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Self-host Stirling-PDF

updated Sep 2026prices checked · Jul 2026Install verified on Ubuntu 26.04 · Sep 2026 · how we test
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A web app and REST API with more than 50 PDF tools, including merge, split, convert, OCR, compress, redact and sign, where files are processed on your own server. It is open core: the MIT-licensed core runs without a licence key, while SSO, auditing and other enterprise features are paid.

Key facts

CategoryPDF tools
LicenseMIT core with proprietary enterprise modules
StackJava, Spring Boot, TypeScript
Min RAM2048 MB
Official imageyes
Difficulty

What you need

  • Any VPS with at least 2048 MB of RAM
  • A domain you control — most self-hosted setups need HTTPS in front of them
  • Under an hour if you've used Docker before
Where to host itaffiliate disclosure
Hetzner Cloudrun it on
From $23.59/mo · 2 vCPU / 4 GB / 80 GB · EU + US
Get Hetzner Cloud (opens in new tab)
Kamaterafree trial
From $4/mo · 1 vCPU / 1 GB / 20 GB · US + EU + Asia
Start free on Kamatera → (opens in new tab)
DigitalOceanalso works on
From $6/mo · 1 vCPU / 1 GB / 25 GB · US + EU + Asia
Deploy on DigitalOcean → (opens in new tab)

Paid link — we earn a commission if you shop through it.

Install

Run these commands on your server:

# Stirling-PDF — the official image (use :latest-ultra-lite on a small VPS)
docker run -d --name stirling-pdf --restart unless-stopped \
  -p 8080:8080 -v ./stirling-data:/configs \
  docker.stirlingpdf.com/stirlingtools/stirling-pdf:latest
# login is on by default: admin / stirling, changed at first sign-in  →  http://SERVER_IP:8080

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