Documents and PDFs

• Smallpdf — Compress, merge, convert, and e‑sign PDFs in clicks.
• iLovePDF — Robust PDF toolkit with batch options. Tip: Compress before emailing large attachments.

Images and media tools

• TinyPNG — Smart image compression (PNG/JPG/WebP) with minimal quality loss.
• Remove.bg — One‑click background removal for product photos and headshots.
• Online‑Convert — Convert between dozens of file formats (audio, video, docs, images).

Sharing and storage

• Google Drive — Cloud storage and fast file sharing integrated with Docs/Sheets.
• Dropbox — Simple, reliable file sync and shared folders.
• WeTransfer — Frictionless large file sending without accounts.
• Bitly — URL shortener with basic tracking. Tip: Customize slugs for readability.

Internet diagnostics and status

• Speedtest by Ookla — Accurate internet speed and latency checks. Tip: Test on wired and wireless to isolate issues.
• Fast.com — Ultra‑simple speed test powered by Netflix; great for quick checks.
• Downdetector — Real‑time outage reports for major services.
• WhatIsMyIP — View IP address, ISP, and geolocation basics.
• WHOIS (who.is) — Domain ownership and DNS lookup.
• SSL Labs Server Test — Check a site’s TLS/SSL configuration grade.

Finance and conversion

• XE — Live currency converter and historical rates. Tip: Add a bank spread for real‑world estimates.
• UnitConverters.net — Length, area, temperature, data units, and more.

Privacy and security checks

• Have I Been Pwned — See if your email appears in known data breaches. Tip: Enable breach alerts.
• Temp‑Mail — Disposable email to reduce spam when testing or signing up.

Quick safety and privacy tips

• Check HTTPS and padlock before uploading files.
• Avoid uploading sensitive data to free tools; prefer on‑device or paid, audited apps.
• Read the retention policy: Some sites auto‑delete after minutes; others may store longer.
• Use incognito or a secondary account for testing tools that require sign‑in.
• Verify URLs from official sources to avoid look‑alike phishing domains.

Choosing the right utility fast

1. Define the job: Compress a PDF? Convert a video? Diagnose Wi‑Fi?
2. Pick the simplest tool that solves just that job.
3. Scan for limits: File size caps, watermarks, daily quotas.
4. Test with a non‑sensitive sample before using real data.

Editorial integrity and methodology

This guide synthesizes public popularity indicators (such as widely referenced traffic rankings and search interest), product longevity, and hands‑on editorial testing to ensure each pick is dependable for everyday use. We periodically revisit links, test common workflows, and remove tools that decline in quality or trust.

Have a favorite utility we missed? Bookmark this page and check back for updates as new, high‑quality tools rise in popularity.