Compress PDF to 20MB Online: Free and Easy with BreezePDF

May 9, 2025 9 min read

In today's digital world, PDF files are a staple for sharing documents, presentations, and various other information. However, the convenience of PDFs often comes with a drawback: large file sizes. These large PDFs can be cumbersome to share, slow to upload and download, and can quickly consume storage space. Many platforms, applications, and email systems impose strict size limits, often making a 20MB target size a necessity. Luckily, BreezePDF provides a straightforward solution for compressing PDFs to 20MB online, making file sharing and storage much more manageable.

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Why Compress PDF Files?

Easier Sharing

One of the primary reasons to compress PDF files is to facilitate easier sharing. Email providers often impose file size limitations, preventing the transmission of large documents. Compressing PDFs significantly reduces their size, allowing them to be easily sent via email without exceeding these limits. Reduced file sizes also lead to faster uploading and downloading speeds, saving time and improving overall efficiency when collaborating with colleagues or clients.

Saving Storage Space

Large PDF files can quickly eat up valuable storage space on your computer's hard drive and in cloud storage accounts. By compressing PDFs, you can reclaim significant storage space, especially if you have a large collection of documents. This is particularly beneficial for users with limited storage capacity or those who rely heavily on cloud-based storage solutions. Keeping your files organized and compact can also improve your system's overall performance and speed.

Improved Website Loading Speeds

If you embed PDFs on your website, large file sizes can negatively impact loading speeds, leading to a poor user experience. Slow loading times can frustrate visitors and may even deter them from accessing the content. Compressing embedded PDFs ensures faster loading speeds, improving website performance and enhancing user engagement. Optimizing your website for speed is crucial for attracting and retaining visitors, and reducing PDF file sizes is an essential component of this optimization.

Platform and Application Compatibility

Certain platforms and applications have specific size limits for uploaded or processed PDF files. Compressing PDFs ensures compatibility with these platforms, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your documents into various workflows. Whether you're submitting a document to a specific application or uploading it to a particular website, reducing the file size to meet the required limits is often necessary. This ensures smooth operation and prevents potential compatibility issues. Furthermore, you can also use https://breezepdf.com/blog/merge-pdf-files-online to merge multiple smaller PDF files before compressing them to 20MB for easier management.

Methods to Compress PDF to 20MB (Challenges & Limitations of Other Methods)

Online PDF Compression Tools (Excluding BreezePDF Initially)

While numerous online PDF compression tools exist, they often come with limitations. Many have file size restrictions, meaning they may not be suitable for larger PDFs that need to be compressed to 20MB. Additionally, uploading sensitive documents to third-party online tools can raise privacy concerns. Some tools also add watermarks to compressed files, diminishing their professional appearance, while others require subscriptions or impose paywalls for full functionality, limiting free access.

Desktop Software (Adobe Acrobat, etc.)

Desktop software like Adobe Acrobat offers PDF compression capabilities, but it comes with its own set of drawbacks. The cost of software licenses can be a significant barrier, especially for users who only need to compress PDFs occasionally. The complex interface of such software can also be intimidating for users who simply want to compress a file. The process of downloading and installing the software can be time-consuming, making it less convenient than online alternatives. Also, you may need to https://breezepdf.com/blog/make-pdf-editable first, before compression.

Built-in Operating System Features (macOS Preview)

macOS Preview offers a basic PDF compression option, but its capabilities are limited. The compression options are often restricted, making it difficult to achieve the desired 20MB target size. This method can also result in a significant loss of image quality, rendering the compressed PDF less visually appealing. The lack of advanced compression settings makes it less versatile than dedicated PDF compression tools. Also, using BreezePDF is far easier than to https://breezepdf.com/blog/create-fillable-pdf-adobe, if all you are trying to do is compress a file.

How to Compress PDF to 20MB with BreezePDF: A Step-by-Step Guide

BreezePDF offers a user-friendly and efficient way to compress PDF files to 20MB without the hassle of software downloads or privacy concerns. Here's a simple guide to get started.

  1. Go to BreezePDF's PDF compression tool page: Navigate to the BreezePDF website and locate the PDF compression tool.
  2. Upload your PDF file: Click on the upload button and select the PDF file you wish to compress from your computer.
  3. Select compression options: BreezePDF offers intelligent compression. Simply select your target file size.
  4. Start the compression process: Click the "Compress" button to initiate the compression process.
  5. Download the compressed PDF file: Once the compression is complete, download the optimized PDF file to your device.

With BreezePDF, the entire process is quick, easy, and requires no software downloads, making it an ideal solution for compressing PDFs on the go.

Tips for Achieving the Best Compression Results with BreezePDF

To ensure optimal compression results with BreezePDF, consider these helpful tips.

  • Remove unnecessary images or elements: Before compressing, remove any extraneous images or elements from the PDF to reduce its initial size.
  • Optimize images within the PDF: Reduce the resolution of images within the PDF to minimize their impact on the overall file size.
  • Use a lower compression level: If image quality is not critical, opt for a lower compression level to achieve a smaller file size.
  • Flatten layers (if applicable): Flattening layers within the PDF can help reduce file size, especially for complex documents.
  • Run OCR for image-based PDFs: Consider running Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to reduce file size for PDFs that are primarily image-based.

Benefits of Using BreezePDF for PDF Compression

BreezePDF offers numerous advantages for compressing PDF files, making it a standout choice.

  • Free and easy to use: BreezePDF is completely free and boasts an intuitive interface, making it accessible to all users.
  • No software downloads or installations required: BreezePDF operates entirely online, eliminating the need for software downloads or installations.
  • Fast and efficient compression: BreezePDF delivers rapid and efficient compression, saving you valuable time.
  • Secure and private: BreezePDF ensures the security and privacy of your documents, as it operates directly in your browser.
  • High-quality compression: BreezePDF strikes a balance between file size and image quality, ensuring visually appealing compressed PDFs.
  • Accessibility on any device: BreezePDF can be accessed on any device with a web browser, providing flexibility and convenience.
  • No watermarks or limitations on free use: BreezePDF does not impose watermarks or limitations on its free service, providing a seamless user experience.

Troubleshooting Common PDF Compression Issues

Even with the best tools, you might encounter occasional issues during PDF compression. Here are a few common problems and their solutions.

  • PDF is still too large after compression: Re-compress the file, try optimizing images, or check for embedded fonts.
  • Compressed PDF looks blurry or distorted: Try a lower compression level or re-optimize images with higher quality settings.
  • File won't compress at all: Check for file corruption, ensure the PDF is not password-protected, or consider that the PDF may already be compressed as much as possible. Sometimes you have to https://breezepdf.com/blog/delete-pages-from-pdf if the compressions is not enough.

Conclusion

Compressing PDF files is crucial for efficient sharing, storage, and website performance. BreezePDF offers a free, fast, and secure solution to compress PDFs to 20MB without the complexities of desktop software or privacy concerns. It's user-friendly interface and robust compression capabilities make it the ideal choice for all your PDF compression needs. Try BreezePDF's compression tool now and experience the convenience of optimized PDF files.