Independent media for a more open internet.

Stirling PDF

A free PDF toolkit for your desktop, your browser or your own server.

Price
Open source · from $99/month
License
Open core · MIT
Works on
Windows, Mac, Linux, Web browser, Your own server
Download Official site Releases on GitHub

Latest release: v3.0.2 · released Oct 1, 2026

In short

More than 60 PDF tools — merge, split, convert, sign, redact and more — in desktop apps for Windows, Mac and Linux, a hosted web version, or a server you run yourself. Free for individuals; teams pay for the Team plan.

Made by: Stirling PDF Inc. · Where your data lives: The desktop app works locally by default. The hosted version processes files on Stirling’s servers; self-hosting keeps them on yours.

Logo from: stirling.com

The editor’s take

Good for converting, merging, splitting and redacting in bulk, especially if your team can run a server. It is a toolkit more than an editor.

Best for

Batch PDF jobs and self-hosting

Teams that want one place for PDF conversions and clean-up without sending files to a third-party website.

Check first

Licence and offline features

The desktop app includes proprietary code, and OCR and Office conversion need a sign-in or your own server.

Download & install

Every link goes to the official site, an official app store, or the project’s own GitHub releases.

Official download page stirling.com
Windows Your device
Official download page Installer for Windows (64-bit, .msi) Installer for Windows on ARM (.exe)

Direct files from GitHub release v3.0.2: Stirling-PDF-windows-x86_64.msi (311 MB), Stirling-PDF-windows-arm64-setup.exe (288 MB)

Mac Your device
Official download page Mac app (Apple chip and Intel, .dmg)

Direct files from GitHub release v3.0.2: Stirling-PDF-macos-universal.dmg (426 MB)

Linux Your device
Linux install guide (.deb, .rpm, AppImage) Linux AppImage (x86_64) Debian/Ubuntu package (.deb)

Direct files from GitHub release v3.0.2: Stirling-PDF-linux-x86_64.AppImage (382 MB), Stirling-PDF-linux-x86_64.deb (303 MB)

Web browser Your device
Stirling Cloud (free plan)
Your own server Your device
Docker install guide

Latest release: v3.0.2 · released Oct 1, 2026 · fetched from GitHub on Oct 3, 2026 · Releases on GitHub

Getting started without coding

Plain-language steps based on the official install guide.

Difficulty: Easy

Download and install, or sign up in the browser. No server needed.

The desktop app installs like any other and needs no login for local tools. Running your own server with Docker is the advanced path.

Is there an installer?

  • Windows Installer
  • Mac Installer
  • Linux Package
  • iPhone & iPad Not available
  • Android Not available
Hosted version

Stirling Cloud — Free plan with no card. Files you upload are processed on Stirling’s servers.

Steps for Windows

  1. On stirling.com/download, click “Download for Windows” (ARM PCs use the -setup.exe from GitHub releases).
  2. Run the installer and open “Stirling PDF” from the Start menu.
  3. Merge, split, rotate and sign work offline with no login. OCR and Office conversion ask you to sign in to Stirling Cloud or connect your own server.
  4. If no window appears, install the Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime, as the official troubleshooting guide advises.

Steps for Mac

  1. Download the Mac .dmg from stirling.com/download (one build for Apple chip and Intel).
  2. Open the .dmg and drag Stirling PDF into Applications.
  3. If macOS blocks the first launch, open System Settings › Privacy & Security and click “Open Anyway”.

Steps for Linux

  1. Download the .deb (Debian/Ubuntu), .rpm (Fedora) or AppImage from the official guide.
  2. Install the package, or make the AppImage executable and run it (Ubuntu 22.04+ may need libfuse2).

Steps for Web browser

  1. Go to stirling.com/app and create a free account (no card).
  2. Upload a PDF and pick a tool. In this mode files are processed on Stirling’s servers.

Steps for Your own server

  1. Install Docker on the computer that will be the server.
  2. Run the official Docker command from the install guide, then open http://localhost:8080.
  3. Sign in with the default admin account and change its password straight away.

Official installation docs

What we could verify

We checked key factual claims and linked to primary sources so you can confirm the details. Last reviewed Oct 3, 2026

Pricing & license Open core: an MIT core plus proprietary folders, including the desktop app code. Free plan for individuals; Team is US$99/month for 100 users. View the license · Checked Oct 3, 2026 · github.com
Where your data lives The desktop app starts in local-only mode, so files never leave your device until you sign in or connect a server. See documentation · Checked Oct 3, 2026 · docs.stirlingpdf.com
Platform support Desktop apps for Windows, Mac and Linux; browser use via Stirling Cloud or your own server. No phone app. Check downloads · Checked Oct 3, 2026 · stirling.com

Try before you move

A simple way to see if it fits your needs.

  1. Open a real documentTry a PDF you actually work with, not a sample file.
  2. Repeat your hardest workflowTest the exact task you do most often, such as editing, converting, or adding a signature.
  3. Export and inspect the resultMake sure the output looks right and keeps your formatting.

Good to know

  • OCR and Office conversions in the desktop app need a free Stirling Cloud sign-in or your own server. Source: docs.stirlingpdf.com
  • The desktop app’s own code is under Stirling’s proprietary licence; companies beyond the free plan should read the terms. Source: github.com

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