Upload, set light rules, get a link and QR. Designed for fast sharing with basic visibility — no installation burden on readers.
Tool Comparison
MaiPDF: quick, link-based
Digify: sales analytics
Locklizard: hard DRM
MaiPDF vs Digify vs Locklizard — which fits your use case.
This is an honest comparison, not a promotional one. All three tools solve different problems, and picking the wrong one wastes time and money in both directions.
MaiPDF is a link-first, browser-based sharing tool with light access controls and a free tier. Digify is a mid-market sales and analytics platform. Locklizard is a dedicated DRM product for high-value IP protection. The right tool depends on what kind of control you actually need.
Link-first
No desktop reader
Simple records
Per-page engagement data, team workspaces, and detailed analytics for sales and marketing teams tracking document engagement.
Encrypted PDF delivered through a desktop reader. Strong technical copy prevention for high-value IP, training content, or compliance-regulated documents.
Browser-based
Free tier available
QR output
No reader install
Where MaiPDF is weaker
No per-page analytics, no enterprise SSO, no cryptographic DRM. If those are requirements, read the fit section before deciding.
Where MaiPDF wins
Zero setup for readers, lowest entry cost, and QR+link together from one upload — a strong default for everyday sharing needs.
Quick Decision
Choose the right tool for your situation
Three-column guide: which tool fits which scenario best, before diving into the detailed tables below.
Choose MaiPDF
Everyday document sharing
You want to share PDFs with a link or QR, know if they were opened, set an expiry, and keep a simple access log. No budget for a paid tool. Readers should not have to install anything.
Choose MaiPDF
Flyers, event programs, physical distribution
The document needs both a clickable link and a QR code for print surfaces. You want to be able to update the content without reprinting or resending. Access records are a bonus.
Choose Digify
Sales proposals with engagement tracking
You need to know which pages a prospect spent time on, set automatic expiry for proposals, manage a team workspace, and see per-viewer analytics reports — not just a raw open count.
Choose Digify
Investor data rooms and due diligence
Multiple sensitive documents shared with multiple parties. You need audit logs, watermarking per viewer, NDA gates, and a clean room-style environment — features beyond what MaiPDF offers.
Choose Locklizard
High-value intellectual property
You publish training manuals, eBooks, or technical documentation that must not be copied or extracted. Locklizard's encrypted desktop reader provides genuine DRM — copying is technically blocked, not just discouraged.
Choose Locklizard
Regulated or compliance documents
Government contracts, legal deliverables, or medical training materials where an audit trail and encrypted delivery are required by regulation — not just good practice.
Deep Comparison
MaiPDF vs Digify
Eight rows covering the key differences between a link-first sharing tool and a sales-analytics document platform.
| Dimension | MaiPDF | Digify |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing model | Hosted link + QR. Upload once, share a browser-accessible page. Free tier available. | Link-based share with data room options. Paid plans; no comparable free tier for ongoing use. |
| Reader setup | Zero friction — any browser, no account, no install. Reader opens the link immediately. | Browser-based with optional email identity verification. No install required either, but email gates are common. |
| Access rules | Expiry date, open count limit, email verification, fence view, QR output — set before or after sharing. | Expiry, email gating, watermarking, and NDA gates. More granular team-level permission controls available. |
| Analytics depth | Per-share open log: timestamps, total opens, verified reader emails. Telegram alerts for real-time notification. | Per-page engagement heatmaps, time-on-page, per-viewer breakdown, team dashboard, and export reports. |
| Team features | Individual share management. No shared team workspace or role management in the current product. | Team workspaces, role-based access, shared analytics dashboard, and multi-user account management. |
| Pricing tier | Free tier covers basic use. Paid plans for advanced features. Lowest entry cost of the three. | Per-seat SaaS pricing. No permanent free tier. Aimed at professional teams with budget. |
| Reader experience | Clean browser viewer. Link and QR available. No branding customization on free plan. | Polished viewer with branding options. More professional presentation for client-facing proposals. |
| Update workflow | Replace the file on the hosted page — link and QR stay the same, no resending needed. | Document version management built into the workspace. Multiple versions can coexist with rollback. |
MaiPDF is the better default when budget is limited and you just need a simple hosted link with light controls.
Digify is worth the cost when per-page engagement analytics and team collaboration are actively used — not just nice-to-have.
Either can be used alongside the other for different document types within the same organization.
Deep Comparison
MaiPDF vs Locklizard
Seven rows covering the fundamental difference between a browser-based link tool and a dedicated encrypted-DRM platform.
| Dimension | MaiPDF | Locklizard |
|---|---|---|
| Reading environment | Standard browser — no install. Opens on any device with a browser immediately. | Requires installing the Safeguard PDF viewer (desktop application). Mobile support varies by plan. |
| DRM strength | Browser-based friction: no raw file download, fence view mode for screen capture reduction. Not cryptographic DRM. | Encrypted PDF with licence-based unlocking. Copying, printing, and extraction are cryptographically blocked within the viewer. |
| Copy / print control | Viewer prevents easy download and copy. Fence view adds screen-capture friction. Not technically unbypassable. | Print and copy permissions are set in the licence and enforced at the encryption level — not at the UI layer. |
| Offline viewing | Requires an internet connection — the PDF is hosted and loaded on demand. | Supports offline viewing through the licensed desktop reader — useful for field use or low-connectivity environments. |
| Deployment | No deployment. Upload the file and share the link — no server administration or software to manage. | PDF server or cloud platform, reader software distribution, and licence management for each recipient. |
| Compliance use cases | Not suitable for compliance-grade document control. No encryption, BAA, or audit log documentation available. | Used in legal, government, defence, and medical sectors where encrypted delivery and audit trails are required. |
| Watermarking | Dynamic watermark can include reader email or timestamp in the hosted viewer. | Forensic watermarking baked into the encrypted PDF — survives screenshots and printouts in some configurations. |
MaiPDF is appropriate when zero install friction for readers matters more than hard copy protection.
