On-device AI document chat
LocalPDF uses Apple Intelligence and Apple’s FoundationModels framework to analyze documents on your Mac without sending them to a cloud service.
LocalPDF
LocalPDF is a native macOS app for chatting with PDFs and other documents entirely on-device using Apple Intelligence. It supports seven file formats and is aimed at users who want offline, privacy-focused document analysis on their Mac.
Overview
LocalPDF is a native macOS app for chatting with PDFs and other documents using Apple Intelligence. It is built to analyze files entirely on-device, so document processing, embeddings, and chat stay on your Mac rather than in a cloud service.
The product is positioned for people who want a local document analysis workflow with broad file support and offline operation. The site says LocalPDF works with PDF, TXT, MD, CSV, JSON, DOC, and DOCX files, and it uses Apple’s native frameworks for fast performance on Apple Silicon.
Features
Seven supported formats
The app supports PDF, TXT, MD, CSV, JSON, DOC, and DOCX files, letting you work across several common document types in one workflow.
Search and chat over your documents
The site says LocalPDF provides streaming responses and AI chat powered by Apple Intelligence, NaturalLanguage embeddings, and on-device vector search.
Native macOS app
LocalPDF is built with SwiftUI and native Apple frameworks, with the product positioned as a macOS-only app rather than an Electron wrapper.
Offline privacy controls
The product emphasizes offline operation with no telemetry, no cloud analysis, and no hidden API calls.
Pro subscription access
LocalPDF Pro is offered as a monthly or yearly subscription and includes unlimited document analysis in the plan details shown on the site.
Use Cases
Private document Q&A
Review long PDFs or mixed document sets locally and ask questions about their contents without uploading files to a server.
Multi-format document analysis
Search across text files, CSVs, JSON, and office documents in one macOS app when you want a single local analysis workflow.
Sensitive file review
Work on files that should stay on your machine, such as legal, financial, or personal records, while keeping the analysis offline.
Subscription-free AI chat workflow
Use the app on a personal Mac as a local research assistant when you need quick answers without a separate ChatGPT or Claude subscription.
Personal multi-Mac use
Activate a LocalPDF Pro license on your owned Macs and move the license between devices when needed.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Runs completely on-device, which keeps document processing local.
- Supports seven common document formats, not just PDFs.
- Uses native macOS technologies such as SwiftUI, PDFKit, and Apple Intelligence.
- Offers offline operation with no cloud analysis or hidden API calls.
- Includes a trial and subscription options for LocalPDF Pro.
Cons
- It is built for macOS, so it is not presented as a cross-platform desktop app.
- Apple Intelligence must be enabled in macOS System Settings for the offline workflow to work as described.
- The source does not provide detailed output-format or export options.
FAQ
Does LocalPDF work offline?
Yes. LocalPDF is designed to run entirely on-device with Apple Intelligence and the FoundationModels framework, so it does not require an internet connection after Apple Intelligence is enabled in macOS System Settings.
Can I use LocalPDF on more than one Mac?
Yes. The help center says a LocalPDF Pro license key can be activated on personally owned Mac devices, and you can deactivate and reactivate it from within the app.
Which file formats does LocalPDF support?
LocalPDF supports PDF, TXT, MD, CSV, JSON, DOC, and DOCX files.
Does LocalPDF offer a trial?
The site lists a 14-day trial for LocalPDF Pro, after which the app offers monthly or yearly subscription options.
How do I get help if I run into a problem?
You can contact the LocalPDF engineering team through the support channel listed in the help center for billing questions or technical issues.
Quick Facts
- Category
- AI Chat / Productivity
- Platform
- macOS
- Core workflow
- Chat with local documents on-device
- Supported formats
- PDF, TXT, MD, CSV, JSON, DOC, DOCX
- Pricing shape
- Free 14-day trial; LocalPDF Pro monthly or yearly subscription
- Website
- localpdf.io
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