# 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.

- Website: https://www.stirling.com
- Source code: https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF
- Jurisdiction: United States. Five Eyes member. Subject to the US CLOUD Act.
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Web
- Home page trackers: Cloudflare Web Analytics (cookieless analytics), Google Fonts (not scored)
- Category: [PDF readers and editors](https://privacyratings.com/pdf-tools/)
- Grade: D (50/100)

## Criteria

| Criterion | Answer | Note | Evidence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open source | Yes | 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. | https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF/blob/main/LICENSE |
| No trackers or telemetry | No | The website uses Google Analytics through Google Tag Manager, and the product can send PostHog analytics. | https://www.stirling.com/legal/privacy-policy |
| No ads or data sales | Yes | Funded by paid plans. The privacy policy states that personal data is not sold or shared for targeted advertising. | https://www.stirling.com/legal/privacy-policy |
| Independent audit | No | No independent audit is published. |  |

Source: https://privacyratings.com/pdf-tools/stirling-pdf/
Edit: https://github.com/privacyratings/privacyratings.com/edit/main/ratings/pdf-tools/stirling-pdf.md