Are both open source?

Yes. Stirling PDF is self-hosted-first with a very large tool count; mypdf is hosted-first with in-browser processing for most tools. Both can be run from a Docker image.

Which is more private?

Both are strong. Stirling PDF keeps files on your own server. mypdf goes one step further for most tools: the file stays in your browser and never touches any server, even ours.

Do I need Docker to use mypdf?

No — mypdf1.com is ready to use. Docker is only for people who want to run their own copy, which the project fully supports.

mypdf vs Stirling PDF

Stirling PDF is the best-known open-source PDF suite: a huge tool count, self-hosted on your own server via Docker. mypdf is open-source too, but you don't have to host anything — it's live at mypdf1.com, and most tools run in your browser so files are never uploaded anywhere. This one is less rivalry, more choosing the right open-source flavour.

Feature	mypdf	Stirling PDF
Price	Free, every tool	Free and open-source (paid enterprise features exist)
Ready to use	Yes — just open the site	You deploy it yourself (Docker) or find a hosted instance
Where files are processed	Most tools run in your browser, so files are never uploaded. The few server tools delete your file right after.	On whatever server you (or someone else) run it on
Account required	No account, ever.	None by default; login system available for teams
Number of tools	25	50+ (many niche operations)
Best for	Anyone with a browser	Homelabbers and teams with their own infrastructure
Open source	Yes	Yes
Self-hostable	Yes, ships as a Docker image	Yes — that's the primary way to use it

Which should you use?

Pick Stirling PDF if you run a homelab or a company server and want the biggest open-source PDF toolbox on your own infrastructure. It's an excellent project with a very active community.

Pick mypdf if you want the open-source ethos without operating a server: it's already hosted, free, account-less — and unlike a self-hosted server suite, most mypdf tools process the file in your browser, so it never even reaches our server. You can still self-host mypdf if you want to.

Browse all mypdf tools

FAQ

Are both open source?: Yes. Stirling PDF is self-hosted-first with a very large tool count; mypdf is hosted-first with in-browser processing for most tools. Both can be run from a Docker image.
Which is more private?: Both are strong. Stirling PDF keeps files on your own server. mypdf goes one step further for most tools: the file stays in your browser and never touches any server, even ours.
Do I need Docker to use mypdf?: No — mypdf1.com is ready to use. Docker is only for people who want to run their own copy, which the project fully supports.