Free software
Stirling-PDF
Free alternative to Adobe Acrobat
- FormatDownload from the publisher
- PlatformWindows, macOS, Linux
- LicenceCore under the MIT licence
Free
Description
Stirling-PDF is a free alternative to Adobe Acrobat for everyday PDF work: a program to install on your computer to edit a PDF, merge and split files, sign, permanently black out passages, convert and compress. According to the publisher, it brings together more than 50 tools.
Free for individuals: we sell nothing and host nothing. The button leads to the publisher’s download page, which always offers the latest version for Windows, macOS and Linux. The app looks for new versions itself and offers to install them; under the publisher’s terms, an update may be required and may install automatically. Teams and companies have paid plans with them.
Stirling-PDF and Adobe Acrobat Pro: what each one does
| Task | Stirling-PDF | Adobe Acrobat Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Edit text and images | Yes | Yes |
| Merge, split, reorganise pages | Yes | Yes |
| Sign | Drawn, typed, image or certificate signature | Yes, and request signatures from others, with tracking |
| Permanently black out passages | Yes | Yes |
| Compare two PDFs | Yes, the text differences | Yes |
| Protect with a password | Yes | Yes |
| Recognise the text of a scan (OCR) | With an account at the publisher, or a server | Yes |
| Convert a PDF to Word or PowerPoint | With an account at the publisher, or a server | Yes |
| Where it installs | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, and apps for phone and tablet |
| Price | Free for individuals (CHF 0); paid plans for teams | Paid, from Adobe |
According to Stirling-PDF’s documentation and Adobe’s pages, November 2026. At Adobe, the Standard version does less: neither the blacking out nor the comparison.
What stays on your computer: without an account, according to the publisher, every tool runs on your computer and nothing is uploaded. Text recognition and conversions to Word or PowerPoint usually need an account with them or a server: the file then goes to that service.
Licence: the core of the software is under the MIT licence; several folders, including the desktop app’s, have their own licence. The details are in the project’s LICENSE file.
Need help installing it? Our IT support service (page in French) offers remote help with software and its configuration, at its rate announced in advance.
Stirling-PDF is a trademark of its publisher, Stirling PDF Inc.; Adobe and Acrobat are trademarks of Adobe. Only Digital is affiliated with neither. The icon on this page is our own.
Installation
This guide installs the Stirling-PDF desktop app. The download comes from the publisher.
Open the publisher’s page
It offers the latest version. You need Windows 10 or 11, macOS 10.15 or later, or a 64-bit Linux (x86_64).
Install it
Windows: run the downloaded file and approve the administrator prompt. Then open Stirling PDF from the Start menu. In a terminal,
winget install StirlingTools.StirlingPDFinstalls it, andwinget upgrade StirlingTools.StirlingPDFupdates it.Mac: open the DMG file and drag Stirling PDF into Applications. If macOS blocks the app, open System Settings, then Privacy & Security, and select “Open Anyway”.
Linux: on the latest version’s page, take the .deb package (Debian, Ubuntu), the .rpm package (Fedora, RHEL) or the AppImage, which runs with no installation.
First launch
The “Sign in to Stirling” screen gives three choices. Choose Continue without signing in to work without an account, on your computer. You can change this later in Settings, then Connection Mode.
Updates
Shortly after it starts, the app looks for a new version. If there is one, Install Now installs it and Restart Now restarts the app. The setting is in Settings, then Preferences, then Software Updates: ask before installing, which is the default, or install automatically. On Windows, if the app asks for administrator rights, choose Download Latest and run the file.
To uninstall it
Windows: Settings, Apps, Installed apps, Stirling PDF, Uninstall. Mac: quit the app and drag it from Applications to the Trash. Linux: remove the package with your package manager, or delete the AppImage file. According to the publisher, your data stays; its documentation names the folders to delete.
The publisher’s documentation: Install the desktop app, Updates, data and uninstall.
Questions
Is it really free?
According to the publisher, yes for individuals, with no card. Teams and companies have paid plans with them. Nothing goes through Only Digital: no payment, no file.
Do I need an account?
According to the publisher, the desktop app works without an account: at first launch, choose “Continue without signing in”. Tools marked with a cloud badge then ask for an account with them, or a server.
Do my files stay on my computer?
Without an account, according to the publisher, every tool runs on your computer and nothing is uploaded. With an account, the tools the app cannot run locally send the file to their online service.
How do updates work?
Shortly after it starts, the app looks for a new version and offers to install it. A setting installs it automatically. The button on this page always leads to the latest version.
Where are you?
Only Digital, Route de Berne 111, 1010 Lausanne. The fastest answer comes on WhatsApp: +41 79 847 33 93.