Frequently Asked Questions

Is PdfReducta free?

Yes! PdfReducta is free to download and use, with no ads, tracking, or limitations. If you find it useful, consider supporting development via "Buy Me a Coffee" donations. It's optional and appreciated, but never required.

How much compression can I expect?

Typical compression is 50-90% reduction in file size. Results vary based on:

Best results: PDFs with high-resolution scanned images (often 80-95% reduction)
Good results: PDFs with photos and embedded images (60-80% reduction)
Moderate results: Text-heavy PDFs with vector graphics (20-50% reduction)
Minimal results: Already-compressed PDFs (0-20% reduction)

How do the two modes work?

PdfReducta automatically adapts its interface. Drop one PDF and you get Simple Mode with instant auto-processing and minimal UI. Drop multiple PDFs (or add more) and you enter Batch Mode with full table view and manual controls. The mode persists until all files are removed.

What about privacy?

PdfReducta processes everything locally on your Mac. No files are uploaded anywhere. No analytics, no tracking, no telemetry. Your PDFs never leave your computer.

Does it work with all PDFs?

Yes! PdfReducta works with all standard PDF files including:

✅ Scanned documents
✅ PDFs with images and photos
✅ Text documents
✅ Mixed content PDFs
✅ Password-protected PDFs (you'll need to remove protection first)
✅ Large multi-page documents

Will compression affect quality?

Yes, but you control how much. The 5-zone power slider lets you choose your trade-off between file size and quality:

Blue/Green zones (low compression): Minimal quality loss, still significant size reduction. Great for important documents.
Yellow zone (medium): Balanced compression. Good for general use.
Orange/Red zones (high compression): Maximum size reduction. Some quality loss but still readable. Good for email attachments.

Why does it need Ghostscript?

Ghostscript is the industry-standard PDF processing engine used by professionals worldwide. It's free, open-source, and powers PDF tools from Adobe, Google, and many others. PdfReducta uses it to ensure reliable, high-quality compression.

The one-time installation takes 1-3 minutes and happens automatically when you first launch the app. This is a one-time setup and is common for professional PDF tools.

Can I compress multiple files at once?

Absolutely! Just drag multiple PDFs into the app, and it automatically switches to Batch Mode. You can process dozens of files at once, track individual progress, and save each one when done.

What macOS version do I need?

PdfReducta requires macOS 15.0 (Sequoia) or later. Earlier versions are not supported. It works on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Macs.

How do I get updates?

PdfReducta includes automatic update checks powered by Sparkle. You'll be notified when new versions are available. Updates are optional and never forced—you decide when to update. They are recommended for bug fixes and new features.

I found a bug. How do I report it?

Please email support@pdfreducta.com with:

• Description of what happened
• Steps to reproduce the issue
• Your macOS version
• PdfReducta version (shown in app menu → About PdfReducta)

I appreciate detailed bug reports and will respond as quickly as possible!