Draft:Stirling PDF

Stirling PDF is a Open-source web-based PDF manipulation software suite that offers PDF document editing, signing, conversion, and security features. Launched in January 2023, it provides users with local processing capabilities and privacy-focused document handling.{{cite web |url=https://opencoreventures.com/blog/2024-09-stirling-pdf-launches-first-open-core-pdf-editing-suite/ |title=Open-source creator Anthony Stirling launches Stirling PDF to build the first open-core PDF editing suite |date=2024-09-16 |access-date=2024-12-30}} As of 2024, the project has received significant community adoption, with over 8 million Docker downloads.{{cite web |url=https://hub.docker.com/r/frooodle/s-pdf |title=Stirling PDF Docker Hub Statistics |access-date=2024-12-30}}

In January 2023, Anthony Stirling created the project after encountering challenges with existing PDF tools, which were either costly, lacked Docker support, or raised trust concerns.{{cite web |url=https://blog.pixee.ai/user-spotlight-stirling-pdf |title=User Spotlight: Stirling PDF |date=3 April 2024 |access-date=2024-12-30}} The initial prototype was developed as a 24-hour challenge using only ChatGPT to generate code. The project began with just four core features, which Stirling shared on Reddit to gauge interest.{{cite web |url=https://opencoreventures.com/blog/2024-09-stirling-pdf-launches-first-open-core-pdf-editing-suite/ |title=Open-source creator Anthony Stirling launches Stirling PDF to build the first open-core PDF editing suite |date=2024-09-16 |access-date=2024-12-30}}

After the positive reception on Reddit{{cite web |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/selfhosted/comments/10pexhn/new_browserbased_pdf_editor_github_link/ |title=New Browser-based PDF Editor (GitHub Link) |website=Reddit |date=30 January 2023 |access-date=2024-12-30}}, Stirling decided to continue development without ChatGPT, focusing on manual development and community contributions. The project quickly gained traction in educational institutions, with at least 50 universities and educational establishments deploying the software.{{cite web |url=https://blog.pixee.ai/user-spotlight-stirling-pdf |title=User Spotlight: Stirling PDF |date=3 April 2024 |access-date=2024-12-30}}

The project's commitment to local processing and open-source resonated with users seeking trusted PDF manipulation tools.

The project expanded significantly through community contributions, growing to include over 200 contributors and achieving more than 47,000 GitHub stars.{{cite web |url=https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF |title=Stirling PDF Github|website=GitHub }} In September 2024, Stirling PDF Inc. was established with $2 million in funding from Open Core Ventures (OCV), enabling the adoption of an open-core business model while maintaining the core features as open-source software.{{cite web |url=https://opencoreventures.com/blog/2024-09-stirling-pdf-launches-first-open-core-pdf-editing-suite/ |title=Open-source creator Anthony Stirling launches Stirling PDF to build the first open-core PDF editing suite |date=2024-09-16 |access-date=2024-12-30}}{{cite web |url=https://www.stirlingpdf.com/blog/stirling-pdf-future |title=Stirling-PDF Future |access-date=2024-12-30}} This transition allowed for the development of enterprise features while keeping the essential functionality free and open source.

Stirling PDF includes:{{cite web |url=https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF |title=Stirling-PDF GitHub Repository - Features Section |website=GitHub |access-date=2024-12-30}}{{cite web |url=https://docs.stirlingpdf.com/category/functionality |title=Functionality - Stirling PDF Documentation |website=Stirling PDF |access-date=2024-12-30}}

• Document Operations:
• PDF splitting and merging
• Form editing and filling
• Metadata modification
• Content Processing:
• OCR functionality
• Text and image extraction
• Format conversion (PDF to/from Word, Excel, CSV)
• Security Features:
• Digital signature support
• PDF encryption/decryption
• Document password protection
• Performance Tools:
• PDF compression
• Batch processing capabilities
• Workflow automation
• International Support:
• Interface available in 38+ languages{{cite web |url=https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF?tab=readme-ov-file#supported-languages |title=Stirling-PDF GitHub Repository - Language Support Section |website=GitHub |access-date=2024-12-30}}

The software utilizes:{{cite web |url=https://docs.stirlingpdf.com/Functionality/The%20Technologies |title=Stirling-PDF Docs - Technologies Used Section |access-date=2024-12-30}}

• Java/Spring Boot backend
• HTML5/JavaScript frontend
• Docker containerization
• Tesseract integration
• PDFBox

Available Docker configurations:{{cite web |url=https://docs.stirlingpdf.com/Installation/Versions |title=Stirling-PDF Versions |access-date=2024-12-30}}

• Complete: Full feature set with additional fonts
• Standard: Core features with balanced resource usage
• Minimal: Essential functions with reduced size
• Manual installation via JAR files

• Windows: Native installer
• Linux/Unix: JAR deployment
• macOS: JAR deployment

The software emphasizes user privacy through:{{cite web |url=https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF |title=Stirling-PDF GitHub Repository - Security Section |website=GitHub |access-date=2024-12-30}}

• Exclusively local file processing
• Automatic file cleanup
• No data collection or sharing
• Optional encryption features
• Enterprise security options

Project metrics include:{{cite web |url=https://www.stirlingpdf.com/about |title=Stirling PDF - About Page |access-date=2024-12-30}}

• 200+ code contributors
• 47,900+ GitHub stars
• 8+ million Docker installations
• Community support via Discord with nearly 1500 members
• Public feature request system{{cite web |url=https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF/issues?q=%5BFeature+Request%5D+sort%3Areactions-%2B1-desc |title=Stirling-PDF GitHub Repository - Feature Requests |website=GitHub |access-date=2024-12-30}}

The project follows an open-core model:{{cite web |url=https://www.stirlingpdf.com/blog/stirling-pdf-future |title=Stirling PDF - Future Plans |access-date=2024-12-30}}

• Essential features remain open-source
• Enterprise options include:
• Professional support services
• Advanced authentication

Stirling PDF has gained recognition in the tech community as a notable alternative to commercial PDF software solutions. TechCrunch has described it as "the Swiss Army knife for PDF documents" and highlighted its importance as an alternative to Adobe's products.{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/29/these-alternatives-to-popular-apps-can-help-reclaim-your-online-life-from-billionaires-and-surveillance/ |title=These alternatives to popular apps can help reclaim your online life from billionaires and surveillance |date=2024-11-29 |access-date=2024-12-30}} SlashGear recognized it as a notable open-source PDF editor, highlighting its unique approach of offering over 40 distinct PDF manipulation tools with a minimalist, user-friendly interface that contrasts with traditional all-in-one PDF editors.{{cite web |url=https://www.slashgear.com/1643470/best-open-source-pdf-editors-available/ |title=Best open-source PDF editors available |date=18 August 2024 |publisher=SlashGear |access-date=2024-12-30}} XDA-Developers has recommended it as part of a comprehensive self-hosted document management solution when paired with other open-source tools.{{cite web |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/projects-i-host-on-my-proxmox-home-lab/ |title=Projects I host on my Proxmox home lab |date=15 October 2024 |publisher=XDA-Developers |access-date=2024-12-30}}