Case Study - Split PDFs by page count or file size—no upload required
A browser-based PDF splitting tool with dual-split conditions, batch processing, and complete privacy through client-side processing.
- Client
- PDF Splitter
- Year
- Service
- Weekend Hack
Overview
PDF Splitter is a web-based tool for splitting PDF files with a privacy-first architecture. Everything happens in your browser—no files uploaded to servers, no registration required, completely free to use.
This project exemplifies building focused utility tools that solve specific problems exceptionally well rather than creating feature-bloated document management platforms.
Core Features
The tool offers sophisticated splitting capabilities:
- Page count limits: Split when PDFs exceed 1-1,000 pages
- File size limits: Split when PDFs exceed 1-100 MB
- Logic modes: Choose AND (both conditions) or OR (either condition)
- Batch processing: Handle multiple PDFs simultaneously
- Real-time progress: Visual tracking with current page numbers and completion percentages
What we built
- Client-side PDF Processing
- Dual-Split Logic (Page/Size)
- Batch Processing Engine
- Progress Visualization
Privacy-First Architecture
The entire application runs in the browser using modern web APIs for PDF manipulation:
- No server uploads: Documents never leave the user's computer
- Zero data storage: No files stored or logged on servers
- No registration: Removes friction and privacy concerns
- Secure processing: All operations happen locally in the user's browser
This architecture provides complete privacy while maintaining fast, reliable performance.
Technical Innovation
The dual-split condition system with AND/OR logic is unique:
- Split when pages exceed 100 OR size exceeds 10MB
- Split only when pages exceed 100 AND size exceeds 10MB
- Process multiple PDFs with different conditions simultaneously
Combined with drag-and-drop interface, visual progress tracking, and instant download links, the tool handles complex splitting scenarios that simpler tools can't manage.
Product Philosophy
Sometimes the best product is the simplest one that does exactly what you need. Rather than building a comprehensive document management system, PDF Splitter focuses on one task: intelligently splitting PDFs with complete privacy.
Try it at pdfsplit.ifelse.io.