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Stirling PDF Free individual · self-hosted: features, limits and pricing

A deployable PDF toolkit with OCR, page operations and browser editing tools for an operator-controlled instance.

Vendor sources and our tests are labelled separately. Independent tests that have not been run are not implied.

Vendor documented · no independent testCatalog record: 13 Sept 2026
Feroz Sheikh
Feroz SheikhOwner & editor · Source checked 13 Sept 2026

Is this edition right for your task?

Fits
A deployable PDF toolkit with OCR, page operations and browser editing tools for an operator-controlled instance.
Main limit
This record covers the Free individual self-hosted tier. A remote instance receives uploaded files; self-hosting does not automatically mean local or air-gapped processing. Hosting and operations costs are excluded and unknown; paid team and automation scopes differ.
Evidence
Vendor documentation; original task test pending

These are documented capabilities, not an independently tested recommendation. Test non-sensitive copies of your own files before switching. Platform support does not establish support for every operating system version.

Edition
Free individual · self-hosted
Platforms
Browser
Installation
self-hosted
Source-identified version
No installed build recorded
Last original test
No original test recorded
Version tested
No independent test recorded

Evidence recheck in progress

Previous evidence is retained. A monitoring alert is not proof that the previous fact is wrong. Only fields marked “Recheck required” are withheld from tested matches or affected cost estimates.

  • Edition-wide source scope, Read scanned text (OCR), Fill existing forms, Edit existing text, Create fillable forms, Merge & organize pages, Annotate & sign, Permanently redact text, Offline requirements · Source review pending; no decision hold
    Source content changed. Compare the before/after excerpt and verify affected fields before restoring eligibility.
    Opened: 27 Sept 2026 · Changed source
  • Offline requirements · Source review pending; no decision hold
    Source content changed. Compare the before/after excerpt and verify affected fields before restoring eligibility.
    Opened: 27 Sept 2026 · Changed source
  • Offline requirements · Source review pending; no decision hold
    Source content changed. Compare the before/after excerpt and verify affected fields before restoring eligibility.
    Opened: 27 Sept 2026 · Changed source
  • Price and billing · Source review pending; no decision hold
    Source content changed. Compare the before/after excerpt and verify affected fields before restoring eligibility.
    Opened: 27 Sept 2026 · Changed source

Each capability row retains its last recorded source/test date. Other fields remain governed by their own evidence and freshness. No completion date is promised.

Capability evidence

Official sources establish advertised availability and limits. A recorded task test separately establishes what worked in a specific environment.

Edit existing text

Available with limits

The PDF Text Editor is labelled Alpha in the reviewed tool list.

Official source ↗Source checked: 13 Sept 2026

Read scanned text (OCR)

Available · official source

OCR makes scanned documents searchable; editable layout quality remains untested.

Official source ↗Source checked: 13 Sept 2026

Create fillable forms

Source reviewed · not established

The reviewed source does not establish this exact task for this edition.

Official source ↗Source checked: 13 Sept 2026

Fill existing forms

Source reviewed · not established

The reviewed source does not establish this exact task for this edition.

Official source ↗Source checked: 13 Sept 2026

Annotate & sign

Available · official source

Read and Annotate is a documented tool.

Official source ↗Source checked: 13 Sept 2026

Merge & organize pages

Available · official source

Merge and page operations are listed tools.

Official source ↗Source checked: 13 Sept 2026

Permanently redact text

Tool documented · outcome test needed

A redaction tool is advertised. Permanent removal is unresolved until an original saved-output extraction test is published.

Official source ↗Source checked: 13 Sept 2026

No hands-on result is implied by an official-source check. Unresolved outcomes remain excluded from tested recommendations.

Offline use and network dependencies

Setup, activation, local work and cloud services can have different requirements.

Install / first load needs internet

Source reviewed · not established

Container images and OCR dependencies must be available; an air-gapped installation procedure was not run.

Official source ↗Source checked: 13 Sept 2026

Account / license activation needs internet

Not verified
Official source ↗Source checked: 13 Sept 2026

Core task works locally

Yes · documented

Self-hosted tasks run on the configured instance. Local/air-gapped operation is documented; not every enabled integration is disconnected.

Official source ↗Source checked: 13 Sept 2026

Cloud features or dependencies

Source reviewed · not established

Where files go depends on the instance and enabled integrations. A remote self-hosted server is still an upload destination.

Official source ↗Source checked: 13 Sept 2026

A complete disconnected installation, activation and task run has not been independently tested.

Revision history

13 Sept 2026 · Rechecked official plan pricing or individual-subscription activation scope. No paid-edition fixture test or purchase is implied. Self-hosted license and infrastructure costs remain separate.Published revision
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