PDF to MD

Convert PDFs to editable Markdown for Obsidian and Notion.

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About PDF to MD

PDF to MD is an innovative AI-powered tool designed to convert PDF documents into editable Markdown notes, facilitating easier management and integration with popular knowledge base platforms like Obsidian and Notion. It offers a seamless experience by providing a free local conversion mode that processes files directly within the browser, preserving user privacy by ensuring that files never leave the device during this stage. This local mode supports PDFs up to 50 MB and 500 pages, making it suitable for a wide variety of documents.

For more complex documents such as scanned PDFs, those containing intricate tables, mathematical formulas, or non-Latin scripts like Chinese, Japanese, or Korean text, PDF to MD employs a high-accuracy cloud-based Optical Character Recognition (OCR) mode. This cloud service uses credits to deliver precise text extraction, enhancing the usability of challenging documents. The tool also supports batch processing and ZIP downloads, providing flexibility for users handling multiple files at once.

By focusing on preserving original document structure, language, and references, PDF to MD ensures notes are accurate and easier to review. Additional features include specific preparation guides for integrating the converted Markdown with Obsidian and Notion, making it a powerful utility in the AI productivity space.

Use Cases

Convert research papers in PDF format into editable Markdown notes for detailed annotation and backlinking within Obsidian.
Transform scanned class lecture notes into searchable, editable Markdown files using the high-accuracy OCR mode for study organization.
Batch convert large collections of company reports into Markdown to easily import into Notion for team collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Use local mode to quickly convert PDF meeting minutes into Markdown notes without uploading sensitive files online.
Leverage the API integration with Pro subscriptions to automate PDF to Markdown conversion workflows in content-heavy environments like legal or academic institutions.
Employ the preparation guides to optimize Markdown output for smooth import into specific note-taking apps, streamlining the documentation process.

Key Features

Free local PDF to Markdown conversion in browser
High-accuracy cloud OCR for scanned or complex PDFs
Supports files up to 50 MB and 500 pages locally
Batch processing and ZIP downloads
Preparation guides for Obsidian and Notion note-taking apps

Pricing

PDF to MD offers a freemium pricing structure designed to accommodate different user needs. The Free tier provides unlimited local conversions up to 50 MB and 500 pages in-browser, with limitations on batch size (up to 5 files) and includes 5 OCR pages after signup, 100 standard cloud conversions and 5 PDF exports daily, making it ideal for light or personal use without subscription commitments.

The Pro plan is available at $5.75/month when billed yearly (or $7.90 monthly), offering enhanced capabilities such as processing batches of up to 100 files, 300 OCR pages, 1,000 standard cloud conversions, 200 PDF exports monthly, and access to API and MCP credits for automation and higher-volume needs. This plan suits regular users requiring reliable cloud-based OCR and bulk file handling.

Additionally, OCR Packs can be purchased as prepaid credit bundles ($5 for 200 OCR pages), usable across the website, API, and MCP, valid for 12 months. These packs benefit users with occasional heavy OCR usage without recurring subscriptions.

Pros & Cons

Pros

+ Local conversion processes files directly in the browser, ensuring privacy and no file uploads for standard PDFs.
+ Supports large PDFs up to 50 MB and 500 pages in free local mode, accommodating substantial documents without restrictions.
+ High-accuracy cloud OCR designed to handle challenging scanned documents, complex tables, formulas, and non-Latin scripts.
+ Batch processing with ZIP downloads improves efficiency when dealing with multiple PDFs at once.
+ Comprehensive preparation guides for Obsidian and Notion enhance user workflow integration and note management.

Cons

- Cloud OCR services consume credits, which may incur additional costs for frequent or large scanned document conversions.
- PDFs exceeding 500 pages or 50 MB require splitting before local conversion, adding preprocessing steps.
- Local mode does not extract embedded images or guarantee pixel-perfect copy, which might be a limitation for visual-heavy documents.
- Some complex layout features such as multi-column pages and merged table cells might require manual review and cleanup post conversion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PDF to MD upload my files during local conversion?

No, the free local conversion runs entirely in your browser, meaning your files do not leave your device and remain private during this process.

What types of PDFs require the high-accuracy OCR mode?

Scanned PDFs, image-only documents, files containing complex tables, formulas, or non-Latin text such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean require the cloud OCR mode for accurate text extraction.

Can I convert multiple PDFs at once?

Yes, PDF to MD supports batch processing, allowing you to convert multiple files and download them individually or as a bundled ZIP file.

Is there a limit on file size and page count?

Local conversion supports PDFs up to 50 MB and 500 pages. For files larger than these limits, splitting the document before conversion is necessary.

How do OCR credits work and can they be rolled over?

OCR pages consume credits allocated by your plan or prepaid packs. Subscription OCR credits do not roll over month to month, so unused credits expire at the end of the period.