Stirling PDF
More than sixty PDF operations behind a usable interface, including editing, OCR, conversion, redaction, forms, and signatures; the full private setup is best in Docker.
Technical Profile & Specs
verified 2026-08-10
- Cost
- $0 / forever (Open Source)
- License
- MIT
- Hosting Model
- Local or hosted (your machine or their cloud)
- Platforms
- desktopwebself-hostedone-click install
- Installation
- Install the native Windows/macOS desktop build, run the Linux JAR, or deploy the documented Docker image/Compose stack; a hosted cloud edition also exists
- Operational Setup
- The native desktop app is simple, but a full private cross-platform service and automation setup is most reliably deployed with Docker
- Where Your Data Lives
- Desktop and self-hosted deployments process files on the user's machine/server and can use mounted local storage; the cloud edition uploads files for transient server processing
- The Catch / Trade-off
- Its toolbox is broad, but precise WYSIWYG page-content editing and Acrobat's mature accessibility, prepress, enterprise signing, and admin workflows are not equivalent.
Replaces 5 paid apps
up to $72.32/mo ($868/yr) in subscriptions
Stirling PDF FAQ
Common questions
Is Stirling PDF free and open source?+
Stirling PDF is an open-source tool licensed under MIT that runs on local or hosted. More than sixty PDF operations behind a usable interface, including editing, OCR, conversion, redaction, forms, and signatures; the full private setup is best in Docker.
What paid software does Stirling PDF replace?+
Stirling PDF serves as a free replacement for 5 paid SaaS applications: Adobe Acrobat Pro, Foxit PDF Editor, iLovePDF Premium, Nitro PDF Pro, Sejda Web, saving up to $72.32/month ($868/year) in subscription bills.
How do you install and set up Stirling PDF?+
Installation: Install the native Windows/macOS desktop build, run the Linux JAR, or deploy the documented Docker image/Compose stack; a hosted cloud edition also exists. Setup notes: The native desktop app is simple, but a full private cross-platform service and automation setup is most reliably deployed with Docker
What is the catch or trade-off with Stirling PDF?+
Its toolbox is broad, but precise WYSIWYG page-content editing and Acrobat's mature accessibility, prepress, enterprise signing, and admin workflows are not equivalent.