Stirling PDF review

Stirling PDF is an open-source PDF toolkit that you can use in the browser, install as a desktop app or host on your own server. Its free plan for individuals lists 60+ PDF tools and 1,000 monthly credits for automating PDF work, with no card required, and the desktop apps are free on Windows, Mac and Linux. On Linux the desktop build runs as a Java .jar file, which works across distributions but feels less native than a .deb package. Self-hosting is the main draw for privacy-minded users: the editor runs on your machine and the source is public, so sensitive files do not go to a third-party website. Teams pay $99 a month for 100 users, which adds single sign-on, a shared workspace and central control of which tools are available. Enterprise adds air-gapped deployment, SCIM and audit logs at a custom price. Automation beyond the included credits costs one cent per credit.

Who it is for

Privacy-minded Linux users and IT teams who want many PDF tools on their own machines.

Price

Free for individuals; Team $99 per month for 100 users; Enterprise by quote.

$ 99 /month 100 users included
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• 60+ PDF tools on the web, desktop and self-hosted
• Desktop apps for Windows, Mac and Linux, free for individuals
• Open-source code that runs on your own machine
• 1,000 monthly credits on the free plan to automate PDF work
• Team plan with single sign-on and central control of the tool catalog

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free for individual use with no card required
• Strength: Can be self-hosted so files never leave your network
• Strength: One flat Team price for 100 users instead of per-seat licenses
• Weakness: The Linux desktop build runs as a Java .jar file rather than a native package
• Weakness: Automation beyond the free credits is billed per credit
• Weakness: Air-gapped deployment needs the custom-priced Enterprise plan

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, for individuals, 1,000 monthly credits
• Team plan: $99 per month, 100 users included
• Linux: Java .jar desktop app or self-hosted server

Where it ranks

Stirling PDF is No. 5 in our Best PDF Editors for Linux verdict.