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 179+ 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 |
| 175+ tools (PDF, image, video, audio, dev) | Yes (175+ tools) | No (PDF only) |
Unlike Stirling PDF, PrivaTools is 100% free with no premium tiers, no file size limits (up to 500 MB per file), 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.