PDF readers and editors
Stirling PDF privacy rating
Open-core PDF toolkit that runs as a desktop app, in the browser or on a self-hosted server, with tools to merge, split, convert, OCR, sign and redact PDFs.
Summary
Stirling PDF scores 50 out of 100 (grade D) on the PDF readers and editors criteria. It meets 2 of 4 criteria: open source and no ads or data sales. It does not meet no trackers or telemetry and independent audit. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.
Score 50 out of 100. How scoring works
Criteria
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Yes
Open source Weight 3 of 3 Source-available
Is all the source code needed to run the product public?
All code is public. The core is MIT, and the engine, proprietary and SaaS directories in the same repository use the source-available Stirling PDF User License.
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No
No trackers or telemetry Weight 3 of 3
Are the website and apps free of third-party trackers, with any analytics anonymous and any telemetry off by default?
The website uses Google Analytics through Google Tag Manager, and the product can send PostHog analytics.
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Yes
No ads or data sales Weight 2 of 3
Is the product funded without advertising, ad targeting or selling user data?
Funded by paid plans. The privacy policy states that personal data is not sold or shared for targeted advertising.
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No
Independent audit Weight 2 of 3
Has an independent security or privacy audit been published within the last three years?
No independent audit is published.