Cachety vs Watermarkly: two watermark tools that keep files on your device
Updated 11 October 2026
Watermarkly and Cachety have something important in common: both say your files are processed on your device and not sent to their servers. The differences are in features, price and what each is designed for.
In short
Watermarkly is the better pick for photographers and businesses that want a logo watermark, lots of styling options or a desktop app for thousands of files. Cachety is aimed at ID documents and personal paperwork: it is free with no added branding, open source, and adds masking, passwords and one copy per recipient.
Side by side
| Criterion | Cachety | Watermarkly |
|---|---|---|
| Where your file is processed | CachetyIn your browser, on your device. | WatermarklyIn your browser, on your device, according to its privacy policy. |
| Account | CachetyNone. | WatermarklyNo sign-up required. |
| Free version | CachetyFree with no paid tier and no added branding.Advantage Cachety | WatermarklyFree version adds a small Watermarkly logo at the bottom of PDF pages. Paid access removes it. |
| Analytics | CachetyNo visitor analytics.Advantage Cachety | WatermarklyUses Google Analytics to measure visitors, per its privacy policy. |
| Type of watermark | CachetyText, repeated diagonally, with 3 fonts and a wave effect. | WatermarklyText or logo, with many fonts and effects, and tiling in any direction.Advantage Watermarkly |
| Blacking out details | CachetyBuilt in: the hidden content is really removed.Advantage Cachety | WatermarklyNot found on its PDF tool page. |
| Password and hidden data | CachetyOptional AES-256 password; metadata and photo location removed.Advantage Cachety | WatermarklyNot found on its PDF tool page. |
| One copy per recipient | CachetyYes, up to 20 named copies, with a unique reference each.Advantage Cachety | WatermarklyNot documented. |
| Apps | CachetyWeb only; can be added to your home screen. | WatermarklyWeb, desktop apps for Windows and Mac, and iOS and Android apps.Advantage Watermarkly |
| Open source | CachetyYes, AGPL-3.0, code on GitHub.Advantage Cachety | WatermarklyNot documented. |
Both keep your file on your device
Unlike most online PDF tools, Watermarkly says it processes files right in your browser and does not send them to its servers. That is the same principle as Cachety, and it is a real privacy advantage over upload-based websites. Credit where it is due.
One difference is how easily you can check it. Cachety's code is open source, and its pages are set up so the browser is not allowed to send data to any other site. Anyone can read the code, and anyone can try the aeroplane mode test.
The aeroplane mode test works for any tool that claims to be local: load the page, go offline, and try it. If it still works, your file is not being uploaded.
Where Watermarkly is better
Watermarkly is built for photographers and businesses. It handles logos, has many fonts and effects, lets you tile watermarks in any direction, and offers desktop and mobile apps for large batches. If your watermark is about branding, it is the stronger tool.
Where Cachety is better for ID documents
- Free with no extra logo added to your pages.
- Masking to hide an account number or photo, with the content really removed.
- An optional password, and removal of hidden data such as metadata and GPS location.
- One named copy per recipient, each with a unique reference you can trace.
- No visitor analytics, and open-source code.
How to do it with Cachety
- 1Open cachety.com.
- 2Add your ID document or payslip.
- 3Type who it is for and why, and add today's date.
- 4Optionally hide details or add a password, then download.
When Watermarkly is the better choice
- You want a logo or image watermark, for example on photos.
- You need lots of styling options, such as effects and custom tiling.
- You want a desktop or mobile app to watermark large batches of files.
When Cachety is the better choice
- You want a free watermark with no extra branding on your document.
- You need masking, a password or one copy per recipient for ID documents.
- You prefer open-source software and a page with no visitor analytics.
Frequently asked questions
- Does Watermarkly upload my files?
- According to its privacy policy and PDF page, no: Watermarkly processes files on your device and does not send them to its servers.
- Is Watermarkly free?
- There is a free version. For PDFs, Watermarkly says the free version adds a small Watermarkly logo at the bottom of the pages. Paid access removes it.
- Which is better for a passport copy, Watermarkly or Cachety?
- Both keep the file on your device. Cachety adds masking, a password and one copy per recipient, with no extra branding. Watermarkly is better if you need a logo.
Sources
Facts checked on 11 October 2026 on each publisher's public pages. Services change: if something here is out of date, tell us on GitHub and we will fix it.
Written by the author of Cachety. We aim to be factual and fair: every claim about another tool links to its source.