essential.
One of those tools is a DOCX to PDF converter. There are many reasons you may want to convert DOCX files to PDFs online.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our comparisons and recommendations. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
The built-in tools within docs may leave a lot to be desired – especially if you need high-quality conversions done regularly.
Instead of leaving it to chance or fumbling around for a solution, this short guide will show you the best tools for the job.
Most of them are free. You’ll also learn the benefits and drawbacks associated with online document conversion tools.
Tools to Convert DOCX to PDF
UsefulPDF
UsefulPDF is a newer tool but it still manages to pack a punch. As of this writing, it’s 100% free and has no usage limits.
You’re able to convert Word documents to PDf files and vice versa. Additionally, you can convert from and to images, merge PDF documents, and much more.
The team is constantly adding new features so this is a tool (it recently got a free signature creator) you’ll want to watch over the long term.
SmallPDF
SmallPDF is one of the most popular tools for converting documents to PDF files in the shortest amount of time possible.
It’s a company out of Switzerland that follows the functional design principles that the country is known for.
It can handle both DOCX and DOC files without hassle. Just drag and drop your files into the space provided and it’ll start the conversion process.
When you’re done, you can send them via email, save to your Google Drive or Dropbox, or download to your computer.
The entire process shouldn’t take more than a few seconds.
ILOVEPDF
IlovePDF is another popular tool for converting all types of files and documents to PDF format.
Like SmallPDF, it extends beyond just converting DOCX to PDF files and is also compatible with PowerPoint, Excel files, JPG files, and more.
It’s dead simple to use. Just upload your file, select your options, and it’ll return a PDF file you can use anywhere.
It has built-in emailing and uploading (Google Drive and Dropbox) features that help you get the file in the right place.
Online2PDF
The last one on our list is Online2PDF. I know, these companies don’t have the best names but what can we do? At least the tools work. It’s more about function over form.
I’m not a fan of the user interface of this one because it makes you scroll more than necessary. That aside, it’s a solid tool for basic document conversions.
Like the other options, there is a limit to the number of files that can be converted in a day unless you go with a premium plan.
The good news is that all the premium plans are relatively inexpensive. They’re less than $10/m. I think it’s safe to assume that if it saves you 1 hour a week then it has more than paid for itself.
I digress.
Those are the best tools for the job, now let’s look at how to use them.
How to convert DOCX to PDF
All the tools mentioned above have the same basic premise which I’ll outline below.
- Drag and drop your DOCX file into the box provided or click and option the file manager dialogue and select the right file
- Once uploaded, the conversion will start automatically
- After the conversion finishes, choose what to do with the file. You’ll usually have the option of downloading, emailing, or saving to popular cloud storage services
- Rinse and repeat as many times as needed
Benefits of using an online Document to PDF Converter
There are many benefits for using an online DOCX to pdf converter but the main one is convenience.
You’re able to take documents that need to be sent or stored in their original form and turn them into PDF files from anywhere.
That means if you’re on the go and don’t have access to your computer or the file is only available in the cloud, you can still convert it to a document within a few seconds.
Though convenience covers almost every benefit, I want to point out the fact that it allows you to tap into cloud systems and improve efficiency.
For example, if someone sent you a file through Google Drive or Dropbox, you can skip the extra step of downloading (possibly formatting) then reuploading. Instead, you can work directly through your cloud storage service.
Are there any risks involved?
For the most part, it’s as safe as any other online tool. The websites are all secured with an SSL certificate.
That means the connection between your computer and the website is encrypted. Hackers are unable to eavesdrop on it.
In addition to that, your files are deleted from their servers automatically after a few minutes to a few hours.
Are there risks involved? Yes, as with anything you’re doing online, there are risks involved. The good news is that the platforms mentioned here are actively working to protect your information.
Is it always free?
It seems so. Of course, they’re businesses that need to make money but you can use a certain number of conversions for free every day. It varies by the tool but the average is 3 conversions for free a day.
Conclusion
There are many tools to help you become more efficient. In this guide, we’ve just mentioned a few of them that deal with document management. You’re now equipped with the information to convert DOCX to PDF files online for free.
There are many others in the world just waiting to be discovered. Let me know if there are other tools you’re looking for and I’ll do the heavy lifting for you by finding and vetting them.