Got Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about PDF/A standards and conversion.
What is a PDF/A file? ↓
PDF/A is an ISO-standardized version of the Portable Document Format (PDF) specifically designed for long-term digital archiving. It embeds all fonts, color profiles, and metadata into the file while prohibiting dynamic content like JavaScript, encryption, or external link dependencies.
Which PDF/A standard should I choose (PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b, or PDF/A-3b)? ↓
For standard business documents, PDF/A-2b is recommended as it supports transparency and layers while guaranteeing visual consistency. Use PDF/A-1b if complying with legacy mandates, or PDF/A-3b if you need to embed XML attachments for electronic invoicing (e.g. ZUGFeRD / Factur-X).
Are my uploaded PDF files secure and private? ↓
Yes. PDFAfy uses a privacy-first, client-side browser architecture. Your PDF files are processed directly inside your local web browser session and are never uploaded or saved to external cloud servers.
Is PDFAfy free to use? ↓
Yes! PDFAfy is 100% free with no hidden subscriptions, paywalls, or daily upload limits.
Can I convert large PDF files? ↓
Absolutely. PDFAfy supports large PDF files up to 150MB with high-performance memory stream processing.
How do I know if my converted file is truly PDF/A compliant? ↓
PDFAfy automatically injects ISO-compliant XMP metadata (pdfaid:part and pdfaid:conformance) and sRGB OutputIntent dictionaries into the document catalog. You can verify compliance in Adobe Acrobat Pro or any ISO 19005 validator.