How long PDFBetter keeps your files
Guest drafts are deleted 1 hour after they're created. Files uploaded only to run a tool are deleted after 24 hours. Documents in your account stay until you delete them, then they're erased 30 days later.
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| What | How long it's kept |
|---|---|
| Drafts made without an account | 1 hour after they're created, then deleted with their files. Sign up before then and they move into your account. |
| Files uploaded only to run a tool, and guest tool results | 24 hours |
| Documents in your account | Until you delete them |
| Documents you delete | In the trash for 30 days, then erased with their files |
| Deleted account | Everything you own is erased right away; file storage is cleared in the background |
| Completed signature evidence | 7 years after completion (see below) |
Version history on each plan
Every save creates a version you can restore from the editor's history. How far back you can see depends on your plan:
| Free | Pro | Business |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days | 90 days | 365 days |
The original upload and the latest version are always available. Older versions outside your plan's window are hidden rather than deleted, and they come back if you upgrade. Restoring creates a new version, so nothing is overwritten.
Signed documents
When a signature request is completed, PDFBetter keeps the sealed signed PDF, the certificate of completion and the audit trail for 7 years, even if the sender deletes the document or their account. That way everyone who signed can still prove the agreement. Records of requests that were never completed are deleted with the document.
Other records
- Usage records (which tools were used, never document contents) are kept up to 400 days.
- Billing records are kept as long as tax law requires.
- Share-link activity is kept for 14 days on Free, 90 on Pro and 365 on Business.
My guest draft is gone. Can you recover it?
No. Guest drafts and their files are deleted 1 hour after they're created, and we can't restore them.
Does PDFBetter keep a copy after I empty the trash?
No. Emptying the trash or choosing Delete forever erases the documents, their versions, signed copies and fill-link responses right away. Evidence of completed signature requests is the one exception.
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Related articles
- Delete documents, and restore them from the trashSelect documents and choose Move to trash. They stay in Trash for 30 days, where you can Restore them, then they're erased with their files. Use Delete forever or Empty trash to erase them now.
- Export your data or delete your accountOpen Settings → Data & privacy. Click Prepare my export to download your account data and original files. To close your account, click Delete my account, type your email and confirm. This can't be undone.
- Where your files are stored and who can open themBrowser tools such as merge, split and rotate never upload your file. Documents you edit, fill or sign are stored in Cloudflare R2, encrypted at rest, and only you, people you share with and your team (for team documents) can open them.
- Use PDFBetter without an accountYou can open every tool without signing up. Browser tools (merge, split, rotate, images to PDF and more) download free. Edits you make in the editor are a guest draft kept for 1 hour; downloading, sharing or sending them needs a free account.