To convert JPG images into PDFs without a big-box PDF program, there’s plenty of freeware to do the job. But suppose you want to do the opposite — convert PDFs into JPGs? The same solution: Easy-to-use freeware focused on one task, which is the case with Free PDF to JPG. It converts PDF documents into JPGs and other file types that you can open and edit in many graphics apps or use just like any image file. Free PDF to JPG converts images one by one or in batches, but it doesn’t have scheduling or a lot of complex options; in fact, all the options and controls you need to do the job are right there on the program’s interface. It’s specifically designed to be as easy to use as possible; an approach that often means you can open Free PDF to JPG, load your files, and convert them while your feature-encrusted PDF program’s splash screen is still displaying developer credits. Free PDF to JPG runs in Windows 98 to 8.

As we noted, Free PDF to JPG’s compact user interface has all its controls and options in its layout, including the Output File Formatting options (JPG, BMP, PNG, and TIFF) and Output Dimensions; we could also opt to have the program open the output folder when conversions complete and to show conversion errors (if any) but that’s about it. For us, though, this basic setup is part of what makes Free PDF to JPG so fast, along with the program’s conversion engine and, of course, your system’s resources, not to mention the size and number of files. Free PDF to JPG processed a 1MB manual so quickly we thought at first it’d quit working, but opening the target folder revealed page after page of manual text and images saved as JPGs.

Free PDF to JPG is the easy alternative to complicated do-it-all packages, and that’s just how we like it. A heads-up: There’s no Help file, though support and information are available at the developer’s Web site. But watch out for the “wwww” typo in the About panel’s hyperlink!