FileTally makes one of the products compared here. Competitor facts were checked on October 6, 2026 against the sources linked on this page.
What online counters do well
No install, often free, works on any computer. For a single personal PDF, that's hard to beat.
What to check first
- Does it upload? Many browser tools process files on a server. Some process in the browser. The tool's documentation should say which.
- Retention. How long are files kept, and can you verify deletion?
- Location and subprocessors. Where is the server, and who else handles the data?
- Your obligations. Under ABA Model Rule 1.6(c), lawyers must make reasonable efforts to prevent unauthorized disclosure of client information (ABA). Client agreements may say more.
- Batch and formats. Can it handle a folder, and the non-PDF files in it?
We don't name specific sites here, because their behavior changes and we only state what we can source. Check each tool's own terms.
FileTally, for comparison
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Counts | PDF, Word (DOC, DOCX), Excel (XLS, XLSX, printed pages by print area), PowerPoint (PPT, PPTX), multi-page TIFF, JPG/PNG/BMP, MSG and EML email, TXT; supported ZIPs extracted locally | FileTally features |
| Statuses | Every result Exact or Estimated; files it can't count cleanly listed as Action needed with the reason | FileTally |
| Exports | CSV, XLSX and a printable PDF summary | FileTally |
| Privacy | Runs 100% locally on Windows 10 and 11. No upload, no account | FileTally security |
| Price | $24.99 one-time, 12 months of updates, 7-day trial from first scan | FileTally licensing |
Use an online counter when
- The file is personal and not sensitive.
- You need one count, once.
- You can't install software on the machine.
Use FileTally when
- The files are confidential, privileged or regulated.
- You need a whole folder counted, with subfolders.
- Someone else will rely on the number.
More: local measurement before a vendor handoff and our security page. Back to all comparisons.
Questions people ask
Is there a page counter that doesn't upload my files?
Yes. FileTally runs entirely on your Windows PC. It reads the documents where they sit, never uploads them and never modifies them. No account is needed.
Are online PDF page counters safe for legal documents?
It depends on the tool. If it uploads files, check storage, retention, subprocessors and your client terms first. Counting locally avoids the transfer entirely.
Can online page counters count a whole folder?
Some handle several files, but many work one file at a time and focus on PDFs. FileTally counts a whole folder tree of mixed formats in one scan.
Does FileTally work offline?
Scanning and exporting need no internet connection. Documents never leave the machine.