Locklizard is appropriate when the document contains genuinely sensitive IP that must not be extractable under any condition.
The two tools are not competing for the same users. Using both for different document types is a common and logical pattern.
Honest Assessment
Where MaiPDF fits — and where it does not
No tool is right for every situation. Here is an honest two-sided view of where MaiPDF belongs and where it falls short.
MaiPDF is a good fit when
- You want to share a PDF via link or QR without asking readers to install anything.
- You need basic access controls: expiry, open limit, email verification, view mode.
- You want a simple open log to see if the file was read, without complex analytics.
- You need QR output for print distribution alongside a digital link from the same upload.
- Budget is limited and a free tier covering core use is important.
- You want to update the PDF without resending a link — replace the file, same URL stays.
MaiPDF is NOT a fit when
- You need per-page engagement analytics, time-on-page data, or heatmap reports for sales teams.
- You require cryptographic DRM where copying and printing are technically blocked at the encryption level.
- Compliance documentation (HIPAA, SOC 2, ISO 27001) requires certified audit trails, BAAs, or encrypted delivery.
- You need enterprise SSO, team workspaces, role-based administration, or IT-controlled deployment.
- The document must be viewable offline without an internet connection.
- You require forensic watermarking that survives screenshots or printouts for legal tracing purposes.
Feature Spec Sheet
MaiPDF features — what each one does
A quick-reference sheet for the access controls and companion features available on MaiPDF shares.
| Feature | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Expiry date | Available | Set a calendar date after which the link and QR stop working. No manual intervention needed after setting. |
| Open limit | Available | Cap the total number of opens allowed for a share. Once the limit is reached, the link deactivates automatically. |
| Email verification | Available | Require readers to confirm an email address before viewing. Confirmed addresses appear in the access records. |
| QR output | Available | Generates a scannable QR code from the same share as the link. Both point to the same hosted PDF and share the same rules. |
| Dynamic watermark | Available | Overlays reader email address or timestamp on the PDF while it is being viewed — visible deterrent against screenshot forwarding. |
| Read alerts | Via Telegram | Sends an instant Telegram message when the PDF is opened. Complements access records for real-time awareness of each read event. |
| Fence view | Available | A restricted view mode that reduces screen-capture and keyboard-copy opportunities. Adds friction, not a cryptographic lock. |
| Access records | Available | Per-share log showing open timestamps, total open count, and verified reader emails if email verification is enabled. |
FAQ
Common questions about MaiPDF vs alternatives
Is MaiPDF free?
MaiPDF has a free tier that covers basic hosted PDF sharing with link and QR output. Advanced features such as email verification, extended access records, and higher file counts require a paid plan. Digify and Locklizard are paid products without a comparable permanent free tier for regular use.
Does MaiPDF require reader accounts?
No. Readers open the hosted PDF in a standard browser without creating an account, installing an app, or registering on MaiPDF. This is one of MaiPDF's main practical advantages over Locklizard, which requires installing a desktop viewer before any document can be opened.
Can MaiPDF prevent downloading?
MaiPDF shows the PDF through a browser viewer rather than handing over the raw file, which removes the obvious download path. Fence-view mode reduces screen capture opportunity further. These are friction measures, not cryptographic locks. For hard DRM where downloading is technically blocked, Locklizard's encrypted desktop reader approach is substantially stronger.
Is MaiPDF suitable for enterprise?
MaiPDF is designed for small teams, freelancers, and individual professionals who want quick link-based PDF sharing with light access controls. It does not currently offer SSO integration, shared team dashboards, role-based administration, or the enterprise compliance documentation that Digify or Locklizard provide for larger organizations with IT governance requirements.
How does MaiPDF compare on price?
MaiPDF is the lowest entry cost of the three, with a usable free tier. Digify is a mid-market SaaS product with per-seat pricing aimed at sales and marketing teams. Locklizard is typically the most expensive, reflecting its stronger DRM, server infrastructure, and compliance focus. The right tool is the cheapest one that actually meets your requirements — not the cheapest one overall.
Can I use MaiPDF for HIPAA or compliance documents?
MaiPDF does not market itself as HIPAA-compliant and does not provide the audit trails, BAA agreements, or encryption documentation required for regulated healthcare data. For HIPAA, SOC 2, or ISO 27001 compliance requirements, evaluate Digify's enterprise tier or a purpose-built compliance document platform before using MaiPDF for those specific workflows.
What analytics does MaiPDF provide?
MaiPDF provides per-share access records showing open timestamps, total open count, and (when email verification is enabled) confirmed reader emails. It supports Telegram read alerts for real-time open notifications. It does not provide per-page engagement heatmaps, time-on-page data, or the audience analytics dashboards that Digify offers — if those matter to your workflow, Digify is the more appropriate choice.
Can I use MaiPDF alongside Locklizard or Digify?
Yes. The three tools are not mutually exclusive. A common pattern is using MaiPDF for everyday link-based sharing of internal documents or marketing materials, while using Locklizard for high-value IP that requires genuine DRM protection. Digify can cover the middle ground for sales documents that need engagement analytics beyond what MaiPDF offers. Running all three for different document categories is a reasonable strategy for larger teams.
Start Here
Try MaiPDF for everyday PDF sharing.
If link-based sharing with basic access controls, QR output, and an open log matches your use case, MaiPDF covers it for free. If you need more, the comparison above points you in the right direction.