Building PDFcraft: From No-Code Prototype to Public SaaS ToolΒ
π Also available on Medium β [Read on Medium]
Published: April 2025
PDFcraft β From Idea to Live SaaS Tool
π Overview
PDFcraft is a fully functional, browser-based tool that lets users merge, split, compress, and convert PDF files β completely free. Designed with minimalism and accessibility in mind, it evolved into a public SaaS tool with optional one-time support for those who want to contribute.
π Live App
π GitHub Repository
π‘ The Idea
Most online PDF tools are limited by paywalls, intrusive ads, or clunky interfaces. I wanted to create something better β fast, elegant, and fully functional out of the box.
The goal was clear:
Make the core tools (merge, split, compress, convert) free
Keep the design clean and mobile-friendly
Offer a way for supporters to contribute β without pressure
βοΈ Tech Stack
Frontend: React (Vite) + TypeScript
Styling: Tailwind CSS
Hosting & Auth: Firebase (Auth + Firestore + Hosting)
PDF Processing: pdf-lib, html2canvas, and custom utility functions
Payments: Stripe (one-time support option)
π Hosting Strategy
The biggest challenge was not development, but deployment.
I wanted something sustainable that wouldnβt restrict free users or compromise privacy.
Firebase offered the perfect balance β generous free tier, scalability, and real-time features.
To support the tool long-term, I added a one-time payment option. There are no subscriptions, ads, or usage traps.
π Code & Contributions
The full source code is available publicly.
It includes clean architecture, reusable components, usage tracking, and Firebase logic β all production-ready.
π₯ Try It Yourself
No sign-up required. Just go to the site and start using it.
Free to use with generous daily limits.
π Launch PDFcraft