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Converting PDF files to images (such as PNG, JPG, or TIFF) is useful for presentations, social media, web content, and document sharing. Whether you need a single-page snapshot or a batch conversion, there are multiple ways to achieve this.
In this guide, we’ll explore the 10 best methods to convert PDF to image, including online tools, desktop software, and manual techniques—ensuring high-quality results every time.
1. Using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC (Best for Professionals)
Why Choose Adobe Acrobat?
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is the most reliable PDF tool for high-quality image conversions.
Steps to Convert PDF to Image
Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
Click File > Export To > Image > PNG/JPEG/TIFF.
Adjust resolution (up to 600 DPI for crisp images).
Save the file.
Pros
✅ High-quality output
✅ Batch conversion support
✅ OCR for scanned PDFs
Cons
❌ Expensive subscription
Pricing: $14.99/month
2. Online Conversion with Smallpdf (Quick & Free)
Why Use Smallpdf?
Smallpdf is a user-friendly, web-based tool for instant PDF-to-image conversion.
Steps to Convert Online
Go to Smallpdf.com.
Upload your PDF.
Select "PDF to JPG" or "PDF to PNG".
Download the converted images.
Pros
✅ No installation needed
✅ Free version available
✅ Secure (files deleted after 1 hour)
Cons
❌ Free version has a daily limit
Pricing: Free (limited), $12/month (Pro)
3. Using Microsoft Word (Manual Conversion)
How to Convert via Word?
Open the PDF in Microsoft Word (File > Open).
Click File > Save As > JPEG/PNG.
Adjust image quality if needed.
Pros
✅ No extra software required
✅ Good for simple documents
Cons
❌ Formatting may break
❌ Not ideal for multi-page PDFs
Pricing: Free (if you have Word)
4. PDFelement by Wondershare (Affordable Alternative to Adobe)
Why PDFelement?
A cost-effective desktop solution with OCR and batch processing.
Steps to Convert
Open PDFelement.
Click "Convert" > "To Image".
Choose format (JPG, PNG, etc.).
Export.
Pros
✅ One-time purchase option
✅ Supports OCR
Cons
❌ Free version has watermarks
Pricing: $79.99/year
5. Using Google Drive (Free Cloud-Based Method)
How to Convert via Google Drive?
Upload PDF to Google Drive.
Right-click > Open with > Google Docs.
Download as JPEG or PNG.
Pros
✅ Free & accessible
✅ No software needed
Cons
❌ Low resolution
❌ Text may shift
Pricing: Free
6. Mac Preview (Built-in macOS Solution)
How to Convert on Mac?
Open PDF in Preview.
Click File > Export.
Select JPEG/PNG/TIFF.
Adjust quality and save.
Pros
✅ No extra software
✅ High-resolution export
Cons
❌ Only for macOS
Pricing: Free
7. GIMP (Free & Advanced Editing)
Why Use GIMP?
A free Photoshop alternative for custom image exports.
Steps to Convert
Open PDF in GIMP.
Select pages to import.
Export as PNG/JPG.
Pros
✅ Free & open-source
✅ Advanced editing options
Cons
❌ Steeper learning curve
Pricing: Free
8. Fast Pdf Hub (Best Free Online Tool)
Why Fast Pdf Hub?
A completely free web-based converter with fast processing.
Steps to Convert
Visit fastpdfhub.com.
Upload PDF.
Choose "PDF to JPG".
Download images.
Pros
✅ No registration
✅ Batch conversion
Cons
❌ File size limit (50MB)
Pricing: Free
9. Command Line (For Tech-Savvy Users)
Using Ghostscript (Linux/Mac/Windows)
Run:
bash
Copy
gs -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=jpeg -r300 -sOutputFile=output-%d.jpg input.pdf
Pros
✅ Fast batch processing
✅ No GUI needed
Cons
❌ Requires technical knowledge
Pricing: Free
10. Foxit PDF Editor (Lightweight & Fast)
Why Foxit?
A lightweight PDF editor with quick image export.
Steps to Convert
Open PDF in Foxit.
Click File > Export > Image.
Choose format & save.
Pros
✅ Faster than Adobe
✅ One-time purchase
Cons
❌ Limited free version
Pricing: $159 one-time
Final Verdict: Best Method for You?
| Use Case | Best Tool |
|---|---|
| High-quality professional use | Adobe Acrobat Pro |
| Quick online conversion | Smallpdf or Fast Pdf Hub |
| Free & no installation | Google Drive |
| Mac users | Preview |
| Advanced editing | GIMP |
| Bulk conversions | PDFelement or Ghostscript |
Which Method Do You Prefer?
Each method has its strengths—choose based on speed, quality, and budget. For best results, Adobe Acrobat and PDFelement lead, while free tools like Smallpdf and ILovePDF work well for quick needs.
