Stirling-PDF

Self-Hosted

Open-source self-hosted PDF manipulation suite

Overview

Stirling-PDF is a comprehensive self-hosted PDF toolset offering merging, splitting, compression, format conversion (PDF ↔ Word/Excel/Images), OCR, rotation, watermarking, encryption, and more. It features a user-friendly web UI, supports Docker for one-click deployment, and allows plugin customization. Ideal for privacy-focused users avoiding cloud-based PDF services, it handles both basic and advanced tasks for individuals or small teams.

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:
  stirling_pdf:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: stirling-pdf
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

All-in-one PDF tools (merge, split, convert, OCR)
Docker-based easy deployment
Privacy-focused self-hosted solution
Customizable via plugins and themes

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Stirling-PDF hard to install?

No—Stirling-PDF can be deployed quickly using Docker with a single command, making it accessible for users with basic Docker knowledge. Manual installation options are also available for those preferring non-Docker setups.

? Is it a good alternative to SmallPDF?

Yes, for most everyday PDF tasks like merging, converting, and compressing. Unlike SmallPDF, Stirling-PDF is self-hosted (no data sent to third-party servers) and free, though it lacks SmallPDF’s cloud sync features.

? Does Stirling-PDF support OCR for scanned documents?

Yes! It includes OCR functionality that can convert scanned PDFs into editable text. You can even select the language for OCR to improve accuracy for non-English documents.

Top Alternatives

Adobe Acrobat DC Search Google

SmallPDF Search Google

Foxit PhantomPDF Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Document Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ No subscription fees
⊕ Full control over data (self-hosted)
⊕ Supports multiple languages
⊕ Regular feature updates

Cons

⊖ Requires Docker or server setup knowledge
⊖ Lacks some enterprise-level features (e.g., advanced form analytics)
⊖ OCR accuracy varies with low-quality scans