Stirling PDF
Open-source PDF tools you can self-host on your own server
- #10 of 11 in best PDF editors
- Free and open source
- Free to use
- Open source
- WebSelf-hosted
Ranked 10 of 11 in best PDF editors
Open-source PDF tools that run on your own server, with MIT-licensed core code. Someone has to host and update it, so it suits IT teams and privacy-minded users more than people who want a desktop editor.
Best for Self-hosted PDF tools for teams and IT staff
About Stirling PDF
Stirling PDF is a web application with many PDF tools, including merging, splitting, converting, OCR and editing. It is self-hosted, so files are processed on a server the user or the user's company runs. The GitHub project lists self-hosted, PDF OCR and PDF merging among its topics.
The core code is published under the MIT license. A proprietary directory in the repository is licensed separately. The company reports more than 30 million downloads and says the software is free for individual use. It suits IT teams and privacy-minded users. For a polished desktop editor on one computer, PDF Expert or Foxit is simpler.
Key features
- Self-hosted web app
- MIT-licensed core
- OCR and conversion
- Merge and split tools
Strengths
- Self-hosted, so files stay on your own server
- MIT-licensed core with many PDF tools
Limits
- Self-hosting means you run updates and backups
- Parts of the repository use a separate proprietary license
Where Stirling PDF ranks
How Stirling PDF compares
| Product | Score | Price | Platforms | Free plan | Pricing model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#7 iLovePDF | 81.5 | Free plan, paid upgrades | WebWindowsmacOSiOSAndroid | Free tier with limited processing | Freemium, Premium monthly or yearly |
#8 PDFgear | 80.5 | Free | WindowsmacOSiOSWeb | Free software and free online tools | Free |
#9 Okular | 79.5 | Free and open source | LinuxWindowsmacOSAndroid | Free | Open source |
| #10Stirling PDF | 78.5 | Free and open source | WebSelf-hosted | Free for individual use | Open source; free for individuals |
#11 PDFsam | 77.0 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOSLinux | Free, no limits | Open source |
The full comparison table for best PDF editors has all 11 products.
Questions about Stirling PDF
- Is Stirling PDF free?
- Stirling PDF can be used without paying: Free for individual use; core code is MIT-licensed. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is Stirling PDF open source?
- Yes. Stirling PDF publishes its source code under the MIT license.
- Which platforms does Stirling PDF support?
- Stirling PDF is available on: Web, Self-hosted.
- What is Stirling PDF best for?
- Self-hosted PDF tools for teams and IT staff. In our ranking of PDF editors it is number 10 of 11 with a score of 78.5.
- What are the best alternatives to Stirling PDF?
- The highest-ranked alternatives on listme.name are Adobe Acrobat, PDF-XChange Editor, Foxit PDF Editor, Smallpdf.
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