Our verdict
Being tested. An editor is using ChatPDF hands-on; the verdict and score appear here once they sign it off.
What it does
ChatPDF lets you upload a PDF, such as a report, manual or research paper, and ask questions about it in a chat. It answers from the document, and it can summarise it or explain a section.
It suits anyone who needs to find their way around a long document quickly. It works in your browser, with nothing to install.
Why use it
- Get to the part of a long document you need without reading all of it.
- Ask follow-up questions, as in a conversation.
- Nothing to install: it runs in your browser.
- A free plan lets you try it on your own documents.
How it works
- Go to chatpdf.com.
- Upload a PDF.
- Ask questions about it in plain English.
- Check important answers against the page in the document.
How hard is it to use?
Beginner Easy to start. You need an account, not any technical know-how.
Upload a file and ask a question: there is nothing else to learn, which is why we rate it Beginner.
What it costs
Free plan; paid plans. A free plan with a daily limit on documents. The paid Plus plan removes it and raises the other limits.
Prices change often, so check ChatPDF’s own site before you pay.
Watch out for
- It can misread tables, scans and charts, so check figures in the original.
- Don’t upload confidential documents, such as contracts or personal records, without permission.
Your data
Check ChatPDF’s privacy policy for how long it keeps uploaded files and how to delete them before you upload anything sensitive.
We haven’t confirmed that ChatPDF can keep your data in the UK, so check where it keeps your data before you share anything private or about other people.