PDF24 Creator is the best default choice for most users, while Bullzip PDF Printer is stronger for controlled office workflows, and doPDF is best when you only need quick PDF output with minimal fuss. If your team creates invoices, scanned contracts, reports, or client files every day, the right PDF printer saves real time and reduces mistakes. PDF24 is also free for private and commercial use, which makes it unusually practical for small businesses [source: PDF24].
TLDR: Choose PDF24 Creator if you want the most complete free toolkit, including printing, merging, compression, OCR, and basic editing. Choose Bullzip PDF Printer if you need settings like watermarking, password protection, and repeatable print profiles in a work setting. Choose doPDF if you just want to print a Word file or invoice to PDF in under a minute; for example, a freelancer sending 40 invoices a month may prefer doPDF because it adds almost no learning curve. In a small office with five users creating 300 PDFs monthly, PDF24 will usually cover more tasks without extra software.
Quick verdict
The best alternative depends on what annoys you most. If you hate installing three separate utilities just to merge, compress, and print PDFs, PDF24 Creator is the safer pick. If you care more about consistent output rules, Bullzip makes more sense. If every extra button feels like clutter, doPDF is the cleanest option.
All three tools create PDFs through a virtual printer. You open a file, choose Print, select the PDF printer, and save the result. That sounds simple, but the differences show up fast. Security, file size, batch work, interface quality, and business licensing all matter.
Comparison at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Main strength | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDF24 Creator | Most home and business users | Full PDF toolbox, free commercial use | Interface can feel busy |
| Bullzip PDF Printer | Office workflows and controlled output | Profiles, passwords, watermarks, automation options | Some advanced use may require setup time |
| doPDF | Simple PDF printing | Fast, light, easy to understand | Limited advanced tools |
PDF24 Creator: best overall free option
PDF24 Creator is the most capable choice here. It is not just a PDF printer. It also includes tools for merging files, splitting pages, compressing large PDFs, extracting pages, converting images, adding page numbers, and running OCR on scans. That matters because PDF work rarely stops at printing.
Say you print a contract to PDF, then realize two pages must be removed and the file is too large for email. With doPDF, you need another tool. With Bullzip, you may need a separate editor. With PDF24, you can usually fix the problem in the same suite.
The catch is that PDF24 can feel crowded at first. There are many tiles, tools, and windows. A new user may spend five or ten minutes figuring out where everything lives. Still, that short learning period pays off if you handle PDFs often.
- Best feature: broad PDF toolbox in one desktop application.
- Good for: small businesses, admin teams, students, accountants, and scanned documents.
- Weak point: less elegant interface than simpler tools.
PDF24 is also a good fit when privacy matters. Many people upload documents to online PDF tools without thinking. That is risky for tax forms, contracts, medical records, and HR files. A local desktop tool keeps more work on your machine.
Bullzip PDF Printer: best for controlled office output
Bullzip PDF Printer feels more like an office utility than a consumer app. Its strength is control. You can create PDFs with passwords, add watermarks, set output quality, and use predefined settings. For teams that process similar documents every day, that consistency is useful.
For example, an accounting department may want every exported invoice saved with the same naming pattern, the same quality level, and the same watermark. Bullzip is better suited to that kind of repeatable process than doPDF. It also suits users who want more technical options without moving to a paid PDF editor.
Honestly, it feels like Bullzip expects you to know what you want before you open it. That is fine for IT staff and experienced users. It is less friendly for someone who only needs to save a recipe, boarding pass, or letter as a PDF.
- Best feature: reliable settings for structured PDF printing.
- Good for: offices, IT-managed PCs, invoicing, reports, and repeat tasks.
- Weak point: less approachable than basic PDF printers.
Bullzip is also worth considering when you need security options but do not want a full PDF platform. Password protection and watermarking can reduce accidental misuse. They will not fix poor document policies, but they do add a useful layer for routine business files.
doPDF: best for simple PDF creation
doPDF is the simplest tool in this group. Install it, print to it, choose where to save the file, and you are done. That is its appeal. It does not try to be a complete PDF workstation.
This makes doPDF a strong choice for users who only need basic conversion. If you are printing Word documents, Excel sheets, web receipts, or simple reports, it does the job with very little friction. It is also less intimidating for non-technical users.
The downside arrives when you need more. Want to merge three PDFs? Compress a 25 MB file? OCR a scanned page? Add a watermark? You will likely need another tool. Expect to waste time on extra steps if your PDF needs go beyond printing.
- Best feature: clean and simple PDF printing.
- Good for: freelancers, students, home users, and basic office tasks.
- Weak point: too limited for heavier PDF work.
Which one should you choose?
Pick PDF24 Creator if you want one free tool that handles most PDF jobs. It is the strongest all-rounder and the best choice for users who often edit, merge, shrink, or scan PDFs.
Pick Bullzip PDF Printer if your priority is controlled PDF generation. It suits offices that need consistent output, security settings, and a more configurable printer-style workflow.
Pick doPDF if speed and simplicity matter more than features. It is ideal when PDF creation is occasional and basic.
Final recommendation
For most people, PDF24 Creator is the best replacement for a basic free PDF printer because it solves more PDF problems after the file is created. Bullzip PDF Printer is a serious choice for business users who need repeatable settings and document controls. doPDF remains useful because it stays simple, light, and easy to explain.
If you manage sensitive or frequent PDF work, avoid relying only on browser-based converters. A desktop PDF printer gives you better control, fewer upload risks, and a more dependable workflow. Start with PDF24 if unsure. Move to Bullzip if you need tighter print rules. Use doPDF when all you need is a clean PDF, fast.