Volume locking, still no cracking, still no OCR
Batch is convenience and capacity. Crypto remains PDF-standard via pdf-lib. Mixing files that should have different passphrases in one “same password for all” job is a policy choice you must make consciously — one leaked phrase would open the folder.
Free vs queue
One typical PDF: free Instant. Many files or 100 MB+: Premium. We do not pretend a free tab will encrypt a mailroom dump.
Password strategy
Unique per recipient when you can. If you use one phrase for a batch, treat that phrase like a master key and store it in a password manager, not in the zip filename.
After the queue
Spot-open two files. Confirm readers prompt. Keep unlocked originals in your records system.