PSPDFKit

Best Self-hosted Alternatives to PSPDFKit

A curated collection of the 2 best self hosted alternatives to PSPDFKit.

PSPDFKit is a cloud PDF SDK and API for embedding document viewing, editing, signing, annotation, OCR, redaction, form filling, conversion, and server-side processing into web, mobile, and backend applications. Provides cross-platform SDKs and REST APIs.

Alternatives List

#1
Stirling PDF

Stirling PDF

Open-source PDF platform to edit, convert, OCR, sign, redact, and automate PDF workflows via a web UI and REST API.

Stirling PDF screenshot

Stirling PDF is an open-source PDF platform for editing, converting, and automating PDF workflows through a web interface and a private REST API. It provides a broad toolkit for common PDF operations while keeping documents within your own environment.

Key Features

  • 50+ PDF tools including merge, split, compress, convert, and manipulate PDFs
  • OCR, redaction, and signing tools for document processing workflows
  • Browser-based UI plus server deployment with API access for integrations
  • Automation and reusable workflows/pipelines to batch process documents
  • Enterprise-oriented capabilities such as SSO and auditing (availability may depend on edition)
  • Multi-language interface (40+ languages)

Use Cases

  • Internal PDF processing service for teams that cannot use third-party SaaS tools
  • Automating high-volume document conversions and transformations via REST API
  • Standardizing repeatable PDF workflows (e.g., OCR + compress + redact) for operations

Limitations and Considerations

  • The project is open-core; some enterprise features and offerings may require a paid plan

Stirling PDF fits individuals through enterprises needing a configurable PDF toolkit with both a UI and API. It is especially useful when privacy, compliance, or on-prem processing requirements prevent sending documents to external services.

74.6kstars
6.3kforks
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#2
BentoPDF

BentoPDF

Self-hostable, privacy-first PDF toolkit that runs fully in the browser for editing, merging, converting, and processing PDFs without server-side uploads.

BentoPDF screenshot

BentoPDF is a self-hostable PDF toolkit that runs entirely in the browser, enabling PDF editing, organization, conversion, and processing without uploading files to a server. It is designed for privacy-sensitive workflows where documents must remain on the user’s device.

Key Features

  • 100% client-side PDF processing for strong privacy (no server-side file handling required)
  • Large collection of PDF tools, including merge, split, rotate, extract, and page organization
  • In-browser PDF editor with annotations, highlights, comments, shapes, images, and search
  • Redaction tools for permanently removing sensitive content
  • Form workflows including creating fillable forms and filling forms (including XFA support)
  • Utilities such as watermarking, headers/footers, page numbers, metadata viewing, and PDF comparison
  • Optional image-processing capabilities (e.g., deskewing) using OpenCV

Use Cases

  • Internal self-hosted PDF utilities for teams handling confidential documents
  • Browser-based PDF editing and redaction for compliance-oriented environments
  • Converting and preparing documents (splitting, merging, watermarking) without file uploads

Limitations and Considerations

  • Performance depends on the user’s browser and device resources, especially for very large PDFs
  • Some advanced PDF operations may vary in fidelity depending on source document complexity

BentoPDF provides a comprehensive set of PDF tools while keeping document processing local to the user’s device. It is well-suited for organizations and individuals who want modern PDF workflows without relying on third-party cloud processing.

11.7kstars
908forks
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Why choose an open source alternative?

  • •Data ownership: Keep your data on your own servers
  • •No vendor lock-in: Freedom to switch or modify at any time
  • •Cost savings: Reduce or eliminate subscription fees
  • •Transparency: Audit the code and know exactly what's running