PdfDing

Self-Hosted

Open-source self-hosted PDF management and manipulation tool

Overview

PdfDing is an open-source self-hosted solution for handling PDF documents privately. It supports core tasks like merging, splitting, compressing, and converting PDFs to images (PNG/JPG). Deploy via Docker for one-click setup or run natively on Linux/macOS. Key features include OCR for scanned PDFs, password protection, batch processing, and integration with local/Nextcloud storage. Ideal for teams/individuals avoiding cloud-based tools, it keeps data on your server while offering essential PDF workflows without subscription costs.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  pdfding:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: pdfding
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Merge/split/compress PDFs
OCR for scanned documents
Batch processing tools
Password protection & encryption
Docker deployment support

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is PdfDing hard to install?

PdfDing is easy to install via Docker—pull the official image and run the container with minimal config. Non-Docker setups need Node.js/Python dependencies, which may require basic command-line skills.

? Is it a good alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC?

Yes for core PDF tasks like merging, OCR, and compression. It lacks advanced features (e.g., e-signatures) but excels at privacy and cost-effectiveness for self-hosted users.

? Is it completely free?

PdfDing is open-source under the MIT License—100% free to use, modify, and self-host with no hidden costs or subscriptions.

Top Alternatives

Adobe Acrobat DC Search Google

SmallPDF Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Document Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (self-hosted data control)
⊕ No subscription fees
⊕ Supports batch operations for efficiency
⊕ OCR capability for scanned PDFs

Cons

⊖ Limited to PDF-specific tasks (no general doc editing)
⊖ Requires basic server knowledge for non-Docker setups
⊖ No native mobile app (web-only interface)