PrivaTools vs Stirling PDF: two open-source, self-hostable PDF suites compared. Which offers more tools, easier setup, and better privacy?
PrivaTools is a free, open-source alternative with 214+ file tools, no file limits, no sign-ups, and no behavioural tracking. Compare features, pricing, and privacy practices side by side.
| Feature | PrivaTools | Stirling PDF |
|---|---|---|
| Free to use | Yes — 100% free | Yes |
| No account required | Yes | Yes (self-hosted) |
| No file size limits | Yes (500 MB per file) | Depends on your server |
| No ads | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes (MIT license) | Yes (GPL-3.0) |
| Self-hostable | Yes (Docker) | Yes (Docker required) |
| Files processed privately | Yes (server-side, deleted within minutes) | Yes (your own server) |
| No watermarks on free tier | Yes | Yes |
| 214 tools (PDF, image, video, audio, dev) | Yes (214 tools) | No (PDF only) |
Unlike Stirling PDF, PrivaTools is 100% free with no premium tiers, a generous 500 MB per-file limit, no account required, and no ads. Files are processed in an isolated container and deleted immediately after the response is returned — never stored, never shared with third parties. PrivaTools is open source under the MIT license and self-hostable via Docker, so you can run the entire stack on your own infrastructure for complete control.