PDF-XChange Editor vs. Stirling PDF
Side by side, with sources. Checked Oct 3, 2026.
PDF-XChange Editor
Pay once
Stirling PDF
Open sourcePrice
Free mode adds watermarks to licensed features. A perpetual single-user licence is US$62 (Editor Plus US$79) and includes 12 months of updates.from $62 (one-time)Source: pdf-xchange.com
Free for individuals on desktop, web and self-hosted (self-hosted free plan up to 5 users). Team is US$99 a month or US$999 a year for 100 users.from $99/monthSource: stirling.com
Pricing model
Pay once · Free plan available
Open source · Free plan available
License
ProprietaryProprietary licence. Paid licences are perpetual; the free version may be used at no charge, including at work.
Open core · MITMost code is MIT, but some folders — including the desktop app’s own code — are under Stirling’s proprietary user licence.
Works on
- ✓ Windows
- – Mac
- – Linux
- – Web browser
- – Your own server
- ✓ Windows
- ✓ Mac
- ✓ Linux
- ✓ Web browser
- ✓ Your own server
Where your data lives
On your Windows PC. Cloud connectors and the AI assistant are optional (the assistant only runs with your own API key).
The desktop app works locally by default. The hosted version processes files on Stirling’s servers; self-hosting keeps them on yours.
Getting started
Difficulty: Easy A normal Windows installer from the official site; nothing else to set up.
Difficulty: Easy The desktop app installs like any other and needs no login for local tools. Running your own server with Docker is the advanced path.
Hosted version
NoneThere is no browser or Mac version.
Stirling CloudFree plan with no card. Files you upload are processed on Stirling’s servers.