Who is it for?
- Suits people who want many PDF tools in one desktop app without sending documents to a third-party site.
- Suits technical users who want to run PDF tools for a team on their own server with Docker.
Stirling PDF — Merge, Split or Compress PDF
Stirling PDF
Stirling PDF is an open-source PDF platform with dozens of tools such as merge, split, compress, sign, redact, convert and OCR, running as a desktop app or on your own server.
Why it fits
| Good to know | Desktop |
|---|---|
| Free output | Yes |
| No account needed | Yes |
| No watermark | — |
| Works offline | — |
| Batch processing | — |
| Content language | — |
— Unverified conditions. Official documentation reviewed. The app itself has not been hands-on tested. Matches only documented content-language support, not interface language.
Sources and review date4
Founder feedback and correction
Editorial selection guide
Last checked:
Getting started
- Download the Windows, macOS or Linux desktop app from the links in the official documentation; for a server, use the Docker command in the official docs.
- In the app pick a tool such as merge, split, compress or convert and add your file.
- Open the output after processing and check page order, the OCR result and the conversion layout.
Decision points
- The official docs say desktop tools use the local backend where supported, while tools routed to Stirling Cloud or a connected server send their inputs there; for confidential documents check where each tool runs.
- If you only need to merge and split a few pages, a narrower local app may be enough.
Limits
- The free plan is for individual use; Team (99 USD per month for 100 users) and Enterprise plans exist, and automation runs on a credit model (pricing page, may change).
- Not every operation stays on your device: according to the official docs, tools routed to Stirling Cloud or a connected server send your file there, and the sources do not list tool by tool which ones run locally; check this before processing a sensitive document.
- The interface is offered in more than 40 languages, but support for a specific language was not confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
Does Stirling PDF send my files over the internet?
The desktop app needs no login and uses the local backend where supported; according to the official docs, tools routed to Stirling Cloud or a connected server send their inputs there.
Is Stirling PDF free?
The pricing page shows a free plan at 0 USD per month with no card required, covering web, desktop and self-hosted use; the Team plan is 99 USD per month (may change).