Self-host Stirling-PDF
updated Sep 2026deployed by usprices checked · Jul 2026Install verified on Ubuntu 26.04 · Sep 2026 · how we test
We earn commissions when you shop through the links below. Full disclosure →
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 + USKamaterafree trial
From $4/mo · 1 vCPU / 1 GB / 20 GB · US + EU + AsiaDigitalOceanalso works on
From $6/mo · 1 vCPU / 1 GB / 25 GB · US + EU + AsiaPaid 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:8080deploy guideHow to Deploy Stirling-PDF on a VPSvps picksBest VPS for self-hostingbenchmarked quarterly · re-priced monthly
More self-hosted tools
Developer tools
code-server
TypeScriptNode.js
easyRead guide →
Whiteboard
Excalidraw
TypeScriptReact
easyRead guide →
Developer tools
IT Tools
TypeScriptVue
easyRead guide →
E-books & comics
Komga
KotlinSpring BootVue
easyRead guide →