Stirling PDF 2.0: Major update of the open-source alternative to Adobe Acrobat

The developers of Stirling PDF have released version 2.0 of their open-source PDF software. After a year of development, the project now aims to be a fully-fledged alternative to Adobe Acrobat. As part of the update, the tool now offers native desktop applications for Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as a text editing function.

In addition, the completely revised user interface is intended to enable faster work. A central innovation is file management: users can upload files once and then perform multiple operations in succession without having to upload the file again. All changes are traceable with undo and redo functions and a complete version history.

The desktop applications natively support the "Open with" function from the operating system and are thus intended by the developers to be a real desktop alternative to other PDF programs. For enterprise environments, version 2.0 for the first time enables separate deployments of frontend and backend as well as a hybrid architecture where desktop clients can access server infrastructure.

Text editing is available as an alpha version initially only to paying users. The early access feature is still in early development, and the developers intend to improve it continuously. Administrators can now adjust all system settings via the web interface without having to access configuration files on the server.

Open-core license with grandfather clause

Furthermore, with version 2.0, the developers are introducing a new licensing model: individual users and groups of up to five people can continue to use Stirling PDF free of charge. Organizations with more than five users will require a commercial license in the future. Existing users are protected by a grandfather clause and can continue to use their existing configuration without restrictions.

For server deployments, the developers offer a new license for $99 per month or $1000 annually. This server license includes unlimited user seats, PDF text editing, and full administrative control. The developers describe this in the first preview of the update as the lowest price in the industry for comparable features.

Stirling PDF originated two years ago as a side project and, according to its own statements, has since recorded 18 million downloads. Around 53,000 companies and 72 percent of Fortune 500 companies are said to be using the software – according to the developers. All known existing functions such as merge, split, compress, convert, blacken, sign, OCR, compare, and watermark remain after the update.

Due to the extensive changes, the developers recommend backing up the configuration directory before upgrading to version 2.0 in production environments. Further information and the software itself can be found by interested parties on the project page on GitHub.

(fo)